There’s no denying it, 2023 may be one of, if not the best year for releases gamers have ever had. Certainly in the modern era of gaming anyway. Incredible releases started all the way back in January and haven’t really let up, with one incredible game after another making its way to PC and consoles every month. In some ways, there simply hasn’t been enough time to enjoy some of them, which is a very good problem to have.
With the holidays approaching, we’ve curated a list of the essential video games of 2023, which will hopefully make your job of buying the best of the year (as a treat for a loved one or just yourself), much easier. The list is based on the quality of the game, as well as the value for money it’ll bring you if you were to purchase. So join FandomWire’s two Gaming Leads Luke Addison (LA) and Daniel Boyd (DB) as we go through the year and discuss the essential video games and why you should check them out, for better or worse, in one case.
Sports Simulation
LA: EA Sports FC 24
Many were understandably worried about how this year’s annual release of EA’s flagship football simulator would look after news broke that the long-time relationship between the developer and the footballing body FIFA had broken down. This was clearly unfounded, for the most part, as this may be one of the best iterations in years, with the developer finally addressing some much-needed concerns regarding the single-player modes, as well as improving the movement and finishing of the players themselves. There’s still plenty to criticize of course, but if you’re looking for a fun football game, look no further.
DB: NHL 24
A new patch has recently been released for this title that irons out some of the technical niggles that were present at launch, making this the perfect time to dive in. The presentation on display here is the best ever seen in a hockey game, and it is a blast to play. As many will appreciate, ice hockey games are just inherently fun to play and this one is no different.
So pull on your favorite jersey over those bulky pads and hit the rink. Whether you prefer to play competitively online against other players, or just on your own against offline AI, NHL 24 is worth your time.
Role Playing
DB: Starfield
It may not have been the ground-breaking game-changer that some of us were hoping for, but Starfield is still worth checking out. Once you get over the abundance of loading screens and the fact that there is no way to manually land and take off from alien planets, there is a fun game in here. Sure, it is buried under a lot of barren planes, dated-looking facial animations, and a strict adherence to the bland Nasapunk aesthetic, but it is Fallout in space, so it is impossible to stay mad at it for too long.
LA: Baldur’s Gate 3
There’s a reason that Baldur’s Gate 3 is nominated for Game of the Year. It. Is. Fantastic. Not only is this one of the best games of the year, but this is the sort of game that is generational, and in the same way Alan Wake 2 will be the benchmark for horror games, studios will be using Baldur’s Gate 3 as a benchmark to improve their own projects. Cooperative, hard-hitting with difficult choices, fun, and essentially a video game experience that is most like a real-life Dungeons and Dragons night, there’s not much to criticize and even less to hate about this game.
Action-Adventure
LA: Star Wars Jedi Survivor
I’m not a huge Star Wars fan, but Star Wars Fallen Order and Star Wars Jedi Survivor manage to do something that games have been trying for years to do; they make you feel like a Jedi. One second you’re force-leaping from cliff to cliff, the next you’re executing stormtroopers, fighting Sith, and pulling off incredible moves with the lightsaber that you wanted to as a child, making the ‘zoom’ noises as you massacre an army.
Jedi Survivor went further than the first in the franchise with a semi-openworld, a deeper, more divisive, and hard-hitting story, and far more customization and combat abilities. Everything the first did well, the sequel took upon itself to better.
DB: After Us
After Us is a stunning, otherworldy experience that everyone should play. The visuals are incredible, with a striking art style and some truly ethereal sights to see. The game also manages to put across an insightful environmental message, without ever relying on emotional blackmail, or feeling forced and shoehorned in. Instead, it actually added to the overall artistic experience and made the title memorable for more reasons than just the pretty visuals on display.
Sci-Fi
DB: Robocop: Rogue City
Ever since Paul Verhoeven’s 1987 sci/fi classic, Robocop fans have been crying out for a sequel that matches the iconic tone and unmistakable style of that first movie in the series. The sequels veered off into silly slapstick and the 2014 reboot was a bland borefest. Finally, after 36 years, Teyon has stepped in to save the day. This title really makes the player feel like Robocop in the best way, and who would have thought it would come from the same guys who brought us that awful on-rails Rambo game in 2014? We’ve come a long, long way together.
