2023 is almost over, and there are no more major video game releases on the horizon. But looking back, this year has been incredible for gaming, both in terms of the games that were released and how the industry has evolved.
We saw some huge releases this year, like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 for the PS5, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for the Nintendo Switch, and Microsoft finally releasing a first-party game with Starfield. Square Enix and Ubisoft also stepped up with the release of Final Fantasy XVI and Assassin’s Creed Mirage, respectively. And of course, we can’t forget about Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which was a major shakeup in the gaming world.
So, with all that in mind, let’s take a look at how this year has unfolded for gaming as a whole and why it might be considered one of the best years ever.
Nintendo and PlayStation Brought Their A-Game
In 2023, everyone really brought their A-game. Nintendo, in particular, had an incredible year with two amazing titles: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the sequel to the hugely popular The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Both games received critical acclaim, and fans (including me) loved them.
With The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Nintendo built on the already incredible adventure of Breath of the Wild, but it went above and beyond to double down on what made the original game from 2017 so great. If you haven’t played these games yet, you need to.
Nintendo is the best at making platformers, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder is no exception. It introduces new mechanics that have never been seen before in a 2D Mario game. Wonder seeds found throughout the levels open up a whole new dimension of gameplay. The game is also visually stunning, with gorgeous art and music.
On the other hand, PlayStation has had a relatively quiet year, but it did come in swinging (pun intended) with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. I’ve been playing it since it came out, and it’s incredibly fun. The combat, action sequences, and cast are all top-notch. The story is full of twists and turns, and if you’re a Spider-Man fan, you can’t miss it. Plus, there’s Venom!
Big Year for Microsoft
Microsoft owns Activision Blizzard now. The tech giant was finally able to complete the acquisition after the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority allowed it to close the deal. It now owns Call of Duty, but another big moment for the company this year was the launch of Bethesda’s new IP in years—Starfield. It finally ended the drought for the software giant to put out a “real” first-party game (some people don’t consider Forza games to be “real” hard hitters, which I think is bizarre).
Starfield may not have performed as well as Microsoft would have liked, but it’s still a big adventure for players, and it’s truly a rewarding journey if you’re willing to get through the slow first hours of the game. And yes, we also got Forza Motorsport to give some much-needed competition to Gran Turismo 7, and it’s a worthy play if you have a GamePass subscription.
Square Enix and Ubisoft Show Why Fans Love Them
Square Enix had a bit of a hiccup when Forspoken didn’t take off and was dismissed as an afterthought by many, but people knew what was coming with Final Fantasy XVI, and it was a real treat. Final Fantasy XVI is a game you won’t forget. The story and gameplay are both captivating. It tells the tale of Clive Rosfield, who sets out on a quest to destroy all the Mother Crystals in Valisthea.
The game features some of the most cinematic boss battles, brilliant Devil May Cry-like combat, and a story that is full of twists and turns—straight out of Game of Thrones. That said, the game is currently exclusive to the PS5, but a PC version could be on the horizon.
Ubisoft also returned to its roots with the launch of Assassin’s Creed Mirage. It was well-received, features fun combat, and is a true Assassin’s Creed game. It will remind you of the old days. Think Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood or Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag. It seems Ubisoft is back on track, and it’s great to see.
Remedy Games Shocked Gamers With Alan Wake 2
If you played the first Alan Wake game, you know what it means to many gamers. Once you start playing it, it’s hard to put it down. But with part 2, Remedy has really outdone themselves. Not only does the game look better than most games out there, but the level design, the pacing, and the gripping storyline will leave you speechless.
One thing I don’t like is that Remedy decided to skip a physical launch and only release it digitally on all platforms. This really irked me because I’ll never be a fan of digital games. I’m hoping we’ll get a physical release in the future. If that happens, I’ll definitely be buying a copy.
The game is also currently on sale on the PlayStation Store as part of its year-end sale; might be a good time to pick (I mean—download it—*sighs*) it up.
GTA 6 Trailer Was All What We Expected and Beyond
We waited a decade for this trailer, and it was worth it! The game is still over a year away, but the trailer alone has satisfied gamers all over the world. It’s been viewed more than any other non-music video in the first 24 hours since its release. Gamers are impressed with the level of detail and scope that Rockstar has shown in the trailer.
We’re going to have to wait a long time until the game is released, but we’re not complaining. The trailer also confirmed that the game will be set in Leonida, Rockstar’s take on iconic Florida locations like Miami and the Everglades.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Reminds Us Why Gaming Is Fun
Of course, I didn’t forget about Baldur’s Gate 3. How could I? If there’s any game that will make you think about every move, it’s Baldur’s Gate 3. You’ll be motivated to try many new things, in fact, a lot of new things. The storyline, the chapters, and the world-building are insane.
Yes, it is not for the faint of heart considering its length and the number of options that Larian Studios gives you to play out the narrative, but it is this very fact that makes Baldur’s Gate 3 one of the best video games ever made, and it rightfully deserves the Game of the Year recognition.
Leaks and Hacks Mean a Bitter-Sweet Ending
Unfortunately, not all is fun and games when it comes to Insomniac Games, the creator of Marvel’s Spider-Man series of games on PlayStation, and the iconic Ratchet and Clank games. The studio was subjected to a massive hack that ended up leaking a playable version of Marvel’s Wolverine, the studio’s next big superhero game on the PS5, and even internal employee data—sabotaging privacy.
We truly sympathise with what happened and understand that the studio’s employees must be heartbroken right now. And, as good as the year went, this certainly left a sour taste in the end. But hey, here’s to hoping for an even better 2024, filled with fun and hours of epic games.
Happy holidays, you all.
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