{"id":2111,"date":"2024-01-26T03:52:45","date_gmt":"2024-01-26T03:52:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gatecitygaming.com\/?p=2111"},"modified":"2024-01-25T04:25:14","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T04:25:14","slug":"top-five-games-of-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gatecitygaming.com\/index.php\/2024\/01\/26\/top-five-games-of-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Five Games of 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

HEAR YE!!!\u00a0 HEAR YE!!!\u00a0 What a plentiful harvest of video games the industry has presented to us in 2023.\u00a0 To my unfortunate dismay, I didn\u2019t have the luxury of playing most of them.\u00a0 With the addition of classes and moving across the country, the year did not leave me with a lot of free time.\u00a0 Hence the plethora of movie reviews.\u00a0 Nonetheless, I want to return to standing atop my soapbox and ranting about video games again.\u00a0 To help facilitate this, I have returned to the honorable tradition of my top five video games of 2023.\u00a0 I will admit most of these games I have yet to finish, but I still believe these titles are worthy of recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Let\u2019s first dive into the honorable mentions: Dead Space Remake<\/em> and Resident Evil 4 Remake.\u00a0 <\/em>Both of these remakes are incredible glow-ups for both titles.\u00a0 Despite being familiar with the original games, both remakes were some of the most heart-pounding moments this year.\u00a0 It was an amazing year for horror, but I can\u2019t, in good faith, give either title an award.\u00a0 There were a plethora of new horror games this year and it feels a little disingenuous to give two remakes instead of some new blood.\u00a0 Honorable mentions feel like a fitting way to celebrate the success of both these remarkable remakes.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Dredge<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even now I still feel it: the call to return to the sea.\u00a0 To feel the cooling waves splash onto my skin.\u00a0 Taste the salt in the air.\u00a0 The excitement that comes with a new hual of fish, even when one of them has too many eyes.\u00a0 The rush you get from all the whispers you hear as you navigate your boat through the dark of night.\u00a0 Yes, it is painfully obvious, but I care not for those scoffing at my pick.\u00a0 I LOVE DREDGE<\/em>.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

From the subtle horror to the day-to-day fishing routine you develop, I can get lost for hours out on the waters.\u00a0 When I finally answer the call of the sea, I will make sure I have a copy of this game aboard my hearty fishing vessel.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Dave the Diver<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the horror lurking in the deep to the warm tropical reefs, nautical games stood triumphantly this year.\u00a0 Joining Dredge<\/em>, Dave the Diver<\/em> was another fishing game I thoroughly enjoyed.\u00a0 However, instead of avoiding the eldritch horrors of the deep, you are diving into the ocean to fish up materials for your sushi restaurant.\u00a0 Dave the Diver<\/em> is brimming with charm.\u00a0 Try as I might, I couldn\u2019t resist a smile creeping onto my face as I played Dave the Diver<\/em>.\u00a0 Games industry, I call on the powers to be, please deliver more ocean-based games to this humble devotee.\u00a0 We cannot turn a deaf ear on the call of the sea.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Baldur’s Gate 3<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of you might be rolling your eyes at this obvious choice, but let me regale you with a tale.\u00a0 At the beginning of the year, I would scoff at the idea of dungeons and dragons.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t go out of my way to actively mock those who partake, but I always assumed that was a part of nerd culture that was just not for me.\u00a0 Forever drawn to science fiction like Dead Space<\/em> or alternative history like Bioshock<\/em>, but hardly medieval fantasy where dungeons and dragons thoroughly sits.\u00a0 However, I was convinced to give it a try as a chance to exercise some storytelling chops.\u00a0 Suddenly it began to click as an opportunity to develop characters, which I have said many times, are king.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, Baldur\u2019s Gate 3 <\/em>was released when I was making my expedition across the country; so as you can imagine I have barely scratched the surface of this massive RPG.\u00a0 Even with this limited exposure, I can recognize why Baldur\u2019s Gate 3<\/em> is sweeping up Games of the Year awards.\u00a0 From deep and compelling characters to the story choices that extend out like a spider-web to the simple act of the narrator describing a mind-flayer tadpole nursery, Baldur\u2019s Gate 3<\/em> has me in awe of all the detail on display.\u00a0 I hope one day I can write something with a fraction of the beauty and grace of this landmark title.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Lethal Company<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An early access game upon Doomsayer\u2019s top five list?\u00a0 What blasphemy is this?\u00a0 The only blasphemy here is any slander against Lethal Company<\/em>.\u00a0 Some might find it hard to take seriously with the hilarious clips circling the internet.\u00a0 Even when you are having a few good laughs with friends, Lethal Company is still able to weaponize subtlety in a way most horror games fail to do.\u00a0 When you are the last remaining survivor, wandering the dark halls with a dead flashlight, the game doesn\u2019t resort to flashing lights or orchestral screeching but instead allows the horror to happen naturally.\u00a0 Truly an impressive feat even when the game is still in early access; I look forward to the terror lurking in a 1.0 release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Slay the Princess<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like a moth to the flame, I am drawn to games that have an acute awareness that they are games.\u00a0 Surely Bioshock<\/em> is to blame.\u00a0 Last year, it was the Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe<\/em>, and this year it is Slay the Princess<\/em>.\u00a0 Much like The Stanley Parable<\/em>, Slay the Princess<\/em> is light on gameplay but hearty on storytelling.\u00a0 This hand-drawn choose-your-adventure revolves around you going to a cabin and killing a princess.\u00a0 You\u2019re told if the princess lives, she will destroy the world.\u00a0 You can freely believe the idea of armageddon by Princess or you can choose to solve the problem in your own way.\u00a0 Each choice adds another voice to the story too.\u00a0 Much like the Princess herself, don\u2019t be fooled by the simple nature as there is a darker truth lurking beneath the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, I certainly enjoy celebrating the success of games this year, but we must acknowledge an uncomfortable truth lurking in the shadows.\u00a0 In 2023, over nine thousand jobs in the video games industry were lost.\u00a0 From Electronic Arts to Epic Games to Tiny Builds, these companies shuttered experienced and valuable employees simply to make the line go up.\u00a0 The most profitable entertainment industry is ejecting people who actually make video games to perpetuate the lie of infinite growth.\u00a0 As we barrel into the new year, keep in mind the companies that tossed their employees onto the street and strongly consider if you really need their latest title.\u00a0 We cannot stand idly by as executives and bean counters continue to remain while developers who pour their hearts and souls into games are given the ax. Andrew Wilson doesn’t make games; EA developers do.\u00a0 If the video game industry doesn\u2019t try to course correct and steer the ship in a new direction, then I can only say that the end is truly nigh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

My top five games of 2023 list is here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2123,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2111","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-game-reviews","category-opinion","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gatecitygaming.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2111","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gatecitygaming.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gatecitygaming.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gatecitygaming.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gatecitygaming.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2111"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.gatecitygaming.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2111\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2124,"href":"https:\/\/www.gatecitygaming.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2111\/revisions\/2124"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gatecitygaming.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2123"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gatecitygaming.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2111"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gatecitygaming.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2111"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gatecitygaming.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2111"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}