Digital Spy's 30 best games of 2023
Coming up with the best games of 2023 list was easy and difficult at the same time. Easy because there were so many good games that came out this past year, but difficult because with the quality so high, where do we start in ranking them?
2023 has been described by many as one of gaming's best years in recent history, and we would agree.
To list just a few highlights, we had the sequel to one of the greatest games of all time in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the mind-blowing return of Alan Wake after 13 years, the puzzle masterpiece that was The Talos Principle 2, and Baldur's Gate 3, an unbelievable role-playing achievement that captivated players around the world.
After much deliberating, we settled on our top 30 games of the year. But before we begin, we wanted to give a shout-out to Chained Echoes. While it was not eligible (and its December 2022 release meant it flew under the radar last year), the game impressed with a rich world brought to life through charming characters and wonderful music.
Elden Ring ended up taking the crown in 2022, but what is Digital Spy's 2023 Game of the Year? Scroll down to find out.
(Additional contributions by Joe Anderton.)
30) Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon
Presented in gorgeous watercolours as if straight from a children's book, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a charming and smaller-scale spin-off adventure, bursting with interesting puzzles and unique boss fights.
It's a much more intimate experience with a slower build in pace, but no less addictive for it, and offers a chance to delve deeper into the Bayonetta world.
Though the title lacks in complexity compared to the mainline games, it is a good jumping-off point for newcomers to the series and a perfect palate cleanser for returning fans. – Ben Rayner
Available on: Switch
29) Dave the Diver
Dave the Diver sounds simple at its core, but there is so much goodness squeezed into it.
Split between deep-sea exploration during the day and the running of a sushi restaurant during the night, the adventure/RPG hybrid manages to sustain itself throughout its beefy playtime, pulling off a gameplay loop in which the two halves interact with each other in a rewarding way.
Somehow, exploring the depths of the Blue Hole never got old, and while the number of mechanics the game throws at you threatens to become overwhelming, there is a delightful charm to Dave's adventures that make the hours fly by. – Jess Lee
28) Street Fighter 6
After the underwhelming Street Fighter 5, the popular fighting game series bounces back with one of its strongest entries yet. A diverse roster, wonderful online, and a surprisingly fun and involved single-player World Tour mode are just some of the parts that make Street Fighter 6 a complete package.
The fact that this is also one of the most accessible fighters out there makes it worthwhile for even novices to the genre.
The simplified 'modern' control scheme is hugely impactful, allowing new players to jump into the game and begin learning strategy without having to be overwhelmed by the controls. – JL
Available on: PC | PS4 | PS5 | Xbox Series X/S
27) Breakout 13
Sam Barlow aside, FMV games are a genre not taken as seriously — but Breakout 13, developed by Chinese developer ALT Lab, is an impressive piece of work.
At the centre of the story is teenager Zhang Yang, who is sent to a corrupt and abusive behavioural correction facility. The game follows his journey as he rebels, makes alliances with other troubled teens, and eventually attempts to overthrow the system.
The directing and cinematography add a striking level of polish, while the storytelling hits the mark with likeable characters and an emotionally satisfying pay-off (we're not ashamed to say that we teared up in the ending we got).
Clunky English translation aside, Breakout 13 is a thrilling ride worth experiencing. – JL
Available on: PC
26) Tchia
This charming open-world adventure blends together interesting traversal mechanics and a vibrant tropical environment to create a fun and chill experience.
You can climb, glide, swim and sail your way around the New Caledonia-inspired world, as well as morph yourself into any animal and object you see and take on their abilities.
With rewarding exploration, lots of character and boat customisation options and a touching coming-of-age story, Tchia is an easy recommendation for anyone looking to escape for a while. – Joe Draper
25) Viewfinder
At times, it can feel like Viewfinder only scratches the surface of what's possible with its tech in a puzzle setting, which is understandable as making it work at all is an achievement in itself.
But by bringing some cutting-edge ideas to the table, the game does more than enough to separate itself from any game in recent memory through flawlessly implemented concepts and clever design.
It repeatedly finds ways to surprise and impress, and deserves a spot in the photo album of must-play titles of the year. – JD
24) Marvel's Spider-Man 2
It's a tale as old as time: man finds alien costume, starts being horrible to everyone, gets better but also creates an evil tongue monster in the process.
Top-class writing and performances make Marvel's Spider-Man 2 one of the best versions of the Venom saga, while developer Insomniac Games was clever enough to balance the 'bigger' that you'd normally expect in a sequel with 'faster' and 'more variation'.
Sure, not every type of gameplay works (hologram bees, anyone?), but you've got to appreciate the wide-eyed Spidey-esque attempts at pleasing everyone. – Joe Anderton
Available on: PS5
23) Blasphemous 2
From the gloriously gruesome visuals to its ferociously paced combat and beautiful soundtrack, Blasphemous 2 is an instant classic in the Metroidvania genre.
