Games Finished in 2023

Don’t let the ranking fool you, I loved almost all of these.

Gorgeous graphics, impeccable gameplay, and unmatched storytelling. One of a kind crafted game, yet somehow, they did it twice.
"Epic" is an overused term to describe video games with an incredible scope and a fantastically crafted story.

But to call this particular game epic would be watering down the experience.
The scene where everyone gathers together to raid Asgard is probably the most exhilarating gaming moment I’ve ever experienced.

There’s so much praise I can throw on this game… and the only reason I ranked it behind the first is because I prefer the simplicity in that one. This game meanders in sections it shouldn’t, but beside that, it’s basically perfect in my eyes.

I don’t know that I’ll have another experience like it. Chillingly good.
What a friggin surprise!

This game hit me in ways I wasn't expecting. It's so much better than it should be. It's actually ridiculous.
I’ve talked about it in my favorite games list… but I could talk about it forever. It’s storytelling at its finest in gameplay form, and creativity at its peak in indie form. Love love love it 💛
I’ve talked about this in my review, but there’s only a single element in here that really really bothers me. If not for that, this might have been a 5 star experience.

The story kicks ass. The boss battles and set pieces are awesome. The puzzles are so much fun. The final act is perfect. I love it, love it, love it.
This sequel takes all of the things that worked in the first game, and dials them up two more notches.

It even abandons some of the things that were holding the first game back from being the best it could be.

The gameplay is even more addictive and innovative, the story is just as good, and the cutscenes are even better than the first. It only gets better and better as it goes on. It all culminates in an awesome final act.
Brilliantly designed horror with satisfying, bone crushing gameplay.

Each level is crafted in a way that leaves you wanting to play more... yet somehow afraid of carrying on.

Somehow even the thinly plotted story comes together satisfyingly. It's pretty amazing.
Though created as an expansion of the 2018 game, Miles Morales stands on it's own two feet in this well written and well-designed Spider-Man experience.
Alan Wake has its problems, but its story was great… and after a while, so was its gameplay and level design. I couldn’t help but keep going back to it. Remedy has a magic to their games, and there’s no exception with this one.
Gnarly from start to finish. Fantastic story... I wish there was more of it! The gameplay is a bit dated, and the difficulty can be a detriment.

If you can make it through, it's super rewarding though.
Damn. What an experience.

I have a lot of beef with the game… but I can’t pretend that it isn’t the greatest Ps1 game I’ve ever played. And likely the best Ps1 game of all time.

The story is over the top, but it works. That final act fucking kicks dude. It’s so badass.

The gameplay has its problems… but the mechanics introduced are honestly mind blowing for this era of gaming.
A fantastic play former from start to finish. I never became bored of it.

It consistently surpassed my expectations, and introduced gameplay elements I thought only later games had come to introduce.

But what do you expect? It’s Naughty Dog. Of course it’s great.
This is a game a lot of people shit on. I somewhat understand the criticisms. Yeah it’s a little hokey with the supernatural elements, and yeah the barrel thing is a little obnoxious.

But how are you overlooking how fantastic everything else is???

The gameplay and level design is masterful, even in this first entry. The story is a little basic in the “action movie adventurer” sense, but for a gaming experience, it’s serviceable, and the characters are endearing enough to make it enjoyable.

I’m tired of the consistent slander 😤 let’s throw some respect on Drake’s Fortune.
Of course I love the first two games more… but let’s not pretend like this isn’t an experience worth praising.

No, it’s not exactly the Max Payne crazed fans like me wanted or expected… but as a singular gaming and story experience, it’s still gnarly as hell.

Awesome set pieces, sick level design, and highly memorable moments throughout. I love it. But alas, I don’t love it as a Max Payne experience.

18

Inside is incredible. The platforming is fantastic, the puzzles are fun to solve, and the story is consistently compelling.
If you haven’t seen my review, you should. But this game holds a special place in my heart for the memories I made with it. It helps that the game itself is also just fantastic. Both for it’s time, and how it holds up today.
I’m more fond of this game over time. The complaints are totally warranted, but it undoubtedly has an awesome story… and the gameplay can be exhilarating.

Awesome voice acting from everyone involved too.
Maybe it’s because I haven’t played many fps’ to completion, but this was a refreshing and unique experience to me. It also had a really awesome little story.

Totally worth checking out.
What a wholesome little blast. Yeah, it's frustrating at times, but that's also part of the point.

The simplicity works in its aesthetic favor, and it was an entertaining playthrough.
Everything you’d want from a wholesome couch co-op experience.

It’s cute, it’s a lot of fun, and there’s some legitimately cool mechanics. Definitely worth a playthrough.

25

Though a looser narrative than Inside, this little game manages to pack a ton of well-crafted puzzles and creativity into its short runtime.
The soundtrack hits like an electric guitar to the teeth, and the gameplay is... a mixed bag. Memorable and fun nonetheless!
It lost a lot of what worked about the first game... though it still made for a whimsical, entertaining playthrough. Even when it grinds on the nerves a bit.
Gorgeous cutscenes, infuriating gameplay.
Heinous foolery. Offensive crapshootery. Massive doodooery.

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