Top 10 Video Games of 2023
Great year for games.
People say this is the best year for video games. Here is my experience: it almost broke me. So many games I was insanely hyped for fell very short.
Games all seem to be going for more. More skill trees, UI, side quests, locations, moves, currency. But not enough innovating on the core design.
I have big problems with games I’ve seen very high on other people’s lists: Final Fantasy XVI and Spider-Man 2 and they ultimately didn’t make my top 10.
Onto the list.
Honorable Mentions: Mortal Kombat 1
10 — Jedi Survivor
There is a hub world in Jedi Survivor that nearly captures an open explore everywhere aesthetic that would serve this series so well. The other location is an on rails A to B experience. The story is small scale. But none of those critiques can deny how absolutely fantastic they continue to nail lightsaber fighting.
9 — Cocoon
It’s what you expect from an indie and more. Beautiful and minimal art design and music. But its core concept of world in world puzzles is absolutely mind-bending and forces you to think outside the box. Fantastic concept that never overstays its welcome.
8 — Super Mario Bros. Wonder
The standout for this game is the creative flourish each level brings with the Wonder Flower. That and the fantastic new rendering and animation to these lovable characters. Otherwise it’s an unofficial sequel to Super Mario World that does nothing new design-wise besides remove the level timer. It’s nice having new 2D levels, but I fear that Mario will still be chasing Bowser in this “World” format for another 30 years.
7 — Street Fighter 6
The internet has made fighting game players realize how comparably trash they are. Street Fighter 6 asks, “what if executing insane technical combos wasn’t the obstacle, but rather your fighting sense?” It’s refreshing on top of the Capcom aesthetic of the most goofy and ludicrous designs and characters possible. It wears its nostalgia on its sleeve to great effect.
6 — Resident Evil 4 (remake)
No notes. It’s a pitch perfect remake of a pitch perfect game. The action incarnation of RE has never been my favorite but the design of this game is undeniable. My personal highlight was playing through the Separate Ways DLC that I never played on my first playthrough so many years ago.
5 — Diablo IV
I don’t play Diablo ongoing. In fact, I think the ongoing game is poor design. The campaign of this game was a let down and features minimal cutscenes and shocking story elements that are a hallmark of Diablo. But the multiplayer absolutely nailed the drop in and play with friends. How refreshing to just be able to fire up a match with a friend no-matter what level or part of the game they are in. Slaying demons with friends on the mic will never not be fun.
4 — Deadspace (remake)
I gotta be honest, this one is so high because it’s the first time I’ve played it. The graphics are stunning and it’s the scariest game I played all year. It captures the Alien formula of stranded on a space station surrounded by horrors. You always feel like you are making progress to getting out and it has some truly unique gameplay (sawing limbs off creatures).
3 — Alan Wake 2
Alan Wake 2 asks, “what if Twin Peaks was meta and horror.” This game is years ahead of its time in pushing story, creativity, and innovation forward for the medium. The procedural detective elements are surprisingly fun, where the fighting continues to be a lacking and frustrating element of the game. It includes stunning art design and a story that continues to build the mythos I’m excited for Remedy to continue in future projects.
2 — Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
This sequel to one of the best games of all time pushes that stunning world creatively and technically forward. It delivers one of the best stories in the franchise and remains one of the best looking video games we have despite being on 10 year old hardware. Zelda is the gold standard for video games.
1 — Baldur’s Gate 3
Other games add more, BG3 adds depth. The world is incredibly dense. Every conversation, battle, and town is a key moment of importance. There is no running through an area to find the person with an exclamation point over their head. Everyone is that. The characters are some of the richest most interesting people; from your thirsty party members to the NPC stealing from your coin-purse. Its design is an absolute marvel.
Baldur’s Gate 3 also forces gamers who are used to always winning to be OK with failure. There is no right decision or roll. The game opens itself like a fine wine when you learn to accept the failure of life.
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Read my previous video game lists:
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Thanks for reading :)
