2023 Superlatives
My game awards. With no ads, imagine that.
14 Games
Most Comforting: Ace Combat
I had never played this series before this year, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I've beaten 4,5, and 7, and it keeps popping into my mind whenever I struggle with finding anything to play. It's because the gameplay is simple, landing bombs is satisfying, and your squad mates are always like "Good job, you're the best :D", which is a nice boost after I keep forgetting to follow definition-of-done procedure at work and feeling like an ass.
I had never played this series before this year, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I've beaten 4,5, and 7, and it keeps popping into my mind whenever I struggle with finding anything to play. It's because the gameplay is simple, landing bombs is satisfying, and your squad mates are always like "Good job, you're the best :D", which is a nice boost after I keep forgetting to follow definition-of-done procedure at work and feeling like an ass.
Best Series: Marathon
I fell into this series the way you fall into bed after a concert with like 8 bands. I don't even know why exactly; I'm not into shooters all that much. I guess it's because it's so thoroughly intriguing, with a weird story, weird levels, weird guns, weird visuals, it's all entirely unique. If I can say that for a game that came out like 30 years ago after beating 700 games, it's definitely worth something.
I fell into this series the way you fall into bed after a concert with like 8 bands. I don't even know why exactly; I'm not into shooters all that much. I guess it's because it's so thoroughly intriguing, with a weird story, weird levels, weird guns, weird visuals, it's all entirely unique. If I can say that for a game that came out like 30 years ago after beating 700 games, it's definitely worth something.
Biggest Nostalgia Victim: Agent Under Fire
I played the SHIT out of this as a kid, being one of the first games I got for Gamecube. I really loved it, not realizing how AWFUL the weapon spread is, how clunky the level design is, how stupid all the attempted sex-appeal is, and so on. Kinda trashy game, though I still hold some nostalgia for it, admittedly.
I played the SHIT out of this as a kid, being one of the first games I got for Gamecube. I really loved it, not realizing how AWFUL the weapon spread is, how clunky the level design is, how stupid all the attempted sex-appeal is, and so on. Kinda trashy game, though I still hold some nostalgia for it, admittedly.
Most Disappointing Replay: Silent Hill 2
I still love this game, but I didn't realize how it relies on its plot so thoroughly. I replayed SH1 right before this and enjoyed its level design and atmosphere just as much as I did the first time, but SH2's is sorta worse. The apartments remain my least favorite level in any Silent Hill game, and that includes 4. Just can't recapture the magic of watching the plot unfold for the first time.
I still love this game, but I didn't realize how it relies on its plot so thoroughly. I replayed SH1 right before this and enjoyed its level design and atmosphere just as much as I did the first time, but SH2's is sorta worse. The apartments remain my least favorite level in any Silent Hill game, and that includes 4. Just can't recapture the magic of watching the plot unfold for the first time.
Biggest Replay Turnaround: Evil Within
I didn't like this game as I was playing it the first time, and only came to appreciate it at the very end of my first playthrough. I did a replay this year and, with my new perspective, loved the shit out of it the whole way through.
I didn't like this game as I was playing it the first time, and only came to appreciate it at the very end of my first playthrough. I did a replay this year and, with my new perspective, loved the shit out of it the whole way through.
This Is Why I Don't Trust You Bitches: Signalis
This game was praised to high hell, being talked about as the ultimate survival horror game blended with the ultimate sci-fi experience which is experienced via the ultimate romance. Then I played it and found fragile mechanics and boring level design. Sometimes I wake up at night and wonder about this one.
This game was praised to high hell, being talked about as the ultimate survival horror game blended with the ultimate sci-fi experience which is experienced via the ultimate romance. Then I played it and found fragile mechanics and boring level design. Sometimes I wake up at night and wonder about this one.
This Is Why I Love You Bitches: Mega Man Legends 2
I don't think I ever would have bothered with this little series if I hadn't seen so much praise over here, but I love it. I love all three games, and it sparked me to actually start loving Mega Man. Which is also why I played Mega Man Zero 3/4, which are also awesome.
I don't think I ever would have bothered with this little series if I hadn't seen so much praise over here, but I love it. I love all three games, and it sparked me to actually start loving Mega Man. Which is also why I played Mega Man Zero 3/4, which are also awesome.
Biggest Surprise: Aliens Dark Descent
I thought this game would be the lower end of mediocre at best, but it really did justice to the license while being difficult and memorable. For the most part. The end sucked. And it was pretty buggy when I played. But even so, I feel confident putting this next to Alien Isolation as how to do it right, which is pretty shocking.
I thought this game would be the lower end of mediocre at best, but it really did justice to the license while being difficult and memorable. For the most part. The end sucked. And it was pretty buggy when I played. But even so, I feel confident putting this next to Alien Isolation as how to do it right, which is pretty shocking.
Funniest Playthrough: Mushihimesama
I played this game after not playing shmups for 6 years, in a mumble server in front of like 5 people who had been playing a ton of them. Their reactions to my bullshittery as I yolo'd through patterns while improvising songs about how fucked I am will live on in my heart forever.
I played this game after not playing shmups for 6 years, in a mumble server in front of like 5 people who had been playing a ton of them. Their reactions to my bullshittery as I yolo'd through patterns while improvising songs about how fucked I am will live on in my heart forever.
Refunded Mark of Shame: Tormented Souls
The main character was stripped naked before you even get gameplay control, and involves a direct copy of Silent Hill's otherworld. Nope, I'm outtie.
The main character was stripped naked before you even get gameplay control, and involves a direct copy of Silent Hill's otherworld. Nope, I'm outtie.
Most Neutral: Chants of Sennaar
I feel like I should have a lot to say about this game, and started penning notes as I played because I thought I would write a review. Nope. Fun little puzzle game, good presentation, but that was all I felt. Hm.
I feel like I should have a lot to say about this game, and started penning notes as I played because I thought I would write a review. Nope. Fun little puzzle game, good presentation, but that was all I felt. Hm.
Game of the Year that Actually Came Out This Year: Hi-Fi Rush
Wrote a full review, so don't need to say anything here. Another W for Tango, the masterminds behind The Evil WIthin.
Wrote a full review, so don't need to say anything here. Another W for Tango, the masterminds behind The Evil WIthin.
Worst Game of the Year: Gnosia
I wrote a full review for this too. Do not buy this game, holy fuck.
I wrote a full review for this too. Do not buy this game, holy fuck.
Game of Any Year: Torment
Every other game this year has the misfortune of sharing a year where I replayed this. I thought I had mentally exaggerated how cool this game is, mixing it with other people's popular opinions at how cool it is. Nah, it really is that cool. I loved it even more this time than I did last time.
Every other game this year has the misfortune of sharing a year where I replayed this. I thought I had mentally exaggerated how cool this game is, mixing it with other people's popular opinions at how cool it is. Nah, it really is that cool. I loved it even more this time than I did last time.