2023 has been a year that the gaming industry and community won’t forget. It brought up new trends, innovations, and even issues that shaped the industry. From releasing the most highly rated games in 20 years to the increasing adoption of transformative technologies in game development, this year has made us see new solutions in the industry. As we celebrate these achievements, we need to ask ourselves, “What were some of the games that stood out in 2023?”
Here, we explore some of the top games of 2023 and why they feature in our list.
1. Baldur’s Gate 3
Larian Studios is known for having one of the best team of game developers for decades now. The company released another amazing game in 2023, Baldur’s Gate 3. This game is a “love letter” to Dungeons & Dragons gameplay, and it proves that taking time to create something you are proud of is worth waiting for.
This game boasts an excellent rating of 97, making it the best-rated game in 2023. It’s no surprise that the game has this high rating since it has added turn-based combat, making gameplay like the esteemed tabletop experience. Also, its flexible quest system and roleplaying elements have left players enjoying hundreds of hours of amazing content.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Those who played The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild can agree it was a perfect game. However, Tears of the Kingdom still improves on perfection and manages the impossible. This game is based on the popular trend, open world, and focuses on experimentation and exploration. This game has completely changed how we think about Zelda. As of September 2023, the game had sold over 19.5 million copies, making it one of the most-selling Nintendo Switch games. By the time of this writing, the game had an overall rating of 96, making it among the top-rated games in 2023.
3. Resident Evil 4 2023
The initial Resident Evil series was developed around tedious backtracking, primitive controls, and hectic baroque puzzle-solving. However, in 2005, Capcom shifted to an advanced over-the-shoulder camera vantage, which saw the game become quite impressive.
The previous version of Resident Evil was amazing. But how do you upgrade something that holds up so well? Well, the game has been refined, delivering an even more interesting experience. Capcom redefined the game’s experience and produced an all-timer in the horror genre with this upgrade. Resident Evil 4 boasts tighter controls in scintillating 4K. Also, its traversal is loose. These refinements have made the game’s experience feel modern.
4. Street Fighter 6
The Street Fighter series has been around for a while. But is Street Fighter 6 the game we’ve been waiting for? Seems like yes! This game is among the top-rated games in 2023. It provides new control modes to play without having to recall difficult command inputs, enabling novice and experienced gamers to enjoy the game. Also, it allows players to enjoy a seamless battle flow. As a result, players have rated it highly, making it among the best-rated games in 2023.
5. Diablo 4
It’s been more than 10 years since Diablo 3 was released. This game was popularly ridiculed for being too colorful. Its release was followed by a series of controversies that faced the company, Blizzard, leading to the title’s post-launch challenges and public fall. However, Diablo 4 has redefined the company’s everything, thanks to the exceptional ARPG experience delivered by this game.
It’s scarily easy to lose hours to Diablo 4’s ARPG action. This game’s magic is not restricted to familiar thrills. The naturally addictive nature of the Diablo franchise and the genre makes the game more attractive and amazing. What’s more, Diablo 4 has modified its blueprint, taking the shape of an actual MMO. So, player characters are spread all over the map, enhancing the gaming experience.
6. Alan Wake 2
The initial Alan Wake was a fruit of love built in starts and fits by Remedy Studio. Originally, this game was limited in scope, where an FBI agent investigates the disappearance of a namesake author. However, Remedy has expanded the scope with the latest Alan Wake 2. This game is far more self-directed and exploratory-heavy. What’s more, nearly every aspect of Alan Wake 2’s impressive campaign benefits from a wonderfully creative and surprising decision made by Remedy.
7. Hi-Fi Rush
At its best, Hi-Fi Rush’s combat builds a unique and harmonious flow, where music guides you through every step of the way. This music-driven approach adds sophistication to the game and a masterpiece of structure to the chaos, making it one-of-a-kind. Outside of combat, this game throws simple yet fun traversal elements at you throughout different exciting maps.
8. Metroid Prime Remastered
Metroid Prime Remastered is ranked as one of the top-rated games by Metacritic, with a rating of 94. This game has a brand-new coat of Nintendo Switch-driven paint. Also, the game can now be played on the go. This is possible all thanks to Switch’s portable nature. The game also introduces multiple control schemes, catering to those who loved the Wii version’s light-gun controls and the original’s button blasting.
9. Pizza Tower
Pizza Tower is an exceptional platformer that challenges gamers with a combination of pixel-perfect platforming, speed running, and collectible hoarding. This mix is all tied together by a velvety-smooth motion system that allows users to chain together their abilities, enhancing their overall experience. Also, the game boasts hand-drawn graphics, sheer personality, and earworm music, giving it a unique flavor of its own and reminiscent of Nicktoons shows. Once you start playing it, you definitely won’t forget it.
10. Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Super Marion Bros. Wonder delivers a joyful and wholesome gaming experience. It is a jubilantly colored game that proves that Nintendo has several tricks up its sleeves as it goes beyond traditional gaming formulas. This game has a couple of surprises. Each time you discover a new surprise, it feels like unboxing a nearly endless collection of small confections. This game is as imaginative as its 3D counterparts and provides a captivating adventure from front to back, making it stand out.
Final Thoughts
The gaming industry has evolved significantly in 2023. More games have been released during the year, marking a significant achievement in gaming. This year has seen the most top-rated games in two decades, implying that developers have worked more to deliver better gaming experiences. Some of the top games in 2023 include games like Baldur’s Gate 3, Resident Evil 4, Street Fighter 6, and Hi-Fi Rush, to mention a few. While the list is not exhaustive, these 10 games would be a great starting point for anyone looking to explore what 2023 has to offer in the gaming world.
