2023 had a lot of fantastic video games released in its calendar year, but it wasn’t a good year for the people making them. With more layoffs and studio closures than I can ever remember, it was hard to be fully thankful for the year of great releases when so many people lost their jobs. 2024 has also kicked off with nearly 3000 job losses already, so it’s not shaping up to be a much better year for the people making the games we love to play. With all that said, there were still a lot of games to play this year and many fantastic titles that tried new and inventive things, while others refined things that we have already attached to in exciting ways. We’re honouring the best games of the year here while also wanting to acknowledge what kind of year it has been for the industry.
Here are our picks for the best video games of 2023.
10. Wild Hearts (Omega Force, Electronic Arts)
It’s hard for anyone to touch a genre when it’s ruled by one video game series, and that’s what Monster Hunter is to the hunting genre. However, what Koei Tecmo and Omega Force did with Wild Hearts was create a much more accessible, less reliant on dense pre-hunt mechanics and team fights and instead made a game that’s just as exciting to play by yourself as it was with friends. Wild Hearts introduced players to Azuma, a beautiful and original location where the monster designs spoke for themselves, all stunning and scary in their own regard. This game got its hooks into you fast with the next best weapons and armour always just out of your reach and a new hunt ready to be taken on at a moment’s notice. Sadly, the game didn’t last long, with support ending in 2023, but it was still one of our favourites for the year.
– Dylan
9. Street Fighter 6 (Capcom)
Having always admired the fighting game genre from afar, Street Fighter 6 was what finally drew me in. Thankfully, it welcomed me with open arms thanks to the dynamic control system that felt approachable for my skill level whilst slowly teaching me the minutiae of the genre and making me feel like I was developing in my skill level. The style and flare of Street Fighter 6 are also hugely appealing, with a street graffiti aesthetic and great use of colour adding to the weighty attacks and outstanding visual style. Street Fighter 6 also felt like a great overall package, with the delightfully bizarre World Tour single-player mode being hours of enjoyment and fun to ferry me into the offline and then online competitive modes. I would dip into Street Fighter 6 so consistently for a couple of rounds since its release and see that staying in my routine for a while to come.
– Wil
8. Diablo IV (Blizzard Team 3, Blizzard Albany, Blizzard Entertainment)
Diablo IV is an action RPG with a combat-focused story and a massive world of adventure that can be tackled however the player sees fit. The world levels evolve at the same pace as the characters, so the challenge is always there, no matter the path is chosen. The game’s main story is about chasing one of the progenitors of the world of Sanctuary. Lilith uses hatred to corrupt the inhabitants of the land. Players choose between playing solo or working in a group of up to four to defeat the dungeons, bosses, strongholds, and other destructive barriers. With many classes, the character builds have a massive variety of choices and can be reset and reconfigured to take on the world’s many challenges. The visceral world is alive and beautiful; it can also be chilling, with areas ranging from townships, deserts, and winter wastes to blood-filled gore bogs and dead-filled wetlands. The always-online and multiplatform nature of the game means that there are always others in the world to see and team up with. They might be a fellow PC player or harken from one of the consoles. I enjoyed the game from start to finish, and the challenge had me pushing my abilities to complete it. It will be a game to watch and see how it develops over the years like its predecessor.
– Jacob
7. Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Nintendo EPD, Nintendo)
Side-scrolling Mario games haven’t been hitting for a while. I played all the Wii U ports, and they were fine, but Suoer Mario Bros. Wonder returns the sense of joy and wonder that players have while playing a good Mario game. Yes, entering into a psychedelic alternative reality by touching a flower is excellent and never gets old — but also, the game is genuinely inventive, even without this feature. The worlds are stunning and keep in formula with Mario; even without those flower-induced trips, the Super Mario Bros. Wonder gets back to the heart of Mario with inventive words, great platforming and a general feeling of happiness whenever you’re playing or watching the game.
