2023 - Best to Worst
Includes every game I've finished for the first time in the year 2023.
Doesn't include smaller DLCs.
Not counting remasters/remakes from games I've already played the original before (Metroid Prime Remastered, Demon's Souls) or replays
Doesn't include smaller DLCs.
Not counting remasters/remakes from games I've already played the original before (Metroid Prime Remastered, Demon's Souls) or replays
61 Games
Oh God, where do I start? From the first hours of Early Access, I had this gut feeling that this would become one of my all-time favorite games. And you know what? That feeling never faded. I absolutely love Against the Storm. The game's development was smooth, free of problems, and they actively implemented player requests. I'm thrilled to have been part of it. The setting is captivating, the mechanics work seamlessly both in the game and in my mind, and the whole rainpunk aesthetic is just fantastic. After 250 hours and with the 1.0 release, this is a game I'll return to whenever I need that special feeling that only a few games can provide. It's not just the best release of 2023; it's one of the greatest games of all time.
1
More streamlined and straightforward than the Nioh games, but satisfying in its own way. The new systems, such as parrying and morale, add great variety to the combat, which is still excellent. I loved the setting, which was a nice change of pace, and I'm glad that Wo Long exists as its own thing. I really hope they make another game in this new IP. My only complaint is that it's too short, but when that's your biggest problem with a game, you know it's a winner.
2
Coral Island brought to me the same feeling I had when I played Stardew Valley, but this time without a lockdown pandemic. I think it captures exactly what makes these games so fun to play. And I really liked the game's own twist—the ocean and museum part of it.
I had a lot of fun collecting things, growing my crops, and caring for my cows. Sadly, unlike the godly run of Against the Storm, the game feels a bit rushed even after the 1.0 release, so I will hopefully wait for a more completed version in 2.0 in 2024, so I can put 70 more hours into it and have a great time.
I had a lot of fun collecting things, growing my crops, and caring for my cows. Sadly, unlike the godly run of Against the Storm, the game feels a bit rushed even after the 1.0 release, so I will hopefully wait for a more completed version in 2.0 in 2024, so I can put 70 more hours into it and have a great time.
3
Enhanced the first one for me, and the two combined are better than being analyzed as separate games after all. I think the smaller gameplay changes were for the better, and the game didn't overstay its welcome. The way the plot flows from one game to another makes it a perfect duology. It was great the way DDS2 continues from DDS1, and the themes throughout both games were great. The ending was so satisfying, considering the journey
4
Where do I even begin? Let's start with the name. Just as "Breath of the Wild" perfectly encapsulated that game, "Wonder" aptly represents this colorful, beautiful, and awe-inspiring experience. It feels like the true successor to "Super Mario World," emerging 33 years later. "Super Mario World" was the first game I ever played, and it's filled with nostalgic memories. "Wonder" evoked that same childlike sense of discovery from finding secret stages in that game in the 90's to the joyful holiday moments I experienced while playing "Galaxy" and "Galaxy 2" over a decade ago.
What sets "Wonder" apart is its unbridled freedom. It defies preconceptions about what a Mario game should be. It introduces a plethora of new enemies, fresh concepts for familiar foes, inventive level design, and novel ways power-ups function (like the glider cap and wall jump, which I loved). The new character animations infuse the game with vitality and high-effort craftsmanship. To be honest, I didn't expect this level of greatness from a new 2D Mario game, but here it is, one of the finest platformers ever.
If it weren't for my mild disappointment with the OST and some of the boss battles, this game would be a solid 5-star masterpiece. The sheer creativity displayed by the Mario team at Nintendo is nothing short of extraordinary. Here's hoping for more of this brilliance in the future.
What sets "Wonder" apart is its unbridled freedom. It defies preconceptions about what a Mario game should be. It introduces a plethora of new enemies, fresh concepts for familiar foes, inventive level design, and novel ways power-ups function (like the glider cap and wall jump, which I loved). The new character animations infuse the game with vitality and high-effort craftsmanship. To be honest, I didn't expect this level of greatness from a new 2D Mario game, but here it is, one of the finest platformers ever.
