(#20) An indie 2D Metroidvania from the Finnish studio behind the Shadow Bug series, the PC-exclusive Doomblade traces the journey shared by the solitary Gloom Girl and a formerly trapped sentient weapon who seeks revenge against its captors. Cute and cozy it's not, but critics enjoy its fast-paced action.

“Doomblade is an incredible action-fest through a lively but broken underground world, and while one of its final major encounters is almost painfully non-fun, the journey there is irresistibly engaging from start to almost-finish.” —Hardcore Gamer

Also on PS5, XBX

(#19) The latest addictive installment in the fantasy series that blends 4X strategy with turn-based tactical combat and RPG elements, AoW4 is set in a magic-filled realm where you must transform your faction into an empire. Critics think it an improvement over Age of Wonders III thanks to the new game's wealth of content and emphasis on customization and flexibility, which in turn boosts the game's replayability.

“Fans and newcomers alike will find an accessible, compelling real-time strategy experience in Age of Wonders 4.” —God Is a Geek

Also on PC, PS5, PS4

(#18) Originally released in Japan in 2020, this sequel to the JRPG Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk received its first North American release in early 2023. It's a dungeon crawler, but you won't be alone; instead, you control up to five teams of adventurers (technically, they're "soul-infused puppets") on a journey that can span up to 50 hours.

“The one and only problem with Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society is that it is a sequel. Where its predecessor was so memorable because of the way it played with genre and convention, Galleria has the unfortunate distinction of being more of the same, and therefore no longer a surprising delight. It still tells a wildly entertaining story, has a tight and creatively different approach to dungeon crawling, and is a great way to spend 40-50 hours of your time. It’s just not as exciting because it’s no longer different.” —Digitally Downloaded

Also on Switch, XBX, XB1

(#17) You won't find any Poké Balls in this open-world, monster-collecting and battling game from Raw Fury. Instead, you'll capture and transform beasts the old-fashioned way: with audio cassette technology! That may sound odd, but it works: Reviewers are impressed by CB's gameplay and creativity.

“Cassette Beasts is simply one of the best Pokémon-like games I’ve come across, and I’m looking forward to earning a 100% completion. With a massive end-game and modder support built in at release though, I feel like I’m going to get very sidetracked on the way there.” —TheSixthAxis

Also on PC, PS4, XBX, XB1 (Switch version coming Nov. 14)

(#16) One of the year's most-anticipated games heading into 2023, Legacy is a big-budget action/RPG set in the Wizarding World—specifically, at Hogwarts in the late 1800s, well before the Harry Potter era. Many years of development resulted in a game that fell a bit short of greatness, though it was (unsurprisingly) a massive hit, selling over 15 million copies since its February release.

“Hogwarts Legacy is a genuine wizarding adventure from beginning to end. There’s no mistaking that the writing and world-building lend so much to the experience that it overshadows the repetitive battle system and unintuitive menu designs. There’s a true sense of discovery provided that stems from the freedom given to players to take on this game the way they want. The jury is still out on the target audience, but I had a magical time.” —Noisy Pixel

(#15) On the very short list of good April Fool's jokes, this might land near the top. A murder mystery visual novel set within the Sonic the Hedgehog universe, the Ace Attorney- and Agatha Christie-inspired free game emerged without any advance notice on the eve of April 1st and immediately became a huge hit on Steam.

“The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is a very entertaining, casual-paced visual novel based on a beloved video game franchise. I enjoyed my time playing it, and I’m impressed by the level of detail and care put into a free title. The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is one April Fools’ Day joke that’s so much better than one initially expects it to be, and a part of me hopes there might be more games of this ilk in Sonic the Hedgehog’s future.” —RPG Fan

Also on PC, PS5, PS4

(#14) The 2018 JRPG Octopath Traveler impressed with its blend of stunning HD and pixel-art graphics and eight intertwined stories. This year's first full sequel (which also brought the franchise to PlayStation consoles for the first time) features similar gameplay and equally beautiful art design but follows a new set of eight characters in a new (and slightly more modern) setting.

“While never straying very far from the ideas of its predecessor, Octopath Traveler II improves upon every aspect of that already great game and ends up being one of the best JRPGs I’ve ever played.” —Impulsegamer

Also on PC, PS5, PS4, XBX, XB1

(#13) A slice-of-life adventure set in rural 1990s Indonesia depicted through pixel art graphics, Unbound follows high school sweethearts Atma and Raya as their lives are changed by a brush with the supernatural. The emotional (and humorous) story, unique atmosphere, and plentiful puzzles combine into a low-key gem suitable for a wide range of gamers.

“There are numerous interesting puzzles that unfold because of the game’s unusual mechanics and set up, and it would be almost unfair to ruin any of them for you here. We’d therefore recommend trying out A Space For The Unbound if you’re looking for something that’s clearly been made with love and passion – it’s hard not to be whisked away by its charms.” —Gamezebo

Also on PC, PS4

(#12) It's rare that a single screenshot can instantly explain a game's mechanics, but that's the case for this simple but clever indie puzzle-platformer that tasks you to play as a Shiba Inu who must guide a massive crowd of humans through a variety of levels. (It's basically a refined 3D take on the 1990s classic Lemmings.) A built-in level creator means that there's plenty of additional user-created content to play through once you exhaust the main campaign.

“What begins as a charming, simple puzzler grows and evolves into something special. Humanity is one of the best puzzle games I've played in quite some time.” —PlayStation Universe

Also on PC, Mobile

(#11) A horror-themed visual novel set in 20th century Tokyo, Paranormasight finds you investigating a series of mysterious events that may be linked to a ghost story known as The Seven Mysteries of Honjo, with photographic imagery of Tokyo's real-life Sumida district serving as your backdrop.

“Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo is a masterclass in puzzle-solving, utilising Japanese folk tales to root around to unravel a murder-filled mystery — what more could you want? The captivating narrative, challenging gameplay, and stylish presentation make this one of my favourite games this year.” —TheGamer

Also on PC, XBX

(#10) The latest open-world, action-adventure game set in the Star Wars universe is a sequel to 2019's Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (picking up the action five years later) and comes from the same developer, Respawn. Bigger and more refined than that game, Survivor received even better reviews than its predecessor, at least on consoles—the PC version had some widely reported issues.

“Star Wars Jedi: Survivor does what any successful sequel should do: it expands on the foundations of the first game and does everything better. Combat is just as enjoyable and offers more options, exploration is on a whole other level, and the Metroidvania elements make for engaging puzzles and satisfying rewards. Easily one of the best Star Wars games ever made, it hands 2023 yet another crowning highlight.” —Push Square

Also on PS5, PS4, XBX, XB1

(#9) The first numbered installment in Blizzard's action/RPG/dungeon-crawler series in over a decade, Diablo IV is, like its three predecessors, another well-reviewed release. (Did the divisive-at-launch Diablo III actually score higher? Yes, by one point.) Critics feel that while Diablo IV doesn't represent a revolutionary change, the cinematic atmosphere, new emphasis on story, and open world are welcome improvements.

“Diablo IV is an extremely good Diablo game, and that is all it needs to be. It doesn't change much, and it focuses on polishing what the franchise already did well. It's always difficult to tell how these kinds of games will develop; by the end of its life cycle, Diablo III was almost unrecognizable compared to its launch state. Barring some terrible missteps, Diablo IV has everything it needs to grasp your soul with its malevolent claws and eat up hours of your life. Newcomers or long-time fans alike should find it easy to pick up and play Diablo IV.” —Worth Playing

Also on PC

(#8) A Microsoft-exclusive action game from The Evil Within studio Tango Gameworks, Hi-Fi Rush blends rhythm-based combat and platforming action as your rockstar hero battles an evil corporation, all set against a soundtrack that includes music by Nine Inch Nails, The Prodigy, and other bands as well as original songs.

“Hi-Fi Rush delivers energizing gameplay that is smoother than slide guitar. It's accessible, satisfying, and just pure fun. The touching narrative explores themes of friendship and loyalty, while satirizing corporate culture with an unparalleled wit. Tango Gameworks have knocked it out of the park with their first foray away from the horror game genre and I am eager to see what comes next.” —Shacknews

Also on PS4

(#7) Another rhythm game, Final Bar Line is the fifth title in Square Enix's Theatrhythm series, originally a Final Fantasy spinoff. While gameplay remains similar to past games in the series, the music library is no longer limited to Final Fantasy soundtracks and now includes familiar tunes from other games ranging from Nier to Octopath Traveler.

