The Best Video Games of 2023
In the realm of top video games in 2023, the focus was on revisiting beloved territories. It was a year of sequels, revivals of classic franchises, and eagerly anticipated remakes, each offering fresh delights within familiar landscapes. Larian Studios delivered a standout success by revitalizing an iconic role-playing series; Nintendo beckoned players back to the enchanting realm of Hyrule for another quest to rescue the world. From journeys to Hell to adventures in New York, these familiar settings offered new thrills and captivated gamers.
Alan Wake II
Remedy Entertainment’s much-anticipated sequel offers a thrilling amalgamation of horror, investigative intrigue, and a touch of campiness. The game marks the return of its eponymous protagonist, who escapes from an alternate dimension after a prolonged captivity, joining forces with a new character, FBI agent Saga Anderson. Players navigate between the two protagonists whose narratives interweave as Saga delves into ritualistic killings within a small town. While Alan Wake can be spine-tingling at times, the game counterbalances the fear factor with surreal live-action segments and a peculiar charm—bolstered by the eccentric presence of writer Sam Lake, who ingeniously inserts his own likeness as Saga’s fellow agent.
Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
Baldur’s Gate 3
There’s much to admire in Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3, a D&D-inspired RPG that we described as not just a nostalgic nod to beloved RPG designs but a compelling case for its RPG approach. The game’s breadth of choice and customization is staggering, boasting a dozen classes and over two dozen sub-races. Its combat, at its pinnacle, is exhilarating, empowering players to feel like master tacticians.
Yet, it’s the game’s narrative and characters that truly elevate it. The cast is endearing and, shall we say, ardently passionate. Characters like the sharp-witted and fanged Astarion, and the more reserved Shadowheart, offer captivating journeys if players invest in nurturing their relationships. Particularly, the latter character evolves significantly based on decisions made throughout the game.
And, uh, you can form an unusual relationship with a bear? It’s certainly an experience worth mentioning.
Platforms: PS5, PC
Dave the Diver
The anticipation sparked by the initial trailer for Dave the Diver was well-founded, and upon its release, the game exceeded expectations. It’s intriguing how a seemingly straightforward game, revolving around diving for collectibles and running a sushi restaurant, can unfold into a surprisingly intricate and immersive experience. It’s the ideal game for quick play sessions—dive, gather, serve sushi—with the flexibility to return later for quests and missions. More than that, it’s a remarkable testament to the idea that humor, enjoyment, and a refusal to take oneself too seriously reign supreme over realism and “historical accuracy.”
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC/Mac
Diablo IV
In Diablo, the expectations typically revolve around class-based battles, a dark narrative, side missions, and abundant loot. However, Diablo IV possesses an elusive quality that goes beyond these traditional elements. Its combat is incredibly engrossing, and the game’s delightfully gory yet undeniably enjoyable approach to destruction makes it hard to step away. As we noted in our review: “Lilith, known as the Daughter of Hatred, offers a straightforward message to Sanctuary’s inhabitants in Diablo’s world: Violence is thrilling. Give it a shot.” Perhaps there’s a grain of truth in her proposition.
Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Final Fantasy XVI
It seems Final Fantasy XVI’s main challenge might be a branding mismatch. The creators aimed to offer fans a Game of Thrones-esque experience but veered into a surprising direction—more WWE than expected, and surprisingly, it worked exceptionally well. The game’s strength isn’t found in its bloody, gritty world, its forgettable medieval-inspired narrative, or its somewhat stereotypical characters. Rather, it’s in the combat system and the colossal boss battles.
In Square Enix’s latest installment, a select few known as “dominants” possess the ability to transform into powerful beings called eikons. Throughout the journey, protagonist Clive gradually harnesses these dominants’ elemental powers. His evolving abilities bring both strategic depth and a profound sense of empowerment unprecedented in previous Final Fantasy titles. Despite a less engaging story, the game thrives on its exhilarating boss encounters—whether battling a space dragon or navigating the colossal, enraged rock entity making these encounters some of the most gripping moments in gaming this year.
Platform: PlayStation 5
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Following the widely acclaimed The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a monumental challenge. It completely reshaped the essence of a Zelda game, crafting an expansive and visually stunning world where players had the freedom to explore virtually everything they laid eyes on. Its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, didn’t revolutionize the mold; instead, it refined it, offering gamers yet another compelling motive to venture back into Hyrule.
While the game’s breathtaking aesthetics and its polished iteration of BOTW’s systems are commendable, its true charm lies in its creativity with Ultrahand and Fuse. Players ingeniously utilized these tools to construct an array of imaginative structures, from flamethrowing designs to impromptu jails for Ganondorf, colossal Gundams, intricate torture devices, and beyond. It’s been quite a year for gaming.
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Spider-Man 2
Superhero games often struggle to impress, but Insomniac Games stands as an exception to that trend. Continuing from the storyline of Marvel’s Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Miles Morales, the game thrusts players into the lives of Peter Parker and Miles as they grapple with personal challenges while confronting new adversaries like Venom and Kraven the Hunter. Insomniac masterfully crafts distinct and complementary experiences for both Peter and Miles, utilizing a cityscape of skyscrapers as their exhilarating playground amidst the game’s intricate narrative. And let’s not overlook its vibrant world bustling with engaging NPC conversations.
Platform: PlayStation 5
Super Mario RPG
Nintendo’s standout release this year may surprise you—it’s their oldest gem. Super Mario RPG, blending RPG elements akin to Final Fantasy with Nintendo’s iconic characters, offers a charmingly quirky and quintessentially ’90s adventure. When a colossal, talking sword thwarts Bowser’s kidnapping plan for Peach, Mario embarks on a quest to gather seven stars and restore wish-making abilities to the world.
What begins as a simple premise unfolds in delightfully bizarre ways. The game’s primary antagonists are sentient weapons (featuring a spoof of Power Rangers); Mario and Bowser form an unlikely alliance with a talkative doll, while mini-games range from hiding behind curtains to barrel-bouncing uphill. Super Mario RPG brims with humor and unforgettable moments that persist even in its remastered form, leaving an indelible mark despite the passage of time.
Platform: Nintendo Switch
