Austin's Top 10 Games of 2023

I think it goes without saying that 2023 will go down as one of the best years for game releases in a long time. With that said, there are so many other games that deserve to be in this Top 10 list, but for one reason or another, didn't make the cut. Needless to say, hard choices had to be made. Without further ado, here are my top 10 games of 2023.

10. Diablo IV

I don't think any other game compares to the amount of time I sank into Diablo IV. After reviewing Blizzard's latest ARPG and having my review character's progress wiped, I still wanted to jump in and experience it all over again.

Diablo IV continues to improve and address player feedback, which is commendable. After two seasons of content, we can expect even more on the way, and needless to say, I'm excited for the future.

9. Turbo Overkill

It has chainsaw legs.

OK, fine. I was going to leave my entire description at that—because chainsaw legs speak for themselves—but what if I told you that you can have chainsaw arms, too? How about giving enemies the middle finger while flinging rockets out of your arm?

The main character's name is Johnny Turbo, for goodness' sake. If this isn't the most bombastic and high-octane title of 2023, I don't know what is. And it certainly lives up to its name.

8. Fate/Samurai Remnant

I came into Fate/Samurai Remnant a tad apprehensive since the quality of musou games, I've found, vary wildly. Thankfully, Fate/Samurai Remnant is a worthy addition to the expansive and insanely popular Fate series.

Players take control of Miyamoto Iori, successor to famed swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. After a strange turn of events, Iori is thrown into a psuedo-Holy Grail War with Masters (like Iori) and their Servants taken right from the pages of history fighting side-by-side.

Its gameplay continues to add layer upon layer to create an engaging and addicting formula for players as they wage war across Edo, occasionally taking control of Servants give players the ultimate power fantasy in this epic adventure. This adventure's path diverges, so it's suggested you complete multiple playthroughs to get the full story!

7. Fire Emblem Engage

There are reasons why I consider this list to be my subjective list of 2023 and not objective. It's more apparent now that I've included Fire Emblem Engage, which is by all means a wonderful video game to play so long as you don't pay too much attention to the disaster of a story it tells.

Indeed, the story for Fire Emblem Engage is no doubt its weakest aspect, but in terms of gameplay? Boy howdy, give me some more. A staggering degree of unit customization allows players to create a flexible team of souped-up badasses.

While it follows the traditional turn-based, tactical formula Fire Emblem games are known for, the inclusion of Emblem Rings adds a whole new element to battle. With harder battles and more creative level design, Fire Emblem Engage is, at the very least, exceedingly fun to play.

6. Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed

Although the main game released last year, Xenoblade Chronicles 3—one of my favorite games from 2022—received a hearty DLC meant to tie the entire series in nice bow.

Following the same formula Xenoblade Chronicle's: Definitive Edition's Future Connected DLC and Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country, the third game's DLC could be considered its own game with the length of content it has to offer. It also offers new mechanics and polished combat, so you're in for a good time.

5. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

This spy thriller is the perfect way to get yourself back into Cyberpunk 2077. Explore a new area in Night City with Phantom Liberty and take part in high-stakes missions with Idris Elba's compelling character Solomon Reed.

The storytelling in Phantom Liberty trumps the already exciting main story of the base game, as well as a fantastic and heart-wrenching new ending for V's story. I was already a huge fan of Cyberpunk 2077, and Phantom Liberty is a fantastic way to close off this ambitious title.

4. Final Fantasy XVI

Final Fantasy XVI holds a special place in my heart, as it's the first mainline Final Fantasy game I've played (if we disregard Final Fantasy VII Remake, which I got into years after its launch). The dark fantasy vibe immediately captivated me and, while the story took twists and turns that some may find derivative, the spectacle of it all kept me engaged from start to finish.

Final Fantasy XVI has some of the most exciting and "hype" boss fights I've played in years. The epic soundtrack—which I am listening to as I write this—complements the scale of Eikon fights perfectly, creating a truly cinematic experience.

While some complain about the amount of tedious side quests—which is a valid criticism—I was happy to stay in the world of Valisthea for just a bit longer if it meant I could partake in more amazing battles and soak in the atmosphere.

3. Super Mario Bros. Wonder

An absolute delight from start to finish, Super Mario Bros. Wonder should be lauded for its creativity and charm. It doesn't necessary reinvent the 2D platforming genre, but it perfects it by creating a, dare I say, wonderful experience from start to finish.

Nintendo fires all cylinders by creating varied levels gimmicks for each stage, so every level feels quite different from the last. As many have said, it's the best 2D platformer since Super Mario Bros. World, which was often regarded as the pinnacle of the genre. Well, there's a new contender for the crown.

2. Baldur's Gate 3

What can I say about Baldur's Gate 3 that already hasn't been said? It's a behemoth of a game and worthy of all the praise it's received and more. To save space for the last entry on this list, I'll cut it short. Baldur's Gate 3 is a game that speaks for itself.

1. Resident Evil 4

Putting a remake above all other games in 2023—even above the monolith that is Baldur's Gate 3—is a controversial move, I admit. Yet, if there was a game that could pull it off, it would certainly have to be one that's special to me.

I consumed an unhealthy amount of Resident Evil 4 content, including playing through the game multiple times and watching hours upon hours of speedruns. It reignited my love for the Resident Evil franchise and also reminded me of my obsession with the original Resident Evil 4.

It's a triumphant remaster that stands as Capcom's best title in the series, and thus proves they are masters at remaking games.