LA: Fort Solis
Fort Solis is a unique vision from Fallen Leaf and James Tinsdale. During my review of it, I compared it to Sunshine, Total Recall, and Death Stranding, but there are also clear inspirations from Alien as well as many other pop culture behemoths. Set entirely on Mars, you’ll work your way through Solis as you attempt to piece together what has gone on, who or what is to blame, and how you’ll fix the situation… best played in one continuous playthrough, this is the start of an entirely new genre of ‘Netflix-esque’ games, where binging it is the best way to experience. Also, unlike the other big space-faring game this year, there’s not a single loading screen in sight, once you’re in the game.Â
Fighting
LA: Mortal Kombat 1
Everyone is either a devout Tekken, Street Fighter, or Mortal Kombat fan. I am the latter, so maybe a little biased, but there’s no better feeling than doling out a huge amount of damage as Liu Kang, Scorpion, or a huge roster of characters new and old, before finishing the fight in the most graphic and iconic way possible; a fatality. Mortal Kombat 1 does have some problems, but for an overall package and value for money – especially with the new Invasion mode -, you’ll struggle to find a more fun fighting game out there. Street Fighter 6 fans are going to be very mad at me.
DB: UFC 5
After the huge personal disappointment that Street Fighter 6 had earlier in the year, I was looking for a cinematic fighting experience to scratch that itch in a more grounded way than Mortal Kombat 1. Then, UFC 5 came along and delivered exactly what I was looking for. The glorious brutality of mixed martial arts is on full display in the gorgeous-looking game and it is so cinematic, that many of the in-game camera techniques actually reminded me of seeing Michael B. Jordan’s direction earlier this year in Creed 3.
First-Person Shooter
DB: Trepang2
At FandomWire, we liked this game so much that we technically reviewed it twice, first on PC and then again when it was released on console. If you haven’t played it by now, do yourself a favor and pick it up ASAP. As much as I loved the Resident Evil 4 Remake and Spider-Man 2, Trepang2 is still a serious contender for my 2023 Game of the Year; and I was privileged enough to play through a lot of games this year.
LA: Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Honestly, there was a time when I couldn’t look at Cyberpunk 2077, and like a lot of us, I was hugely disappointed by the developers over-promising and under-delivering. The constant support, updates, and patches, as well as the Phantom Liberty expansion, have completely changed that, and now it’s one of the most fun times you can have with a game in 2023.
The base game already had a fun, thought-provoking story, but with the Phantom Liberty expansion, you’ll not only have a different type of experience now but one that complements the main story in some genuinely impressive ways. A futuristic spy-thriller involving Idris Elba and Keanu Reeves is already a winner, but with the obvious love and care shown by the developers, it saves what would have been a very big, expensive flop for CD Projekt Red. Bring on Cyberpunk 2!
Racing
LA: The Crew: Motorfest
Disclaimer, I’m not a racing fan. Even less so when it comes to racing simulations. That’s not to say they’re not good, they’re just not my cup of tea. However. The first in the franchise, The Crew, is one of my favorite racing games of recent times and made me feel like I was playing an open-world Need for Speed Underground. The sequel lost some direction, that’s for sure.Â
Now we come back to that first feeling with The Crew: Motorfest, which takes more direction from the Forza franchise than they’d admit, but for the betterment of the final product, believe me. Logging in and driving around with your friends whilst changing into a multitude of different vehicles is great fun and not one to be scoffed at.
DB: The Crew: Motorfest
When I reviewed this game on launch, I was quite hard on it for being so similar to the Forza Horizon games, but really that isn’t such a bad thing. It is a shame that Ubisoft couldn’t inject some more personality into the game, but it was at least gorgeous to look at. This is also one of those titles that I did want to back and play more of after finishing my review, which is always a good sign. Although I still haven’t had the chance to do that, that’s not to say that I never will.
Soulslike
DB: Lords of the Fallen
Getting this out of the way upfront: I am not a fan of Soulslike games. I know, it isn’t exactly shocking to hear a video game reviewer moaning about the ‘gitgud’ mentality, but I have always found these titles to be too time-consuming. Thus, when one comes along that catches my attention, it is noteworthy. Lords of the Fallen pushes the Unreal 5 engine to its limit in order to create some incredible visuals. Also, for a Soulslike, the combat is actually pretty good and has a decent flow to it, unlike the stilted combat seen in a lot of other Soulslike titles.
