Apple Announces The 2023 App Store Award Finalists

Apple has announced the 2023 App Store Award finalists, highlighting the best games across all Apple devices, and even giving their rationale on why these games were nominated.

The award is a good way to highlight games in the Apple Arcade catalogue, as well as triple-A titles that people may not know are available on Mac.

Here are the finalists for Game of the Year for each Apple device:

iPhone Game of the Year Finalists

• Afterplace, nominated for creating a retro role-playing game with intuitive controls.
• Honkai: Star Rail, nominated for building a space fantasy adventure with cinematic animation.
• Vampire Survivors, nominated for inspiring a new roguelike action genre.

iPad Game of the Year Finalists

• Eggy Party, nominated for crafting whimsical and joyful experiences for users.
• Lost in Play, nominated for delivering charming visuals and gameplay for all ages.
• Pocket City 2, nominated for inviting players to build from their imagination.

Mac Game of the Year Finalists

• ELEX II, nominated for transporting players to a dynamic Science Fantasy world.
• Lies of P, nominated for delivering smooth gameplay with an alternative twist on a classic tale.
• Return to Monkey Island, nominated for building on its iconic point-and-click adventure.

Apple Arcade Game of the Year Finalists

• Cityscapes, nominated for inspiring players with a sustainable and purposeful twist.
• Hello Kitty Island Adventure, nominated for taking players on a grand adventure with adorable creatures.
• stitch., nominated for bringing the meditative art of embroidery to more users.

The 2023 App Store Award winners will be selected from a group of finalists, which will be announced in the coming weeks.

Apple holds these awards annually, with some of the winners from the previous year being Apex Legends Mobile and El Hijo.

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Beatrix

Undying Blue

An elite Society agent and contractor of the seal weapon Embrasque, Beatrix's ferocity when facing primal beasts is rivaled only by her insatiable hunger for glory.

Eustace

Earthrending Thunder

An elite Society marksman and contractor of the seal weapon Flamek Thunder, Eustace is efficient, laconic, and longs to live in a world of peace and quiet.

Fraux

Striking Strength

Pactbearer to The Devil, a primal seeking to create a new world order, Fraux is otherwise an ordinary skydweller whose heart, character, and temperament are filled with love and compassion.

Fediel

Darkness Personified

One of the Six Dragons, entities who exist beyond the confines of the natural world. Having dominion over darkness, she influences the very laws of nature.