2023 delivered a banner year for outstanding video games across genres, platforms and budgets – from AAA blockbusters to indie darlings.
Ranging the gamut from pawing adorable felines to slaughtering demonic hordes, these titles captured our hearts through masterful art, sound and interaction design.
Let’s recap the 10 video games which defined 2023 as a celebration of innovation and creativity in interactive entertainment.
10. Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course
This long-awaited DLC expansion to indie sensation Cuphead brought splendid new levels, weapons and bosses for fans to conquer.
Tuned to an even more sadistic difficulty than the original game, The Delicious Last Course flaunted even richer hand-drawn visuals paired with a swinging big band soundtrack to match.
9. Sifu
Sifu captured our best beat-em-up fixation through a brutal balletic martial arts simulator demanding precision reflexes.
Its unique aging mechanic also strategically raised stakes surrounding skilled play, while visual polish and animation fluidity stayed silky smooth throughout.
8. Norco
This unexpected point-and-click narrative adventure brought players an enriching Southern Gothic tale wedding philosophical sci-fi against the haunting Louisiana bayou backdrop.
Exceptional writing and character depth combined with an enthralling investigation of identity and purpose through Norco’s sublime dialogue trees and choices.
7. Citizen Sleeper
Similarly ruminating profound themes self-actualization and exploitation, this dialog-driven RPG situated players as sentient AI escaping financial servitude.
The immersive sci-fi setting and emphasis on relationships while securing freedom made Citizen Sleeper an unforgettable game of thrills and compassion.
6. Neon White
Neon White overturned conventional first-person shooter conventions through a slick style and ingenious card-based mechanics.
Sprinting, sliding and gun-fu dueling across brief bloody stages made for pulse-pounding encounters with hellish enemies.
We can’t remember multiplayer this frenzied since Unreal Tournament 2004!
5. Cult of the Lamb
One of 2023’s most addictive hits, Cult of the Lamb fused roguelike dungeon adventuring against managing your own flock of woodland worshippers.
Its cute occultism themes mischievously defied expectations through brutal, gory combat and progressive base upgrading sinking claws deep.
4. Stray
This charming adventure gem captured hearts and accolades placing players in the paws of an adorable ginger kitty separated from family.
Clever feline movement/puzzle mechanics combined with an emotional story about compassion made Stray a small title leaving big paw prints.
3. Elden Ring
Hidetaka Miyazaki again demonstrated his supreme mastery guiding players through rich, foreboding realms filled with secrets and perils galore.
Elden Ring markedly expanded Soulsborne scope into a fully open world brimming optional encounters, quests and weapon buildouts rewarding investment.
2. Pizza Tower
This indie platformer darling served delicious 2D side-scrolling action alongside hilarious writing satirizing office culture and capitalism.
Challenging level designs kept platforming exciting while quirky weapons like fish bowls and keyboard cats empowered defeating devious pizza slice foes.
1. Dead Space
Motive Studios achieved the improbable delivering a remake that felt reverently faithful yet dramatically elevated over the 2008 survival horror masterwork.
Grisly Necromorph battles gained new visceral intensity through refined controls, zero G terror and profound audio/visual improvements.
Dead Space returns ruthless as ever showing that less can be more with cinematic suspense and dreadful atmosphere.
2022’s outstanding game lineup sets lofty goals for 2024 releases! Did we miss any of your favorite 2023 titles? Let us know in comments!
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