2023: A Defining Year in Gaming History
2023 has undoubtedly emerged as a remarkable year in gaming history, boasting an exceptional lineup of highly-rated new releases that have captivated gamers worldwide
Article Key Points
2023 has the highest number of highly-rated games in the last 20 years, making it a standout year for the gaming industry.
The best games of 2023 include Baldur's Gate 3, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and Resident Evil 4, among others. However, game developers have faced numerous challenges this year, with widespread layoffs occurring throughout the industry.
According to Metacritic data, 2023 stands out as the year with the highest number of games earning a score of 90 or above on the review aggregate site in the past two decades. It has undoubtedly been a remarkable year for the gaming industry, showcasing an impressive lineup of both blockbuster AAA games and captivating indie titles, all receiving enthusiastic acclaim from critics.
The continuous stream of top-notch game releases in 2023 has drawn comparisons to other noteworthy years in gaming history. For instance, 2018 holds a special place among gaming enthusiasts due to the release of highly successful titles like God of War and Red Dead Redemption 2. Similarly, many consider 2007 a pinnacle year in gaming, featuring renowned games such as Super Mario Galaxy, BioShock, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Halo 3, and more. Even when we reflect further back on gaming history, the years 1997 and 1998 often emerge as legendary periods, but there is no denying that 2023 has rightfully earned its place in such prestigious discussions.
10 Highest-Rated Games of 2023
According to data released by Axios, 2023 has witnessed the highest number of games with a review average of 90 or above on Metacritic over the past two decades. These statistics now provide concrete evidence to support the claims that 2023 is one of the most exceptional years for new game releases.
Baldur's Gate 3 - 96
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - 96
Resident Evil 4 - 93
Alan Wake 2 - 93
Street Fighter 6 - 92
Cocoon - 92
Super Mario Bros. Wonder - 92
Turbo Overkill - 91
Sea of Stars - 91
With remasters and re-releases excluded, the top 10 highest-rated new video game releases of 2023 are as follows. Leading the pack with an impressive overall rating of 96 are Baldur's Gate 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. These games are strong contenders for the Game of the Year title. Following closely behind with an overall rating of 93 are survival-horror games Alan Wake 2 and the Resident Evil 4 remake. Street Fighter 6, Cocoon, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder all share a commendable overall rating of 92. The remaining three games, Turbo Overkill, Sea of Stars, and Diablo 4, scored a respectable 91 overall rating. It is highly anticipated that these games will receive significant recognition at The Game Awards 2023 in December, possibly earning nominations in multiple categories.
Despite 2023 being a remarkable year for the gaming industry with the advent of numerous new releases, it can be deemed as one of the most unfavorable years for game developers. Throughout the industry, there has been a substantial occurrence of widespread layoffs, with even the largest companies parting ways with their employees. Thus, while 2023 will be renowned for its outstanding array of fresh games, it will also be etched in memory as an unfortunate period for those involved in their creation.
Editor's P/S
2023 has been an incredible year for gaming. With the release of highly-rated games like Baldur's Gate 3, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and Resident Evil 4, it's no wonder that this year has been compared to other noteworthy years in gaming history like 2018 and 2007.
The fact that 2023 has the highest number of games with a review average of 90 or above on Metacritic over the past two decades is a testament to the quality of games that have been released this year. It's also interesting to note that despite the high number of layoffs in the gaming industry this year, the quality of games has not suffered. This is a testament to the resilience and creativity of game developers, who continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in gaming.
Overall, 2023 has been a banner year for gaming, and it will be exciting to see what the future holds for the industry.
