With December knocking on the door, Google shared its annual list of best apps, games, and books on Google Play.
This year, there are a few new categories, including “Best Game for Good,” and “Best with AI” (you didn’t think this could go down without some mention of AI, did you?)
The company also announced best multi-device apps and games this year, reflecting the fact that some apps work better on multiple platforms than others.
Without further ado, here are this year’s winners:
Best App: Imprint: Learn Visually
Imprint: Learn Visually
Credit: Imprint: Learn Visually/Google Play
Google says that the learning app “shares bite-sized lessons that use visual storytelling to bring concepts to life,” allowing users to “explore the worlds of psychology, history, health, technology and more in a brand new way.”
Best Game: Honkai: Star Rail
Honkai: Star Rail
Credit: Honkai: Star Rail/Google Play
This space fantasy RPG deserved the top spot “thanks to its excellent depth of content, stunning visuals and thoughtful design,” said Google. “By sprinkling lore and character backstories throughout the game, Honkai: Star Rail delivers lasting entertainment for role-playing game enthusiasts and newcomers alike.”
Here are the rest of this year’s winners:
Best multi-device apps and games:
Best Multi-device App: Spotify
Best Multi-device Game: OUTERPLANE – Strategy Anime
Users’ Choice:
Users’ Choice App: ChatGPT
Users’ Choice Game: MONOPOLY GO!
Best apps of 2023
Best for Fun: Bumble For Friends: Meet IRL
● Honorable mention: Reelsy Reel Maker Video Editor
Best for Personal Growth: Voidpet Garden: Mental Health
● Honorable mention: Imprint: Learn Visually
Best Everyday Essential: Artifact: Feed Your Curiosity
● Honorable mention: ReciMe: Easy & Tasty Recipes
Best Hidden Gem: Aware: Mindfulness & Wellbeing
● Honorable mention: Stippl: Explore, Plan & Share
Best with AI: Character AI: AI-Powered Chat
● Honorable mention: ChatGPT
Best for Families: Paw Patrol Academy
● Honorable mention: LEGO DUPLO DISNEY
Best App for Good: AWorld in support of ActNow
Best for Watches: WhatsApp Messenger
● Honorable mentions: AllTrails: Hike, Bike & Run, Audible: Audio Entertainment
Best for Tablets: Concepts: Sketch, Note, Draw
● Honorable mentions: Canva: Design, Photo & Video, Everand: Ebooks and audiobooks
Best for Chromebooks: FlipaClip: Create 2D Animation
● Honorable mentions: Evernote – Note Organizer, Wideo
Best for Google TV: Max: Stream HBO, TV, & Movies
● Honorable mentions: Amazon Prime Video, Crunchyroll, Disney+, Tubi: Movies & Live TV
Best for Cars: Amazon Prime Video
● Honorable mentions: Beach Buggy Racing, Spotify
Best games of 2023
Best Multiplayer: Farlight 84
● Honorable mentions: Arena Breakout, Call of Dragons, MARVEL SNAP, Undawn
Best Pick Up & Play: MONOPOLY GO!
● Honorable mentions: Chrome Valley Customs, Mighty DOOM, Monster Hunter Now, Ninja Must Die
Best Indies: Vampire Survivors
● Honorable mentions: Roto Force, Song of Bloom, Super Meat Boy Forever, Underground Blossom
Best Story: Honkai: Star Rail
● Honorable mentions: Down in Bermuda, FINAL FANTASY VII EVER CRISIS, Lost Words: Beyond the Page, MementoMori: AFKRPG
Best Ongoing: Stumble Guys
● Honorable mentions: Clash of Clans, EA SPORTS FCTM Mobile Soccer, Merge Gardens, Royal Match
Best Games for Good: Pokémon Sleep
● Honorable mentions: Beecarbonize, Garden Joy – Design Game, Lingo Legend Language Learning, Longleaf Valley: Merge & Plant
Best on Play Pass: Magic Rampage
● Honorable mentions: ARIDA: Backland’s Awakening, Linea: An Innerlight Game, Machinarium, Silly Royale – Devil Amongst Us
Best for Tablets: Honkai: Star Rail
● Honorable mentions: MARVEL SNAP, MONOPOLY GO!, Roto Force, SOULS
Best for Chromebooks: Minecraft
Best on Google Play Games on PC: Arknights
Best books of 2023
“In the Lives of Puppets” by TJ Klune (Ebook, Audiobook)
“The Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese (Ebook, Audiobook)
“All the Sinners Bleed: A Novel” by S.A. Cosby (Ebook, Audiobook)
“Bellies: A Novel” by Nicola Dinan (Ebook, Audiobook)
“The Art of Scandal” by Regina Black (Ebook, Audiobook)
“Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir” by Lamya H (Ebook, Audiobook)
“Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros (Ebook, Audiobook)
“Girls Like Girls” by Hayley Kiyoko (Ebook, Audiobook)
“Boys Weekend” by Mattie Lubchansky (Ebook)
“The Creative Act: A Way of Being” by Rick Rubin (Ebook, Audiobook)
