It’s hard to believe that 2023 is already over and that the industry managed to pack so many awesome games into one year. We had a hard time deliberating over which titles would make our Game of The Year 2023 lineup, but we finally narrowed it down to the list below:
GameRevolution Game of the Year 2023 List:
10. Amnesia: The Bunker
Amnesia ditched the sanity mechanics this time around for a semi-open world adventure through a World War I bunker. We took control of French soldier Henri Clement as he tried to escape a creature whose only weakness seemed to be light. There’s a constant sense of pressure in Amnesia: The Bunker as you balance exploration, fueling generators to keep the lights on, and item management as the Beast continually pursues you. Fortunately, unlike previous entries in the series, there’s plenty of replayability. Procedural generation changes the layout of the bunker up each playthrough, which means you never know what’s around the next corner.
9. Street Fighter 6
Street Fighter 6 combines innovation and nostalgia to deliver an outstanding gaming experience, making it one of the year’s top releases. The game’s Real Time Commentary system is an innovative element that fully engages players in every encounter, intensifying the overall thrill. This is enhanced by the visually captivating visuals, which infuse vitality into the characters and environments. The implementation of the Drive System brings about a paradigm shift in combat, introducing a level of strategic complexity that is very appealing to a diverse spectrum of gamers. The thoughtfully selected lineup, including both familiar faces and newcomers, presents a wide range of combat techniques. Collectively, these components combine to establish Street Fighter 6 as an exceptional fighting game.
Buy Street Fighter 6 on Amazon
8. Hi-Fi Rush
Hi-Fi Rush sets itself apart as one of the year’s best games, offering you a unique blend of rhythm-based gameplay and action. Its standout feature is how every move and attack is synced to the beat of an energetic soundtrack, creating a seamless and immersive experience. The game’s vibrant, comic-book-style graphics are not only visually appealing but also complement the upbeat tempo of the gameplay. You’ll find the controls intuitive, making it easy to jump in, but the game also offers enough depth to keep you engaged. The storyline, filled with humor and quirky characters, adds to the game’s charm. Hi-Fi Rush’s innovative approach to combining rhythm and action elements delivers a fresh and memorable gaming experience.
7. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
EA’s mishandling of the Star Wars license was so bad that when Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was released in 2019, people were just happy that it was a good game. Expectations were much higher for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and it managed to exceed them. You’ve got the same Metroidvania-style gameplay here, but the environments and combat options have been greatly expanded. Survivor is a must-play for any Star Wars fan, and we can’t wait to see where Cal Kestis’ next adventure takes him.
Buy Star Wars Jedi: Survivor on Amazon
6. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
We got more web-slinging action this year with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. While it received some criticism for reusing the same formula seen in the first game and Spider-Man: Miles Morales, we didn’t mind getting more of a good thing. Spider-Man 2 continues the story established in this continuity and pairs Peter Parker and Miles Morales as a Spider-Man duo. We loved being able to switch between the two, and of course, the appearance of Venom was fantastic. With how much fun this trio of games has been, we’re ready to get our hands on Insomniac’s take on Wolverine.
Buy Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on Amazon
5. Resident Evil 4 Remake
Resident Evil remakes have been mostly hit, with only 2020’s Resident Evil 3 missing the mark, and the latest tops them all. Resident Evil 4 remake lovingly recreates the entirety of the classic but with some recontextualization and gameplay upgrades to bring it up to par with modern titles. It remains faithful enough to retain the charm of the original, but has enough surprises to keep series veterans on their toes. Few remakes are good enough to supersede the original, but we’d say, aside from memeability, the RE4 remake comes close.
Buy Resident Evil 4 remake on Amazon
4. Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Almost 30 years after the original game launched on the NES, Nintendo managed once again to capture the magic with Super Mario Bros. Wonder. All it took was excellent level design and a handful of new mechanics paired with the series’ signature 2D platforming, and we were hooked again. The consensus agreed, and this game sold 4.3 million units in its first two weeks, making it the fastest-selling title in the series. Our only criticism is that the co-op multiplayer is awkward, and we recommend Super Mario Bros. Wonder as a solo experience.
Buy Super Mario Bros. Wonder on Amazon
3. Baldur’s Gate 3
The death of the CRPG has consistently been exaggerated for the past two decades. However, we can certainly say it’s seen a revolution in the form of Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3. When this game launched out of early access in August, it was everywhere, and for good reason. A brilliant story, excellent soundtrack, and incredible environmental design back addictive turn-based combat and a versatile character growth system. Most importantly, BG3 allows you to take a myriad of courses through the game and gives you multiple ways to resolve any given situation. You get to choose whether you want to blast, sneak, or talk your way through the Sword Coast, and it’s that attention to the player agency that sets Baldur’s Gate 3 apart from its peers.
2. Alan Wake 2
Alan Wake 2 is a spectacle that shows the unique experiences the video game medium can provide. Horror and comedy are blended together in a surreal trip that had us guessing until the credits rolled and left us wanting more. After playing it, it seems absurd that Remedy had to shelve Alan Wake 2 several times because it couldn’t find an interested publisher, but that might be for the best. If we had gotten the game earlier, it wouldn’t have been this Alan Wake 2. Luckily, the wait was worth it, and we’re eager to see what Remedy has in store for Alan in the upcoming DLC.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Nintendo had us scratching our heads about how it would follow up the 2017 smash hit The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Tears of the Kingdom had a big act to follow, especially since it’s a direct sequel, but it managed to pull it off. Despite taking place in the same Hyrule, the addition of the sky and underground maps give returning players plenty to explore. We also got some powerful new tools to explore all this space. The Zonai building mechanic is ingenious and stimulates the imaginations of legions of gamers as they construct everything from motorbikes to transformable mecha. The Switch might be long in the tooth at this point, but few consoles can claim as terrific a swansong as this.
