Was it just me or was 2023 the greatest year for video games ever? It seemed like an incredible new game was coming out almost every week, to the point where I was kind of overwhelmed by the sheer volume of new titles available. I tried to get to as many of the big, new releases as I could but still have quite a few on my backburner for when things die down a bit. Nevertheless I managed to whittle my year-end list down to six games.
What follows are my personal favorite games of the year, the ones that left the biggest lasting impression on me and reminded me why gaming is my most loved hobby.
It’s probably the best game I’ve played in the last two years. I had a better time with it than anything that’s come out since 2020.
On the surface, Tunic looks like someone took a Legend of Zelda game and swapped out Link with an adorable little fox. The game begins with you waking up on a beach without any way to defend yourself and a dangerous world ahead full of mysteries to solve and enemies to battle. And while exploration and combat play a big part, there’s so much more to Tunic than it initially lets on.
Now it’s pretty tough to explain what makes Tunic so special without spoiling all of it; this is 100% a game you should experience for yourself. But to give a little context: a major part of the gameplay involves you collecting pages of an in-game instruction booklet (in the old-school NES vein) that are scattered across the world. The pages – as well as most in-game dialogue, signs, etc. - are mostly written in a strange, indecipherable language. As you gather more and more pages, and gather more and more information from them, you slowly start to piece things together. The plot comes into clearer view. Your path forward does as well. But more importantly, so do the game’s mechanics.
Think of it as an “anti-tutorial”, in that information is deliberately kept from you and drip-fed slowly over time. Whereas most games give you an info-dump whenever you discover a new item or gain a new ability, Tunic makes every new discovery important and meaningful. But the game’s secrets and surprises run much deeper than that. There’s an end-game portion to Tunic that truly caught me off guard and changed how I viewed the game world completely that I wouldn’t dare spoil.
Tunic would be an incredible game to watch speedruns of. Pretty much everything you need to power through the game is available to you from the get-go. Finding out what the various mysteries scattered across the island mean – the golden platforms on the ground, those little hooks you see in high-up places, that dang giant door up at the top of the snowy mountain! – generated some of the greatest “A-HA!” moments I’ve ever had in a game. Once everything starts to click, Tunic is a great big serotonin factory.
I can rave on and on about how much I truly love this game. And while it’s not without its flaws – combat is not as smooth as it should be, and some of the later bosses are near impossible without using the game’s no-fail mode – they weren’t distracting enough to take away from the overall experience.
A sign of a good game for me is when it stays in my head long after credits roll. Whenever I remember a certain part of the game or listen to its amazing soundtrack, I feel happy. It’s pure digital bliss.
I realized as I’ve gotten older my taste in a lot of things has, inevitably, changed a bit. Every so often I would “fall out” of video games for a month or so, having gotten burned out or overwhelmed or in need of a break. However, around the midpoint of 2021 I was feeling a bit disconnected from video games in a way I hadn’t before. Nothing I played, even if I did end up enjoying my time with it, felt like it meant something to me like games in the past had. I couldn’t decide if what I had played just wasn’t that great or if I had finally gotten tired of video games in general. Turns out, it was a mix of both.
So that’s when I decided for myself that I would step away from my desire to play every big-name video game release of the year and go in search of other, smaller games I wouldn’t normally give my attention to. I’ve always loved “indie” games – I’ve always felt they had better design and more inventive ideas than 90% of what big developers dish out on a yearly basis. But each year as I found myself with less and less time on my hands, I had to carefully choose which games I gave my full attention. So, 2022 was going to be the year I veered away from expansive, 60-plus hour gaming adventures and more towards weird, inventive little games with something more interesting to provide. (I did play Horizon Forbidden West to start out the year, and that was the game that, while I thoroughly enjoy it, reminded me why I needed to distance myself from those experiences more)
Every so often I’ll post my thoughts and experiences with these games here. Hopefully I’ll inspire you to try some of them out, too.