If it weren't for my mild disappointment with the OST and some of the boss battles, this game would be a solid 5-star masterpiece. The sheer creativity displayed by the Mario team at Nintendo is nothing short of extraordinary. Here's hoping for more of this brilliance in the future.
5
This year, I played Abyss, and it immediately claimed the spot of my favorite Tales Of title. It's a fortunate coincidence that the next Tales Of game I played is likely just as good, if not better. I adored Arise – it's an absolutely stunning, enjoyable, and charming game.
It takes a weighty theme like slavery and, in my opinion, handles it rather effectively, even though it eventually delves into high-fantasy territory – a trademark of the Tales Of series. The game manages to maintain a grounded experience at various points, boasting excellent character development and visuals (some of my favorite party character designs ever, without a doubt).
I can empathize with long-time Tales Of fans who might have felt a sense of betrayal with this game, though I don't believe Arise veered as far from the series' essence as other franchises like Final Fantasy have at times. The boss fights provide an exhilarating thrill, and although I mainly played as Alphen, the other characters were intriguing to play as during the limited time I spent with them (particularly in the coliseum).
Towards the end, the game does drag a bit. I believe the story elements could have been more evenly distributed throughout the campaign instead of being heavily concentrated towards the conclusion. Nevertheless, this didn't diminish my fondness for the game in the least.
It takes a weighty theme like slavery and, in my opinion, handles it rather effectively, even though it eventually delves into high-fantasy territory – a trademark of the Tales Of series. The game manages to maintain a grounded experience at various points, boasting excellent character development and visuals (some of my favorite party character designs ever, without a doubt).
I can empathize with long-time Tales Of fans who might have felt a sense of betrayal with this game, though I don't believe Arise veered as far from the series' essence as other franchises like Final Fantasy have at times. The boss fights provide an exhilarating thrill, and although I mainly played as Alphen, the other characters were intriguing to play as during the limited time I spent with them (particularly in the coliseum).
Towards the end, the game does drag a bit. I believe the story elements could have been more evenly distributed throughout the campaign instead of being heavily concentrated towards the conclusion. Nevertheless, this didn't diminish my fondness for the game in the least.
6
I'm pretty happy to finally be able to play this game in English, and the fan translation didn't disappoint me. The game was also great - a natural evolution from the Dawn/Dusk games with charming sprites and a nice progression. I think it's the strongest game in the Story Trilogy on DS. The only thing that I think could be improved is the balance of the plate mechanic. I didn't feel that the difficulty at the higher stages was balanced, and I think you should have more options for better tools.
7
I can finally say that I love RE4. But it's the remake. It feels like a true Resident Evil game that incorporates action, rather than an action game with a few RE elements. Ashley is a better character now, and the survival horror elements are infinitely better. Everything feels great. However, like the original, the game overstays its welcome (although not as much as the original with the og island level). Unfortunately, Ada is worse in this version. Her voice acting performance is subpar, and her role in the story is not as good.
8
Truly beautiful. I really like how, initially, everything may appear overwhelming and contrived, but it gradually unfolds in an organic and thoughtful manner. The camaraderie among the party members, the thematic depth, and the overall flow of the game are remarkable. The dungeon design is exceptional, the cities are visually stunning, and the villain rivals the likes of Dhaos. The game handles sorrowful themes with the same sincerity and levity that great animes do. Abyss is a gem of a game that provided me with an enjoyable experience throughout, surpassing Symphonia in almost every aspect. As for the gameplay, I'm still undecided on whether I prefer this or Symphonia, but everything else is undoubtedly a significant improvement. Guy stands out as the best bro ever and while Anise may be considered the weakest link in the game by far, she is far from being the worst character ever after you get deep in the gameplay. The OST, while not bad, doesn't quite match the greatness of this game, except for its incredible opening. This is the best Tales of game I have played thus far.
