2023 has been a busy year for my blog. I got to play and review 60 new games, made a couple of new partnerships, and saw my blog grow in a way I never would have imagined. When I first started this blog, I expected it to be me complaining to the void about movies. I never imagined all the opportunities it would open up, and I am extremely grateful.
I want to thank you all for reading my content because none of this would have been possible without your support. It means so much to have people out there that care about what I have to say. I wish you all the happiest of New Year. I love you all!
According to Steam, I played 64 games this year, so I think it’s time to highlight some of my favorites. It was hard to choose only ten because I got to play a lot of cool games this year. After much deliberation, and in no particular order, I managed to come up with a list. I’ll leave a table of contents so you can skip to the game you want to read about.
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1. Viewfinder
2023 was great for puzzle games, and Viewfinder easily stands out against the genre. Viewfinder allows players to solve puzzles by using pictures to manipulate the world. The game offers players unrivaled freedom to puzzle solving, a beautiful and imaginative world, a solid story, and a phenomenal soundtrack. I love puzzle games, and the amount of fun I had with the mechanics is nearly immeasurable. This was one of the games I nearly finished without breaks because of how invested I became with solving the puzzles. If you enjoyed the Portal games, you are going to love Viewfinder. Check out the full review.
2.Planet of Lana
I couldn’t have this list without at least mentioning Planet of Lana. This game was such a beautiful delight that I’ll always recommend it to everyone.
Aliens have invaded the planet and are taking its people, and Lana’s sister is one of them. With the help of her cute cat companion, she must brave the perilous landscape to bring her back. Can she do it before it is too late?
As Lana, players explore a mysterious planet where they solve puzzles, pick up clues, and learn about a forgotten history. I am a huge fan of the artwork for this game and a bigger fan of the soundtrack, but what sells it is the gameplay. You won’t experience a more relaxing or enjoyable experience than what you get from Planet of Lana. The game has fun puzzles, a solid story, a fantastic aesthetic, and a cute cat. If you’re looking for a chill and memorable puzzle adventure game, get Planet of Lana. Check out the full review.
3. Sea of Stars
I loved every minute of Sea of Stars and if you haven’t played it yet, you need to. I am a huge fan of the pixel art, it has a rocking soundtrack, and a solid story, but the gameplay is what sets it apart from the rest of the genre.
Valarie and Zale must use the power of the Sun and Moon to put an end to the evil alchemist known as the Fleshmancer. With the help of their friends, they must join forces and protect the world from the evil that threatens it.
If you enjoy turn-based RPGs, Sea of Stars should already be in your library. The game features a neat leveling system and an interesting artifact system that allows players to adjust the difficulty as they play. What sets the game apart is how creative combat is. Sea of Stars offers a more active approach to turn-based combat where players need to time their blocks and attacks to maximize their effectiveness. I assure you that you’ve never experienced anything like this. But if you don’t believe me, there is a demo you need to try. Check out the full review.
4. Worldless
Worldless was such a unique platforming RPG experience that it needed to be on this list. I love the minimalistic aesthetic, but the complexity of its combat system is what made this game for me.
In the early stages of the universe, existence was filled with conflict. Powerful beings existed in constant conflict and fought to find their place in the universe. You play as one of these beings and must travel through the chaos to find your place within it. Unravel the truths of the universe as you fight for your survival, travel to new and mysterious lands, and unlock your truest potential.
Worldless offers players a beautiful world full of vibrant colors and sound. It is a platformer, but it is very manageable, especially for beginners. What sets this game apart is its rhythm-inspired turn-based combat system. To beat an encounter, players must time all their actions perfectly. It’s a system that makes the game engaging, but also gives it its challenge. If you are looking for a new RPG Platformer, check out Worldless. Make sure you read the full review.
5. Disgeae 7: Vows of the Virtueless
Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless was such a delight to play. I loved its silly tone, the art style, and quirky gameplay. If you are looking for a wholesome good time and don’t mind the overt anime style, this game is a solid choice.
Disgaea 7 is a JRPG where you follow Pirilika, a young rich demon, as she pursues her dreams to live a true bushido lifestyle. With the unlikely help of the demon Fuji, they embark on an adventure to bring the forgotten way of Bushido to the demonic realm of Hinomoto.
You don’t need to have played any of the other games in the series to pick up Disgaea 7. The story is silly, but it is pretty self-contained. I loved the super cute artwork and the humor of the story, but the combat in this game made me feel like I was a tactical genius. Combat in this game is not only adorable, it is engaging and you can change the difficulty whenever you want. This is definitely one of my favorites, and I highly recommend it. Check out the full review.
