In closing out 2023, that momentous phrase we’ve all heard a thousand occasions has nearly change into a cliche. “It’s been an unimaginable yr for gaming.” I don’t know what number of occasions I’ve uttered it in reverence to the jam-packed yr crammed to the gills with 9s and 10s.
This yr has actually felt just like the phoenix rising from the ashes of the COVID years, and let me let you know, gaming is again.
From prime to backside, 2023 has been overindulgent. Delectable indies have taken us to the underside of the ocean, flown us to unusual planets with darkish hallways crammed with deadly monsters, and sprung us between worlds inside worlds. Delicious motion adventures have given us high-octane mecha fights, magical broom rides via wisping timber, and worlds among the many stars explored with blasters and blade. All this, and I’ve not even hinted at PC Invasion’s 2023 Recreation of the Yr, runner-ups, and honorable mentions.
PC Invasion’s 2023 Recreation of the Yr winner: Baldur’s Gate 3
What a shock Baldur’s Gate 3 was! I anticipated Tears of the Kingdom or Starfield to comb the competitors when it got here to 2023 sport awards, however, like the very best Rogue construct, Baldur’s Gate 3 snuck up and stole our hearts.
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What may be stated about Baldur’s Gate 3 that hasn’t been stated already? The characters, the in-and-out-of-combat mechanics, the alternatives, the principle and facet quests, the race and construct customization, the multiplayer, the lore, the bosses — every little thing about Baldur’s Gate 3 is phenomenal.
My favourite half about Baldur’s Gate 3 is the player-lead narratives and foolish shenanigans you possibly can stand up to with a bunch of associates. Simply the opposite day, my little Bard Halfing was snuggling as much as my good friend’s Owlbear-form Druid Elf on a stone mattress when my Rogue Elf good friend determined to show off the candles to set the temper whereas my Paladin Tiefling good friend warned him that the candles have been outlined in crimson. Nicely, Balthazar didn’t like that; he began a combat, one which we received. As a bunch, we determined to not save scum that again as a result of the narrative we created was too good. Moments like these repeatedly flood the web and certain will for years to return — the communal longevity of Baldur’s Gate 3 speaks volumes about its excellence.
PC Invasion’s GOTY 2023 runner-ups
Although Baldur’s Gate 3 received PC Invasion’s Recreation of the Yr 2023, there have been a couple of notable runner-ups value shouting out. In second place is The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, in third place is Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and in a tie for fourth place is Alan Wake 2 and Tremendous Mario Surprise.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is deserving of second place and in a much less aggressive yr, it could’ve taken first place. The identical may be stated for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Alan Wake 2, and Tremendous Mario Surprise. Actually, I’m simply joyful to have so many nice video games to have performed and to sit up for taking part in through the slower weeks of 2024.
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PC Invasion’s 2023 honorable mentions
Earlier than we roll credit on 2023, a handful of PC Invaders need to give a particular shout-out to some video games they maintain close to and pricey. 2023 was such a incredible yr that the runner-up and honorable mentions lists don’t encapsulate all of the video games we cherished, however these are ones that you simply shouldn’t miss.
PC Invasion Author/Contributer | Recreation | Reward |
---|---|---|
Raza Malik | Useless Area | “From begin to end the sport doesn’t hand over. As quickly as you descend on the enduring Ishimura, the trip begins, and it solely will get worse (in a great way). The narrative is one other spotlight. Being part of Isaac Clarke’s battle makes you are feeling related to the protagonist. Even in case you have performed the unique, diving again into the horrific world of Useless Area with greater than a facelift is value it. Talking of facelifts, the remake seems wonderful on the brand new {hardware}. The darkness of the anxiety-riddled world feels alive and rather more immersive which helped pull me. Total, the Useless Area remake is worthy of your time as a result of it’s the total package deal: A terrific and expansive story with horrors that pulls every little thing collectively.” |
Alex Garcia | Closing Fantasy 16 | “For a yr in gaming that was jam-packed with IPs new and outdated, Closing Fantasy 16 appears to be a part of one franchise that retains forging forward nearly 40 years later. The theme of writing your individual future sticks with me even after I accomplished the sport over six months in the past, and can be one thing that sticks with me for some time. I loved the motion shift in gameplay and the excellent performances from actors corresponding to Ben Starr, Ralph Ineson, Nina Yndis, and so many extra. This, coupled with the stellar soundtrack from Soken and the overarching story made for one in all my private favorites of the yr.” |
Jason Venter | Pikman 4 | “Nintendo had a robust 2023 that not everybody might have seen. Moreover Tears of the Kingdom, which was exhausting to overlook, there have been new entries in a few of its different long-running franchises and even a satisfying remake of Tremendous Mario RPG. One of many brightest stars amongst that joyful little galaxy was Pikmin 4, which revived the franchise 10 years after its final correct new installment and pushed the method to new heights. There are extra sorts of Pikmin to seek out than ever earlier than, expansive environments to discover, thrilling mini-games, and (better of all) a loveable canine companion named Odachi. It’s the largest Pikmin sport to this point, filled with worth and attraction for followers outdated and new, and will have simply saved the franchise.” |
Anthony Yates | Robocop: Rogue Metropolis | “There’s been so many absolute bangers in 2023, however Robocop: Rogue Metropolis is my favourite. Within the motion pictures, Robocop awkwardly shuffles round with the grace of a bulldozer. Teyon had the unenviable activity of recreating that in online game type whereas conserving it gratifying. The devs knocked it out of the park whereas staying trustworthy to the supply materials with a few of the most visceral fight I’ve seen in a contemporary shooter.” |
Luis Prada | Dredge | “I like an open world that tips me into pondering it’s a lot larger than it’s. That’s Dredge. A small snow globe of a sport that feels as huge and expansive as a 200-hour RPG. Not simply geographically, both, although that’s definitely true. Each character feels richly developed with much more happening internally than they’re letting on. It’s a story steeped in oceanic Lovecraftian lore that solely gives a sampling of the horrors that lay beneath the floor. However that sampling is simply sufficient to unsettle because it implies a wider, stranger universe of unfathomable terrors.” |
Aidan Lambourne | Lords of the Fallen | “Lords of the Fallen is actually the very best Soulslike I’ve come throughout, even surpassing (mechanically, as lore and aesthetics are largely private choice) Darkish Souls 3. The twin-world premise isn’t only a gimmick; it’s executed so effectively that I believe different video games must take notice. Other than all the conventional Soulslike qualities that it executes excellently, it stands out as a Soulslike that’s concurrently accessible to newcomers and positively made for gamers who’ve disregarded different tough Soulslikes. For as soon as, you must know all the abilities and strikes and must be aware of the methods, weapons, attributes, and talents at your disposal.” |
Noah Nelson | Hello-Fi Rush | “Whereas I like visually, thematically, and mechanically darkish video games as a lot as the subsequent particular person, I miss the brilliant, bombastic brilliance of early 2000s mascot video games like Sly Cooper, Ratchet & Clank, and Spyro. Hello-Fi Rush is the one sport in latest reminiscence that completely captures that nostalgic vitality of a Saturday morning cartoon. The music is great, the boss fights epic, the humor is definitely humorous, and the character progress is surprisingly stunning. I don’t even like rhythm video games and but, I like Hello-Fi Rush.” |
There are such a lot of video games that all of us cherished in 2023. Whereas I believe it is going to be the most effective years for gaming on this decade, there’s nonetheless loads to sit up for in 2024. It’s my job to remain forward of the curve and play the most recent releases, I’ll most undoubtedly be filling my time in 2024 with taking part in the lengthy checklist of 2023 video games I missed beginning with Alan Wake 2.