2023 is shaping out to be one of the best years for gamers in a very long time! Many heavy-hitters have come out this year and many of us are having a hard time keeping up! My wallet is aching for 2023 to be over! That said, there have been some phenomenal titles that I do not regret buying at all this year.
#3 Final Fantasy XVI
Every year, a plethora of games vie for the title of ‘Best Game’, but Final Fantasy XVI has distinguished itself as one of the finest of this year. FF XVI pushes the limits of what the still-young PlayStation 5 can do and shows off what massive resources and a long development cycle can accomplish. And it has done so with a Metacritic score of 86!
Ifrit versus Bahamut.
FFXVI boasts a revamped combat system that seamlessly blends beautiful visual effects with real-time action in a way that no previous entry has ever done! Every major boss battle is a kaiju-infused spectacle that leaves you feeling like you just witnessed one of the most intricate action films ever, and each boss encounter is more insane than the one that precedes it.
Not to mention the Game of Thrones inspired story and the amazing music from legendary composer Masayoshi Soken , and you have a recipe for one of the most cinematic games of the last few years! ((Any numbers? Metacritic or games sold?))
#2 Star Wars: Jedi Survivor
Star Wars Jedi Survivor has captivated the gaming community, solidifying its place as not just one of the standout titles of the year, but one of the best games in the overall Star Wars gaming universe! With a Metacritic score of 85, Jedi Survivor is a serious Game Of The Year contender.
Jedi Survivor continues the story of Cal Kestis, one of the few Jedi survivors of Order 66 as he tries to figure out the location of a secret hidden world that can be used as a refuge from the Empire. The game reunites Cal with old friends while also introducing some very cool new characters (friends and foes alike).
Cal stares down Rayvis.
The game is an improvement over its predecessor, Fallen Order, in virtually every category. The resolution and frame rate is a noticeable improvement. The combat is more varied and introduces new lightsaber configurations that we have not seen up until now. The most important improvement is the more sandbox nature of this game. Now there are bounty hunter questlines, side quests, collectables, and a much more populated and lived-in galaxy. If you’re looking for a Soulsborne-style game or are a massive Star Wars fan then you can’t afford to pass this one up!
#1 Starfield
In the ever-evolving realm of gaming, few titles manage to capture the imagination and hold players’ attention for long. Yet, Starfield has emerged as one of the most acclaimed games of the year, setting a new benchmark for interactive entertainment. Siliconera gave it a 9/10 stating: “Starfield is a genre-defining space exploration RPG. With a vast galaxy of characters and stories to uncover, this is Bethesda’s best work in years.” Starfield allows the player to shape the story as they set out across the Milky Way galaxy to answer the age old question “What is Out There”? Along the way you’ll join various space-faring factions and discover new alien worlds.
beautiful scenery on this icy and rocky planet.
Over on the Temple of Nerdom Facebook page, John Adams said: “I’m a bit overwhelmed getting things figured out, but so far it’s amazing!” I echo those same words as well. Starfield is my favorite game of the year so far! The zero-gravity mechanics, interstellar exploration, and the blend of sandbox and structured missions ensure a balance of freedom and narrative direction.
This makes each playthrough feel fresh and personalized (and the game encourages you to do a new playthrough upon completing it). The game feels familiar to fans who have played and enjoy Bethesda’s various RPGs, but it is surprisingly well-polished! The infamous “Bethesda Jank” is felt and present but not in game breaking ways, just whacky visuals and glitches that are more humorous than annoying.
Closing Thoughts
Granted there are many games that have come out this year that are Game Of The year contenders that we didn’t mention on here (Baldur’s Gate 3, Tears of the Kingdom, Resident Evil 4 Remake, etc.). But I wanted to shine a spotlight on some of the titles I have enjoyed the most this year. What new releases from this year are remarkable to you? Think my picks are overrated? Feel these picks are not great? Do you feel differently? Drop a line and comment down below. I’ll definitely check out what you write. I usually do. For more geeky game coverage be sure to follow us on GeekNewsNow as well as our Facebook page here. As always, stay geeky out there!
