Dave's Top 10 Games of 2023
2023 will go down as a year to remember. Highs with the likes of Baldur’s Gate 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, to the lowly depths where Gollum continues to not understand Geometry. Regardless, gaming is something that brings us all together in many wonderful ways. This is just a glimpse of what I have gotten to experience this year.
10. Cocoon
2023 was a year full of absolutely insane releases. A total smorgasbord of delicacies. Not surprisingly, independent games have hit a whole new ball field in the past few years and the ideas that are constructed by a small team or even one person has shown us that the big games industry definitely needs to take a few notes. For me personally, I have not had the opportunity to experience a lot of these great titles, but, if i were to hold one on a small pedestal, it would have to be the simple but complicated, mind warping puzzle game, Cocoon.
I’ve always had a soft spot for puzzle games. Always been intrigued by the things that I don’t understand and are just the right amount of complicated. On the gameplay side I wasn’t expecting too much. Coming from the lead gameplay designer of both Limbo and Inside, while great games in their own right, don’t go much further than a focus on a deep narrative with some simple puzzles and intense moments to keep you moving along. Once the beginning of Cocoon sets in and you think you have a grasp on what’s going on, the game throws you for a loop that has happily stumped me on many occasions.
Having a narrative that is void of dialogue, general information, and only focusing on the main character’s actions being the journey is a hard thing to create. Leaving the safe zone of your Cocoon you venture across unique and strange areas in the process of gathering glowing orbs and ridding the land of the mysterious robotic creatures holding control. The game begins to blossom in its clever puzzles. Using the orbs not only as tools with abilities to solve your general puzzles here and there but also as the vessels of the world you will enter and exit over and over. It becomes a joy watching your little winged protagonist shrink and grow going in and out of each of the many orbs. In a flash you spiral in and float down onto new ground with new areas and puzzles to see, later in the game using the mechanic to solve larger puzzles. Without throwing any spoilers in here, there are parts later on in the game that made me appreciate the amount of work that was put into this game. The puzzles are some of the most clever that I have seen, bringing me the best feeling of accomplishment after completing one. Don’t get me wrong, there were many moments where I felt that I was completely stuck and made an irreversible move, only to be greeted with the cheerful tone that what I had just done was the correct move. Later learning how the part I was confused on made sense.
This game brings a sense of wonder and joy if you are a fan of brain games like I am. The color palate used is muted but varied, making each of the worlds unique and fresh, never overstaying its welcome after about 3 hours. For a game that is available on GamePass, this is a title that I do not recommend missing. Truly a gem
9. Dead Space
I have been an avid fan of the Dead Space series since playing the original. Still to this day I have yet to finish the third game, but have loved the first two and especially for being some of my first survival horror games.
Remakes can seem like the easiest cash grabs in the industry, or just a telling of publishers not knowing a single thing of what they are doing and just hoping that the name of a series can be enough to bring in a check for the investors. But every once in a while a remake gets built by a team that has nothing but love for the source material and any way that they can think of in terms of improving for a more modern audience and hardware. Similar to other games in the past such as Resident Evil 4 and Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1&2, Dead Space gets the time and attention needed not only for a renowned franchise but to truly capture what exactly made the original so great in the first place.
The core gameplay of the series being a limited ammo and tense survival horror is translated beautifully in this iteration. The combat and shooting feel tight and responsive with just the right amount of “I don’t think I’m going to make it out of this alive”. The upgrades to the enemies not only in the level of detail to the character renders but the animations, limb separation, and immersion. The hardest thing to pull off in any piece of art is the atmosphere. The parts that really speak to you, can bring you in and strike your senses. The scope of the levels, particle detailing that brings life to the environments, Dead Space Remake is a must for fans of the series and those looking for a Sci-Fi fright in the night.
8. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
I do not think a game has presented its beginning as such a challenge as this game has. Gosh darn do I love it to bits, but learning the game by getting past the first boss had to have been one of the most difficult things I have ever done in my life. Once I was able to get past it though this game bloomed right in front of me.
Almost each chapter presented itself with new experiences as the choice of companions came in to assist in combat and moment to moment stories. Yet have I truly seen what Sekiro has to offer but Wo Long has some steep challenges in the Parry focused world. The bosses were varied and dramatic, testing your patience and skill for hours on end. This is a title where the combat shines above all else. I can’t remember most of the story content and extras but how it felt to take down the obstacles presented was serene. I still think in between major releases, of going back to the not so distantly released DLC and run around the narrow and crowded streets of this memorable game.
This is just another step on the ladder of these types of games but one that I will look fondly on for years to come.
