In closing out 2023, that momentous phrase we’ve all heard a thousand occasions has nearly turn into a cliche. “It’s been an unimaginable 12 months for gaming.” I don’t know what number of occasions I’ve uttered it in reverence to the jam-packed 12 months crammed to the gills with 9s and 10s.
This 12 months has actually felt just like the phoenix rising from the ashes of the COVID years, and let me let you know, gaming is again.
From high 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 wisping bushes, and worlds among the many stars explored with blasters and blade. All this, and I’ve not even hinted at PC Invasion’s 2023 Recreation of the 12 months, runner-ups, and honorable mentions.
PC Invasion’s 2023 Recreation of the 12 months winner: Baldur’s Gate 3
Picture: Larian Studios
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 may 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 possibly can stand up to with a bunch of pals. 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 pink. Effectively, Balthazar didn’t like that; he began a struggle, one which we received. As a bunch, we determined to not save scum that again as a result of the narrative we created was too good. Moments like these repeatedly flood the web and sure will for years to come back — the communal longevity of Baldur’s Gate 3 speaks volumes about its excellence.
PC Invasion’s GOTY 2023 runner-ups
Screenshot: PC Invasion
Although Baldur’s Gate 3 received PC Invasion’s Recreation of the 12 months 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 Surprise.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is deserving of second place and in a much less aggressive 12 months, it will’ve taken first place. The identical may be stated for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Alan Wake 2, and Tremendous Mario Surprise. Truthfully, I’m simply completely happy to have so many nice video games to have performed and to stay up for enjoying throughout the slower weeks of 2024.
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PC Invasion’s 2023 honorable mentions
Screenshot: PC Invasion
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 expensive. 2023 was such a improbable 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 just shouldn’t miss.
PC Invasion Author/ContributerGamePraiseRaza MalikDead 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 seems superb on the brand new {hardware}. The darkness of the anxiety-riddled world feels alive and way more immersive which helped pull me. General, 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 GarciaFinal Fantasy 16“For a 12 months in gaming that was jam-packed with IPs new and previous, Last Fantasy 16 appears to be a part of one franchise that retains forging forward nearly 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 probably be one thing that sticks with me for some time. I loved the motion shift in gameplay and the excellent performances from actors reminiscent of 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 in every of my private favorites of the 12 months.”Jason VenterPikman 4“Nintendo had a robust 2023 that not everybody could have seen. Moreover Tears of the Kingdom, which was onerous 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 completely happy little galaxy was Pikmin 4, which revived the franchise 10 years after its final correct new installment and pushed the components to new heights. There are extra types 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 so far, full of worth and allure for followers previous and new, and will have simply saved the franchise.”Anthony YatesRobocop: Rogue Metropolis“There’s been so many absolute bangers in 2023, however Robocop: Rogue Metropolis is my favourite. Within the films, Robocop awkwardly shuffles round with the grace of a bulldozer. Teyon had the unenviable process of recreating that in online game kind whereas holding it pleasant. The devs knocked it out of the park whereas staying devoted to the supply materials with a number of the most visceral fight I’ve seen in a contemporary shooter.”Luis PradaDredge“I like an open world that tips 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 gives 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 LambourneLords 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 effectively that I believe different video games must take notice. Apart from 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 disregarded different troublesome Soulslikes.For as soon as, you must know all the talents and strikes and must pay attention to the methods, weapons, attributes, and talents at your disposal.”Noah NelsonHi-Fi Rush“Whereas I like visually, thematically, and mechanically darkish video games as a lot as the subsequent particular person, I miss the brilliant, 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 believe will probably be among the finest years for gaming on this decade, there’s nonetheless loads to stay up for in 2024. It’s my job to remain forward of the curve and play the latest releases, I’ll most positively be filling my time in 2024 with enjoying the lengthy listing of 2023 video games I missed beginning with Alan Wake 2.