LA: Lies of P
Up until Alan Wake 2 came out, this was my Game of the Year. A Soulslike game based on a popular children’s story? Never going to work. A Soulslike game based on the original story that Disney bastardized to what we know now? Definitely going to work. Fast-paced, dark, gothic, and shades of Bloodborne make this feel both familiar and new, and whilst it can be punishing, the reward is off the charts once you finally beat that boss.Â
Horror
LA: Alan Wake 2
My only 10/10 of 2023 makes it an easy choice not only my choice for the horror genre of our essential video games list but arguably the absolute must-play out of all of the suggestions here. It took thirteen years, but it was definitely worth the wait. A mind-bending, intense, and terrifying game full of moments that’ll be talked about for years. Remedy fan or not, you won’t want to miss out on what will be known as a generational game as the years go by.
DB: Resident Evil 4 Remake
The Resident Evil 4 remake manages to strike the perfect balance between reminiscence and expansion. It stays faithful to the foundational building blocks of modern survival horror that made the original so iconic, while also managing to craft something that goes beyond just being a solid re-tread of a classic. Additionally, the game pulls off the impossible, by simultaneously feeling unscripted and random, while also retaining a cinematic and controlled quality. This leads to many of the game’s best moments.
Indie
DB: The Invincible
Amongst both my personal friend group and the FandomWire staff, I have seemingly gained a reputation for being a pretty tough critic. And yet, there are several examples that I can point to of me liking a game way more than other reviewers did. The Invincible is one of these games, and while it is not perfect, it is a sci/fi narrative that is well worth checking out. Good voice acting, gorgeous graphics, and immersive audio cues all combine to make this title one of the most pleasantly memorable gaming experiences that I had this year.
LA: The Last Worker
A surprising adventure made for both VR and ‘flat’ experiences, this indie game tells the tale of a man who is stuck in a loop, working for a capitalist corporation that values money over humanity, from general shopping needs to the most important healthcare. Does this sound familiar? It should. From the mind of Jörg Tittel and featuring the voices of Jason Isaacs and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Skew and Kurt respectively, this is one of the few video games of 2023 that have an important underlying message you need to listen to.
Fantasy
LA: Hogwarts Legacy
As a child, I loved the Harry Potter books. They were always my bedtime reading and I couldn’t help but imagine myself in place of numerous characters over the years. As the films progressed I found myself less enthused with the fandom, but Hogwarts Legacy changed that, at least momentarily. Getting to spend my time learning spells, exploring the grounds, and more besides made my inner child incredibly happy. For any fans of Harry Potter that have wanted less LEGO experiences and more ‘realistic’, this will sate that particular need.Â
DB: Lord of the Rings: Gollum
We’d like to take this opportunity to address anyone who just read the bonus pick for this entry and scoffed. This is a list of the most essential games of 2023, the most important titles that every gamer should play. We believe that if you are going to check out the best that the year has to offer, then you should also make a point of experiencing the worst that the year has to offer. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is undoubtedly the worst game of the year, – and may be one of the worst gaming experiences of all time, – and that is exactly why you should play it.
Virtual Reality
DB: Assassin’s Creed Nexus
I really don’t feel like I have to justify this pick too much. Remember back in 2007 when we first saw Desmond Miles enter the animus and we fantasized about being able to do that ourselves in real life? Well now, you pretty much can. It is getting harder and harder to call the Assassin’s Creed franchise innovative these days, but this truly feels like a leap into the future. Helped out by the phenomenal tracking capabilities of the Meta Quest 3, and the fact that this is a way more technically sound experience than one may expect from modern Ubisoft, AC Nexus is a must-play title.
LA: C-Smash VRS
A reimagining of an early noughties Dreamcast hit wasn’t on anyone’s 2023 bingo card, but oh boy are we glad to see this arrive out of nowhere. The second title from the mind of Jörg Tittel after The Last Worker, has less of a capitalist message and more of a ‘get up, get moving and get playing with friends’ message. VR is the future of gaming, and with games like this showcasing the capabilities and pushing the envelope, it’s only going to be a good thing. If you’re celebrating the holidays this coming season, you’ll want to boot this up after a huge meal on December 25th, just to burn off some of those calories, and have fun whilst doing so.
