Due to some significant life changes in 2023, I didn’t complete as many games as I did in years prior. However, I still got a taste of many great games and even managed to finish a few! As always, this end of the year wrap-up is for me to catalog some of my favorite games (in no particular order) and to share with anyone interested.
Baldur’s Gate 3
I had no intention of playing Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3). It wasn’t really on my radar until a friend kept asking me when I was going to play. Then another friend picked it up and shared he was having an absolute blast with BG3. Finally, I downloaded BG3 on PC and my only regret was not playing it sooner.
Initially, I found BG3 to be overwhelming (I’ve never played D&D), and it didn’t really click for me until I was about 18 hours in. At that point, I felt I had a decent grasp on how combat worked, how to create a well-balanced party of companions, and I learned to embrace failure. I’m having an amazing time with the game and often think about what I’ll change up for my second playthrough. BG3 is the first game I’ve played this year that truly feels special. It’s got that magic (no pun intended) that sets it apart from other successful games. Your choices actually matter. There are eight romanceable characters. The environments are detailed. The music is epic. The main story and the side quests are engaging. I could go on, but this is one of those games you should experience for yourself.
Starfield
The long-awaited sci-fi rpg finally released in September. I sunk 100+ hours into Starfield, attempting to explore the galaxy as a space cowboy interested in adventure, glory, and credits. Kit Quinn (my space cowboy) collected a number of ships, killed a ton of baddies, and made his mark on a galaxy susceptible to the whims of the Starborn.
I had a lot of fun with Starfield. Open world RPGs are among my favorite video games, and Bethesda promised a lot with this new IP. In some regards, Starfield is a good game. I love the music, the lore, and the side quests. Certain moments in Starfield captured my imagination and created such a sense of awe. Standing on a moon and watching the sun rise over the glistening and frozen landscape was one such moment. Experiences like that reminded me of exploration and discovery in No Mans Sky where I felt I was seeing something for the first time, whether that be a planet, a particular creature, or some interesting flora.
However, Starfield wasn’t quite the gem I had hoped for. It feels a bit odd to say, but No Mans Sky, in its current form, bested Starfield in a number of ways including exploration, flight, and space combat. Despite this, I still enjoyed my time with Starfield and hope to see some DLC drop in the future.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
I will admit to being a bit skeptical when Assassin’s Creed Mirage was announced. I may be in the minority, but I have generally enjoyed the open world Assassin’s Creed (AC) games, even if they do have some pacing issues and bloat (*gives Valhalla the side eye). With that being said, I also appreciate games that offer more linear experiences. Even just a little less fluff in an AC game can benefit its world and story, and that’s exactly what Mirage offers while still providing a rich and fulfilling experience to players.
Mirage follows the story of Basim as he develops into an assassin on the streets of Baghdad. As with previous AC games, our protagonist learns about himself as he navigates politics, the Hidden Ones, and an uncertain future. I found Mirage to be enjoyable and wouldn’t mind if Ubisoft returned to its focus on stealth while also delivering on open world environments.
Minecraft
Yes, I’m going to give a shoutout to a game that is now fourteen years old. But dammit, I just keep coming back to Minecraft. Amidst changing jobs and moving, Minecraft continued to offer me comfort and familiarity. This year, I continued exploring a shared server with friends, mined some massive iron veins, built a trap door in a mountain, and constructed a mansion out of terracotta.
Phasmophobia
Speaking of old favorites, I played a TON of Phasmophobia this year. It remains the go-to game among my closest friend group and continues to catch me off guard when I least expect. Despite being 500+ hours into Phasmophobia, I still get scared on occasion and we keep finding ways to keep the game fresh and exciting. Just as with Minecraft, I anticipate playing this game for a long time.
Other Games I Dabbled in and Recommend
- Goodbye Volcano High
- Sniper Elite 5
- Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Season: A Letter to the Future
- Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
- The Last of Us Part 1
The Gaming Teacher 
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