20. The Case of the Golden Idol (Switch, PC)
The Case of Golden Idol is an engaging adventure game that completely won me over, even though it's not remotely what I thought it would be. It's more about observation than actual detective work, but it requires more deduction skills than many games of its kind would feel comfortable to burden the player with. It's very much in the vein of Return of the Obra Dinn, where it's more about your logical deduction skills than about pretend detective play. If that's your cup of tea, The Case of the Golden Idol is an easy recommendation. Given the choice, I would opt for the PC version, especially if you don't intend to play the game in the Switch's docked mode.
19. TIE - Assassin's Creed Mirage (PS5, PS4, XSX, XOne, PC) / Assassin's Creed Nexus VR (Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3)
Assassin's Creed Mirage is a solid entry that builds on previous titles while also honoring the roots of the series. It was a smart decision on Ubisoft's part to release Mirage as a stand-alone title rather than as DLC for Valhalla, as it doesn't require any prior knowledge of the franchise storyline, making it an easy entry point into the series. New players who enjoy their time with Mirage can pick up Assassin's Creed Valhalla to see where Basim ends up.
Assassin's Creed Nexus VR is a solid game for fans of VR and fans of the series. The smaller scope in terms of level size is offset by the fact that each environment remains dense with people and activities. The stories are fine, but the ability to play as three well-known assassins makes up for that. More importantly, it hits all of the hallmark moments of the series and does immersion well if you can forgive the weightless combat. It'll be interesting to see if Ubisoft tries to port this to other VR platforms, but as it stands now, the game is worth checking out if you are a current or prospective owner of any of the more recent Meta headsets.
18. Like A Dragon: Ishin! (PS5, PS4, XSX, XOne, PC)
Like A Dragon: Ishin! is Ye Olde Yakuza, but that's all it needs to be. The setting is fresh for the series, and it provides a fun way to see the same crime drama action in a new historical setting. Even if I prefer the modern setting, Ishin handles the change of setting well. It doesn't break an molds, but it's a delightfully fun experience for fans of the franchise. If you're itching for more Like A Dragon, Ishin! scratches that itch wonderfully, and it's a darn fun game in its own right.
17. Hogwarts Legacy (Switch, PS5, PS4, XSX, XOne, PC)
As we near the end of this review, I have a small secret. I'm not someone you'd call a "fan" of the Wizarding World, at least not in the sense where I've got my own wand or want to down a butterbeer. I enjoy and appreciate the world that was built and the characters in it, but it's not like I got fully sucked in. That changed a little after a few dozen hours of playing Hogwarts Legacy. If you're a fan, you're in heaven, and if you're not ... well, this game might not make you love magic, but you'll certainly want to like it.
16. Cyberpunk 2077 - Phantom Liberty (PS5, PS4, XSX, XOne, PC)
The Phantom Liberty DLC serves as an ideal swan song for this iteration of Cyberpunk 2077. The story is gripping from beginning to end thanks to some expected but exciting plot twists, a big diverging point in the story that occurs way before the end of the campaign, and some very memorable and fleshed-out characters. The tale may be somewhat self-contained, but the ties to the rest of the city make it feel like a proper expansion versus something completely siloed off from the rest of the game. That would be a good enough reason for existing fans to take the plunge, but given the various changes made by patch 2.0, it's a game that's definitely worth jumping into if you've been waiting for a good chunk of the issues to get cleared up.
15. TIE - Armored Core VI Fires Of Rubicon (PS5, PS4, XSX, XOne, PC) / Hi-Fi Rush (XSX, PC)
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a darn fine entry into the franchise. The buttery-smooth gameplay and incredibly cool combat make it an absolute delight to play. It's easily one of the best mecha action games, and only Gundam Breaker 3 has a more involved and enjoyable mech customization system. If you're looking for a really fun and well-crafted robot bashing experience, look no further than Armored Core VI, which is a delight to play.
Few games come out of nowhere as much as Hi-Fi Rush. Announced out of the blue, its amazing art style and pulse-pounding music give a great first impression. Beneath that is an engaging, exciting and genuinely interesting blend of beat-'em-up and rhythm game that managed to meld the two genres in a nearly perfect way. It even managed to have not one but two incredibly good soundtracks, allowing players to swap between licensed music featuring artists like Nine Inch Nails and The Prodigy and songs made exclusively for the game. Add to that a surprisingly charming and pleasant story, and you've got the perfect symphony.
Final Fantasy XVI is by no means a perfect game, but it is an exceptionally good one. The engaging plot, beautiful visuals, and enjoyable gameplay all combine to create something that feels special. It can occasionally be a little long for its own good, and the combat system is slow to get going, but once it hits all the right marks, it knocks them out of the park. I left Final Fantasy XV disappointed by how unfinished it felt, but Final Fantasy XVI is a true rarity these days: a fully finished game that is satisfying from start to finish.
13. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (PS5, PS4, XSX, XOne, PC)
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and would recommend it to anyone who is remotely a fan of the Star Wars universe, whether they're getting exposed to it for the first time or are of a certain age and have loved it since they heard Luke Skywalker whine about power converters decades ago. Respawn is onto something here, and I've low-key been waiting — wishing — for Cal Kestis to show up in one of the upcoming shows or movies. These games have made that kind of impact, and I'm looking forward to where the story goes next.
12. TIE - Dredge (Switch, PS5, PS4, XSX, XOne, PC) / Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Switch)
Dredge has no right to be as good as it is, but it effectively plays to its strengths and mixes solid systems with a strong theme. If you're not into fishing or Lovecraft, Dredge won't be your cup of tea. However, if either even slightly tickles your fancy, I can almost guarantee that you'll have a blast delving into the twisted mysteries of Dredge — and you'll even make a decent buck with mutant fish while you're at it.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a must-play for any fans of the plumber. It's constantly creative, consistently clever, and lives up to its name. There's so much raw delight and fun in the game that everyone will smile while going through it. Pretty much every new gameplay feature is a hit. It's the familiar 2D Mario gameplay, but it's a perfect example of why familiar isn't shorthand for bad. As long as there's creativity and energy in the design, even the grandpa of platformers can get up and dance.
Ultimately, Starfield is a very enjoyable game that takes the overall formula that Bethesda established in games like Skyrim and Fallout 4 and expands upon it. It is familiar in the ways that feel comfortable, but the game feels like an exciting new experience. It's unfair to compare it to games like No Man's Sky given the vast difference in scope, but at the same time, I wish that the ways the ships are handled didn't feel so compartmentalized with the reliance upon menu-driven fast-travel. Starfield really tries to be many things all at once, and although there are varying levels of success to that end, the game is a downright joy to play.
Editor's Note (Jan. 3, 2024): Don't miss our other Top Games of 2023 coverage: