POLL: The Best Video Games of the Year (2023)

This year was an absolutely incredible year for people who love video games. Creative minds from around the world released stories, mechanics, and gameplay like never before.

There’s no better way to celebrate their work than to share it and talk about it. Without further ado, share your thoughts. Which of these video games from 2023 is your favorite? Let us know and then keep reading for more info about each selection.

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The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

This year, Nintendo released the long-awaited sequel to their popular game The Breath of the Wild. Now, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has built up more history, and more world, than ever before. So, how do you make a massive map even more expansive? Well, you give it caverns underneath and islands in the sky! How do you expand a hero’s arsenal? With the endlessly creative Fuse game mechanic. These new additions to Zelda lore created a game that is playable for hours on end.

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Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Next up, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. This game follows both Peter Parker and Miles Morales as they face off against enemies like never before. Yes, the game introduces Kraven the Hunter and Venom into the story. However, it also introduces new game mechanics that really allow the player to swing through the city just like Spider-Man!

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Baldur’s Gate 3

Larian Studios absolutely changed the landscape of video games with their newest game Baldur’s Gate 3. It’s difficult to even express just how ambitious this game is, but perhaps the simplest metric is the cut scenes. There are an astounding 174 hours of cutscenes in Baldur’s Gate 3. Plus, the sheer amount of choice and autonomy when it comes to storyline is astounding.

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God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla

God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla released less than a month ago, and still, fans are saying they love the game! It is free DLC added on to God of War Ragnarök. However, the DLC completely changes the gameplay. This game is a roguelike, which means that each and every playthrough is unique. However, they still manage to tell a story with all that randomness!

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Alan Wake 2

The sequels continue with our next pick, Alan Wake 2. After being trapped in an alternate dimension for 13 years, the titular character Alan Wake attempts to escape. Alan is an author of a popular horror series, and it seems that only his next book will save him from the horrors of his reality.

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Jusant

Jusant innovated gaming in a brand new way. And yet, all you really have to do in the game is climb! Still, climbing in this game is significantly more engaging than any other video game in the past. Players have to make decisions moment to moment to safely make their way up a desolate tower, filled with artifacts of a civilization long past.

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Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is a massive DLC expansion for CD Projekt Red’s game. This DLC Expansion offers a variety of new skill trees, new RPG mechanics, new stories, and of course, new characters. Keanu Reeves returns as Johnny Silverhand, and now, Idris Elba joins as Solomon Reed.

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Viewfinder

Some games are creative. Some games are innovative. Viewfinder manages to be one of the most creative and most innovative game in years. In the game, you can use your camera to take pictures of the world. Your in-game camera then prints a picture and, like magic, you’re able to walk inside your very own picture! Trust us, you’ve never seen anything like it before.

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Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Fans were lucky enough to get a sequel to the popular video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order™, featuring the fan-favorite character Cal Kestis™.  Star Wars Jedi: Survivor™ continues his story, expanding Cal’s abilities and introducing significantly more challenging combat.

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So, what’s your favorite video game from this list? What other video games did you absolutely fall in love with?

Share your thoughts with other video games fans at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!