Though not as good as the year before (few years are), 2023 was still a really good year for video games. Or at least for the kind of games I like to play.
Here, in the order I played them, are my favorite games of 2023.
Hi-Fi RUSH
Developer: Tango GameWorks
Publisher: Bethesda
Systems: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
While this hack & slash action game is rhythmic in nature, it’s one of those rhythm games where you don’t actually have to follow the rhythm or listen to the music to enjoy. And enjoy it I did.
(Click here to read my piece on this game.)
Dead Space
Developer: Motive
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Systems:PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
So one of the best games of 2008 gets a spot-on remake that’s as compelling, freaky, and exciting as the original, and it ends up being one of the best games of 2023? Weird.
SCORE: 9.5/10 (Click here to read my full review.)
Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 4: Separate Ways
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Systems: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Like the new edition of Dead Space, this remake of R.E.4 is an undeniably great version of my all-time favorite games, and was just as gripping as it was the first time I played it. As if that wasn’t enough, they also released an equally updated, and almost as fun, version of the “Separate Ways” add-on, which expands the gameplay in some clever ways.
SCORE:
Resident Evil 4: 9.5/10 (Click here to read my full review.)
Resident Evil 4: Separate Ways: 9.0/10 (Click here to read my full review.)
Mighty Doom
Developer: Alpha Dog Games
Publisher: Bethesda
Systems: iOS, Android
I don’t know why it took so long for someone to turn Doom into a top-down arcade shooter, but I’m glad they finally did because this game is super fun and addictive.
SCORE: 8.5/10 (Click here to read my full review.)
Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores
Developer: Guerilla Games
Publisher: Sony Entertainment America
Systems: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
In which one of my favorite games of 2022 gets an expansion, its hero gets a free trip to Hollywood, and I get to live by the beach…after a robot apocalypse.
SCORE: 9.0/10 (Click here to read my full review.)
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Developer: Respawn Entertainment
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Systems:PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Having gone from a Padawan to a Jedi in Fallen Order, we not only got to enjoy being Cal Kestis as someone who can kick ass from the word “go” in this game, but while also being someone who knows he still has much to learn.
SCORE: 9.0/10 (Click here to read my full review.)
Diablo IV
Developer: Blizzard
Publisher: Blizzard
Systems:PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
While it was not the huge leap forward that 2012’s Diablo III was from 2000’s Diablo II, this action-packed fantasy role-playing game was just as effortlessly addictive thanks to compelling combat and greater variety.
SCORE: 9.0/10 (Click here to read my full review.)
Starfield
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Systems: Xbox Series X/S, PC
On the surface, this sci-fi space opera action role-playing game seems like Mass Effect 2 if it had been made by the people behind Fallout 4. And it is, but it’s so much bigger and grander, with better real-time combat than the latter, and the added bonus of space combat.
SCORE: 9.0/10 (Click here to read my full review.)
High On Life
Developer / Publisher: Squanch Games
Systems: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
High On Knife
Developer / Publisher: Squanch Games
Systems: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC
Though some may feel it’s tainted by the actions of its co-creator and voice actor, those who can get past the whole Justin Roiland thing will find that this Rick & Morty-ish sci-fi first-person shooter is as weird and as effortlessly engaging on PlayStation as it was on Xbox and PC last year. And the same goes for the add-on, High On Knife, which gives you a cool new weapon and mechanics, as well as lots of new places to use them.
SCORE:
High On Life: 8.5/10 (Click here to read my full review.)
High On Knife: 8.0/10 (Click here to read my full review.)
Forza Motorsport
Developer: Turn 10 Studios
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Systems: Xbox Series X/S, PC
While not the reboot the name suggests, and while it has issues you wouldn’t expect (like having to run practice laps before every event), this is still the best racing game series out there, and the best racing game of the year, thanks to its nicely curved tracks, intuitive controls, and balanced competition.
SCORE: 8.0/10 (Click here to read my full review.)
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: Sony Entertainment America
Systems: PlayStation 5
Essentially a combination of 2018’s Marvel’s Spider-Man and 202o’s Marvel Spider-Man: Miles Morales, this third-person open world action game has Peter Parker and Miles Morales fighting crime in an even bigger version of New York City.
SCORE: 8.5/10 (Click here to read my full review.)
RoboCop: Rogue City
Developer: Teyon
Publisher: Nacon
Systems:PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
As a shooter, this was sub-par. As a RoboCop game, though, this was a mindlessly fun shooter that perfectly fits the movies that inspired it.
SCORE: 8.0/10 (Click here to read my full review.)
Honorable Mentions:
The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition (Private Division; PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S)
While unnecessary if you’ve played this first-person sci-fi action-RPG before, this updated and upgraded version does warrant spending your space bucks if you missed it, or the add-ons for it.
SCORE: 8.5/10 (Click here to read my full review.)
Redfall (Bethesda; Xbox Series X/S, PC)
According to people who played it co-op, this vampire shooter wasn’t great when played with other people. But for those us who played it solo…okay, it still isn’t great, but it was rather fun for a couple days.
(Click here to read my single-player focused review.)
Crash Team Rumble (Activision; PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One)
Though not usually one for multiplayer games, this silly Smash Bros.-meets-Pac-Man-ish game was a lot of goofy fun.
SCORE: 8.0/10 (Click here to read my full review.)
Final Fantasy XVI (Square Enix; PlayStation 5)
While the switch from turn-based to real-time combat alienated longtime fans, as someone who finds taking turns to be polite but dull, I had a lot of fun with this fantasy action game…well, for a while anyway.
Mortal Kombat 1 (Warner Bros. Games; PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC)
Even if you only play this solo — which is what I did — you’ll have a lot of fun with this bloody good fighter. The controls are great, the places you beat people up are interesting, and this adds a cool new mechanic that teaches you the value of friendship and asking for help.
(Click here to read my single-player focused review.)
And that’s a wrap on 2023. What were your favorite games? Tell me in the comments below.
