Creating annual top 10 lists can be a captivating concept until the moment of decision-making arrives. The perpetual indecision sets in, questioning whether the game invested with 100 hours was genuinely enjoyable.
The dilemma emerges between an intriguing game and one that simply provides fun. Meanwhile, the echoes of games left unfinished or untouched linger, each pleading for attention and playtime. The process of ranking and selecting becomes a mental tug-of-war, reflecting the complex relationship between personal experiences, preferences, and the vast array of gaming options available.
I spent 2023 tracking some of the best new games that came out every month, attempting to at least try as many of them as I could while also measuring how my feelings changed about them as the year went on. And I ended up playing a bunch of them while still not getting around to what no doubt would have been strong personal GOTY contenders.
Crafting a top 10 list becomes a nuanced process, evolving from a not-so-short shortlist compiled by early December. The challenge shifts towards discerning which games truly stand out as the best. Over the years, the creator has leaned into viewing the process as more art than science, engaging in a delicate dance of evaluating a game’s merits and flaws. The internal struggle involves tallying up these calculations, leading to moments of conflicted self-doubt and second-guessing.
Ultimately, the resolution comes through embracing a more abstract sense of what feels right. Recent approaches involve surrendering to personal tastes and subjectivity, championing beloved games rather than those deemed obligatory. Creating annual top
The focus shifts towards praising games for their standout qualities, even if they have smaller imperfections. While this approach doesn’t impose order on the chaos of comparing vastly different genres, it mitigates guilt when ranking one above the other.
Presented in alphabetical order, here are the top 10 games that left the most significant impact in 2023.