In closing out 2023, that momentous phrase we’ve all heard a thousand instances has virtually turn out to be a cliche. “It’s been an unimaginable 12 months for gaming.” I don’t know what number of instances I’ve uttered it in reverence to the jam-packed 12 months crammed to the gills with 9s and 10s.
This 12 months has really 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 by means of 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 Sport of the Yr, runner-ups, and honorable mentions.
PC Invasion’s 2023 Sport 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 brush 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 will 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 primary and aspect quests, the race and construct customization, the multiplayer, the lore, the bosses — every 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’ll be able to stand up to with a gaggle of mates. Simply the opposite day, my little Bard Halfing was snuggling as much as my buddy’s Owlbear-form Druid Elf on a stone mattress when my Rogue Elf buddy determined to show off the candles to set the temper whereas my Paladin Tiefling buddy warned him that the candles had been outlined in purple. Nicely, Balthazar didn’t like that; he began a combat, one which we received. As a gaggle, we determined to not save scum that again as a result of the narrative we created was too sensible. Moments like these constantly 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 Sport of the Yr 2023, there have been a number of notable runner-ups price 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 Marvel.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is deserving of second place and in a much less aggressive 12 months, it could’ve taken first place. The identical will be stated for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Alan Wake 2, and Tremendous Mario Marvel. Truthfully, I’m simply pleased to have so many nice video games to have performed and to stay 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 wish to give a particular shout-out to a couple video games they maintain close to and pricey. 2023 was such a incredible 12 months that the runner-up and honorable mentions lists don’t encapsulate all of the video games we beloved, however these are ones that you simply shouldn’t miss.
PC Invasion Author/Contributer | Sport | Reward |
---|---|---|
Raza Malik | Lifeless House | “From begin to end the sport doesn’t surrender. As quickly as you descend on the enduring Ishimura, the journey begins, and it solely will get worse (in a great way). The narrative is one other spotlight. Being part of Isaac Clarke’s wrestle makes you are feeling related to the protagonist. Even in case you have performed the unique, diving again into the horrific world of Lifeless House with greater than a facelift is price it. Talking of facelifts, the remake appears wonderful on the brand new {hardware}. The darkness of the anxiety-riddled world feels alive and far more immersive which helped pull me. Total, the Lifeless House remake is worthy of your time as a result of it’s the complete package deal: An incredible and expansive story with horrors that pulls every thing collectively.” |
Alex Garcia | Closing Fantasy 16 | “For a 12 months 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 virtually 40 years later. The theme of writing your personal future sticks with me even after I accomplished the sport over six months in the past, and will likely be one thing that sticks with me for some time. I loved the motion shift in gameplay and the excellent performances from actors similar 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 among my private favorites of the 12 months.” |
Jason Venter | Pikman 4 | “Nintendo had a robust 2023 that not everybody might have observed. Apart from 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 pleased little galaxy was Pikmin 4, which revived the franchise 10 years after its final correct new installment and pushed the formulation to new heights. There are extra styles of Pikmin to search 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 most important Pikmin sport up to now, full of worth and appeal 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 process of recreating that in online game type whereas retaining it pleasurable. The devs knocked it out of the park whereas staying devoted to the supply materials with among the most visceral fight I’ve seen in a contemporary shooter.” |
Luis Prada | Dredge | “I like an open world that methods me into considering 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 actually true. Each character feels richly developed with much more occurring internally than they’re letting on. It’s a story steeped in oceanic Lovecraftian lore that solely offers 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 really the very best Soulslike I’ve come throughout, even surpassing (mechanically, as lore and aesthetics are largely private desire) Darkish Souls 3. The twin-world premise isn’t only a gimmick; it’s executed so nicely that I feel different video games must take be aware. Except for 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 dismissed different tough Soulslikes. For as soon as, you must know all the talents and strikes and must pay attention to the programs, 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 intense, bombastic brilliance of early 2000s mascot video games like Sly Cooper, Ratchet & Clank, and Spyro. Hello-Fi Rush is the one sport in current reminiscence that completely captures that nostalgic power of a Saturday morning cartoon. The music is great, the boss fights epic, the humor is definitely humorous, and the character development 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 beloved in 2023. Whereas I feel will probably be top-of-the-line years for gaming on this decade, there’s nonetheless lots to stay up for in 2024. It’s my job to remain forward of the curve and play the latest releases, I’ll most undoubtedly be filling my time in 2024 with taking part in the lengthy listing of 2023 video games I missed beginning with Alan Wake 2.