“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom”
As the highly anticipated sequel to “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” there isn’t much more that can be said about the masterpiece, “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.” It has one of the most impressive physics engines in any game, with the ultra-hand allowing the player to attach objects and also pushing the idea of a freeing sandbox open world that “Breath of the Wild” started even further. That’s only one of the six abilities “Tears of Kingdom” gives the player, with each offering so much variation in how the game is played.
“Pikmin 4”
The “Pikmin” series has struggled since its inception on the game cube with long waits in between each title. However, with “Pikmin 4,” the series became a mainstay for Nintendo consoles because it is the best “Pikmin” game yet. It has more content in it compared to the other three “Pikmin” games, with all the side missions and collectibles. On top of that, “Pikmin 4” continues to have the same creativity and innovation the series is known for. From walking around with an army of Pikmin to defeating a powerful enemy at the end of a cave, everything the player does in this game feels satisfying.
“Sea of Stars”
With all the big-budget Triple-A games released every year, it’s also important to recognize the video games made by independent studios. The best “indie” game to come out this year was certainly “Sea of Stars.” While turn-based combat may not appeal to everyone, what is so nice about “Sea of Stars” is how quickly it cycles from exploration to combat. It also tells an engaging story filled with memorable and likable characters. It does all this with a beautiful presentation, as the game has a wonderful pixelated art style.
“Resident Evil 4” (Remake)
The remake of “Resident Evil 4” successfully reimagines the original game turning it into the experience it was always meant to be. Its combat is exhilarating, with the player being put into confined spaces and having to be smart with their limited ammunition. The updated visuals and animations are also phenomenal as the game looks visually distinct. There really just aren’t any flaws with “Resident Evil 4,” and this remake shows that it has stood the test of time and is still one of the best third-person action games of all time.
“Star Wars Jedi: Survivor”
Although it had a bit of a rough launch, especially on Personal Computer (PC), “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” still shaped up to be one the best games to come out in 2023. There is a lot more freedom given to the player compared to the “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.” The area design is more open, there is more customizability for the main character Cal Kestis (Cameron Monaghan) and there is more variety in the combat. On top of that, it tells an engaging story keeping the player hooked until the credits roll.
“Marvel’s Spider-Man 2”
“Marvel’s Spider-Man 2” expands on the first game in many great ways. The movement is much quicker and more refined, which the player can see while swinging through New York City at lightning speeds. This is the first game that feels like it’s really pushing the PlayStation 5 (PS5). The load times are nearly non-existent and at any time, the player can fast travel from one part of the city to the other in mere seconds. While it is a safe sequel, “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2” is certainly one of 2023’s finer offerings and a thrilling experience all the way through.