9
Impressive. My expectations were set higher than its already enjoyable predecessor, and this installment surpassed them. Although I harbored more criticism than praise for the distinctly '90s dub, it's hard to ignore the tremendous qualities of the game. Granted, the dungeon enemies turned infuriatingly challenging in the final third of the game, but overall, Lunar 2 showcases brilliance.
It encapsulates all the hallmarks of an exceptional '90s JRPG, which, for me, embodies the pinnacle of gaming. The character roster is solid, villains are engaging, and the sprite work is undeniably charming. The adorable aesthetics of the game, coupled with a bounty of anime cutscenes, left me thoroughly impressed. Lunar 2 claims the title of my favorite Gamearts creation, and forms a seamless connection with the first Lunar game. Outstanding.
It encapsulates all the hallmarks of an exceptional '90s JRPG, which, for me, embodies the pinnacle of gaming. The character roster is solid, villains are engaging, and the sprite work is undeniably charming. The adorable aesthetics of the game, coupled with a bounty of anime cutscenes, left me thoroughly impressed. Lunar 2 claims the title of my favorite Gamearts creation, and forms a seamless connection with the first Lunar game. Outstanding.
10
A sequel better at pretty much everything. Gone was the random encounters on cities, now you get access to one more demon in battle and the flow of battle is all around better. An example how a sequel should be, really. Most of the dialog it's pretty fun as the first one and OST is Atlus goodness. The plot is not as interesting as the first one but it's not bad either. Great flow and pacing too, the only misstep is the battle against the four riders being the way it was. I can see someone getting softlocked with it easily.
11
Ghost Trick is a joy to play, with a compelling plot, memorable characters, and an outstanding OST. It's incredibly satisfying to witness each new cool animation, experience new gameplay concepts, or unravel one mystery of the game, only for the game to introduce another. At times, the gameplay can be slightly clunky, particularly when dealing with certain puzzle solutions, but it's a minor issue. In the end it's a idea executed really well and a pretty creative game.
12
This is a great platformer, it really understands why the original trilogy was so great. And it's hard as nails too, I can't see myself ever getting close to platinum this one. That said it was pretty good to overcome the main campaign and the game even puts more checkpoints if you start to die a lot. So, it's hard and challenging but in the main campaign at least doesn't feel cheap. Just demands a better level of execution from the player. The gameplay of the new characters are all great, Tawna could get a game for herself even, I would be there to play it. Insane amount of content too.
13
It's Ginga Force, but now in horizontal mode, and with a much larger budget and more attention to detail. It's a genuinely great and fun game to play, with varied stages and everything working seamlessly. It's easily one of my favorite shmup games. The game is somewhat easier than Ginga Force, but it feels like it's because everything works better and you have more options this time.
14
The ultimate Theatrhythm experience for me. I appreciated the gameplay changes and the expanded selection of songs is fantastic. It's also commendable how much care was put into the order of the songs on each map, mirroring the original games' progress. The visuals for the scenarios were all fantastic as well. I hope to see more of Square's older games getting this kind of attention. Overall, this is the perfect way to spend some time.
15
Katamari is always a blast, isn't it? This one feels somewhat more challenging compared to others in the series. All the sparks of creativity that define Katamari are once again present throughout the game. Additionally, this remaster surpasses the remaster of the first game, which is quite commendable. The inclusion of the Royal Reverie content is also a nice addition.
16
Harvest Moon on PS1 was a cornerstone of my childhood, so I was eager to play this remake. Honestly, it did a great job modernizing the game and trimming some unnecessary elements. Sometimes, I find the animals even cuter. Nearly all the changes were for the better, except for not receiving a puppy at the start like in the original. While this one might not carry the same emotional weight, and I've played better games in the genre like Stardew Valley and Coral Island, it was still a nice and enjoyable experience.
