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2023 has been a rollercoaster in terms of video game releases. The industry overall had less breathing room with a tightly packed schedule of highly anticipated game launches. Many studios tried to get a step above others by releasing masterpieces. That said, over the years, plenty of poor, subpar, or highly regarded releases in the video game industry have existed.
This also applies to titles that have been released this year. Let's look at the top seven video games of 2023, as determined by the Metacritic rating system.
Note: Remastered editions are not included in this list because they are essentially the same game with a few improvements. Remakes of games are still regarded as new releases.
Top-rated video games released in 2023 on Metacritic
7) Sea of Stars - 91
The developers at Sabotage Studio decided to pay homage to classic retro JRPGs with their latest release. Sea of Stars feels and plays like an old-school JRPG but with modern mechanics and smoother animations.
Players adored its nostalgic feel, gorgeous level design, and artwork. They also liked the combat and story, which prompted players to reminisce over their childhood memories of playing JRPGs.
6) Cocoon - 92
One of the year's most outstanding independent titles is Cocoon, a side-scrolling, puzzle-based 3D platformer with stunning visuals. Many people were amazed to learn that it was developed by Geometric Interactive, a relatively young indie gaming firm. The game offers smooth animation and some of the best concepts in the genre.
Cocoon's fluid action, gorgeous art style, well-designed levels, and the idea of worlds within worlds that house enjoyable puzzles have all received widespread acclaim.
5) Street Fighter 6 - 92
Street Fighter is considered one of the pillars of fighting games alongside Mortal Kombat and Tekken. It is also one of the oldest franchises, with the first title released way back in 1987 for arcades. It should be of no surprise that people were genuinely hyped for the series' latest entry after six long years.
Many consider Street Fighter 6 to be the best fighting video game in a while. Thanks to Capcom's RE engine, the latest iteration boasts stylish visuals, smooth gameplay, and impeccable fighting combos.
4) Super Mario Bros. Wonder - 93
Super Mario is one of the biggest names in the games industry. As Nintendo's most valuable IP, the franchise has released many games over the years. Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which arrived this year, saw the Italian plumber and his crew going on one more adventure against the evil Bowser.
Notably, the return to a 2D viewpoint was well-received by Mario fans. The game's sophisticated level design, which includes new monsters and challenging puzzles, also garnered praise from the player community.
3) Resident Evil 4 Remake - 93
Unsurprisingly, Capcom's Resident Evil 4 Remake was one of the year's most anticipated launches. Gamers step back into the shoes of Leon S. Kennedy, back on a familiar mission but with updated graphics and gameplay.
Having received universal acclaim for its storyline, the Remake went a step ahead and offered a tremendous upgrade in visuals and gameplay. Like the other Remake titles, Capcom added some entertaining changes, giving it a brand-new vibe.
2) The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - 96
Tears of the Kingdom, the successor to the beloved Breath of the Wild, was one of the most anticipated games of 2023. Needless to say, Nintendo provided an excellent narrative and gaming experience.
Tears of the Kingdom was an instant hit with fans, retaining the fundamental mechanics from the first game while adeptly introducing new ones. These mechanics include a new building system in which players can construct various machinery to cause havoc in the game's sandbox environment.
1) Baldur's Gate 3 - 96
Larian Studios is the living testament to making successful video games without relying on colossal budgets. Armed with boundless passion, the Belgian Studio produced one of the biggest releases of this year in Baldur's Gate 3. They are also renowned for making the beloved Divinity series.
Baldur's Gate 3 gained instant prominence, particularly among those who enjoy old-school RPGs. The game's success has been attributed to its engaging plot, good character creation with classes, a cast of entertaining and well-written characters, and extensive content.
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