HEAR YE!!! HEAR YE!!! What a plentiful harvest of video games the industry has presented to us in 2023. To my unfortunate dismay, I didn’t have the luxury of playing most of them. With the addition of classes and moving across the country, the year did not leave me with a lot of free time. Hence the plethora of movie reviews. Nonetheless, I want to return to standing atop my soapbox and ranting about video games again. To help facilitate this, I have returned to the honorable tradition of my top five video games of 2023. I will admit most of these games I have yet to finish, but I still believe these titles are worthy of recognition.
Let’s first dive into the honorable mentions: Dead Space Remake and Resident Evil 4 Remake. Both of these remakes are incredible glow-ups for both titles. Despite being familiar with the original games, both remakes were some of the most heart-pounding moments this year. It was an amazing year for horror, but I can’t, in good faith, give either title an award. 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. Honorable mentions feel like a fitting way to celebrate the success of both these remarkable remakes.
Dredge
Even now I still feel it: the call to return to the sea. To feel the cooling waves splash onto my skin. Taste the salt in the air. The excitement that comes with a new hual of fish, even when one of them has too many eyes. The rush you get from all the whispers you hear as you navigate your boat through the dark of night. Yes, it is painfully obvious, but I care not for those scoffing at my pick. I LOVE DREDGE.
From the subtle horror to the day-to-day fishing routine you develop, I can get lost for hours out on the waters. 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.
Dave the Diver
From the horror lurking in the deep to the warm tropical reefs, nautical games stood triumphantly this year. Joining Dredge, Dave the Diver was another fishing game I thoroughly enjoyed. However, instead of avoiding the eldritch horrors of the deep, you are diving into the ocean to fish up materials for your sushi restaurant. Dave the Diver is brimming with charm. Try as I might, I couldn’t resist a smile creeping onto my face as I played Dave the Diver. Games industry, I call on the powers to be, please deliver more ocean-based games to this humble devotee. We cannot turn a deaf ear on the call of the sea.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Some of you might be rolling your eyes at this obvious choice, but let me regale you with a tale. At the beginning of the year, I would scoff at the idea of dungeons and dragons. I wouldn’t 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. Forever drawn to science fiction like Dead Space or alternative history like Bioshock, but hardly medieval fantasy where dungeons and dragons thoroughly sits. However, I was convinced to give it a try as a chance to exercise some storytelling chops. Suddenly it began to click as an opportunity to develop characters, which I have said many times, are king.
Unfortunately, Baldur’s Gate 3 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. Even with this limited exposure, I can recognize why Baldur’s Gate 3 is sweeping up Games of the Year awards. 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’s Gate 3 has me in awe of all the detail on display. I hope one day I can write something with a fraction of the beauty and grace of this landmark title.
Lethal Company
An early access game upon Doomsayer’s top five list? What blasphemy is this? The only blasphemy here is any slander against Lethal Company. Some might find it hard to take seriously with the hilarious clips circling the internet. 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. When you are the last remaining survivor, wandering the dark halls with a dead flashlight, the game doesn’t resort to flashing lights or orchestral screeching but instead allows the horror to happen naturally. 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.
Slay the Princess
Like a moth to the flame, I am drawn to games that have an acute awareness that they are games. Surely Bioshock is to blame. Last year, it was the Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe, and this year it is Slay the Princess. Much like The Stanley Parable, Slay the Princess is light on gameplay but hearty on storytelling. This hand-drawn choose-your-adventure revolves around you going to a cabin and killing a princess. You’re told if the princess lives, she will destroy the world. You can freely believe the idea of armageddon by Princess or you can choose to solve the problem in your own way. Each choice adds another voice to the story too. Much like the Princess herself, don’t be fooled by the simple nature as there is a darker truth lurking beneath the surface.
Now, I certainly enjoy celebrating the success of games this year, but we must acknowledge an uncomfortable truth lurking in the shadows. In 2023, over nine thousand jobs in the video games industry were lost. From Electronic Arts to Epic Games to Tiny Builds, these companies shuttered experienced and valuable employees simply to make the line go up. The most profitable entertainment industry is ejecting people who actually make video games to perpetuate the lie of infinite growth. 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. 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. If the video game industry doesn’t try to course correct and steer the ship in a new direction, then I can only say that the end is truly nigh.