17
It's a bit challenging to judge TOTK. On one hand, I can appreciate and understand the marvel and inventiveness of the new mechanics introduced in this game. Exploring the world was an enjoyable experience, and once I started playing, it was difficult to put the controller down. However, on the other hand, it doesn't quite capture the heights and sense of wonder achieved in Breath of the Wild. I feel that the shrines aren't as impressive as before, and the temples don't surpass the Divine Beasts in terms of quality by that much, in my opinion. While it's understandable that they reused the entire map, it does diminish the sense of encountering something entirely new that was so prevalent in the first game. Nonetheless, it remains a great game, and the final boss battle is way better this time around. It's an 8 by now but can be a 7 for me eventually.
18
The co-op experience is pretty painless and enjoyable and probably the best way to play Dragon's Crown. That said, the visuals are a bit of a mixed bag. While some of the artwork is beautiful and whimsical, the exaggerated character art and fanservice are a turnoff for me. The gameplay can also become chaotic, but the UI options help with character visibility. Some boss fights are really intense.
19
This is a really slow game, all the influences are obvious and I really don't think the way the levels are implemented are good, the battles are pretty slow and few and far between but despite these flaws, Chained Echoes is a great homage to those classic games. The story becomes increasingly crazy, and I'm all in for it. As an indie game, Chained Echoes is impressive in scope, and the party is well developed. It won me over in the end
20
Way better than I expected. While I'm not a big fan of the character designs, everything else in the game is tailored to my tastes when it comes to shmups. I especially enjoyed the upgrade systems and would love to see more of that in the genre. The second-to-last stage is one of the most intense I've ever seen in a shmup, and learning it was a great experience
21
Devil Survivor 2 falls short in comparison to its predecessor in almost every aspect, but I'm still glad that we got a second game in the series. The gameplay is enjoyable and different enough from mainline SMT games to make it worthwhile. However, the characters, OST, and overall progression don't quite measure up to the first game. Perhaps a third installment in the series could be worth exploring? I hope to see Atlus trying again. The first one is almost a classic.
22
While the 3D version still holds a special place in my eyes, this pixel remaster offers a faster-paced alternative for those looking to revisit FF3. However, I did miss the depth of characterization and uniqueness present in the 3D version, and it's a shame these aspects weren't integrated here. Nonetheless, having essentially a SNES version of FF3 is a plus, and the quality-of-life improvements make a significant difference. The option to save anywhere is a welcome addition, and the newly arranged OST is excellent. It's worth noting that FF3 still feels like it is pretty much a DQ game, not having a identity of its own until FF4.
23
Wow, what an insane storyline! Although the game can be frustrating at times (and it progressively becomes more difficult to progress with each ending), it holds a unique charm. It's the type of madness that you rarely see with such a budget nowadays. This game feels incredibly authoral and unhinged, and even if I don't agree with every decision, I can certainly appreciate the boldness it took to create something like this. Personally, I don't find the gameplay as bad as some people claim, but a remake could greatly enhance the experience of Drakengard. However, the real standout is the OST, which is truly one of the most outstanding compositions in video game history. It reaches its peak just before the end with that incredible, haunting piece in Ending E. It's pure brilliance.
24
That was a pleasant surprise. I liked how the first Breath of Fire was essentially a Dragon Quest clone, but with the second game, Capcom decided to expand and create a larger game with serious themes, more elaborated characters, and a bigger world. I'm all for it! The plot gets kind of dark at some parts, reminiscent of some older RPGs of that decade, and the game becomes brutally difficult at times (honestly, I had an easier time with some Megami Tensei games).
I believe this one needed a better battle system to become a SNES classic. Debuffs don't work well, and the way the Dragon transformations functioned was a bit lackluster. The shaman fusions were cool, though implemented in a somewhat awkward way too.
I believe this one needed a better battle system to become a SNES classic. Debuffs don't work well, and the way the Dragon transformations functioned was a bit lackluster. The shaman fusions were cool, though implemented in a somewhat awkward way too.
25
Overall, it's quite enjoyable, although occasionally feeling a tad cheaper and lacking in polish. The second campaign could have benefited from more variety as well – it felt somewhat akin to replaying the other campaign. Incorporating a system similar to the zapping mechanic in the original Resident Evil 2 would have sufficed. Nevertheless, if you're someone who, like me, holds a deep fondness for classic survival horror, it's a worthwhile experience.
