2023 has been a funny old year, hasn’t it? On the one hand, it’s quite possibly been the greatest year for video games we have ever had. Since January, we’ve been treated to a stacked and steady stream of genre-defining hits and unforgettable experiences. But that’s not the whole story, is it?
In spite of record profits and rave reviews, publishers have chewed up and spat out the brilliant, talented, creative people that make and market the games that have left such an indelible impact on us. It’s not right, and it feels wrong to begin a celebration of the year’s best games without acknowledging this simple fact: if the people at the top continue this way to feed their bottom line, we will never again have another year of releases like 2023.
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10: Dredge (Black Salt Games)
Team17
Dredgeis a deliciously dark adventure through the waves of a Lovecraftian world where what lurks below the surface of the ocean would be better left unseen. However, as a lonesome fisherman, you’re travelling the seas pulling creatures up from the depths, upgrading your fishing gear, and checking in on residents as a pallid darkness pervades the world around you. All this while avoiding the many-tentacled and dangerous monsters lurking. The population is balancing between terrified and intrigued and it’s up to you to discover secrets while trying to stay sane. -DL
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You can find our Dredge review here!
9: Starfield (Bethesda Softworks)
Starfield
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You can find our Starfield review here!
8: Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Nintendo EPD)
Super Mario Bros Wonder
What can we say aboutSuper Mario Bros. Wonder? It’s arguably the most joyous game of 2023, hand-crafted to put a smile on your face from start to finish. Everything about it just exudes happiness, and it’s clearNintendohad a field day brainstorming new and creative ideas for its many unique levels. Not only that, it also revitalised the Super Mario Bros. formula without straying away from what the series does best, and even introduced some new playable characters to the mix like Daisy and Yoshi. All in all,Super Mario Bros. Wonderis Nintendo at its best: good old-fashioned fun and personality, so it’s no wonder it’s a top pick for Game Of The Year. -SC
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You can read our Super Mario Bros Wonder review here!
7: Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Respawn Entertainment)
EA
Jedi: Survivoris one of my favourite pieces ofStar Warsmedia. It’s an exceptional sequel that improves on every gripe that fans had withFallen Order, while adding in countless fantastic new features. There are cinematic action sequences to rival Uncharted and a wonderfully crafted open-zone planet with loads of areas to explore and secrets to discover. Also, it introduces us to Turgle, everyone loves Turgle.- WM
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You can read our Star Wars Jedi: Survivor review here!
6: Alan Wake 2 (Remedy Entertainment)
Alan Wake 2
If Remedy Entertainment fans thought the wait for the firstAlan Wakegame took ages, try waiting 13 years for the sequel. It would have been easy for this game to get it completely wrong. Yet,Alan Wake IIwas not only better than its predecessor in almost every way but it’s also one of my favourite games in years. Oh, and it features hands down the best musical level ever!Alan Wake 2is my personal Game of the Year, even if it didn’t come out on top here.- RLB
You can read our Alan Wake 2 review here!
5: Resident Evil 4 (Capcom)
Resident Evil 4 / Capcom
You can read our Resident Evil 4 review here!
4: Sea Of Stars (Sabotage Studio)
Sabotage Studio
Sea Of Starswas always going to be a fantastic game. The team behindThe Messengercreating a love letter to classic SNES-era RPGs? How could it fail? But whereSea Of Starscould have easily coasted on nostalgia, it soared to new heights. This is a game that pulls from the past but is unafraid to embrace the future, with smart new ideas and modern touches that help to makeSea Of Starsone of the greatest RPGs we’ve played in years.- EM
You can read our Sea Of Stars review here!
3: Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (Insomniac Games)
Sony
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2somehow managed to exceed my very high expectations. It’s a riveting immersive adventure that the MCU could only ever dream of. Catapulting you through the streets of New York and into never-ending high stakes action, Insomniac Games excelled in creating a game that, for all of us, might just be the closest we’ll ever get to feeling like a superhero, covering both the trials and tribulations that entails.
Traversal doesn’t get any better than this, and the narrative is perfectly-paced.Marvel’s Spider-Man 2is packed to the brim with plot twists and revelations but it does that very rare thing of having these all feel justified and worthwhile. The story doesn’t throw a curveball for the sake of it. It’s a thrilling ride that takes familiar characters and tropes to exciting new places. It truly had me entangled in its enthralling web.- KH
You can read our Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 review here!
2: Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios)
Larian Studios
Few games hold the power ofBaldur’s Gate 3. Packed with immersive beauty, curious mysticism, and a whole host of characters that’ll make you swoon and/or wince, it is the full package. No RPG fan could ask for more. It’s unsurprising, then, thatBG3is in the running to be crowned GOTY; for me, it most definitely is, without a shadow of a doubt. You can sink hours of gameplay into Act 1 alone, with that thirst for exploration continuously fed throughout the remaining acts. Each time you think you’ve uncovered every secret, another one surprises you, only further adding to the replayability of this open-world feast. I implore every gamer out there, RPG fan or not, to play this game – I’ll be amazed if it disappoints you. -EF
You can read our Baldur’s Gate 3 review here!
1: The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom (Nintendo EPD)
Nintendo
The fact the sequel toThe Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wildwasn’t a dead cert for our Game Of The Year 2023 speaks volumes about the quality of the games we’ve played over the last 12 months. But at the end of the day, we couldn’t give the top spot to anything else.
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdomis a staggering technical accomplishment. At every turn it dares you to screw around with its myriad of intricate systems in an attempt to break it. You never will. Its scope and ambition is unrivalled on Nintendo Switch, and its vast world is filled with surprises, stories, mysteries, and danger.Tears Of The Kingdomisn’t just the best game of 2023, it’s one of the finest video games ever made. -EM
You can read our The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom review here!
Topics:The Legend Of Zelda,Indie Games,Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order,Starfield,Baldur’s Gate 3,PlayStation,Marvels Spider Man,Nintendo,Mario,Xbox,Bethesda
