Hello, this is Evil Uno.
What city am I in again? Who knows? I’m writing this from an airport lounge. This is appropriate because this is where I’ve done most of my gaming in 2023, not specifically this airport lounge, but you get it. Shout out to you, portable gaming devices! You’re the real heroes.
This was an exceptional year for video games. I feel like I’ve done an abnormally large amount of gaming this year, yet I still didn’t have enough time for some of the larger titles I know would have ultimately made this list. Such is life. I play by my own rules, so you can expect my list will follow in the same vein. Before I get started on my top 10 of the year, here are a few honorable mentions that I don’t care to elaborate on: Case of The Golden Idle DLC, Slay the Princess, Humanity, Dredge, and Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE.
10. AEW Fight Forever
I like this game. I played a ton of this (obviously due to work) and really enjoyed playing it side-by-side with my fellow wrestlers who were also raised on this style of engine. I don’t want to seem disingenuous, so I’ll end it with this: Where is Evil Uno?
9. Fortnite
I’m ashamed by how much Fortnite I have played this year. I’d be even more ashamed if I told you how much money I’ve spent on it in 2023. I once considered Fortnite a “children’s game” that didn’t interest me, but at some point this year, it clicked. You never have a problem finding a game. You get a constant flow of rewards (if you have Fortnite Crew). It’s mostly free. The basic loop is very fun. Occasionally, you’ll feel like the best gamer to ever live. And yeah, you can be Michael Myers and make him do the worm. It rules.
8. Risk Of Rain Returns
I got really addicted to Risk of Rain 2, but even more so its soundtrack. Returns is a more polished and updated version of the original Risk of Rain featuring a bunch of new music. Same gameplay loop as always, but a new coat of paint. It’s the game I am slowly chipping away at on my flights and I’m sure I’ll still be playing it well into 2024.
7. Chants of Sennaar
I love deductive games and my favorite one this year was Chants of Sennaar. It’s a quick 5 to 6-hour experience where you have to decipher languages to solve puzzles. Example: an NPC screams weird symbols at you that you can’t decipher. A few minutes later, you recognize one of the symbols on a potion shop sign. Maybe the NPC is talking about potions? It sounds simple enough, but it was pretty challenging in the second half of the game when they started implementing a multitude of different languages. A really refreshing game in a sea of 30+ hour games.
6. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
I thought this was going to be my game of the year. Hell, while I was playing it, I boldly claimed it was the best game ever. I don’t know if that’s really the case, but I think the game really made the best out of the first iteration’s map, essentially tripling it in size and filling it up with wild new puzzles and new mechanics. Much like the first one, I loved exploring the lands, discovering new locations and characters. The one thing I really wanted to love was the building mechanic, but I just sucked at it so much. It didn’t stop me from enjoying the couple months watching crazy mech suits, spaceships, wild vehicles, and fire-shooting penises (can I say penises? Dongs?) that flooded social media. Also, this game really made me feel some genuine emotions. The Master Sword thing? Damn.