2023 was definitely a whirlwind year for video games. While there were no doubt a few disappointments that kept us grounded back on Earth, several others transcended our expectations and created an aura that made us excited to play games again.
So instead of the usual “top ten games blah blah,” we’re going with ten games that really caught us off guard and won us over in 2023. Chances are they’ll do the same for you, if they haven’t already!
Alan Wake II
What could’ve no doubt been a sequel that followed the blueprint of the original is, instead, an entirely different beast altogether. Alan Wake II creeps its way into survival territory, while telling an enriched, unpredictable story that no one could see coming. When Remedy said, “It’s not a lake, it’s an ocean,” boy, did they mean it.
Prison City
Surprise! Retroware’s inspired take on the classic 8-bit adventures of yore (namely Shatterhand) is a terrific hit, a low-budget venture that will no doubt remind you of the days of old. Not to mention its soundtrack is pretty much perfect, and the 8-bit aesthetic just grabs you. This is one Prison we’d definitely visit again.
Robocop: Rogue City
After whatever the heck that 2003 game was, Robocop returns to fine form with this awesome first-person shooter, complete with bloody mechanics, a sweet mission structure that’ll keep you coming back, and Peter Weller once again returning to give him life. We’d definitely buy this for a dollar.
Hi-Fi Rush
We did not deserve Hi-Fi Rush. Bethesda’s “out of nowhere” musical hit is probably one of the hippest game releases this side of Jet Set Radio, with an authentic soundtrack, fun cel-shaded visuals and gameplay that keeps hitting us after all these months. The Road Warriors were right – what a rush!
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
We’re pretty sure the talking flowers won us over by themselves, but Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a reinvigoration of a classic franchise that players of all ages and skill levels can truly enjoy. It’s wonderful throughout each turn, and there are secrets aplenty. Not to mention the co-op factor, which really works well in its favor. Wonder-ous indeed.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Talk about the comeback story of the year. Cyberpunk 2077 has become the game CD Projekt Red wanted it to be, and Phantom Liberty adds to that story brilliantly. Not to mention the gameplay has evolved quite well, and Idris Elba mixes right in to this fun little world, right alongside Keanu. Whoa!
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Of course we’re going to include this. What are we, nuts!? Tears of the Kingdom is a sequel that manages to evolve greatly from Breath of the Wild, with a neat building aspect, a gorgeous world to explore, and challenges left and right. Now we just have to wait a few more years for yet another sequel.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Even with behind-the-scenes drama and word of a rather ballooned budget, Insomniac Games has once again delivered with its promises. Spider-Man 2 is an epic adventure that’s a must for comic book fans, complete with hidden goodies aplenty, thrilling combat gameplay and, of course, being able to swing around like a doofus in a super costume. Plus Venom is here. Come on!
Metroid Prime Remastered
Another game that came out of nowhere, Metroid Prime Remastered is a touch-up done just about right. It works very well with the Nintendo Switch set-up, and has never, everlooked better. Now we want the other two games to follow, just so we can say we experienced the trilogy in the best way possible. Give it, Nintendo!
Street Fighter 6
And here we thought that Capcom would have difficulty giving us a Street Fighter sequel without Yoshinori Ono. Boy, were we wrong. SF6 rebalances the game just about right, while introducing memorable new characters and features to keep us brawling. The classic games are a nice touch, too. Time for a fight!
BONUS: Baldur’s Gate 3
Get over the whole “sex with a bear!” argument and just focus on the fact that Larian Studios knows how to absolutely polish an RPG to near perfection. Baldur’s Gate 3 is an epic adventure that begs to be tackled, with tons of options and beautiful design that will keep you enthralled in its world. It should keep us busy enough until Baldur’s Gate 4eventually arrives.
BONUS: Lies of P
Yeah, we’re cheating a little here, but can you blame us? Lies of P is absolutely nuts, a take on the Pinocchio lore that revolves around a dark, devastating Dark Souls type world. The end result is a game that will push you to its limits, but in just the right ways.
BONUS: Dead Space
And here, folks, is how you do a remake just right. Dead Space captures the absolute essence of what made the original trilogy work so well, complete with scares aplenty; and then wraps it elegantly around a neat visual package with fresh sparks of imagination thrown in for good measure. Hopefully there’s more to come.
BONUS: AEW Fight Forever
Although WWE 2K23 is a top-notch grappler with a packed cast of characters, there’s something about the simplicity and fun of AEW Fight Forever that just grabs us. It’s a good time with friends, and its freebie Battle Royale mode is just plain nuts. Not to mention that we finally get to crush stuff with Keith Lee, which is always a plus.
What are your favorite games of 2023?
