One of the most creative puzzle games I've ever played. Incredible soundtrack, mindbending puzzles, puzzles within puzzles, dozens of hours of content a player could just completely miss out on if they tap out too early, biggest surprise of 2023 and also it's strongest title

Modernizing a classic in the exact ways you would expect. Gameplay is easily the best of the new REmake formula. The story changes flesh out some characters more while sacrificing some other character moments and overall "tone" of the original. Packed with content and I never once felt bored even on my 6th playthrough.

2023 was truly the year of indie surprises for me, Pizza Tower another huge one. A Warioland inspired schmoovement based platformer with a batshit artstyle is the perfect recipe for one of the most satisfying games of 2023. Every level feels incredibly unique due to the amazing OST and specific gimmicks per level which accents this title's All Killer No Filler mentality. Absolute banger

Taking 10+ years of souls design experience and slotting that inside a soft revival for the AC franchise could have ended up with Fires of Rubicon feeling a bit too like "Mech Souls" when this did not end up being the case. FromSoft dropped a game that is distinctly Armored Core feeling and also presents FromSoft's strongest narrative to date and some of their most hype setpieces of all time. The gameplay is giga smooth and satisfying and something that has to be played to truly experience the mechkino.

ANOTHER extremely creative indie puzzle title in 2023. From Limbo's lead designer comes Cocoon, an orb based world hopping puzzle game that manages to have one of the most satisfying but not overtly brain-breaking puzzle gameplay loops. A concept that on paper you could easily get lost in the sauce with, Jeppe Carlsen has managed to cleverly present puzzles and complex scenarios without ever losing track of where you started and where you need to end up. Some clever mix ups in the gameplay give this title a lean but thrilling experience.

Following up with 2023's surprises was a soulslike not developed by FromSoftware that manages to capture the gameplay feel and vibes better than any other studio has managed to achieve. While clearly inspired Lies of P still manages to vastly set itself apart from From's work through several new (and incredibly fun) mechanics via the weapon combinations/grindstones/and pulse recharge. While the level design's could be improved upon, the boss fights were thrilling and balanced, and the game overall extremely polished for a first effort by this studio.

Lethal Company is the type of "fad" game that manages to capture so many emergent gameplay moments that range from comedic to absolutely horrifying. While the game is very content light in its early access state its core loop and use of proximity chat is amongst the most clever I've gotten to experience and rarely does a multiplayer title manage to leave me in stitches multiple times throughout a play session with friends.

the wonder flower makes it so that every level in mario wonder feels unique and the game feels fresh the entire way out. the new powerups are fun the game is absolutely gorgeous and the secrets are satisfying. 2d mario is finally back

A rhythmic based stylish action game with an incredible OST. Fun levels fun boss fights charming characters the game never gets stale.

a rhythm game jukebox of the entire final fantasy franchise. Incredibly fun rhythm mechanics with multiple difficulties and charming presentation. and music doesn't get much better than what the final fantasy series has to offer.