A look back at 2023 in the "Google Play Best of 2023! Best Game goes to "Collapse: StarRail"!

Although we still have the month of December left, it is now time enough to reflect on the year that was. What has 2023 been like for you? While it has been easier to get out and about, it has been a bumper year for gamers, with "Hogwarts Legacy," "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom," "Street Fighter 6," and many others that made me want to stay at home and play games all year long. I think. However, the game apps are no slouches either! Game apps are no slouch either! Google Play Japan has announced the winners of the " Google Play Best of 2023," which showcases the most popular Google Play content in Japan in 2023. This time, we will focus on the game genre!

TGS2023の「Google Play」ブースにて、会員ステータスがプラチナ・ダイヤモンドのユーザーのみが入れるVIPラウンジに行ってみた！

"Google Play Best of 2023" looks back at the year 2023!

Google Play Japan's "Google Play Best of 2023" was released on Thursday, November 30, 2023, and awarded the best apps, best games, and other apps and games in a variety of categories. In this issue, we will introduce the award-winning apps in the game genre! You can check out the app genres on the Google Japan Blog.

Best Games 2023

"Collapse: Star Rail

The best game of 2023 is the space fantasy RPG "Collapse: StarRail"! Since its release in April 2023, "Collapse: StarRail" has been a hit with its beautiful graphics and charming characters. The new title from HoYoverse, which was already well-known for the "Genshin Impact" and "Collapse" series, also created a buzz.

Comments from HoYoverse

I would like to thank HoYoverse for the wonderful award of "Best Game 2023". It is a great encouragement for the "Collapse: StarRail" team. This game is the culmination of our tireless efforts and we look forward to continuing to provide our players with a unique gaming experience. We hope you continue to enjoy "Collapse: StarRail".

Google Japan Blog

User Vote Categories

Grand Prize "Pokémon Sleep

Following the social phenomenon "Pokémon GO," Pokémon's challenge is a "sleep game." "Pokémon Sleep," which supports enjoyable and comfortable sleep, won the grand prize in the user voting category!

Exciting Category

Grand Prize "Monster Hunter Now

Monster Hunter Now," the first location-based game in the Monster Hunter series, won the grand prize in the exciting category! On December 7, 2023 (Thursday), a major update, "Snow Scattering Blue Lightning," will be released, adding new monsters and weapon types.

Category Awards

Odin: Valhalla Rising
Shironeko Golf
Nobunaga's Ambition
Memento Mori

Cute & Casual category

Grand Prize "Pokémon Sleep

The sleep game app "Pokémon Sleep" won the Grand Prize in the Cute & Casual category, and together with the Grand Prize in the User Vote category, won two awards! The game also won Best Game for Good on Google Play in the U.S., and items are being distributed in the game to commemorate these awards.

Category Awards

Tokyo Revengers: Pazuribe! Road to National Domination
Ninja Must Die!
Love Live! School Idol Festival 2

Indie Section

Grand Prize "Rogue with Dead

Rogue with Dead," a strategy RPG developed by room6, a Kyoto-based company, won the Grand Prize in the Indie Division! Since its release in September 2022, the game has been steadily increasing the number of players and has been downloaded more than 1 million times worldwide. It is a masterpiece that adds rich challenging elements and a profound worldview to the "leave-it-and-forget-it" game that can be enjoyed in one's spare time.

Category Award

AZNANA
Toy Forming
Slapstick Mercenaries
Vampire Survivors

Story Division

Grand Prize "FINAL FANTASY VII EVER CRISIS

FINAL FANTASY VII EVER CRISIS", a free-to-play RPG for smartphones distributed by Square Enix in September 2023, was awarded the Grand Prize in the Story Division for its compilation of "FF VII" titles that can be easily enjoyed on smartphones. The Grand Prize in the Story category was awarded to this title, which allows users to enjoy a compilation of "FF VII" on their smartphones. The Steam version will be released on December 7, 2023 (Thursday).

Category Award

Astarte Tartaricus
NIKKE: NIKKE
Collapse: STAR RAIL
Atelier of Les Leliana: Forgotten Alchemy and Liberator of the Polar Night

Ongoing Division

Grand Prize "Monster Strike

Monster Strike," whose popularity continues unabated even now that it has reached its 10th anniversary, won the grand prize in the On-Going category. While few smartphone games have been in service for more than 10 years, "Monster Strike" is still selling well, making it a true champion.

Category Award

The Battle Cats
Bandolieri! Girls Band Party!
Professional Baseball Spirits A
ONE PIECE Bounty Rush

Play Pass category

Grand Prize "Million Onion Hotel

Google Play Pass" allows users to enjoy hundreds of games and apps without advertisements or in-app purchases for 600 yen per month or 5,400 yen per year. The "Million Onion Hotel" won the grand prize among many eligible titles. The action-puzzle game from Onion Games, creators of "moon" for Nintendo Switch.

Category Awards

ARIDA: Backland's Awakening
Ultimate TIGER Classic
Traveling Frog

Multi-device category

Grand Prize "Goddess of Victory: NIKKE

The grand prize in the multi-device category went to "NIKKE: Goddess of Victory! The game was released for smartphones in November 2022, and a PC version was released in February 2023. The "Goddess of Victory: NIKKE" is an exhilarating shooting game with an easy-to-play interface, and the beautiful girls who appear in the game are also very attractive.

Chromebook category

Grand Prize: "Nobunaga's Ambition: The High Road

The grand prize winner in the Chromebook category, "The Ambition of Nobunaga: High Road," is available on smartphones and Steam. The highly popular MMO strategy simulation game will celebrate its first anniversary on December 1, 2023.

PC version Google Play Games category

Grand Prize "Uma Musume Pretty Derby

The Grand Prize was awarded to "Uma Musume Pretty Derby," a PC version of Google Play Games that allows users to enjoy mobile games on Chromebooks and Windows! The game features real-life racehorses as beautiful girls, and has been a favorite among horse racing fans, and game fans, who have been inspired to start playing games and horse racing, respectively.

Category Awards

Ark Knights
eFootball UICOLE CHAMPION SQUADS
Dragon Ball Legends
Romancing Saga Re-Universe

Sorry, this article is only available in Japanese. at the moment.