“Honestly, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is pretty much a perfect game. It’s packed with content, has lots of fun stuff to unlock, features different ways to play, and encourages players to take a chance on higher difficulties. While I do think that Ultimate and Supreme almost go out of their way to be overly punishing, that doesn’t change how much I still enjoy this game. Even if you’ve never played one Final Fantasy game, you owe it to yourself to see what all the fuss is about in Theatrhythm Final Bar Line.” —Hey Poor Player

(#6) Currently a PlayStation 5 exclusive (though a PC port could arrive next year), the first major Final Fantasy installment in seven years is also the highest-scoring FF game since 2006's Final Fantasy XII. Though it's not a true open-world game like its immediate predecessor, FF16 does feature some openly explorable areas throughout its action/RPG gameplay. Critics see a polished game with depth, a strong narrative, and fun real-time combat, though for every reviewer who deems FF16 a franchise best there's another who finds aspects of the game slightly short of greatness.

“Final Fantasy XVI is an action JRPG polished to an iridescent sheen. Its well-designed combat system and enemies, outstanding character writing and worldbuilding, and consistently stellar side content make it a standout entry in this legendary franchise. Even when accounting for the weak villains and a lukewarm conclusion, this was a journey that truly gripped me from beginning to end. This is a must-play game of the year and a Final Fantasy adventure you won't forget.” —Noisy Pixel

Also on PC, XBX

(#5) A remake of the 2008 sci-fi survival horror game of the same name (and identical Metascore)—and the first release in the Dead Space series in a decade—this atmospheric next-gen take on Dead Space makes numerous changes to gameplay in addition to completely overhauling the presentation. But the story and setting—a 26th century mining ship in a distant solar system where the crew has been infected and killed—remain mostly intact ... and mostly terrifying.

“It’s a great example of when you start with a clean slate, improve all of the graphics and game systems, and then wind up with a much better product than the original. This remake of a classic goes to show why video games just get better with the passage of time.” —GamesBeat

Also on PC, PS4, XBX

(#4) Far, far better than the previous numbered installment in Capcom's venerable fighting series, Street Fighter 6 offers three different game modes which provide a combination of single-player and online (and cross-platform) multiplayer gameplay, and combined provide plenty of content for newcomers and veterans alike. New features include real-time commentary.

“Capcom has given us a complete game right out of the box. The single player experiences are enormous. The online experience is perfect. Street Fighter lore is littered in every nook and cranny of this game. There are modes and modes within modes. This is one of the best Street Fighter games in the history of the franchise. If Capcom hurt you in the past, this is their apology. Street Fighter 6 is a new classic that people will be playing for years to come.” —Gaming Nexus

Also on PC, PS4, XBX

(#3) Capcom's Resident Evil remake series has so far produced a stone-cold classic as well as Resident Evil 3. The latest remake is much closer to the former than the latter, though it helps that the source material—2005's Resident Evil 4—is one of the best videogames ever made. And so, apparently, is its remake, which modernizes the graphics, controls, and story while retaining much of what made the original a survival horror classic.

“The Resident Evil 4 remake is about everything I could've wanted. But importantly, it doesn't overwrite its predecessor. If anything, this new version reinforces why the original Resident Evil 4 is a game people should still seek out, play, or at least watch and learn about. But as a love letter to one of the greatest games of all time, as a new historical artifact that reinforces why the source material was so landmark in the first place, this new trek through the Spanish countryside is as good as it gets and makes a great game that much better.” —Game Informer

(#2) A remaster/remake of the 2002 GameCube classic—the first 3D game in the Metroid action-adventure series—this Switch-exclusive release brings the visuals into the HD era while also updating the controls and adding some minor bonus content. Longtime fans should find it irresistible.

“Metroid Prime Remastered is a fantastic release in every way. It feels amazing to play and looks brilliant. We've seen many classics brought to modern systems with varying results, but Metroid Prime Remastered is sublime and a must-play for every Nintendo Switch owner.” —The Mako Reactor

Metacritic's #1 Game of the First Half of 2023

The last time that a new Zelda console game wasn't a potential Game of the Year contender was (arguably) almost two decades ago. Gamers expect Nintendo's flagship franchise to deliver, and deliver it has yet again in the form of Tears of the Kingdom, the first new Zelda game in six years and another stunning entry in the storied series. Boasting an even bigger open world Hyrule than Breath of the Wild with expansions both above (the stunning Sky Islands) and below (the Gloom-filled Depths), TOTK doesn't necessarily shake up the recent Zelda formula but executes everything to near perfection.

“Tears of the Kingdom is a ridiculous triumph, offering a suite of tools that will continually surprise and baffle you with how much control it cedes. Hyrule is busier than ever, even before you consider a sky full of intrigue and the dark and yawning chasms below. The definition of a must-play on Switch, it also pushes Nintendo's hardware to astonishing new heights technically.” —Pocket-lint