Words by: Ewan Moore, Will McCue, Kate Harrold, Richard Lee Breslin, Emma Flint, Sam Cawley, Dan Lipscombe
2023 has been a funny old year, hasn’t it? On the one hand, it's quite possibly been the greatest year for video games we have ever had. Since January, we’ve been treated to a stacked and steady stream of genre-defining hits and unforgettable experiences. But that’s not the whole story, is it?
In spite of record profits and rave reviews, publishers have chewed up and spat out the brilliant, talented, creative people that make and market the games that have left such an indelible impact on us. It’s not right, and it feels wrong to begin a celebration of the year’s best games without acknowledging this simple fact: if the people at the top continue this way to feed their bottom line, we will never again have another year of releases like 2023.
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So, as we dive into the best games of 2023, as voted by the GAMINGbible team, please remember the people that made these worlds for you. And remember they deserve better.
10: Dredge (Black Salt Games)
Dredge is a deliciously dark adventure through the waves of a Lovecraftian world where what lurks below the surface of the ocean would be better left unseen. However, as a lonesome fisherman, you’re travelling the seas pulling creatures up from the depths, upgrading your fishing gear, and checking in on residents as a pallid darkness pervades the world around you. All this while avoiding the many-tentacled and dangerous monsters lurking. The population is balancing between terrified and intrigued and it’s up to you to discover secrets while trying to stay sane. - DL
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You can find our Dredge review here!
9: Starfield (Bethesda Softworks)
Starfield’s release was marred by a lot of noise but if you choose to press mute, there is an intoxicatingly delicious galaxy to explore. Bethesda has crafted a game on a scale unlike anything we’ve seen up until this point. Stray away from the main missions and you’ll find what feels like an endless plethora of other adventures to embark on. The simple act of entering a certain star system or stumbling across a random NPC can kickstart a hidden gem of a quest. While Starfield, of course, has its limitations, it succeeds in crafting the appearance of endless possibility, making for a world that I take so much joy from exploring. If you step off the beaten track, Starfield will reveal its true heart and identity. I wouldn’t underestimate its longevity. - KH
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You can find our Starfield review here!
8: Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Nintendo EPD)
What can we say about Super Mario Bros. Wonder? It’s arguably the most joyous game of 2023, hand-crafted to put a smile on your face from start to finish. Everything about it just exudes happiness, and it’s clear Nintendo had a field day brainstorming new and creative ideas for its many unique levels. Not only that, it also revitalised the Super Mario Bros. formula without straying away from what the series does best, and even introduced some new playable characters to the mix like Daisy and Yoshi. All in all, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is Nintendo at its best: good old-fashioned fun and personality, so it’s no wonder it’s a top pick for Game Of The Year. - SC
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You can read our Super Mario Bros Wonder review here!
7: Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Respawn Entertainment)
Jedi: Survivor is one of my favourite pieces of Star Wars media. It's an exceptional sequel that improves on every gripe that fans had with Fallen Order, while adding in countless fantastic new features. There are cinematic action sequences to rival Uncharted and a wonderfully crafted open-zone planet with loads of areas to explore and secrets to discover. Also, it introduces us to Turgle, everyone loves Turgle. - WM
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You can read our Star Wars Jedi: Survivor review here!
6: Alan Wake 2 (Remedy Entertainment)
If Remedy Entertainment fans thought the wait for the first Alan Wake game took ages, try waiting 13 years for the sequel. It would have been easy for this game to get it completely wrong. Yet, Alan Wake II was not only better than its predecessor in almost every way but it’s also one of my favourite games in years. Oh, and it features hands down the best musical level ever! Alan Wake 2 is my personal Game of the Year, even if it didn’t come out on top here. - RLB
You can read our Alan Wake 2 review here!
5: Resident Evil 4 (Capcom)
Some would argue remakes shouldn't be nominated for Game of the Year, but I disagree. Sure, if it’s a step-by-step recreation, then that would be a fair point. However, the Resident Evil 4 remake takes the formula of the 2005 original and cranks up the horror tenfold. This remake not only looks better and plays better, but it adds loads of new areas to explore, introduces new gameplay mechanics and more, making it a perfect game for new and returning fans alike. - RLB
You can read our Resident Evil 4 review here!
4: Sea Of Stars (Sabotage Studio)
Sea Of Stars was always going to be a fantastic game. The team behind The Messenger creating a love letter to classic SNES-era RPGs? How could it fail? But where Sea Of Stars could have easily coasted on nostalgia, it soared to new heights. This is a game that pulls from the past but is unafraid to embrace the future, with smart new ideas and modern touches that help to make Sea Of Stars one of the greatest RPGs we’ve played in years. - EM
You can read our Sea Of Stars review here!
3: Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (Insomniac Games)
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 somehow managed to exceed my very high expectations. It’s a riveting immersive adventure that the MCU could only ever dream of. Catapulting you through the streets of New York and into never-ending high stakes action, Insomniac Games excelled in creating a game that, for all of us, might just be the closest we’ll ever get to feeling like a superhero, covering both the trials and tribulations that entails.
Traversal doesn’t get any better than this, and the narrative is perfectly-paced. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is packed to the brim with plot twists and revelations but it does that very rare thing of having these all feel justified and worthwhile. The story doesn’t throw a curveball for the sake of it. It’s a thrilling ride that takes familiar characters and tropes to exciting new places. It truly had me entangled in its enthralling web. - KH
You can read our Marvel's Spider-Man 2 review here!
2: Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios)
Few games hold the power of Baldur’s Gate 3. Packed with immersive beauty, curious mysticism, and a whole host of characters that’ll make you swoon and/or wince, it is the full package. No RPG fan could ask for more. It’s unsurprising, then, that BG3 is in the running to be crowned GOTY; for me, it most definitely is, without a shadow of a doubt. You can sink hours of gameplay into Act 1 alone, with that thirst for exploration continuously fed throughout the remaining acts. Each time you think you’ve uncovered every secret, another one surprises you, only further adding to the replayability of this open-world feast. I implore every gamer out there, RPG fan or not, to play this game – I’ll be amazed if it disappoints you. - EF
You can read our Baldur's Gate 3 review here!
1: The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom (Nintendo EPD)
The fact the sequel to The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild wasn’t a dead cert for our Game Of The Year 2023 speaks volumes about the quality of the games we’ve played over the last 12 months. But at the end of the day, we couldn’t give the top spot to anything else.
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom is a staggering technical accomplishment. At every turn it dares you to screw around with its myriad of intricate systems in an attempt to break it. You never will. Its scope and ambition is unrivalled on Nintendo Switch, and its vast world is filled with surprises, stories, mysteries, and danger. Tears Of The Kingdom isn’t just the best game of 2023, it’s one of the finest video games ever made. - EM
You can read our The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom review here!
Featured Image Credit: GAMINGbibleTopics: The Legend Of Zelda, Indie Games, Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order, Starfield, Baldur's Gate 3, PlayStation, Marvels Spider Man, Nintendo, Mario, Xbox, Bethesda