Game Of The Year Editor’s Pick, 2023

Surprise, surprise; 2023 saw a ton of great games release. We all knew that, right? I can safely say that a number of the releases near the bottom of my list could easily be shuffled to the top. Hell, there are games that aren’t on my finalized list that are worthy of a GOTY nod. It is just that type of year.

10. Final Fantasy 16

2023 is a completely messed up year. There are literally ten other games that I think should be included on this list. However, at the end of the day, being the next single-player mainline Final Fantasy game, and being genuinely good, has to give Final Fantasy 16 the nod.

I wish it wasn’t trying so hard to not be an RPG, but despite its mild identity crisis, it is the one thing I needed it to be: well-made. It isn’t a full return to form for Final Fantasy, but it is a giant step in the right direction.

9. Alan Wake 2

The triple-A gaming space is lined with high-budget, derivative titles that are polished and accessible. Alan Wake 2 is a rejection of everything it means to be triple-A. This is a game with gusto! I love that Alan Wake 2 isn’t interested in holding the player’s hand. It doesn’t wedge combat in when it isn’t called for. It isn’t afraid to do its own thing.

Obviously, Alan Wake 2 takes inspiration from Resident Evil 4, but its shootouts aren’t quite able to rise to the heights of that action-horror classic. The game can also be a touch janky. But it has an admirable amount of character, and it is one of the more unique experiences you are going to encounter in the triple-A space.

8. Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 is exactly what I expected from Larian Studios. I’ve been playing it multiplayer, which has prevented me from being able to binge it, but I have played more than enough to say that it is easily a GOTY-caliber title. From its fantastic cast of characters to its excellent dialog, Baldur’s Gate 3 was always going to cultivate a massive fanbase. I can comfortably say that the reverence is well-deserved.

7. Lunacid

This may be the first FromSoftware-style game to match the developer’s own quality. And it was made by a tiny indie team! Lunacid isn’t a Souls-like; it is a King’s Field-like. For those unfamiliar, think Dark Souls in first person. While it starts off being pretty faithful to the King’s Field formula, it gradually starts introducing some pretty unique spells that help you traverse the world in some extremely novel ways. Does it prey on my PS1 nostalgia? Yeah, probably. But it also just so happens to be a fantastic game.

6. Hi-Fi Rush

I like rhythm games, I enjoy character action titles, and I can even still muster a little warmth when it comes to youthful exuberance. Outside of Sekiro, no game has ever managed to combine action and rhythm as satisfyingly as Hi-Fi Rush. It’s an energetic and entertaining game with an infectious appeal. CHAI! CHAI! CHAI!

Honorable Mentions That Just Barely Missed Out

5. Cocoon

I went into Cocoon expecting something Journey-esque, and what I got was a considerably more involved, endlessly novel, puzzle game. The way the puzzles stack, and fold into each other, is chef’s kiss good.

4. Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line

At some point, we just have to reward perfection. Initially, I was concerned about the touch controls not porting over to the controller well, but I actually think Theatrhythm feels better on the pad. Final Bar Line is the culmination of all the games that came before it. It’s packed with content, supremely well crafted, infectiously charming, and deserving of celebration.

3. Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries Of Honjo – Complete Walkthrough

Paranormasight was a late addition to my list, and, quite frankly, I didn’t see it coming. But that is on brand for this puzzling adventure horror. While it is a game that has been sold as a Visual Novel, I think that is misleading (also on brand). This is a puzzle game mixed with a choose-your-own adventure framed as a visual novel. Melding a strong cast of characters with an enigmatic story, Paranormasight is an incredibly gripping, novel experience.

2. Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon

New games in long-dormant series are often a one-note appeal to nostalgia, or a watered-down attempt to lure in new fans. Armored Core 6 is neither of those things. It embraces the hallmark elements of the series while simultaneously wedging in a variety of innovations.

Armored Core 6 tells the most compelling narrative in the franchise (which acts as a wonderful condemnation of capitalism), while also introducing some of the most engaging boss encounters seen in the series. The combat is fast, frenetic, and visceral. And that is all accompanied by the series’ trademark customization and mission variety. It is an immaculate game that makes a strong argument for being one of the best mech games ever made.

1. Street Fighter 6

Street Fighter 6 is, for all intents and purposes, the first time a Street Fighter game has felt complete on release. Ever. It is a feature-rich title stuffed with engaging content that teaches new players how to play a fighting game. Brilliantly, all these elements are implemented in a Mr. Miyagi-esque fashion and introduced as minigames and challenges, helping you learn how to play Street Fighter without ever making you feel like you are practicing.

But Street Fighter 6 is so much more than its wealth of content. It is a well-balanced, mechanically rich fighting game that offers something for every level of player. DLC pricing aside, Street Fighter 6 does everything right. In five years, when father time has played his cruel trick, no one will be talking about any of the other incredible entries on this list, but there will still be hundreds of thousands of people tussling on the virtual streets throwing hadoukens.

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Game Of The Year Editor’s Pick, 2023 – Gabrielle Castania

And, in a shock to both me and my coworkers, less than half of them are farming sims!