2023 has seen my gaming life jump off of a cliff. Due to a promotion at the day job, I'm an elected councillor, and I have two gorgeous cats, which means I have a lot on - not to mention other family commitments, illnesses, and general "why is life?!" moments. That doesn't stop me from playing games; it just means I have to be selective, and something needs to make me want to play it. Yes, that is precisely why I reviewed Arrow a Row. You're here for Wccftech's Best Strategy and Simulation Games of 2023, so let's get started.
Best PS5, PS4 RPG of 2023 | Push Square
31.12.2023 - 00:19 / pushsquare.com / Clive Rosfield / Best
Our Game of the Year coverage continues with the Best PS5, PS4 RPG of 2023, of which a top four has been put together by the Push Square editorial team. This category is all about celebrating role-playing games and what they bring to the table from a story and gameplay perspective. The titles below will marry the two elements together to create an amazing, engaging experience from start to end.
We still think Falcom's mad for weaving such a huge, overarching narrative through ten different Trails titles, but so much of the developer's hard work pays off in a game like Trails into Reverie. While the core plot feels a bit like something you'd find in a spinoff, the three-pronged storytelling works surprisingly well, as a colossal cast of new and returning characters band together to protect their world. Indeed, the sheer number of playable heroes gives the turn-based combat so much depth, and the dynamic Reverie Corridor dungeon is a joy to grind through.
So much more than just a Dark Souls clone, the fantastic Lies of P from Round8 Studio is one of 2023's best surprises. Using the FromSoftware formula as a basis and then branching out with its own ideas — particularly in combat — the game continually delights with unexpected enemies, weapons, and environments. The usual Souls-like levelling system allows you to focus on the elements you enjoy most, while New Game+ runs feel rewarding. This has to be the best Souls game not created by FromSoftware.
After the many ups and downs of Final Fantasy XV, Square Enix adopted a much more focused approach when crafting its successor. Final Fantasy XVI is full-on action RPG with a heavy emphasis on eye-popping boss fights and a darker narrative tone. The tale of gruff protagonist Clive Rosfield is an emotionally-charged epic, and the adventure is peppered with some of the most memorable gaming moments of 2023. But perhaps most importantly, it feels like this sixteenth instalment has put Final Fantasy back on the map.
What else could be our number one RPG of 2023? Baldur's Gate 3 is a generational game — a release that elevates its genre and sets new standards. In terms of design, it's without a doubt one of the most impressive games we've played in years, offering an almost unprecedented degree of player freedom both in and out of combat. And as if that wasn't enough, the main cast is fantastic, the role-playing options are shockingly in-depth, and the sense of adventure is intoxicating. Simply put. it's one of the best RPGs that money can buy — and it'll go down in gaming history as a masterpiece.
Honourable Mentions: Diablo IV, Octopath Traveler II, Sea of Stars, and Trails to Azure.
What was your favourite PS5, PS4 RPG of 2023? Place a vote in our poll and then
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pushsquare.com
05.01.2024 / 01:16
Best PS5, PS4 Puzzle Game of 2023 | Push Square
Our Game of the Year coverage continues with the Best PS5, PS4 Puzzle Game of 2023, of which a top four has been put together by the Push Square editorial team. In this new category, we're highlighting the best games that make solving puzzles their main gameplay element. These titles will test you in creative ways, resulting in a ton of satisfaction once solved.
pushsquare.com
05.01.2024 / 01:13
Best PS5, PS4 Developer of 2023 | Push Square
Our Game of the Year coverage continues with the Best PS5, PS4 Developer of 2023, of which a top four has been put together by the Push Square editorial team. Here we'll crown the best studio of the year and recognise teams that have gone above and beyond for their titles, from releasing lots of games within the 12-month period to those supporting them after launch.
pushsquare.com
05.01.2024 / 01:13
Was 2023 One of the Best Ever Years for New Game Releases? | Push Square
All throughout 2023, we saw plenty of people asking whether the year would go down as one of the best ever periods for new game releases. Indeed, it was an objectively stacked 12 months — and we're not even thinking about non-PlayStation platforms when we write that.
gamingbolt.com
03.01.2024 / 07:01
Hogwarts Legacy is the UK’s Best-Selling Physical Game for 2023
Despite some major releases like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and EA Sports FC 24, Hogwarts Legacy is the UK’s biggest physical game of 2023. As GamesIndustry notes, this is the first time that a football title from EA Sports hasn’t been the best-selling physical game of the year since 2013 when Grand Theft Auto 5 launched.
pushsquare.com
31.12.2023 / 00:31
Best PS5, PS4 Story Game of 2023 | Push Square
Our Game of the Year coverage continues with the Best PS5, PS4 Story Game of 2023, of which a top four has been put together by the Push Square editorial team. This category highlights the best adventures you can venture on from a narrative perspective on PS5 and PS4. With an intriguing main plot, wonderful characters, and fun distractions of the core path, they'll keep you engaged with their story no matter how long it takes to roll credits.
pushsquare.com
31.12.2023 / 00:27
Best PS5, PS4 Indie Game of 2023 | Push Square
Our Game of the Year coverage continues with the Best PS5, PS4 Indie Game of 2023, of which a top four has been put together by the Push Square editorial team. This category focuses on the best PS5, PS4 titles from indie developers not afforded the big marketing pushes and significant production budgets, and a fantastic experience has arisen in spite of that. At the end, we'll list some honourable mentions.
pushsquare.com
31.12.2023 / 00:23
Best PS5, PS4 Remake, Remaster, or Re-Release of 2023 | Push Square
Our Game of the Year coverage continues with the Best PS5, PS4 Remake, Remaster, or Re-Release of 2023, of which a top four has been put together by the Push Square editorial team. This category celebrates games that have already released and were brought back this year, either in their original form or updated with better visuals and more features.
pushsquare.com
31.12.2023 / 00:16
Best PS5, PS4 Art Direction of 2023 | Push Square
Our Game of the Year coverage continues with the Best PS5, PS4 Art Direction of 2023, of which a top four has been put together by the Push Square editorial team. Here we'll highlight titles that pushed the boundaries of game visuals, whether that's through near photo-realism, a stylish look, or unique artistic elements. These games are a joy to look at just as much as they are to play.
pushsquare.com
31.12.2023 / 00:11
Best PSVR2 Game of 2023 | Push Square
Our Game of the Year coverage continues with the Best PSVR2 Game of 2023, of which a top four has been put together by the Push Square editorial team. Following its launch at the start of the year, we're celebrating the very best PSVR2 games for the first time in our Game of the Year deliberations. These are the titles we think were best this year.
pushsquare.com
31.12.2023 / 00:05
Best PS5, PS4 DLC of 2023 | Push Square
Our Game of the Year coverage continues with the Best PS5, PS4 DLC of 2023, of which a top four has been put together by the Push Square editorial team. This category celebrates the best expansions for current PS5, PS4 games, with a focus on single player experiences rather than additions to live-service games.
destructoid.com
27.12.2023 / 18:30
Destructoid’s Best Pokémon TCG Cards of 2023
Although Pokémon TCG had a busy year, it wasn’t one I enjoyed too much, in part because Paldea never really captured my heart. Despite this, there have been a few gorgeous cards released, and you should consider yourself lucky if you managed to score one.