5. Backpack Hero
Backpack Hero is a great choice for anyone trying to pick up a game to sit back and relax. The art is cute, the gameplay is fun and engaging, and it is not a huge commitment.
Backpack Hero is an inventory management roguelike where players dive into procedurally generated dungeons in search of treasure and fame. You’ll often find too much treasure during your delve, and will often need to reconfigure what you take with you. As daunting as that idea may seem, it works.
I loved the randomness of each run. I had so much fun managing my resources and trying to find the right combination to get me a little further each time. Combat is a simple turn-based system, but the items you pick up along the way are what affect your success in an encounter. The absolute freedom the game gives you to build whatever you want makes the game the gem that it is. If you are looking for a new roguelike, go get Backback Hero. Check out the full review.
6. Steam World Build
I got a few village builders this year that were all fun, but SteamWorld Build has to be my favorite. It has such a cute aesthetic, fantastic flavor, and the best gameplay loop of the batch.
The world is about to end, and the remaining survivors must find a way off the planet. Build a settlement of robots who must dig through the mines to find their salvation. But the mines are full of dangerous monsters and unknown secrets. Can you find a way off the planet before it is too late?
I became obsessed with SteamWorld Build and had to force myself away. It starts like your traditional village builder, but there is also a tower defense element, some creative resource management mechanics, and the cutest little citizens you’ll have the pleasure of governing. If you’re new to the genre or simply looking for something new, check out SteamWorld Build. Read the full review.
7. The 7th Guest
The 7th Guest is my favorite VR game of the year. It has a cool story, a spooky aesthetic, and amazing puzzles. The 7th Guest is a mystery puzzle game. Players must solve a series of puzzles to uncover the tragic events that transpired all those years ago.
An eccentric toymaker has gathered a collection of unlikely strangers to his house for a party. Little do they know that his intentions are nefarious. The guests find themselves inside the twisted game where the truths are uncomfortable, and the secrets are dark.
The game offers players an immersive experience and a great mystery played by fantastic actors. The cutscenes in this game alone are worth the price of admission. What I loved most about this game were the puzzles, and how creative the devs got with them. Each room and theme is designed perfectly to create an experience I’ve yet to forget. If you like puzzle games, get this game. Check out the full review.
8. Dameo
I know this game didn’t come out this year, but I did get to play it this year and loved every minute of it. Whether you play it in VR or PC, you can’t get a more authentic TTRPG experience than what you get from Demeo. If you enjoy board games, this game should be in your library.
Demeo is an RPG that effectively emulates the board game experience. Choose your hero and team up with friends, and strangers, or delve into the many dungeons on your own. Demeo combines a unique deck builder system with dice roles and turn-based movement to create an unforgettable experience.
I loved the art and aesthetics, but the gameplay is what made me addicted. I got to try both the VR and PC versions and enjoyed each for different reasons. I liked the immenseness of VR, but I appreciate the convenience of playing on a PC. If you’re looking for something new, I recommend you pick up Demeo. Read the full review.
9. Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
I’ve been waiting for Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader since it was announced, and I was not disappointed. I love the flavor, the aesthetic, the music, the story, and the combat. if you like Warhammer 40K, this game needs to be in your library.
As the empire’s newly appointed rogue trader, you must brace against the dangers of uncharted space and bring glory to the Emperor. But this won’t be an easy task. Face off against the horrors of the void, fend off bloodthirsty Tyranids, and make some money in the process. The journey will be horrific, and your choices will matter. What will be your story?
Owl Cat Games once again prove that they can make a fantastic tabletop experience. You can’t go wrong with any of their games, but Rogue Trader is easily my favorite. I love the flavor and lore it brings to the universe, but the combat is what made me keep playing. If you enjoy brutal dark fantasy and don’t mind turn-based strategy, get Rogue Trader. Read the full review.
10. Strayed Light
Last but not least we have Strayed Lights. I don’t normally go for soul-like games, but this one blew me away. The art is beautiful, the music is phenomenal, and the combat system is fantastic.
You play as a being of light who goes on a journey of self-discovery. Travel across a dreamlike world to cleanse the world of its darkness. Do you have what it takes to complete your journey?
Strayed Lights has such a fantastic narrative, but none of it is spoken. The way it can convey so much through the actions of the characters is something you need to experience once. The world that makes up Strayed Lights is beautiful. I loved the colors, the lights, and how creative the devs got with the wildlife. The game also featured my favorite soundtrack of the year.
The game features a unique combat parry system that makes it stick out against the other games in the genre. If you are in the market for a new soul-like, check out Strayed Lights. Read the full review.