7. Hi-Fi Rush
This is a game that I can say I waited too long to play. While not exactly the type of game I gravitate to on the regular, this had moments that still resonate with me, months later. Yes Dylan, everything looks really nice all moving at the same time to the beat. The combat feels like living in an Edgar Wright film taking down robotic menaces to a sick beat. Slapping big red buttons and slapping each evil lieutenant down as you make your way up the ladder.
I still can’t forget the way Rekka’s fight made me feel. Similar to the blasting excitement from Control’s ninth chapter, this fight blasted with energy that coursed from my fingertips to the tip of my brain bringing a huge smile across my face.
You never know what a studio is working on. Coming from the people who made The Evil Within series comes a complete opposite experience that explodes with character. It also blends cinematic cutscenes and its stylistic gameplay almost seamlessly which creates a song that you hope never ends.
6. Hogwarts Legacy
Since I was a kid I have wanted a game on this level of scale. To be a true student, going to classes in the halls of Hogwarts. With it releasing so early in the year it has given me the time to give it the ability to sink in and have my feelings look over it at all angles. While this is something that I have waited for, for a long time, the open world is full of the usual tropes that plague even some of the best open worlds. Very forgettable side activities and collectables. And even if Warner Brothers is working on a Quidditch only game, don’t just forego any Quidditch in your open world massive Harry Potter game.
Besides that, the flying in the game is fantastic. Being able to explore some of the most iconic places in one of my favorite franchises via classic traversal options is already peak. Whether it is a broomstick or a hippogriff, it’s a blast to fly around the castle, lake, and the deadly Forbidden Forest. Not to mention being able to see more action in a single game than the entire movie saga in terms of defeating countless baddies spanning the lands. Any fan has dreamed of being able to cast any of the Unforgivable Curses let alone the Killing Curse with their own hands.
The story is nothing to write home about but it left a good time filling the world with adventure and action. If they ever come out with DLC I’d love to give it another shot after all this time and the inevitable sequel will hopefully expand upon the criticisms and side content. For now though just steer clear of the switch version for trolls sake.
5. Marvel's Spider-Man 2
In my opinion, this game should have been much, much higher on this list. And in many ways this game does everything that any perfect sequel should do, and that is built upon everything that made the one that came before it so great. For the most part in every area it is improved and expanded upon.
The swinging adds setting to truly control your swinging form, adding realism to make it more immersive. The web wings don’t take over the show but work well with the swinging to make traversal get a little breath of freshness. The side activities and missions feel more connected to both Peter and Miles and have more depth with side questlines. The map has added the beginnings of the amazing Long Island and soon enough in Spiderman 3 we will be able to relax on the beaches of the Hamptons next to the Kardashians and Adam Sandler. With the expanded map, the new traversal options made exploring the new areas very simple along with one of the fastest fast travel systems I have ever seen. The skills trees are numerous and expanded upon, through the main story you get more abilities than can be upgraded on top of that.
The biggest downside to this title is the plot, pacing, and narrative. I do have to give it some points though, the writing where it mattered was on point, especially when it came to the quips and jokes. I think we can all think of at least one that stuck out to us. On the other hand, the story feels incomplete at times, paced with what feels like hours of cut content. With the spotlight and marketing focusing on the parts of the game that went by the quickest. Yeah, you’ll get your action heavy, lengthy missions that feel exciting and thrilling then drop to an immediate halt for a mission consisting of a few minute cutscene that rewards a laughable amount of experience. The overall campaign experience is over faster than the first and missing the charm that flowed rampant. To me, Spider-Man 2 feels more like a selling point for a PS5 and its hardware than a sequel that respected the original. I completely understand why it did not win any awards during The Game Awards.
4. Lies of P
The second played but first favorite of souls-likes this year. Who would have thought that a souls game focused on Pinocchio would be so good? From the introduction, to the demo, and the final release. This game has been stuck in the back of my mind, the style bleeds on the screen with wonderful vistas and graphics. Plus we have to give it up for the first Borne-like that has come out since Bloodborne’s release. The detail of using his nose at the loading screen bar is one of my favorite touches.
I also love that this game stands out for its level of challenge. Numerous patches focusing on just the nerfing of certain bosses, even health and damage cause they were just too good. I have had my decent share of journeys by this point and Lies of P has presented itself as quite the hill many times. Throughout it all though the bonds between the characters also struggling in the city of Krat have pushed me to try relentlessly to take down the challenges that stand in the way of a peaceful day.
Another amazing game sitting on the shelves of GamePass just waiting to be taken for a spin. Of all the games trying to capture the feel of FromSoft’s classic, Lies of P not only does a good job but it’s able to maintain itself in its own ways. One also that sets itself up for a sequel that if possible, can be even better and grander than the strength of work put into this title.
3. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
Like I explained in our Game of the Year episode. Yes, to get the true experience of playing this game and absorbing the story, you need to have played 7 previous games. But, if that is the case then you are getting into the perfect swan song for Kazuma Kiryu after years of growing with him. Every Yakuza game makes a mark in some capacity. For many players, we got our introduction into the prequel of Yakuza 0 (Which is absolutely necessary for even the first one to exist, starting the series without it is blasphemy.) and this is the closest game out of the saga to reach the same level. Plus the brawling is back!!
These games are extremely dense living worlds full of activities, substories, bonds to grow with an array of characters. For some reason, I got much more into the activities in this game, compared to any of the rest of the series, even Yakuza 0 itself.
After all of these years and the people that we have loved and lost, this game is the perfect culmination of years of storytelling. I have grown with all of these characters over the years and their impact on me personally has made the overall journey so rewarding with this love letter to the series being one of the most fulfilling. Do not listen to the marketing for this game. This is not the best point for new players to jump in. Play all that came before it and you will not be disappointed.
2. Starfield
Now this is what I initially thought was going to be my game of the year. The next IP from legendary, and slightly…. Heavily critiqued RPG developer. An expansive, Sci-Fi, First-Person, RPG. Yessir, please sign me up, what’s that? You will be on GamePass too? You had me at Space.
Compared to Fallout and The Elder Scrolls series, this was not everyone’s cup of tea. It does not play exactly the same. It does not shoot exactly the same. In my opinion, this is the best shooting that has come out of Core Bethesda thus far. It feels as though many of the traditional aspects of the previous titles have been improved on. The combat, both with ranged and melee fighting. Abilities in the form of powers that can affect not only combat but exploration and the people around you. The skills are expanded and leave options for different playthroughs with alternating styles or the growth into a Jack of all trades power house. You can’t forget about VEHICLES for the first time! I spent too long in the loading docks just working on my ships. Specifically trying to make the best Batwing that I could. Always adding on and upgrading as I gained wealth and technical abilities through the skill tree.
I’m not going to go crazy into this game with the Galaxy of coverage of it and its systems. What I’m going to say is that if you truly give it the chance, this is not just a single playthrough and move on. The second you finish the story, the game truly begins. Yes, that can be a massive turn off to many people. But if given the chance to show what it has to offer, Starfield will be the game that you will be going back to by the time Skyrim releases for the 69th time. A game where your character can grow past the borders of just the story and boldly go where no one has gone before.
Game of the Year: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
I love a good surprise. In my time, I have put about an hour or two into Ocarina of Time, five hours into Breath of the Wild, and….. Well over 100 hours in Tears of the Kingdom. Yet another game my eyes have graced from the waves of hype sweeping back and forth for months and boy did I ride the tide and hung ten. The biggest selling point to me was the Ultrahand ability and the level of creativity that seemed limitless around every corner. As time progressed, every other aspect of the game began to shine. Truly one of the first games I have experienced where when given a problem, my “What if” actually worked. Over and over and over. A game where I was able to lose myself countless times in all three levels of the expansive open world.
I had some of the most fun in this game trying to complete each and everything I stumbled upon. The structure of the story is broken down into four parts focusing around large puzzle sections with enemies sprinkled all about. Yes I know the land is in trouble yet again and we gotta find Zelda, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. I roleplayed and did not let myself do one of the four mega shrines until I played for another 25 hours. This extended the longevity of the game so much more for me. Run around and make sure all of the signs are supported, do some simple hunting and resource farming, Gatcha, Gatcha, Gatcha, Build, Build, Build, Shrine, Shrine, Shine, after 25 hours, complete a story segment, rinse, and repeat. And it’s not like it was a problem either, tears of the Kingdom captures the same parts of the brain that Minecraft does, it gives me a plethora of tools and says “What do you wanna do with it?”. Simply from that alone, I wanted to solve every Shrine and problem in the game with the most out of the box way that I could and the surge of excitement I felt from watching something just work was invigorating.
While I initially could not get into Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom not only builds upon the formula but expands the playground. Twice. The addition of the Sky Lands and the Depths brings so much to the exploration in a land where exploration was already key. Whether its a plane, hoverbike, rocket-shield, or skateboard, just the traversal options at your disposal are a pleasant time sink. With dozens upon dozens of areas and points of interest to explore, there is definitely no shortage of content. I could go on and on about the gameplay and all of the moments but through it all, the story and the characters are a stand out. The bonds that are formed, especially with the extra time put in for everything to sink in, were strong, leading up to the very final moments. It all mattered, the work put in, the people helped, the change that was accomplished. It all comes together as one compelling adventure, one for me that stayed long and longer than I ever expected. This is one of the special ones. If you are a fan of gaming in any capacity, it is more than worthy of your time and attention.