Reflecting back on my year is one of my favorite things to do with this blog. I played some really fantastic games this year and still haven’t really decided which game was my favorite. That being said, I think this year was the lightest in terms of how many games I played and wrote about. That was partly due to work but also due to playing some pretty time consuming games. Like I said though, they were all wonderful games and I’m happy to have them under my belt now.
Psychonauts 2
Kicking off the year and immediately following the first game, Psychonauts 2 was the first game I played in 2023. Honestly, I couldn’t have picked a better way to start the year. It was a lovely and charming game that took everything the first one did right and expanded upon it.
Trials Of Mana
When I played Secret of Mana back in 2020 it was my first experience of an RPG from the SNES. I instantly fell in love. Thanks to the Collection of Mana on Switch I was able to experience these games and honestly, they’re absolutely brilliant. Trials of Mana has a bit more on offer in terms of character development and class varieties. I had a blast with this game and of course, it took up a good portion of my time.
Forspoken
The first game of the year that I did not write a piece about was Forspoken. Considering the bad press this game was receiving I decided to just enjoy it in silence. Was the game perfect? Of course not. However, I had a good time exploring the world and taking magical powers into my own hands.
Octopath Traveler 2
Octopath Traveler 2 just might be my game of the year. Again, I played a lot of deserving games for that title but this one is certainly in the running. I thoroughly enjoyed the first game and this one delivered everything I wanted and then some. Since beating it in March, I have been thinking about replaying it already.
Metroid Prime Remastered
See what I mean when I say I’ve played some heavy hitters this year? Picking a favorite is just impossible. Metroid Prime Remastered was perfection. I don’t even know how else to describe it. Nintendo, keep bringing older games forward so gamers like me can finally experience them.
Blue Fire
I love a good indie game and this one was great. I didn’t write a piece about it due to some things happening in my life but I enjoyed this game nonetheless. It is an excellent 3D platformer and offered some surprisingly difficult challenges if you want them. I am a big fan of this genre and this game had me entertained from start to finish.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
I can’t say anything about this game that hasn’t already been said. It is a masterpiece of a game that has no right performing as well as it does on Nintendo’s 7 year old hardware. I desperately need everyone who worked on this game to visit Game Freak and help them with the Pokémon franchise. Not to sound cliché but Tears of the Kingdom is certainly a favorite of mine for this year and of all time.
Exoprimal
Another game I didn’t write about but enjoyed my time with was Exoprimal. I had a last playing this game with my roommate and still pick it up from time to time. I’m not the biggest multiplayer fan but when it is a game my roommate can enjoy with me, I am here for it.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
I am a big fan of Star Wars and a big fan of this specific franchise. Cal Kestis quickly became a favorite character for me and I am looking forward to seeing what Respawn does with his story. Both Fallen Order and Survivor are solid experiences especially for Star Wars games which haven’t had the greatest releases in the past. Make no mistake though, both of these games are worthy of your time.
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
I fell hard for Xenoblade Chronicles when I started this game. In fact, as I am writing this I am in the middle of the second title. Xenoblade Chronicles is such an expansive and immersive RPG and it is one you can easily sink endless hours into. I played this game for a long time and I am not even mad about that. It was worth every single hour.
Little Nightmares
Kicking off Spooky Season we have Little Nightmares. Unfortunately I didn’t write about this title but I did enjoy it. It was so creepy and thought-provoking throughout the entire game. It is one of those titles that sticks with you long after completing it and I cannot wait to get to the second one.
Ghostwire: Tokyo
Ghostwire: Tokyo was just plain incredible. I enjoyed everything about this game from its story to its gameplay. It has some genuinely scary moments and kept me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed the progression of this game as well. If you haven’t given this one a try, I truly recommend it.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
What a game. Need I say more? Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 brought everything from the first 2 titles and wrapped it all up in a pretty bow. Miles will always be my favorite Spider-Man so I was excited to see him get more air time. This was the only game that interrupted Spooky Season this year because I just had to play it on release date.
Dead Space 2
Naturally, I had to check in on Isaac and see how he was holding up. Spoil alert: not great. What was great though was Dead Space 2. This franchise does survival horror so right it’s scary… literally. I was blown away by this game and it’s genuine growth from the first title. I can’t wait to experience the third installment, probably for this year’s Spooky Season.
Cult of the Lamb
Praise the Lamb! I plan to write my piece about this game after the next free content update drops. Until then, just know that this was a game I thoroughly enjoyed. It blends life sim and roguelike elements together perfectly, creating such a satisfying gameplay loop. I couldn’t have been happier with this game.
Blasphemous 2
If you like metroidvanias, do yourself a favor and play the Blasphemous games. I played the first game last year and enjoyed the heck out of it. There’s nothing quite like the feeling that metroidvanias give you when you unlock new items or powers to reach new places. It is such a satisfying and rewarding gameplay structure. Blasphemous 2 was the perfect sequel to an already perfect game.
A Plague Tale: Requiem
Polishing off 2023, we have A Plague Tale: Requiem. I played a lot of sequels this year, didn’t I? These games are quite the experience. I don’t feel like they have nearly enough recognition, honestly. I played the first title last year so naturally I wanted to hit Requiem this year. This game was excellent from beginning to end, constantly keeping me on the edge of my seat. Be prepared for a few tears though.
2023 Done and Dusted
Well guys, that was my year in gaming for 2023. This time I wanted to keep things short and sweet. I’ve already kicked off 2024 with Super Mario RPG and now Xenoblade Chronicles 2 so I am looking forward to what else 2024 has in store for me.