I guess my personal goal with all this is simple: expand my horizons and get out of my comfort zone a bit. Maybe even “grow up” a little, too.
NOTE: I meant to start this project earlier in the year but, you know, LIFE HAPPENED.
Hey! We made it halfway through what could be one of the last years we have left on this planet so it's time to celebrate the one thing that hasn't totally ruined my pathetic life yet: VIDEO GAMES! That's right, in a futile attempt to curb the seemingly never-ending stress, depression, and anxiety I experience on a daily basis, I decided to look back at the last six months of this gaming year and make up some totally arbitrary awards to give out to the video games (and gaming-related stuff) that helped me escape this nightmare.
Some of these games will probably end up on my (hopefully more normal) end of the year 'best of' list and some might not. But for now, they can bask in the glory of knowing that I, random white man on the internet, got some much-needed reprieve from them. So HERE WE GO!
Best Level From a Game I Totally Forgot Came Out Dartmoor - Hitman III
Did you love 'Knives Out'? So did IOI!
Hitman III burst onto the gaming scene way back in January, so I kinda have a bit of an excuse for forgetting this game even existed. When thinking about giving out an award for "Best Level", my mind almost immediately went to House Beneviento from Resident Evil Village (more on that later, though). And while that dollhouse of horrors was arguably the best part of RE8, when I got to thinking (and actually remembered which games came out in 2021) I realized there was no way I could not give this to the Dartmoor level from Agent 47's newest adventure. Hitman's levels are some of the best designed in all of gaming, and this sprawling mansion in the English countryside is among the series' best. There's only one main target in Death in the Family, but what sets this apart is how it lets you partake in a twisting murder mystery. You find clues, interrogate witnesses, and can come to multiple different conclusions, all branching the mission off in various directions, all with that trademark Hitman sense of humor.
Most Sickeningly Adorable Next-Gen Console I Bought This Year Xbox Series S
I can't believe this little fella runs Forza so well
Man, those next-gen video game consoles are super hard to find, huh? The fact that I managed to get a PS5 last year is nothing short of a miracle, and having set aside some money for one of Microsoft's shiny new machines a while ago, it was only a matter of time, patience, and fighting off the urge to buy one from scalpers that I got one for myself. And to my surprise, the one I settled for was not the super giant and powerful Series X, but its smaller, less-powerful baby brother, the Series S. So why did I sacrifice 4K and better GPU for 1440p and 60fps? Well, for one, it was the only one I could find in stock anywhere and at retail price. But thinking about it, I'm a pretty simple man when it comes to gaming and don't need a whole lot. I've got a PS5, so I already have that giant, powerful box sitting in my entertainment center. Plus, my time spent on Xbox systems has waned over the last few years, despite Game Pass constantly calling me. All I really wanna play on there is some Halo and some Forza, and the Series S allows me to do that without breaking the bank. Sure the games don't look as good as they do on PC or the Series X, but personally I'll take a better, faster frame rate over resolution any day. The Series S is a neat little technological marvel and, paired with Game Pass, is quite possibly the best deal in gaming right now. Plus, LOOK AT IT! IT'S SO DAMN CUTE AND TINY!
Most Gleefully Stupid Video Game of the Year (So Far)
Chivalry 2
This photo is pretty misleading in that it shows no stupid stuff
At first glace, first-person medieval melee combat game Chivalry 2 looks pretty serious. The combat is simple but pretty deep, and takes a bit of practice to get really good at. Its lore is surprising grounded, and the variety of objective-based matches have you raiding villages and castles and causing all sorts of mayhem. But that's about where the seriousness stops. Chivalry 2 is a really dumb game that knows it's a really dumb game. It's essentially the video game equivalent of the scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail where Lancelot rushes the wedding party and kills pretty much everyone. It has a dedicated 'battlecry' button that lets you scream at any point during the match. Heads and body parts fly on a near-constant basis. Players run around with barrels and jump around on fire. You'll hear various characters yell "OI I'VE LOST ME GOOD ARM" and start randomly dancing around a pile of dead bodies. The moment I knew I loved this game was when I decapitated a dude, picked up his head, threw it at another guy, and instantly killed him with it. It's rare that a game doesn't pretend to be anything that it isn't, and Chivalry 2 is one hell of a good, dumb time.
