The Dual Sense Podcast: Jason’s Top 5 Games of 2023

The Dual Sense Podcast: Jason's Top 5 Games of 2023

Howdy folks! I have so graciously been asked by the lads at Offshore Gamescast to once again share my favorite games of 2023 with you. It feels good to be back, but don’t call it a comeback. If you don’t know me or our show, my name is Jason, I’m one-half of the co-hosting duo for a weekly PlayStation news show called The Dual Sense Podcast. I am also a staff writer at GamingNexus.com, one of the oldest video game news outlets on the planet. There I review games and cover industry news, which is a real hoot! I’d love to chat games with you (or what you think of one of my game reviews), so find me on social media @TheDualSensePod. Now, let’s get into the games, shall we?

5. Moss (PS VR2)

This year marked my first foray into the world of virtual reality thanks to Sony’s new rig – the PlayStation VR2. It is a wonderful piece of kit that, despite Sony’s lack of first-party games, has enjoyed an incredible launch year of games. One of those games is an upgraded version of Moss from Polyarc Games, an incredible 3D platformer that completely changed the way I feel about the genre. I went from being someone who couldn’t care less about platformers, to now believing that VR is the best place to play a platformer. Moss’ awesome diorama style perspective, adorable protagonist, and satisfying puzzles are top-tier. If you haven’t played Moss, PS VR2 had the definitive version of one of the best games I played all year.

4. Anno 1800

Look, I am a massive strategy and management game nerd. When they’re done right, they are so damn addictive and that is exactly the case with Anno 1800, which made its way to consoles earlier this year for the first time. It is a super deep game with lots of moving parts, including a tutorial campaign that took me 18 hours to complete, but that’s what fans of the genre love about these types of games. Anno 1800 is one of the best city-building management games I have had the pleasure of playing on console, and is set during a cool time in history to boot – the Industrial Revolution. If you’re a genre veteran, I promise you won’t be disappointed with Anno 1800.

3. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

It took three years, but Cyberpunk 2077 finally completed its redemption arc in 2023 with its first and last expansion, Phantom Liberty. The expansion was boosted by the free 2.0 update that radically changed many of the game’s systems, but that does not detract from what a special piece of DLC Phantom Liberty is, which I guess should really come as no surprise considering CD Projekt Red are perhaps the best in the business at post-launch content. I would argue that PL’s story is better than the base game, with a better performance from Hollywood star Idris Elba than Keanu Reeves. The new Dogtown location is my favorite location in all of Night City – it feels rugged and downtrodden in a beautiful sort of way. The TL;DR version is that this $30 expansion outclasses most full AAA releases from other developers.

2. Jusant

Jusant took me completely by surprise despite developer Don’t Nod’s impeccable track record of poignant, high-quality games. I went in for the cool premise of a zen rock climbing game, and walked away emotionally shaken by its narrative and world-building. For a game with zero lines of spoken dialogue, it packs a big punch, though, you will get out of it as much as you put in. I spent time reading collectables and appreciating the environmental storytelling on my journey up Jusant’s mysterious tower. It’s a climb I simply cannot recommend enough, and I really think it is one of the most slept-on games of 2023 despite its critical success. Oh yeah, and that zen rock-climbing gameplay is to die for as well.

1. The Last Clockwinder (PS VR2)

Perhaps the best endorsement I can give The Last Clockwinder is that in my approximately 18 months as an official game critic, it is still my highest-rated game at 9.5/10. In fact, no other game has earned a 9.5 from yours truly. It’s for good reason too, as The Last Clockwinder is a truly special experience that is a can’t miss game for VR players. It boasts clever gameplay that can only be done properly in VR, a heartfelt story that might move you to tears, and no one will have the same gameplay experience because everyone will solve its puzzles in different ways. I can’t sing its praises enough – The Last Clockwinder is my hands-down favorite game of 2023.