Party
LA: The Jackbox Party Pack 10
Since its first release all the way back in 2014, the Jackbox Party games have always been a winner in any household for any holiday. If you’ve got a gathering of friends and family and you’re looking for something to occupy and entertain EVERYONE in the room? Here you go. Whether you’re five or 50 you’ll have great fun, and the latest offering from Jackbox Games only ups the ante with new inclusions, as well as improved games from previous editions. I challenge anyone to play this and not look up at the clock to notice hours have gone by.
DB: Heads Up! Phones Down Edition
Heads Up! Phones Down is a fun, extremely straightforward party game that takes the format of the hugely popular mobile title and brings it to the TV screen. It can almost be looked at as a ‘complete edition,’ of the original version, containing more than 90 of the decks that were originally available to purchase individually. There are no fancy presentation features to speak of present here, but every time I booted the game up in company, it was always a laugh. Due to the game’s broad appeal, the controls are also kept extremely simple, meaning that any member of the family can join in and play, whether they are a gamer or not.
Turn-Based
DB: Worldless
Wordless is a 2D, turn-based side-scroller. Based on that sentence alone, I should have hated this game and yet I treasured the time that I spent with it. Taking aspects from Metroidvania titles and combining them with a stunningly minimalist art style was a stroke of absolute genius by Sin Nombre Studios and it has me very excited to see what the team is working on next. If you are looking for a super-stylized action platformer that exceeds all expectations, then you have got to check out Worldless.
LA: Persona 5 Tactica
We absolutely loved Persona 5 Tactica here at FandomWire, with our critic giving it a 9/10 for a multitude of reasons. Persona is a longstanding franchise, and unlike many that just rest on their laurels and pump out copy-and-paste iterations every year, Atlus has proven time and again that they’ll do whatever they can to keep the gameplay fresh and interesting, whilst keeping the story true to the characters. Persona 5 Tactica DEFINITELY does all this and is a complete joy to play, even for those without any interest in turn-based games.
PlayStation Exclusive
DB: Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
I would actually include this sequel on my list for the intro sequence alone. As a child, never in my wildest dreams could I ever have imagined something as thrilling, as fun, or as visually pleasing as that Sandman fight at the opening of the game. Getting to switch between Miles and Peter instantaneously, using those web wings for the first time, appreciating the sheer scale of the Sandman battle; all of it combines to deliver one of the most astonishing interactive experiences that I have ever witnessed.
LA: Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
At the start of this year, if you’d have asked what singular game was my most anticipated, it would have been this, no question. As a huge Marvel fan for over twenty-five years, Insomniac’s 2018 release was one of my favorite games of the last generation, so this sequel had some standards to live up to. Thankfully, it seemed to for the most part. The story pulled no punches, the gameplay and traversal especially were improved upon, and the map expanded to include extra boroughs. The only question now? How does Insomniac better this?
Nintendo Exclusive
LA: Super Mario Bros. Wonder
One of gaming’s most iconic characters has had a pretty good year. With a feature film and several new games under his belt, one of them had to be mentioned here, and it has to be the best of the bunch. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a 2D, side-scrolling cooperative experience that simultaneously harkens back to the original games from decades ago, as well as modernizing the best aspects of the franchise for new audiences. You’ll struggle to find a better experience on the Switch this year, and regardless of Dan’s opinion, this is as much for the adults in the household as it is for the children.
DB: N/A
Try as I might, I haven’t enjoyed a Nintendo exclusive since Mariokart first released for the original Wii, (yes, I am that old.) I have always appreciated Nintendo’s devil-may-care attitude and their candor in an industry that is traditionally full of jargon and secrecy. However, I just don’t feel that I am the target audience anymore, nor is anyone over the age of twelve. Apparently, I am in the minority on this and I am glad of it, as I certainly don’t grudge about Nintendo its continued success.
Xbox Exclusive
DB: HiFi Rush
It is such a shame that Bethesda and Xbox made the bizarre decision to release this game on the same day that it was announced, as it meant that this hugely original, fun title was essentially put out to die. There was no hype cycle or big marketing push, likely due to the fact that it was dropping on day one on Game Pass, and yet it was the last Tango Gameworks title released before the great Shinji Mikami left the team. What makes it even more devastating is that the next big Xbox exclusive that followed HiFi Rush was Redfall. I implore anyone reading to go back and check this game out, especially if you are a fan of Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver.
