A Year Of Transition
Many have been eager to proclaim 2023 as the best year in gaming history for months now. While that’s the sort of thing that becomes more clear as we have time to look back and consider the year in gaming, we can already say with confidence that 2023 has been a fantastic year for video game releases. With that being the case, it’s more important than ever to separate the very best games from the rest of what’s out there. Whether you’re looking for a gift for someone on your list or something for yourself, we have you covered. Between November 14th and November 22nd we’ll be bringing you daily guides designed to find the games players want in their favorite genres and on their favorite systems. Whether you’re ready to spend or you’re a true poor player, we have options for you.
The Xbox had a challenging 2022. While two first-party games did make our top 10 games of the year, they were both fairly niche titles without the truly wide appeal Microsoft need if they’re going to truly challenge the PS5. 2023 was an improvement in that way, with major titles that will appeal to a far wider audience. It remains to be seen if Microsoft can consistently put out first-party games people care about, but there were titles to get excited about in 2023.
Diablo IV
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
It feels fitting to highlight Diablo IV here on the Xbox, considering it’s now owned by Microsoft after their recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The last few years haven’t been kind to the public image of Activision or Blizzard, but under new leadership, they have a path to a new future, and Diablo IV proves that they still have some incredible talent working under their roof. From the start, Diablo IV proved a worthy follow-up to Diablo III, managing to provide new thrills while staying true to what fans love in this series, and while some questioned the quality of its first season of continued content, the latest season seems to be hitting its stride. There’s never been a better time to check this one out.
Hi-Fi Rush
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC
Few were expecting the team most known for games like The Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo to release a musical action game with cartoon styling out of nowhere in January, but Hi-Fi Rush’s last-moment reveal stands as one of the better surprises of 2023. It isn’t the first game to try to mix standard action with a rhythm element, but I can’t think of any that were half as successful at doing so. With memorable characters, killer tunes, and stunning graphics, this is a game we haven’t forgotten about just because it was released early in 2023.
Party Animals
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Any time a game finds massive, unexpected success, a number of clones are sure to follow. It’s easy to look at Party Animals, see the clear inspiration it draws from the success of Fall Guys a few years ago, and write it off. You’d be doing yourself and Party Animals a disservice by doing so. While there is definitely some Falls Guys in its DNA, and some Gang Beasts for that matter, Party Animals has a personality that is all its own. Some of the most creative mode and level design of any game this year allows this physics-based party game to truly shine. If you need something to play with friends, you really can’t do too much better than Party Animals.
Starfield
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC
It can be incredibly difficult to live up to massive expectations, and few games have ever had such large expectations to meet. While reception has been a bit more mixed than some of us might have expected, I can confidently say Starfield is easily the most fully realized game Bethesda has ever made. With stunning side missions, hundreds of planets to explore, the best combat Bethesda has ever managed to put together by a mile, and thrilling space battles, there’s no game this year I’d rather get lost in. There are moments from my first playthrough of this game that will live with me forever. If you haven’t yet headed into the cosmos, you absolutely should check Starfield out.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
It feels like Wo Long has been lost a bit in the conversation about 2023 games, and that’s a shame because while it wasn’t a perfect title, in many ways, it feels like the realization of everything they’ve been doing on the Nioh series in recent years. By rewarding exploration and creating wonderful levels that you’ll want to explore, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty moves the focus off of combat in some ways while still offering thrilling fights when you do have to throw down. Those who are looking for a Souls-style game and somehow missed this one early in 2023 definitely should give it a try.