A lot more care and attention have been put into the game's platforming elements this time around, while the upgrade systems on offer are easily deep enough to keep you experimenting right until the end. There is a deceivingly deep amount of customisation at play under the surface, should you look for it.
Animated cutscenes worthy of their own Netflix run add the final flourish to the game's intriguing storytelling. – BR
Available on: PC | PS5 | Switch | Xbox Series X/S
22) Diablo 4
Diablo 4 knows exactly what it is and wants to be. It's taken many of the best parts from previous entries and come out with one of the most accomplished and addictive RPGs in a long time.
Everything in the world of Sanctuary looks rich and tangible in a way other games in the series have slightly missed the mark on.
And with a deep character system, satisfying combat and an endgame that feels like only the start of your adventure, the game is a standout in the dungeon crawling genre, despite some post-launch missteps. – BR
Available on: PC | PlayStation | Xbox
21) Dead Space
The Dead Space remake is a masterful execution of both survival horror and remakes in general.
As the game walks the tightrope between new and old, it's clear that the team at EA Motive has put so much care and attention into retooling this survival horror classic and breathed new life into its aching bones — which is rather fitting for a horror story rooted in transformation and rebirth.
If you're new to the series, it's an absolute must to experience this wholly unique game, and thankfully there's more than enough excuse for older fans to step foot once more onto the USG Ishimura. – BR
Available on: PC | PS5 | Xbox Series X/S
20) Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
Spiritual successor, clone, imitation, blatant copy — whatever label you attribute to it, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is the closest thing to a Jet Set Radio Future follow-up right now. We enjoyed every minute and wished there was more when it ended.
It's a modernised love letter to Jet Set Radio that combines fun and stylistic gameplay with a kaleidoscope of updated Dreamcast-era visuals and sound to create a sequel in everything but name.
Sega recently announced that a third Jet Set Radio game was in development, but while we wait, this is the next best thing — and an exciting foundation for the future. – JD
Available on: PC | PlayStation | Switch | Xbox
19) Metroid Prime Remastered
While it's easy to imagine this remaster would be little more than a simple HD upscaling, the level of care that's been put into reviving the groundbreaking Metroid Prime is instantly noticeable, making this the 'prime' version of the game by far.
From the raindrops falling over Samus' visor to the modernised FPS controls, everything has been polished to great effect.
The HUD system draws you into Samus' world in a way not many shooters since its original release have been able to. The world of Tallon IV remains rich, with every crack and crevice harbouring a secret or purpose.
Full of atmosphere, beautiful environments, challenging puzzles and tough boss fights, Metroid Prime Remastered is essential. – BR
Available on: Switch
18) F-Zero 99
F-Zero 99 is Nintendo's best '99' game yet, which is nothing to take lightly.
Based on the SNES classic from the early '90s, this battle royale-esque take manages to replicate the high-speed tension the series is known for while adding chaos and having a surprisingly healthy amount of staying power. It may borrow the vehicles and tracks from the original game, but also implements some more modern ideas that add strategy to the races.
A satisfying blend of different elements makes this glorious revival of the F-Zero franchise stand out. Let's hope it won't be another 19 years before the next game. – JL
Available on: Switch
17) Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor surpasses the first game in every way, taking Fallen Order's strengths and flaws and improving every aspect of them.
Perfected level design, rewarding exploration and refined traversal mechanics combine successfully to make it a delight to play. It also manages to avoid open-world fatigue and separates itself from other titles in the genre by just being so fun to control, with intuitive movement combos that evolve as you play to keep the gameplay fresh.
If you're a Star Wars fan, this might be the closest you come to feeling like a Jedi, and even if you're not, you might just be playing one of the best action-adventure games in recent years. – JD
Available on: PC | PS5 | Xbox Series X/S
16) Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals
Oxenfree 2 deals with loss and growing pains once more, but this time from an adult perspective rather than teenagers staring over the precipice of adulthood. The characters carry the weight of expectations and failures to carve out the life their younger selves imagined they would have.
Riley and Jacob work through finding purpose and their attempts to make something of their lives, something most of us at a certain point in our lives can probably begin to relate to.
It's these subjects that the game handles in such a casual but meaningful way for a video game, making the story well worth your time. – BR
Available on: PC/Mac | PS4 | PS5 | Switch | Netflix
15) RoboCop: Rogue City
It may not be the best game you played this year, but if you're a RoboCop fan, Rogue City might be the most fun you had with a game throughout 2023.
The over-the-top action, the cheesy one-liners, the dystopian tongue-in-cheek satire and its grimy neon-lit setting of Old Detroit all worked together to create a new story voiced by original RoboCop actor Peter Weller that hit all the right notes.