Best Roller Coaster Ride
Resident Evil Village
Pictured Above: SPOOKY ATMOSPHERE
This was a shoo-in for Dumbest Game of 2021 before Chivalry 2 came along (heck, Ethan Winters alone is dumber than anything else in gaming this year) so it'll just have to settle for being the most constantly thrilling and entertaining one instead. You'll be kind of disappointed if you come into RE8 looking for the same kind of scare-fest that RE7 provided, and though the first half of the game certainly makes it seem like it will be (especially in the previously mentioned House Beneviento section) the remainder of Village just gets real action-y and real stupid. Not that it's a bad thing, though; RE8 is a fast-paced action/horror romp that's wonderfully paced and features some of the best set piece moments in the entire series. In all honesty Village is the perfect way to celebrate the franchise's 25th anniversary, as it covers just about all of the bases that previous game in the series have. It's got towering unkillable enemies that constantly pursue you, well-earned scares, inventory management, lots of shooting, and big, over-the-top action moments. So for me, Resident Evil Village is just pure, non-stop entertainment and one of 2021's best games.
Game of the Year 2021 (If The World Ended Right Now) Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
What I wouldn't do for a good R&C cartoon
As a fan of the Ratchet & Clank games dating all the way back to the original on the PS2, Rift Apart was a game I was really looking forward to and most definitely not disappointed by. By just looking a the game in motion you'll realize just how much a technical showcase this is for the PS5 and probably wonder what kind of witchcraft they're practicing over there at Insomniac Games. Underneath the next-gen shininess and incredible graphical detail lies the best, most fine-tuned Ratchet & Clank game ever made. It doesn't do anything revolutionary from a gameplay perspective, but it's a near-perfect slice of good ol- fashioned gaming pie. The story is surprisingly engaging, and though I still miss the borderline adult humor of the original games, it's still by far the funniest game Insomniac has written in a while. The best kinds of games are the ones that capture my attention and don't let go until credits roll, and Rift Apart was one of those for me. It's stunning to look at and even better to play, and is both the best PS5 game to date and my favorite game of 2021 so far.
Most Anticipated Game for the Rest of 2021
Deathloop
Still can't get over how cool the art is for this game
Coming from one of my all-time favorite developers, Deathloop is a PS5 exclusive action/shooter where you play as a secret agent trapped in a time loop, and if that doesn't get you excited I don't know what will. Based on what I've seen from previews, Deathloop's got that trademark Arkane look and feel but with some cool new twists. On paper Deathloop may look like a rougelike, as you have to kill eight targets within a single run in order to finally break the loop you're stuck in, or else be forced to start over and over and over until you do. But you're not given a strict time limit and have almost unlimited freedom in order to complete your mission. Plus is has a multiplayer element that lets another player invade your game as a rival assassin who's main mission is to stop you. Deathloop has been on my radar ever since it was revealed at E3 a few years ago and I've only gotten more and more excited for it the more I hear about it. It's got 'Mike Game' written all over it and I can't wait to play it when it comes out in September.
Just for fun, some of the other games I'm excited to play the rest of this year are: Forza Horizon 5, Halo Infinite, Solar Ash, Battlefield 2042, Metroid Dread, Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp, Psychonauts 2, Back 4 Blood, and Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy.
This year had some truly incredible games, and some truly incredible music to match. Here are just a few of the tracks that I love from the games I loved in 2020.
