Honkai: Star Rail named Game of the Year by both Apple and Google, following in footsteps of Genshin Impact
App Store and Google Play have announced the winners of its annual awards. Let’s take a closer look at the best games in various categories.
Honkai: Star Rail wins big on mobile
- miHoYo’s blockbuster Honkai: Star Rail was named the iPhone Game of the Year (finalists include Afterplace and Vampire Survivors) and Google’s Best Game of 2023.
- It also won Google Play awards for Best Story and Best Game for Tablets, with the company praising Honkai: Star Rail’s “excellent depth of content, stunning visuals and thoughtful design.”
- Interestingly, Genshin Impact was awarded the same honors three years ago, with Apple and Google naming it iPhone Game of the Year and Best Game of 2020, respectively.
- Both titles have been a huge success for Chinese developer miHoYo. Honkai: Star Rail reached $500 million in player spending on mobile within three months of its global launch in April 2023. According to gaming research firm Naavik, it crossed the $1 billion mark in September.
- Genshin Impact surpassed $4 billion in player spending in December 2022, and the numbers are still growing. Despite a slight revenue decline in 2023, the game remains miHoYo’s biggest hit.
Best games of 2023, according to Apple and Google
Apple’s best games of 2023
- iPad Game of the Year — Lost in Play, a puzzle adventure title by Happy Juice Games;
- Mac Game of the Year — Lies of P, a Pinocchio-inspired soulslike from South Korean publisher Neowiz;
- Cultural Impact — Finding Hannah (hidden object title by Fein Games), Pok Pok (educational simulation playroom for kids), Unpacking (award-winning puzzle game by Witch Beam);
- Apple Arcade Game of the Year — Hello Kitty Island Adventure, a life sim game with focus on exploration and social elements.
Google’s best games of 2023
- Best multi-device game — OUTERPLANE, a free-to-play anime battler by South Korean developer/publisher Smilegate (Crossfire, Lost Ark);
- Users’ Choice — Monopoly GO!, a global hit from Scopely that became the fastest casual game to cross $1 billion in revenue on mobile;
- Best Multiplayer — Farlight 84, a hero shooter/battle royale created by a subsidiary of Rise of Kingdoms maker Lilith Games;
- Best Pick Up & Play — Monopoly GO!
- Best Indie — Vampire Survivors, a mobile version of Luca Galante’s reverse bullet hell game that became a global phenomenon;
- Best Ongoing — Stumble Guys, a Fall Guys-like mobile title created by Finnish studio Kitka Games (and later acquired by Scopely);
- Best Game for Good — Pokémon Sleep, a sleep-tracking app that rewards players with new Pokémons based on how well they sleep;
- Best on Play Pass — Magic Rampage, an action platformer made by indie team Asantee Games;
- Best for Chromebooks — Minecraft (hardly needs any introduction);
- Best for Google Play Games on PC — Arknights, a tower defense game with RPG elements by Chinese studio Hypergryph.
