2023 was a fun year overall, for me personally, but also pretty terrible for the world at large. Free Palestine. Here’s a list of games I’ve played and why they’re in my top ten. Solidarity for the working class.
10. Metroid Prime Remastered
I never had the chance to beat Metroid Prime when it came out on the GameCube, and that always nagged at me because I’m a Metroid fan, at least I enjoy the 2D games a whole lot. With Metroid Prime 4 still in a nebulous future horizon, I was really happy to play this one to completion and find out that yes, the core gameplay of this old title still holds on. Looking forward to trying 2 and 3 if they get a similar treatment in the future!
9. Theatrhythm Final Bar Line
I really enjoy the Theatrhythm games, because Final Fantasy music is pretty good, they’re fun rhythm games and they have a ton of content to unlock and progress through. New entries on new consoles mean having different input methods and different challenges, and Final Bar Line is no exception. It took a bit of getting used to the twin sticks, but I managed to complete some pretty difficult tunes and that Battle On The Big Bridge remix is pretty dope, huh?
8. Diablo IV
I’m a big ARPG fan and Diablo 3 was pretty good. I’ve got to say, Diablo 4 is a mix of really interesting ideas, compelling gameplay, and some baffling decisions here and there. There is a lot of good in that game, and I love what they’ve done with some systems and overall presentation, but I kinda wish it had been made in a different business environment. It’ll probably be great down the line in a few years, and I’ll probably be there with it all the way.
7. Super Mario RPG Remake
Super Mario RPG is one of the greatest games of all time, I’ve played the original SNES version so much, I knew it more or less by heart. The remake changes little, but keeps the heart and soul of the game. I still can’t do a hundred super jumps, but that’s okay because playing through this again after all these years was really fun and nostalgic.
6. Octopath Traveler II
Octopath Traveller 1 had its issues, and I feel like, for me, they are more or less fixed in this second entry of the RPG franchise. The characters feel more like they are part of a party and interact just enough together to give that illusion. The music is great, the 2D-HD art style is still gorgeous and the mechanics are still fun to tinker around with. Some of my favorite characters of the year too!
5. Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo
Paranormasight is a real neat visual novel featuring urban legends, pouting detectives and grizzly deaths in a well realized Sumida City. It does not overstay its welcome, has great characters and some interesting twists and turns and is overall really enjoyable. I had a great time with it!
4. Resident Evil 4
Reisdent Evil 4 is one of the greates games of all time, I’ve played the original Gamecube version so much, I knew it more or less by heart. The remake changes lit- The remake changes quite a bit, and it’s a fun romp through known set pieces, re-imagined locales and encounters, while still boasting some solid gunplay and tension. I’m a bit bummed that it didn’t grab me at all to replay it an infinite number of times, and I’m not on board with 100% of the changes, but it’s still really, really good!
3. Alan Wake II
Alan Wake 2 is a psychadelic storytelling blend of live action drama, third person horror gunplay, detective investigations and paranormal entities unleashed on a small town. With great characters, great music and solid gameplay, alongside a style that can’t be beat, Alan Wake 2 would’ve been higher on my list if not for some frustrating puzzles and finnicky sequences that resulted in game overs here and there', but it’s still one of my favorite games of this year.
2. Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a fantastic role playing game that will consume part of my thoughts for still some time to come. With its fun ways you can go through the world and try to influence how things go, impressive array of character builds you can make, challenging encounters, great writing and a fantastic overall co-op experience, it could’ve been my favorite. No matter if it’s a number 2, I’ll certainly keep playing this one for a while still.
1. Super Mario Bros. Wonder
I have nothing bad to say about Super Mario Bros Wonder. It’s a really good platformer that doesn’t overstay its welcome, with a mix of challenges, puzzles and a lot (a lot!) of heart and charm. A lot of great ideas in a delightful time that I devoured from start to finish. Nintendo’s done it again!