Animal Crossing New Horizons Composed by Kazumi Totaka
Animal Crossing always has great tunes, but HOT DAMN do the tracks on New Horizons SLAP. The 5PM song definitely stands out, particularly because I've heard it the most. During the height of my obsession with the game, I'd come home from work around and immediately turn it on, so this was the soundtrack to my late-day freedom.
Also, who decided that the Turkey Day theme had the right to be so damn good?
Hades Composed by Darren Korb
Supergiant's games have always been about the trifecta: great art, great storytelling, and great music. Hades once again proves the prowess of Darren Korb, who is most definitely one of my favorite composers. The music of Hades acts like another obstacle; you're already facing great odds in your escape attempts, fighting dangerous enemies and dodging deadly traps, but then BAM! here comes the music to knock you on your ass too.
And it wouldn't be a Supergiant game without the immaculate vocals of Ashley Barrett. The first time I heard this song I fell out of my chair.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Composed by Nobuo Uematsu, Masashi Hamauzu, and Mitusto Suzuki
Final Fantasy VII undoubtedly has the greatest video game score of all time. Final Fantasy VII Remake somehow makes that score better. While there is a ton of really great original music, it is of course the reworked original songs that are absolutely amazing. The battle theme actually made me want to run out and fight people.
If you want to talk about real tears, Aerith's theme definitely got the water works flowing the first time I heard it.
Ghost of Tsushima Composed by Ilan Eshkeri and Shigeru Umebayashi
Ghost of Tsushima is the ultimate epic, and it has music to match. This track comes from the climatic battle at the end of the game and adds even more urgency and grandeur to an already intense sequence.
One of the most peaceful things in any video game ever was being able to compose haikus in Ghost of Tsushima. The music that played over those moments is absolutely beautiful.
DOOM Eternal Composed by Mick Gordon
Going from one extreme to the other, DOOM Eternal's soundtrack kicks major ass. Mick Gordon did it again (putting aside all of that controversy between him and Bethesda) and Eternal's hardcore metal tunes somehow manage to be even better than the original game's. Just try listening to this and NOT want to run through a brick wall.
When I heard this track - which plays when you blast through an endless hoard of demons on your way to blow a giant hole into the surface of Mars - my ass damn nearly exploded.
The Last of Us Part II Composed by Gustavo Santaolalla and Mac Quayle
The original Last of Us had a mesmerizing and unforgettable score, and The Last of Us Part II's music absolutely stands shoulder to shoulder with it. Bringing on Mac Quayle to provide some additional tracks was a brilliant idea, as he brings his own unique touch to the soundscape of Ellie's journey.
Of course Gustavo Santaolalla returns and revisits some of the original game's musical themes, but also adds some beautiful new ones. If Mac Quayle is the darkness at the heart of The Last of Us Part II, then Gustavo is the light.
Astro's Playroom Composed by Kenneth C M Young
It may recycle a lot of the same tracks as 2018's Astrobot Rescue Mission (that Kenneth Young also composed) but the tunes in Astro's Playroom are still killer. Take the track from the SSD Speedway level:
Any song that has someone drone "SSD" on and on in a robotic voice would normally be instantly annoying but for some reason it makes the level (and the song) super charming.
Same goes for Memory Meadow's track:
Hearing "OH YEEAAAH" constantly over the main Astrobot melody is so dang delightful.
Of course, anyone who's played Astro's Playroom knows about the badass "GPU Jungle" song (which has lyrics!!!):
Once again, Astro's Playroom has absolutely no business being as good as it is. And the goofy song describing what the PlayStation 5's graphics processing unit does doesn't either.
Kentucky Route Zero Composed by Ben Babbitt
There is SO much to love about Kentucky Route Zero, but its soundtrack is just next level stuff. Much like the game itself, Ben Babbitt's music can't be tagged as just one genre. It's otherworldly - equally unnerving and comforting.
Strung throughout its five chapters are a handful of traditional/bluegrass songs that compliment the narrative. This song, which plays at the very end of chapter five, absolutely brought me to tears. A beautiful end to a stunning game.