LA: Starfield
Starfield is Fallout in space. For those who love the Fallout series, they’ll love Starfield. Being able to traverse galaxies, explore a thousand planets, and see a wide variety of flora and fauna, all whilst completing huge, planet-wide missions that weave a deep and interesting narrative. It may not have lived up to the hype put on it by Xbox fanboys but Starfield is a game everyone should try for sure.
Essential Video Games – Honorable Mentions
There have been so many incredible games this year that we could have continued on with this list evermore. Instead, we decided to include a few honorable mentions for the essential video games of 2023.
DB: Dead Space Remake
The main reason that the Resident Evil 4 remake beat this out for being my favorite horror game this year, was down to the fact that Resi 4 was able to go beyond being a solid re-tread of a classic. With that being said, there is nothing wrong with simply being a great remake of a great game and that is exactly what the Dead Space remake is. It looked incredible, it felt amazing to play, and to its credit, it did make a few neat updates to the original formula, pertaining to elements such as the zero gravity segments, the game’s conclusion, and to general traversal of the USG Ishimura, adding the ability to backtrack at will.
LA: Fort Solis
Fort Solis is a unique vision from Fallen Leaf and James Tinsdale. During my review of it, I compared it to Sunshine, Total Recall, and Death Stranding, but there are also clear inspirations from Alien as well as many other pop culture behemoths. Set entirely on Mars, you’ll work your way through Solis as you attempt to piece together what has gone on, who or what is to blame, and how you’ll fix the situation… best played in one continuous playthrough, this is the start of an entirely new genre of ‘Netflix-esque’ games, where binging it is the best way to experience. Also, unlike the other big space-faring game this year, there’s not a single loading screen in sight, once you’re in the game.Â
DB: Bramble: The Mountain King
A nightmarish Nordic fairy-tale of epic proportions, this creepy title carries the tone of a disturbing bedtime story, with striking enemy design and nifty gameplay mechanics. The game is able to go from being pleasantly heart-warming to darkly sinister within moments, without ever feeling jarring or too disjointed. It is atmospheric, it is quirky, but most importantly, it is fun. Do not sleep on Bramble: The Mountain King, it is well worth checking out.
LA: Meet Your Maker
Meet Your Maker is Behaviour Interactive’s latest community-driven hit since their hugely popular Dead by Daylight. Unlike that though, there are fewer asymmetrical serial killing mechanics and more of a ‘raid and be raided’ and base-building aspects to this venture.
Players will be tasked with creating their own bases in the hopes of protecting precious materials, whilst also attacking and raiding other bases to get those same materials for their own progression. With three difficulty levels, you’ll be able to decide what type of base you’re trying to take down, and with it, what obstacles, traps, and guards are present to try and stop you.
No two bases and no two approaches will be the same. Still constantly supported with new expansions and updates, the game looks to have the same staying power of Dead by Daylight, with more variety and spice added in.
DB: WWE 2K23
Sadly, it is highly unlikely that any wrestling game will be able to recapture that magical feeling that I had at 8 years old while playing WWE Smackdown! Here Comes the Pain, although WWE 2K23 has probably come the closest in recent memory. This may be partially owed to the fact that it does rely quite heavily on nostalgia in terms of its roster and game modes, but it brings its own fresh set of mechanics and modes with it. There is a lot to sink your teeth into here, as well as some surprisingly precision-based fighting mechanics to wrap your head around. All-in-all though, this year’s entry in the WWE series is strong.
LA: Assassin’s Creed Mirage
For years fans have been complaining that the Assassin’s Creed franchise has lost its way, and Ubisoft seemingly has been ignoring them, plowing ahead with the likes of Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla, the latest of which is a 150+ hour behemoth of an experience. With Assassin’s Creed Mirage though, it seems the message has finally gotten through, and we have the shorter, simpler experience we’ve all asked for.Â
The franchise has gone back to basics, with a heavy emphasis on stealth gameplay, and a harder, more likely-to-die outcome in all-out combat, as it did in the early days of the franchise. This entry also marks the first to not have any future sections whatsoever, and the story revolves around Basim, who fans will recognize from Valhalla, although this is a younger, less moody version.
How many of these essential video games have you played? How many are you likely to play over the next few months? One thing is for certain though; as spoiled as we’ve been in 2023, the essential video games list next year will be far more difficult and far shorter.
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