26
Despite being the weakest entry in the Fatal Frame series, this game still holds up as a solid experience, thanks to the strength of its tried-and-true formula. However, I believe there could have been more effort put into translating the character controls and prompts to better suit the controller scheme. It felt somewhat cumbersome compared to the norm of the game genre and other Fatal Frame titles. Additionally, the abundance of characters negatively impacts the game's pacing, although the new "camera" with one of the characters adds a refreshing twist. It's unfortunate that you challenge the final boss battle with the least satisfying character in terms of gameplay, but the piano element of the battle helps redeem it to some extent.
27
Adorned with adorable character designs, this game conceals a surprisingly robust beat 'em up/2D platformer experience. Goku's controls are remarkably fluid, and the one-on-one battles are so enjoyable. The level of competence displayed by this game surpasses expectations, making it all the more impressive. I'm confident that someday, I'll find myself compelled to revisit this one.
28
Bigger and better than its predecessor in nearly every aspect. However, the inclusion of online-only trophies is a questionable decision. In my opinion, this is the type of game that doesn't lend itself well to cooperative play.
29
It suffers a bit due to its simplicity, but I'm a sucker for alien concepts like this one. It lends such a great atmosphere to games of this nature. I'm a bit divided on whether the lack of information and text in the game is good or bad; I think it's a bit of both, after all. Anyway, that was a good game to invest 10-12 hours into.
30
Really nice game if you just want to relax and have a good time with someone. Everything is pretty easy to understand, and the visuals are pleasing to look at. I appreciate how the difficulty works in this game, with levels that gradually increase in challenge, so the gameplay never becomes too monotonous. Additionally, some of the sidequests are nicely integrated into the main storyline. I can't get enough of this loot-system either, so addictive
31
This is probably their most unique game overall. Each character in the game has a distinct playing style, which makes for an interesting and varied experience. I also really enjoyed the setting, being a sucker for Japanese folklore. It's really nice.
32
The weakest game from Team Ladybug, as the mechanics aren't as interesting as their other games. Visually, it's pretty good, but the character design in this one isn't as appealing either. Nevertheless, it's still a fun game, but it's clearly inferior to Synchronicity Prologue and Lodoss War. The OST, however, is probably their best effort so far, which gives it an extra point.
33
This one is more balanced, creative, and intense than its predecessor. The alien atmosphere and exceptional OST contribute significantly to its appeal with boss fights that were all enjoyable. Like many arcade-inspired games, the latter part of the game can become quite challenging and punishing. Nevertheless, the experience is ultimately rewarding. I can't help but think that the Panzer Dragoon universe holds untapped potential for much more material than we had.
34
The perfect game for a chill session. It feels significantly more polished and of higher quality than the first installment, which is a pleasant surprise. However, navigating the world map can be a bit cumbersome.
35
Cute game with nice stages. I don't think it's better than Super Bomberman IV but it's close enough. Some bosses are kind of bad though.
36
Pretty appealing visually, probably the best DoDonPachi game so far.
37
A really nice and unique mechanic in this game. It takes a bit of time to understand, but once it clicks, it really clicks.
38
Just a copy of Dragon Quest, but honestly, I'm not one to complain. BoF1 incorporates many great elements that DQ gets right, such as quality of life features like dungeon exit spells and teleportation, charming sprites, and a simple yet enjoyable traditional plot. It does have a few gameplay imbalances, but they're not infuriating. Overall, it's a good start to the series. I played it with the War of the Goddess mod.
39
This sequel is a significant improvement over the first game. Recharging your weapon now only requires a single button press. The stages are more diverse and engaging compared to the original, with each offering two distinct paths to choose from. The enduring low-poly charm remains intact.
40
A pleasant experience, albeit infused with the expected touch of challenging classicvania difficulty. The boss battles, particularly against Dracula, offered enjoyable encounters. I'm uncertain whether it's due to my selection of normal difficulty, but I found enemy damage to be slightly higher than anticipated. Nevertheless, the game delivers an enjoyable time, complemented by appealing visuals.
