"Fun" & Games Podcast: Matt's Top 10 Games of 2023
Hey there! I’m Matt Storm aka Stormageddon. I’m a podcast host, editor and producer living in Brooklyn, NY. I’m a non-binary, pansexual gaming nerd who hosts three different podcasts on the Certain POV Podcast Network. Those pods are “Fun” & Games, a broader topic based video game chat show with a sub series called Side Quests where every episode a different host talks about a game they love and why they love it, Reignite, a BioWare retrospective podcast currently covering Dragon Age: Origins and lastly Screen Snark, a media podcast where we chat with a guest about what we’ve been watching and what they’ve been working on! I also edit the audio version of The Game Informer Show!
This past year of 2023 has been one of the greatest years for game releases (even if it was unfortunately not the greatest year on the development and journalism side) and just about any game on my list could’ve been my game of the year if it came out any other year. There are so many games I loved that didn’t even make the top ten like Street Fighter 6, Gunbrella, Metroid Prime Remastered, Final Fantasy XVI, Resident Evil 4 and Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly just to name a few. Truly there was something for everyone this year and here are the ones that blew the rest out of the water even if only barely.
10. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Unlike its predecessor this game gave me absolutely everything I wanted. One of the most touching and beautiful narratives in the history of the franchise. From awesome game breaking mechanics to phenomenal music and more. While it still does not surpass my favorites it’s still definitely up there in the pantheon of Zelda games.
9. Dredge
What an excellent, interesting, and horrifying game. A perfect mix of dread and intrigue. So fun to play and explore. Incredible music. My favorite indie this year so far. A must play. If you like weird games with fun mechanics and interesting characters, then this one is a must play.
8. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
I loved Fallen Order and this game does exactly what you want from a sequel. Better combat, more interesting exploration, captivating story and even more colorful characters and brilliant action set pieces. A must play for any Star Wars fan. Cal Kestis has become one of my favorite Jedi. Also here is an episode of Side Quests I did about the game if you wanted to give it a listen here!
7. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
As a long time fan of the Like a Dragon franchise and Kazuma Kiryu, this game was the perfect reward for loving fans of both. Some of the best combat and mini games in the history of the franchise with an incredibly told story of equal parts melodrama and silliness that you’d expect from the series. A heartfelt love letter to one of my favorite video game characters ever.
6. Marvel's Spider-Man 2
This series just gets better with every entry. The story was such a clever deviation from the original comics and I loved every second of it. The combat and traversal was the best yet for the franchise too. The ideal sequel and I cannot wait for the next one.
5. Slay the Princess
My Game of Show for PAX East 2023 did not disappoint when it finally released in October. The less I say about this game the better because the entire experience should be preserved but it is easily one of the best visual novels I have ever played. It is absolutely worth your time. Go play it.
4. Super Mario RPG
A remake of one of my all-time favorite RPGs (next to Chrono Trigger) got a head-to-toe remake and is the best it’s ever been. The new graphics, recomposed music and across the board quality of life improvements make this not only an incredible version of this game but also one of the most approachable and fun turn-based RPGs ever made.
3. Hi-Fi Rush
As a certified Character Action game sicko and giant music nerd who loves all 4 versions of Scott Pilgrim, this game was tailor made for me specifically. It was one of the most beautifully animated games I’ve ever seen. The licensed needle drops are flawless, and the original soundtrack is one of best gaming soundtracks ever.
2. Sea of Stars
I mentioned previously Chrono Trigger and Super Mario RPG in the same sentence earlier, so it is no surprise that I absolutely adored this game. Sweet and heartfelt story, incredible characters, beautiful sprite work and lighting. Killer soundtrack by Eric W. Brown. This is my ideal retro inspired RPG and I cannot wait for what Sabotage Studio does next.
1. Alan Wake II
It’s unsurprising that in the year where I wrote about finally falling in love with horror games that this is my Game Of The Year. This game gave me everything I wanted from not only the genre but from this world Remedy Studios continues to build. From the incredible live action FMV performances to the brilliant writing to the incredible characters and more, it was phenomenal. The weirder this joint world of Control and Alan Wakes gets the happier I am. Also Old Gods of Asgard might be my favorite fictional band of all time.