The Aisback Awards 2023

The “Aisback Awards” are a way for me to highlight what brought me joy and my achievements this year.

GAME OF THE YEAR

So, this one is going to seem a bit odd as I haven’t played most of the big games that came out this year, such as Baldur’s Gate 3 and Spider-man 2. I did, however, play Tears Of The Kingdom, Mario RPG, Mortal Kombat 1, just to name a few. My favourite game, for me, has to be Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. If you have been a long-time fan of the series, the ending will cement it for you as the best ending of any Yakuza/Like A Dragon game. The game returns to the brawler type of gameplay; it has pocket racing and karaoke, and it’s only one of two games I have got a platinum trophy for this year (the other being Like A Dragon: Ishin). While there are more polished and varied games that have come out this year, and some are even a bit more fun, I can safely say my time with the game has been memorable as well as emotional.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Alright, this might come as a surprise, especially since I’m usually known as a hip-hop enthusiast. However, my pick might catch everyone off guard—it’s Rebecca Sugar’s debut album, ‘Spiral Bound.’ What struck me about the album is its rarity in today’s music scene: positive messages, carefree vibes, stripped-down production, and a genuine sense of being a project born out of artistic desire. It doesn’t aim to be catchy or create a chart-topper; it feels like the artist creating genuine art to express themselves. The album was unveiled when it was ready, and I highly recommend giving it a listen, maybe even during a drive; it might just enhance the experience.

MOVIE OF THE YEAR

This is probably the one I get asked about the most. I love movies, storytelling, and, most importantly, I love being immersed in another world. This year, we have had some incredible movies such as Oppenheimer (visually the best movie I’ve seen this year), Killers of the Flower Moon, and so many more. I can’t include The Boy and the Heron as I have yet to see it, but my movie of the year has to be Godzilla Minus One, and the second place would be Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is an incredible movie and my favorite animated movie of the year, but Godzilla just edges it out for me. The biggest hurdle of the Godzilla movies is the humans; you are supposed to care about them, but their development is always non-existent. Minus One, however, has finally got it right; the movie does a remarkable job with its human characters as they are the stars of the movie without neglecting Godzilla. I was lucky enough to see it in IMAX, and if you can still watch it, I recommend you do it on the big screen.

TV SHOW OF THE YEAR

Slow Horses Season 3 has to be my TV show of the year. It doesn’t appear to be a show that many are aware of. The show seems to be getting better and better with every new season, with Gary Oldman being the main hook for the show. Each season only has 6 episodes, but I think that’s long enough as it’s based on the Slough House series of novels by Mick Herron. Each season appears to be based on a single book and not padding it out to artificially make it last a few more episodes. Season 4 has been filmed, and you will get a teaser for it after the last episode of Season 3. It is the show I am looking forward to most next year, but there is the highly anticipated Masters of the Air due to release in January, aka next month.

RETRO GAME OF THE YEAR

Admittedly, I have been playing more retro games than modern releases this year. For this year, I give the award to Metroid Prime 1, the remaster to be more exact. I played the game when it initially came out on the GameCube, but I never got too far in it. When Nintendo announced the game, I had to get it as soon as I could and start playing it ASAP. The game was always a great-looking title, and the remaster helps elevate that to another level. With Metroid Prime 4 currently in active development, I hope we get the other titles remastered so we can all enjoy the games on a modern console with modern enhancements.”

CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR

This one was the easiest for me to choose as it’s one of the great albums of all time. I am, of course, talking about the album Vespertine by Björk. The album is simply great. It doesn’t sound dated; the vocals are mesmerizing, and the instruments are minimalist, allowing the artists not to be drowned out by them. If you are a fan of more experimental music or if you want to dive into the works of Björk, then I recommend starting here, as it’ll take you no time to fall in love with her music. My favorite song from the album has to be ‘It’s Not Up To You’; her singing on that song is timeless, and I have linked it below.

CLASSIC MOVIE OF THE YEAR

I have been on a small rampage, watching movies throughout this year. While a lot of them don’t hold up too well (dated jokes, effects, etc.), I have found some that hold up spectacularly well. Suspiria, for example, holds up incredibly well, especially if you watch the restored version. The movie, however, for me, this year has to be 2001: A Space Odyssey. What can I say about the movie that hasn’t already been said? The short answer is not much. From the set design, the acting, and the visual effects to even the audio being used smartly, the whole movie is something you need to experience on a large screen, Dolby Vision, and surround sound. If you haven’t given it a watch in over 10 years or so, you’ll be in for a treat, as the movie has been remastered incredibly well and is even known to be one of the best-looking UHD movies now.

PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This year, I have been incredibly lucky. I have amazing friends, family, and work colleagues who have been nothing but super nice to me. The biggest achievement for this year is starting a new job after being in the previous job for over 10 years. The company is something I am happy to work for as it’s all about helping others; the colleagues are incredible, and most importantly, they treat you as a person and not disposable. The other big achievement was finally finishing my other article, which I was working on for over a year. I couldn’t do it without the support from my family and friends, and for that, I thank you all. Happy New Year, and I wish you all the best in it.