– Dylan
6. Lies of P (Neowiz Games, Round8 Studio)
To be labelled a souls-borne game can be a death sentence for many when it is compared to the titles that define the genre. Lies of P took this mantle in its stride, creating a world filled with character and exploration. Through the variety of weapon customisation found within Lies of P, there is plenty for veterans of the genre to dig into, but it is within the storytelling of Lies of P finds its footing where others tend to fail. The classic story of the puppet becoming human is looked at through the philosophical lens of lies being the core of humanity, pulling players deeper into the world and making it easier to try again to defeat each obstacle that is placed before them.
– Ciaran
5. Dave the Diver (Mintrocket)
Part-fishing game, part-sushi restaurant manager, Dave the Diver is one of the surprise hits of the year as word of mouth saw many exploring the depths of the Blue Hole and helping take orders in Bancho Sushi. A beautiful mix of styles of gameplay brought together with a stunning pixel-art style, Dave the Diver often also surprises with its story directions, its over-the-top cut scenes and interesting boss encounters. The game is also very funny, with a lot of satire of other gaming properties, and often just ridiculous situations Dave finds himself in. A game worth going to the bottom of the ocean for.
– Ashley
4. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Respawn Entertainment, Electronic Arts)
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor may have yet to push the medium of video games forward like other games have done so this year, but sometimes that is not necessary. It’s an entertaining romp through the galaxy far, far away that has been expanded across the board from the 2019 game. Cal Kestis has welcomed new additions in combat, with the Crossguard lightsaber and blaster stances being great additions to his arsenal that had me constantly switching between the five stances throughout my 30 hours. New traversal options were also welcome additions to explore the larger worlds and new environments in Jedi Survivor, which had Cal moving freer than he had in the past. Expanding these planets and adding side quests into the game also made it feel more alive, with some great Star Wars oddball side characters thrown in the mix.
Jedi Survivor balances its Star Warsy and video game-ness well, telling a bombastic story of highs and lows with some great set pieces throughout, but also is fearless in letting you run off and explore far from advancing the story. Third-person action games with fun traversal and puzzles are thrown in, maybe my favourite genre, and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor was a great addition to that this year.
– Wil
3. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (Insomniac Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment)
With the foundations already set for their take on a Spider-Man game, Insomniac didn’t set out to innovate on what they’ve done, but instead focused on making Spider-Man 2 a more streamlined experience. This refined focus resulted in more meaningful side quests and far less bloat than most open-world games tend to have. Insomniac’s take on Kraven and Venom was respectful of the source material but also had their own unique spin on it, while the balance between the two different Spider-Men was really well done. With a compelling story, the best traversal system in gaming with the addition of the wingsuit, and an even bigger open world to swing around in, Spider-Man 2 was everything it needed to be to ‘be greater’.
– Ashley
2. Alan Wake 2 (Remedy Entertainment, Epic Games Publishing)
I have placed Alan Wake 2 on my list of the best video games ever. I’m still determining what number I would place it on that last for myself, but I know it would be on that list. It’s the type of game that makes me love the medium while also taking inspiration from horror novels and movies, two other things I love. It’s a third-person survival horror in the most basic aspect, but the way it creates a narrative in dual aspects between two protagonists in different places is nothing short of inspiring with how all the pieces fall together. The dark and moody ‘dark place’ is as scary and intriguing as the first game made it sound, while the small-town vibes in Bright Falls are even sinister this time around, with a cult killing people. Alan Wake 2 is hard to put down; it makes you want to call sick into work and appreciate all the detail and imagination that has gone into creating it.
– Dylan
1. Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios)
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a once-in-a-lifetime game, capturing the chaos and freedom of Dungeons & Dragons while building a complex world filled with narrative paths to be explored. Larian Studios took a path few can in the modern game development world, resulting in the experience that defines 2023. Players are free to explore the Forgotten Realms and deal with its issues however they may see fit; this freedom of choice for players leads to 100s of hours of gameplay with new outcomes and stories being found even as we enter 2024.
– Ciaran
