In closing out 2023, that momentous phrase we’ve all heard a thousand occasions has virtually develop into a cliche. “It’s been an unbelievable yr for gaming.” I don’t know what number of occasions I’ve uttered it in reverence to the jam-packed yr crammed to the gills with 9s and 10s.
This yr has really felt just like the phoenix rising from the ashes of the COVID years, and let me inform you, gaming is again.
From prime 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 full of deadly monsters, and sprung us between worlds inside worlds. Delicious motion adventures have given us high-octane mecha fights, magical broom rides by way of 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 Sport of the 12 months, runner-ups, and honorable mentions.
PC Invasion’s 2023 Sport 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 recreation awards, however, like the most effective Rogue construct, Baldur’s Gate 3 snuck up and stole our hearts.
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What might be mentioned about Baldur’s Gate 3 that hasn’t been mentioned 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’ll be able to rise up to with a gaggle of pals. Simply the opposite day, my little Bard Halfing was snuggling as much as my good friend’s Owlbear-form Druid Elf on a stone mattress when my Rogue Elf good friend determined to show off the candles to set the temper whereas my Paladin Tiefling good friend warned him that the candles had been outlined in pink. Properly, Balthazar didn’t like that; he began a battle, one which we received. As a gaggle, we determined to not save scum that again as a result of the narrative we created was too sensible. Moments like these constantly flood the web and certain will for years to return — 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 Sport 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 Marvel.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is deserving of second place and in a much less aggressive yr, it could’ve taken first place. The identical might be mentioned for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Alan Wake 2, and Tremendous Mario Marvel. Actually, I’m simply joyful to have so many nice video games to have performed and to look ahead to taking part in through 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 need to give a particular shout-out to some video games they maintain close to and expensive. 2023 was such a unbelievable yr that the runner-up and honorable mentions lists don’t encapsulate all of the video games we cherished, however these are ones that you just shouldn’t miss.
PC Invasion Author/ContributerGamePraiseRaza MalikDead Area“From begin to end the sport doesn’t surrender. As quickly as you descend on the enduring Ishimura, the trip 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’re feeling related to the protagonist. Even when you have performed the unique, diving again into the horrific world of Lifeless Area with greater than a facelift is price it. Talking of facelifts, the remake seems wonderful on the brand new {hardware}. The darkness of the anxiety-riddled world feels alive and rather more immersive which helped pull me. Total, the Lifeless Area 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 yr in gaming that was jam-packed with IPs new and previous, Closing Fantasy 16 appears to be a part of one franchise that retains forging forward virtually 40 years later. The theme of writing your individual future sticks with me even after I accomplished the sport over six months in the past, and shall be one thing that sticks with me for some time. I loved the motion shift in gameplay and the excellent performances from actors comparable to 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 among my private favorites of the yr.”Jason VenterPikman 4“Nintendo had a powerful 2023 that not everybody could have observed. Apart from Tears of the Kingdom, which was exhausting to overlook, there have been new entries in a few of its different long-running franchises and even a lovely remake of Tremendous Mario RPG. One of many brightest stars amongst that joyful little galaxy was Pikmin 4, which revived the franchise 10 years after its final correct new installment and pushed the system to new heights. There are extra forms 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 recreation up to now, filled with 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 motion pictures, Robocop awkwardly shuffles round with the grace of a bulldozer. Teyon had the unenviable process of recreating that in online game type whereas preserving it gratifying. The devs knocked it out of the park whereas staying trustworthy to the supply materials with a few of the most visceral fight I’ve seen in a contemporary shooter.”Luis PradaDredge“I really like an open world that methods me into pondering it’s a lot larger than it’s. That’s Dredge. A small snow globe of a recreation 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 happening internally than they’re letting on. It’s a story steeped in oceanic Lovecraftian lore that solely offers 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 actually the most effective Soulslike I’ve come throughout, even surpassing (mechanically, as lore and aesthetics are largely private choice) Darkish Souls 3. The twin-world premise isn’t only a gimmick; it’s executed so properly that I believe different video games must take notice. Apart from all the traditional 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 abilities and strikes and must pay attention to the techniques, weapons, attributes, and talents at your disposal.”Noah NelsonHi-Fi Rush“Whereas I really 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 recreation in current reminiscence that completely captures that nostalgic power of a Saturday morning cartoon. The music is fantastic, 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 really like Hello-Fi Rush.”
There are such a lot of video games that all of us cherished in 2023. Whereas I believe will probably be top-of-the-line years for gaming on this decade, there’s nonetheless loads to look ahead to in 2024. It’s my job to remain forward of the curve and play the most recent releases, I’ll most positively be filling my time in 2024 with taking part in the lengthy checklist of 2023 video games I missed beginning with Alan Wake 2.