RoboCop: Rogue City is a blast to play for long-time fans of the franchise and goes above and beyond to respect its source material, resulting in the best use of the RoboCop name since the original film, and a worthwhile treat for those who want to be transported back to their childhood. – JD
Available on: PC | PS5 | Xbox Series X/S
14) Lies of P
In Lies of P, you play the animatronic body of Pinocchio in a techno-reimagining of the classic fairy tale.
The 'Soulsborne' genre can be a crowded space, but Neowiz Games has not only created an addictive and challenging playground, it is one so full of character that we’re excited to see the franchise develop in the now-confirmed upcoming sequel.
The difficulty curve is fairly steep and you’ll be challenged from the start, but thankfully the game never feels mean-spirited and offers a lot of chances to learn along the way. – BR
Available on: PC | PlayStation | Xbox | Mac
13) Venba
Packing an incredible punch, this narrative cooking game follows the titular Venba, an Indian immigrant mother struggling with her son. While Venba wants Kavin to connect with his Tamil culture, he's more interested in distancing himself from his heritage to assimilate at school and with his friends.
It's a story about family, identity, and generational divides, and uses food not just as a way to show a connection to one's culture but also as an expression of familial love.
That the food looks amazing — from idlis to biryani — helps to emphasise the game's themes. Heartfelt and evocative, Venba is one of the standout narratives of the year. – JL
Available on: PC | PS5 | Switch | Xbox
12) Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo
Square Enix may be best known for its RPGs, but this horror mystery visual novel is one of their most memorable games in years.
Set in the Sumida district of Tokyo, the story centres on several different people afflicted with a deadly curse allowing them to kill in order to perform a forbidden ritual that can bring one person back to life. That the mythology behind the curses is richly depicted makes the events all the more chilling, and the scares are complemented by excellent writing that explores each protagonist's motivations.
Filled with tension, mystery, and character drama, the game remains gripping throughout while thoughtfully exploring themes of grief and loss. – JL
11) Sea of Stars
Sea of Stars is a love letter to 16-bit JRPGs like Chrono Trigger, but smartly avoids just being pastiche by layering in engaging real-time combat mechanics and narrowing the focus of its story.
It has all the grandstanding and world-ending stakes you want from the genre, and it’s not a short game, but it feels decidedly modern in the way it tackles things like random encounters and side quests.
Ultimately, it manages to nail the way players remember these games feeling, constantly introducing new characters and ideas and boss fights, without ever feeling like a grind. – AG
Available on: PC | PlayStation | Switch | Xbox
10) Dredge
Dredge, an oddball mix of fishing sim and slow-burn horror, is proof that games don’t have to be vast and complex to get their hooks in you.
The player takes charge of a run-down fishing vessel in a small archipelago, charged with landing a catch big enough to keep them going week to week. Its fishing mechanics are solid and create a relaxing mechanical loop that expands as you venture further into the open sea. But that relaxing vibe is also undercut, or perhaps enhanced, by the game’s Lovecraftian tendencies and tone.
For every beautiful island you come across, great sea creatures lurk beneath the waves — not to mention the beasts that come out after dark. – AG
Available on: PC | PlayStation | Switch | Xbox
9) Theatrhythm Final Bar Line
After loving the first two Theatrhythm games on 3DS, we were already sold at having a chance to play through an updated tracklist of some of the best video game music of all time.
Obviously Final Fantasy is well and truly covered with some true deep cuts, but the DLC features some of the best songs from games like Chrono Trigger and The World Ends with You.
Beyond that already stellar surface level lies a quest system that really gets you thinking about stats, skills and party composition. It's surprisingly super addictive and deeper than some full-blown RPGs, and as a bonus, the online is also a tonne of fun. – JA
8) Remnant 2
Bursting with ambition, Remnant 2 improves on the original underrated classic from 2019 in a huge way. It boldly plays with your expectations, offering an experience that feels both new and exciting.
The procedurally generated worlds open up the game to be replayed and replayed without feeling old and gives you plenty to talk about with your friends, encouraging you to share war stories and secrets you've found along the way.
The combat and character-building systems are engaging, the world's stunning and diverse, and the game features some of the most memorable and brutal boss fights we've encountered in recent years. – BR
Available on: PC | PS5 | Xbox Series X/S
7) Hi-Fi Rush
Hi-Fi Rush is exactly the sort of game you couldn't predict. The cel-shaded, rhythm-action game plays like a combination of Devil May Cry and Crypt of the NecroDancer — complete with the visual style of Sunset Overdrive and Jet Set Radio.
As the main character Chai, you're armed with a guitar and tasked with taking down the evil executives of a cyberpunk company.
