J's 2023 Gaming Year In Review
Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2024 6:44 pm
Overall stats:
17 - Mario Kart 7
Something has to be last on the list, but everything here is good+. It's Mario Kart...a few new additions to tracks and characters makes for an enjoyable time. You know what you're getting with this one.
16 - New Super Mario Bros 2
The controls take some getting used to (Mario likes to slide a tad after landing, making precision tough to obtain). Solid game.
15 - Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma
The conclusion to the Nonary Games trilogy. These games get so wacky with their reveals, twists, and multiple paths/endings. They've always been like that, but I feel like the first game (999) had more impact than the 2 sequels.
14 - A Short Hike
Fun, short, and easy PSN game. You play as a bird who has a goal of getting to the top of the mountain on an island. You'll get distracted along the way by tasks and friends, but it was enjoyable enough.
13 - PowerWash Simulator - SpongeBob DLC
I have never watched an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants, but I know what it is for the most part. This paid DLC has one of the coolest levels in the entire game - the invisible boat! Try cleaning that 100%!
12 - Code Name: STEAM
My runner-up for "Surprise of the Year", this is a turn-based strategy game with a bunch of characters you know from history and fiction where you fight aliens on Earth. A few tough levels in there for sure, but a great time.
11 - Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Been a while since I played any Zelda game, and I never played A Link to the Past. This utilizes a very similar map, and thought it was a nice return to a more classic Zelda experience.
10 - Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy
I love me some Layton games - have played them all except for the very final one which is still in my backlog. This one had a cool story about uncovering the truth about an ancient civilization.
9 - PowerWash Simulator - Back to the Future DLC
What this has over the SpongeBob DLC is more recognizable levels/objects AND some awesome easter eggs if you either stick around after level completion or go to certain spots in the levels.
8 - Tchia
An open-world adventure game set in the Southwest Pacific, you can do all sorts of things on your quest to stop the evil person who kidnapped your father. There is something for everyone in this game, and it shines a nice light on the culture of New Caledonia.
7 - Like a Dragon: Ishin
Yakuza set in 1860s Japan. It is an interesting time period for sure, but ultimately this game is a lot of fan service as basically every Yakuza character makes an appearance as someone else from that era. Worth it for Yakuza fans.
6 - Final Fantasy I Pixel Remaster
One of my favorite games of all-time, I don't need to say any more. I played through this 3 times already (once with a friend who had never experienced FF1).
5 - Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
This was supposed to be a shorter Yakuza game to bridge the gap between Like a Dragon 7 and Infinite Wealth...and it is, but it's also a heck of a ride. You are back to playing as Kiryu while showing a bit of the other side of the events in 7. The story and ending has serious dramatic moments that will make everyone tear up.
4 - PowerWash Simulator
My "Surprise of the Year" game! I saw ads for this early on and wondered WTF it was. Why on Earth would people want to powerwash things virtually? It makes zero sense. But then I decided to buy it for 2 reasons - it seemed well made and the videos I watched had this calming effect. And for someone who enjoys methodically tackling big tasks, this was the game for me! Vehicles, houses, parks, ancient statues, carnival rides, etc...everything must be clean! According to my year-end PS review, this is the game I played the most with over 100 hours. I have played all the DLC and they are continuing to add more (both free and paid). Highly recommend this game - it was even free on PS+ last month so I hoped everyone grabbed it!
3 - Horizon: Forbidden West - Burning Shores DLC
I think Horizon: Forbidden West was my GOTY last year, and this DLC is meaty and is PS5-only for a few technical reasons. Los Angeles is fun to explore and there are a couple of new machines in the mix. Part 3 can't come soon enough!
2 - Marvel's Spider-Man 2
This one is fresh in my mind, but I think this is the correct spot. It's a very close call. Awesome story, great enemies and boss fights, plenty of things to do around the city with some of Brooklyn and Queens added to the map. The use of the PS5 controller's adaptive triggers as well as the speaker made for an immersive and unforgettable experience.
1 - God of War: Ragnarok
This was the first game I completed in 2023, though technically I played it for a month and a half at the end of 2022 before the year changed and the credits rolled. So much snow and ice in this game
, but I thought it had everything I want from a video game - fantastic story, great characters, awesome gameplay, a beautiful world to explore...everything was amazing.
- 17 games completed
- 6 3DS
- 6 PSN (including a few DLCs in here)
- 5 PS5
- Something completed in every month except October
- Most games completed in the last 10 individual years
17 - Mario Kart 7
Something has to be last on the list, but everything here is good+. It's Mario Kart...a few new additions to tracks and characters makes for an enjoyable time. You know what you're getting with this one.
16 - New Super Mario Bros 2
The controls take some getting used to (Mario likes to slide a tad after landing, making precision tough to obtain). Solid game.
15 - Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma
The conclusion to the Nonary Games trilogy. These games get so wacky with their reveals, twists, and multiple paths/endings. They've always been like that, but I feel like the first game (999) had more impact than the 2 sequels.
14 - A Short Hike
Fun, short, and easy PSN game. You play as a bird who has a goal of getting to the top of the mountain on an island. You'll get distracted along the way by tasks and friends, but it was enjoyable enough.
13 - PowerWash Simulator - SpongeBob DLC
I have never watched an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants, but I know what it is for the most part. This paid DLC has one of the coolest levels in the entire game - the invisible boat! Try cleaning that 100%!
12 - Code Name: STEAM
My runner-up for "Surprise of the Year", this is a turn-based strategy game with a bunch of characters you know from history and fiction where you fight aliens on Earth. A few tough levels in there for sure, but a great time.
11 - Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Been a while since I played any Zelda game, and I never played A Link to the Past. This utilizes a very similar map, and thought it was a nice return to a more classic Zelda experience.
10 - Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy
I love me some Layton games - have played them all except for the very final one which is still in my backlog. This one had a cool story about uncovering the truth about an ancient civilization.
9 - PowerWash Simulator - Back to the Future DLC
What this has over the SpongeBob DLC is more recognizable levels/objects AND some awesome easter eggs if you either stick around after level completion or go to certain spots in the levels.
8 - Tchia
An open-world adventure game set in the Southwest Pacific, you can do all sorts of things on your quest to stop the evil person who kidnapped your father. There is something for everyone in this game, and it shines a nice light on the culture of New Caledonia.
7 - Like a Dragon: Ishin
Yakuza set in 1860s Japan. It is an interesting time period for sure, but ultimately this game is a lot of fan service as basically every Yakuza character makes an appearance as someone else from that era. Worth it for Yakuza fans.
6 - Final Fantasy I Pixel Remaster
One of my favorite games of all-time, I don't need to say any more. I played through this 3 times already (once with a friend who had never experienced FF1).
5 - Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
This was supposed to be a shorter Yakuza game to bridge the gap between Like a Dragon 7 and Infinite Wealth...and it is, but it's also a heck of a ride. You are back to playing as Kiryu while showing a bit of the other side of the events in 7. The story and ending has serious dramatic moments that will make everyone tear up.
4 - PowerWash Simulator
My "Surprise of the Year" game! I saw ads for this early on and wondered WTF it was. Why on Earth would people want to powerwash things virtually? It makes zero sense. But then I decided to buy it for 2 reasons - it seemed well made and the videos I watched had this calming effect. And for someone who enjoys methodically tackling big tasks, this was the game for me! Vehicles, houses, parks, ancient statues, carnival rides, etc...everything must be clean! According to my year-end PS review, this is the game I played the most with over 100 hours. I have played all the DLC and they are continuing to add more (both free and paid). Highly recommend this game - it was even free on PS+ last month so I hoped everyone grabbed it!
3 - Horizon: Forbidden West - Burning Shores DLC
I think Horizon: Forbidden West was my GOTY last year, and this DLC is meaty and is PS5-only for a few technical reasons. Los Angeles is fun to explore and there are a couple of new machines in the mix. Part 3 can't come soon enough!
2 - Marvel's Spider-Man 2
This one is fresh in my mind, but I think this is the correct spot. It's a very close call. Awesome story, great enemies and boss fights, plenty of things to do around the city with some of Brooklyn and Queens added to the map. The use of the PS5 controller's adaptive triggers as well as the speaker made for an immersive and unforgettable experience.
1 - God of War: Ragnarok
This was the first game I completed in 2023, though technically I played it for a month and a half at the end of 2022 before the year changed and the credits rolled. So much snow and ice in this game
, but I thought it had everything I want from a video game - fantastic story, great characters, awesome gameplay, a beautiful world to explore...everything was amazing.
