There are many years where I have trouble compiling a full list of games I truly enjoyed. It boils down to either a lack of quality or just that I haven’t gotten around to some of them (sorry Baldur’s Gate 3), but that was not the case in 2023.
In many ways, it was a standout period for the industry. But as many have said already, this year was also a horrible time for the people who make the things we love. It’s hard to ignore the numerous developers who lost their jobs and the studio closures.
At the very least — the bare minimum — we can lift their work and embrace their creations. These may not be the absolute best games of the year, but they’re certainly worth experiencing.
Final Fantasy XVI
What is the Final Fantasy franchise at this point? The series has changed immensely over the years, not to mention the plethora of spin-offs and mobile games. It’s a beast with many layers, and I find myself still questioning what I want from the series.
I adored FF 15, faults and all, but the change in setting and comparisons to Game of Thrones didn’t immediately endear me to this latest installment. That said, I had a blast with Clive and his backward land. A few parts were a tad cringe, the combat took its time becoming more interesting, and I’m still not sure if the story was just good or a little easier to follow than most FF titles, but I felt satisfied for sure. I’m still not sure exactly what I’m hoping they do next, but this is a great start.
Dead Space
Sure, this is a remake. But this new version of Dead Space is the perfect example of how to take a beloved game, tweak the few things that weren’t as well-liked, and add more to improve the experience. Not everyone thought the original needed this sort of treatment, but after playing it? Maybe we don’t know what we want until we’re playing it. The improved graphics, controls, and detailed map are the fancy accents to an excellent foundation that made way for the additions of backtracking for unlockables, side quests, and a new alternate ending. I was glad they tweaked the weapons and gave Isaac some lines in this version, but the turret sections were the only thing I liked more in the original.
Street Fighter 6
After Street Fighter, I had trouble getting excited for a new entry. The demo helped with that, as the game plays like butter and the combat feels versatile – I’m still figuring some of it out and exploring the roster – but the look, that cheesy music, the gameplay… it all comes together incredibly well.
I spent hours wandering around World Tour mode and fighting random opponents. This open-world mode did get a bit tedious at times, and a little too difficult for those last couple of fights. But I was into the story and learning under the trees of all my old favorite characters. Playing against friends has kept me coming back to this one some, but I’m constantly feeling the itch to jump back in fully.
Mortal Kombat 1
That’s when I’m not playing MK1. This was a solid year for big franchise fighting games and I put plenty of time into my two favorite series. But once again, Mortal Kombat pulls out just a bit ahead.
Invasion mode is far from perfect, but it has kept me coming back for various fights and unlocking new cosmetics. Like SF6, I’m incredibly comfortable with the gameplay. I love how they’ve reworked some of my favorite characters, and though the story goes off the rails a bit at the end, I can’t wait to do it all again. It wasn’t quite as good as MK11 overall, and I’m ready for them to settle down a bit with the stories they are trying to tell, but I legitimately had trouble putting this game down. Sure, the name is dumb and the micro-transactions are questionable. Still — I just want more blood.
RoboCop: Rogue City
Ever since playing the RoboCop arcade game from 1988, I’ve been chasing that high of being Officer Alex Murphy again for a long time. I’m not sure anyone expected Rogue City to be any good, most likely hearkening back to the classic cash-ins of old that cost way more than a dollar. But I was so happy to tell my friends that this one was legit.
It’s simple for the most part while zeroing in on multiple aspects of what makes the character. We get to shoot all of the bad guys and relish being a walking tank, while also laying down the law with citations, participating in investigations, and helping the fine citizens of Detroit directly. What more could we ask for? I enjoyed the unintentional accessibility wins it provided and even though the game is a little buggy, the human side shows a ton of heart.
Resident Evil 4 Remake
Yes — another remake. But this one almost feels like a whole new game. More accurately it comes across as a re-imagining of Resident Evil 4: a little grittier, smoother, and thank god we didn’t have to run away from a giant statue this time. There plenty of differences in this version, but many of the sections people truly love remain — although some think part of that original charm is missing. The combat has changed for the better, and there is a ton of stuff to do, especially with the release of that Separate Ways DLC. This is an adventure I see myself going through many more times, as it is action-packed, well-paced, and I enjoy many more of the encounters, especially those bosses. The new Merchant voice is only slightly distracting, and the performance of Ada is starting to grow on me. But nothing is stopping this amazing Spanish vacation.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man (2018) was a favorite of mine. Naturally, I was incredibly excited for the follow-up and could not wait to see how this story continued after Miles’ solo game. I’m one of those comic fans who think Venom can feel a little played out at times, but this fresh take on him felt great. I’ll also always appreciate a thoughtful serious approach to the character of Kraven. The game’s story is solid and several moments have been lingering in my mind for months afterward.
The gameplay is slightly different, especially when it comes to healing and gadgets, but is still engaging and fluid. I still love the city, and swinging around as Peter or Miles is still fantastic and relaxing. There are a few side missions that needed work, and I ran into several glitches, but that didn’t stop me from devouring this adventure like a spider bride. I cannot wait to go back through with New Game+ and do it all over again, even though I’ve already reached 100% in my first playthrough, which is something I rarely do.
Hi-Fi Rush
Yeah, I’m a little surprised this one made it up on the list as well. But Hi-Fi Rush is creative, energetic, humorous, and it’s a new IP that I wouldn’t mind seeing more of, so this game shoots to the top. I ignored Rush when it first came out, not sure if I was feeling another rhythm game, since I have none. The music is what convinced me to jump in finally, but I’m so glad no one spoiled those last few tracks.
I enjoyed the characters, the combat is a delight, and I was getting better the more I just let myself relax and react – though that Korsica fight made me rage until I fixed my settings. This led to me playing even more of the game’s challenges after I beat the main story. The bright colors and cel-shaded appearance rock the visual presentation. Hi-Fi Rush is a simple game with a lot of style and ambition, more like this, please.