Combat requires you to wail on enemies in time with the game's thumping soundtrack, but the real genius of Hi-Fi Rush comes from the way the game keeps time all around you — from blinking computers to pulsating health bars and toe-tapping idle animations.
A throwback to mid-2000s action platformers in the best possible way, the game is a must-play for anyone missing their GameCube. – AG
Available on: PC | Xbox Series X/S
6) The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood
The freedom that you have in creating your own Tarot cards and building your deck combines with the storytelling and themes to wonderful effect. There are narrative implications with protagonist Fortuna's fortune-telling powers, to the point where the game asks you to consider the responsibility of your actions.
It's a story that features choice and different outcomes, but sometimes, in a really effective twist on the deck-building sub-genre, it can come down to fate and which cards are drawn from your own personalised deck. Sometimes, things are just meant to be.
Packed with emotion, Deconstructeam's The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is an impressively designed narrative experience that deserves far more attention than it's gotten. – JL
5) Resident Evil 4
The original Resident Evil 4 is so jam-packed with goodness that an entire game based on its inventory management systems made our list last year.
Thanks to clever nipping and tucking of the combat and structure, as well as adjusting the horror/silliness balance sensibly towards the former, Capcom ensures that it didn't shit the bed with the remake.
But you might, especially with the new VR mode.
The Separate Ways DLC, centring on Ada Wong, is also exactly the kind of expansive and affordable add-on we want to see more of. – JA
Available on: PC | PS4 | PS5 | Xbox Series X/S
4) The Talos Principle 2
Croteam's follow-up to their philosophical puzzle masterpiece saw the series go in an ambitious direction with innovative new puzzle mechanics, sublime environments to explore, and a greatly expanded focus on narrative and thought-provoking themes.
The first-person puzzle genre may not appeal to players as much as other titles in this list, but The Talos Principle 2 deserves to be among them for its creative approach to puzzle design and world-building.
The Talos Principle 2 manages to combine all of its elements successfully to create something wonderfully different in a year loaded with hits, making it a breath of fresh air among the best games of 2023, and a must-play for anyone looking for a unique experience. – JD
Available on: PC | PS5 | Xbox Series X/S
3) Alan Wake 2
Alan Wake 2 is a watershed moment for the team at Remedy, who have masterfully blended live action, animation, and music into a melting pot producing one of the most gripping survival horror stories we’ve ever experienced.
With a tense atmosphere, satisfying combat and twists galore hidden behind each puzzle, this is a title that could only have been produced by Remedy after their years of experimenting within the medium.
Alan Wake 2 was worth the wait and has set a high bar for the genre going forward. Survival horror and noir detective fans alike simply can’t miss this one. – BR
Available on: PC | PS5 | Xbox Series X/S
2) The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Following up a game like Breath of the Wild would seem like an impossible task, but in 2023 Nintendo proved again why it’s never smart to bet against them.
We could rave about the incredible scope of Tears of the Kingdom, nearly tripling the map of its predecessor, or talk about the way it once again uses gorgeous art direction and sound design to carve out a truly unique feeling world in a busy marketplace of fantasy stories.
But Tears of the Kingdom’s most impressive achievement is its building mechanics, which turn the action-RPG franchise into something completely unexpected, more akin to Minecraft than anyone could have thought.
The game’s ambition in this regard, allowing fans to create anything from laser-guided drones to fully functioning farm equipment, was truly mind-boggling and stayed unmatched throughout the year — keeping it in all-time lists for years to come. – AG
Available on: Switch
1) Baldur's Gate 3
It says something about the quality of games released in 2023 when the acclaimed sequel to Breath of the Wild hasn't ended up at the top.
Tears of the Kingdom is an incredible achievement. Many of us would argue it improved on its predecessor, and it certainly seemed like a lock for number one back in the summer. But then Baldur's Gate 3 came out.
What hasn't already been said about Larian Studios' award-winning game at this point? It is an experience unmatched in the role-playing space, and one of the best titles in the genre of all time.
The way in which the different quests and storylines seamlessly interact with each other, as well as how the world reacts to you, is remarkable — not only breathing life into the setting and adding weight to your actions but also actively encouraging you to immerse yourself in your character. Combine that with some of the best-written companions on offer in the medium, and the result is a narrative that is rich, dynamic, personalised, and suitably epic.
Baldur's Gate 3 affords you with so much flexibility on how to approach the game, and that extends to the turn-based combat, with an overwhelming (in a good way) number of options and combinations at your disposal.
The latest major update — which adds, among other things, satisfying new epilogues — means that there has never been a better time to see why virtually everybody has been raving about the game this year. It is a truly special game, and one that more than deserves all of the accolades it has received.
Baldur's Gate 3 is our Game of the Year for 2023. – JL
Available on: PC | Mac | PS5 | Xbox Series X/S
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