Consider seminal moments in gaming, and certain years instantly come to mind. There’s 1986, the era that bestowed upon us 8-bit classics such as Metroid, Dragon Quest, The Legend of Zelda, Castlevania, and Adventure Island. Then there’s 2013, which ushered in modern epics like Grand Theft Auto V, The Last of Us, Bioshock Infinite, Dota 2, and the revamped Tomb Raider. In a world where gaming is a ubiquitous commodity, with numerous platforms at everyone’s fingertips and development tools accessible to the masses, standing out requires a significant feat. However, 2023 is destined to stand out as a year marked by a windfall of top-tier, industry-redefining games that will set the pace for the years to come and undoubtedly become fodder for your favorite internet historian’s next two-hour treatise on a year of excellence. Consider seminal moments
Truth be told, gaming is currently experiencing its honeymoon period. Having successfully navigated the transitions to 3D and then HD, the industry now resides in a healthier state. Free-to-play and massively multiplayer online games (MMORPGs) coexist harmoniously with cinematic single-player experiences that rival offerings from the world of theater and streaming. It’s also a golden age for indie games, with a new wave of artistic visions emerging from small teams eager to leave their mark on the medium.
If 2023 in gaming had a central theme, it would resemble something akin to “old meets new.” Reinventions, revivals, remakes, and remasters are scattered across the landscape. However, unlike in Hollywood, a “redo” in gaming isn’t a derogatory term. In fact, within the technologically driven realm of gaming, revisiting older work to enhance it with modern tools can be a positive endeavor. It means breathing new life into stories that were previously only told in a modest form.
Of course, there were hiccups along the way. Major titles came and went without fully realizing their potential. Smaller games that generated initial excitement faded away. Even some of the year’s best games experienced a strong start, only to face challenges with post-launch updates, creating uphill battles after their initial success. It’s all part of the process.
When compiling a list of the year’s best games, it’s important to note that this isn’t an exhaustive selection, and it excludes continually evolving games like the various iterations of Fortnite or downloadable content endeavors like Cyberpunk: Phantom Liberty, which singlehandedly resurrected an entire game’s reputation. Nevertheless, thematically, they align with the overall narrative. Without further ado, here are 20 of the best games of 2023.