41
Hard to talk about this one. Really liked Kevin in SC, and a game entirely focused on him seemed like a great idea, especially since it's a pure dungeon crawler, one of my favorite genres. However, it didn't work out as well as I had hoped. There were many repetitive story beats, the structure wasn't good, and the pacing was really bad. There was just too much uninteresting information that buried the interesting parts of the universe, making this one the worst of the trilogy. The Kiseki writers could have used some editing to make the story more concise and interesting, and some parts could have been removed altogether (Kloe and school again? Come on). However, the OST is fantastic, and the gameplay is an improvement over the first two games. Thankfully, starting with Crossbell, the series returns to a more traditional JRPG structure.
42
A pleasantly laid-back game. The absence of controller compatibility was a minor drawback for me, but overall, it was an enjoyable experience. The gameplay loop is quite engaging.
43
Fun gameplay, appealing character design, and thematic cohesion. However, I always feel that these types of games last longer than they should, and that's why Tunche is rated a 6 instead of a 7. Still, it's probably the strongest 6 ever.
44
I mean, it had a pretty nice cast of characters between the old timers and the new ones (visually all of them looked simply amazing), but the game does drag. The protect-the-flag stages are the worst ones and there are too much of them. I did have fun though, DQ is always good on my book. I can't be to harsh on the game though, Yangus and Healix are so precious afterall.
45
This game feels like such a missed opportunity. It's astonishing how one aspect almost completely ruins the entire experience. Darkside Chronicles clearly had a much higher budget and presents a well-executed retelling of the events from Resident Evil 2 and the original campaign is truly remarkable. However, the shaky camera implementation is absolutely detrimental. It's a poor design decision, especially for a rail shooter game. The camera instability is so severe that it almost surpasses the flaws of the original game, single-handedly dragging down the overall experience by a lot.
46
Despite the developers clearly being on a tight budget, I had a lot of fun with this game. As someone who enjoys playing these types of games in co-op, I was disappointed by the single-player campaigns. However, the game does a commendable job of adapting the events from the original games, which impressed me. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the RE Zero scenario presented here is the best way to experience Rebecca and Billy's story, considering that the original game itself isn't very good.
47
Better than the first one and honestly on par with some mainline Mario games if not much better (like Lost Levels and 2.) I really like the Super Mario World style map too.
48
This game turned out to be more well-made than I had anticipated. Visually, it is quite good, and despite its focus on USA politics, its themes can be easily translated to democratic socialism in other countries. I found some of the events to be eerily similar to real-world occurrences in the country I live in. It was refreshing to witness an anti-imperialist portrayal of the USA for once. As a strong advocate of popular power, it was easy for me to get reelected. However, the game's simplicity left me wanting more.
49
Thunder Force IV is a frenetic shoot-em-up that can feel a bit cheap at times, especially in the later stages, but that's typical of the genre. The visuals can be confusing, with enemies and scenery blending together, but I enjoyed the verticality of the stages. The 99-lives system is helpful for learning the game, and the OST is pretty good
50
Decent with a pleasant OST. The visuals are uniquely appealing. However, it could benefit from a more intricate weapon system and slightly longer stages.
51
The second stage proved to be more challenging than the third one. Additionally, I found the requirement to press the button twice for a recharge a bit taxing on the thumbs. Poor hostages, I accidentally shot so many during my playthrough
52
Remember how Miyazaki had Sekiro, Kojima had Peace Walker, and Akifumi Kaneko had Wild Arms 4? No one is immune to imperfection; everyone has a work that falls short. In the case of Takahashi, it's Xenosaga. Perhaps I'll find more enjoyment in it if I eventually complete the trilogy, but for now, it's strikingly average when compared to Xenogears and Xenoblade, which is truly a disappointment.
This game represents Takahashi's most cryptic, least captivating, and most bewildering creation. Regrettably, it's often for the wrong reasons. Visually, it's not exactly eye-catching either; character design has always been a weak aspect of Takahashi's works, but the Xenosaga series takes this flaw to the extreme. The game features a cast of characters that look downright silly.
I genuinely feel that this narrative structure does no favors to the essence of Takahashi's game design. In Xenogears, you'd gradually uncover the truth after an initial cutscene, but it was connected by a coherent thread of events. Xenosaga, on the other hand, bombards you with isolated facts lacking a cohesive narrative to follow. While I am aware of Xenosaga 3's positive reputation, I'm not sure if I'm up for playing Xenosaga 2 at this moment. Only time will tell.
This game represents Takahashi's most cryptic, least captivating, and most bewildering creation. Regrettably, it's often for the wrong reasons. Visually, it's not exactly eye-catching either; character design has always been a weak aspect of Takahashi's works, but the Xenosaga series takes this flaw to the extreme. The game features a cast of characters that look downright silly.
I genuinely feel that this narrative structure does no favors to the essence of Takahashi's game design. In Xenogears, you'd gradually uncover the truth after an initial cutscene, but it was connected by a coherent thread of events. Xenosaga, on the other hand, bombards you with isolated facts lacking a cohesive narrative to follow. While I am aware of Xenosaga 3's positive reputation, I'm not sure if I'm up for playing Xenosaga 2 at this moment. Only time will tell.
53
Oh, this idea is so good, but the execution is so bad... It's a shame. The camera doesn't work well, the platforming can be a nightmare, and sometimes things just don't work as they should. I did have a good time, but more because it was a nice co-op experience than due to the game's own merits.
54
The saying goes, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all," and given Sekiro's popularity, I will leave it at that. However, I'm glad I completed it and don't feel the need to play it ever again. I'm also glad that FromSoftware returned to their dark fantasy "soulslike" games after Sekiro. Sekiro is not in the same genre as Souls and Bloodborne, despite what some may believe.
55
This game is definitely an improvement over Lost Levels, but it still doesn't quite feel like a Mario game. However, it's great to see classic Mario characters making their first appearance here, and the visuals are cute on the SNES version.
56
This is a really disappointing game, probably the worst in the franchise. It has some nice ideas, and the soundtrack is pretty good, but it's a poorly balanced mess with various degrees of cheapness. The progression feels absurdly slow, the bosses aren't fun, and you never evolve your Digimon (only in NG+ playthroughs). It's only tolerable in co-op, and it would probably receive an even worse rating if I had played it solo (although I don't think I would have even beaten it).
58
Or, how to ruin a console car simulator: Exhibit B. What a shame. What a pathetic attempt. I thought that my disappointment with Gran Turismo 7 would be the biggest I would ever have with a beloved racing car series, but there's this game to prove me wrong. First, talking about the PC problems: Why does this look so washed out and uglier than both Horizon 5 and FM7, and run WAY WORSE than both? That aside, the game is uninteresting, with boring tournament designs (all the older Forzas did it better), the visuals lack color, and the structure is just unfun.
I'll never forgive the GaaS gaming model for ruining two of my favorite series ever. But this isn't the only culprit here; the game is bad. With Gran Turismo 7, I was just sad that behind this shitty GaaS model (even worse than in here), the game was at least pretty good. I can't say the same about Forza Motorsport 2023, by far the worst Forza game ever (and it's not even close, sadly).
I'll never forgive the GaaS gaming model for ruining two of my favorite series ever. But this isn't the only culprit here; the game is bad. With Gran Turismo 7, I was just sad that behind this shitty GaaS model (even worse than in here), the game was at least pretty good. I can't say the same about Forza Motorsport 2023, by far the worst Forza game ever (and it's not even close, sadly).
59
This game is worse than the last two in every way, even graphically, which is pretty baffling. The gameplay felt more clunky as well
60
I can think of many "accolades" for this one. It's the worst sequel of all time, the worst game in a great franchise, and even the worst game of all time wouldn't be too far off. It's absolute trash. It's insane how difficult it is to control Mario in this game, and the level design is pure hell. I can understand why Nintendo of America didn't want to put a "2" on this game in the west.
61