The Forever Classic Games of Excellence 2023
A Year of Stellar Games Framed Within a Suffering Industry
Last year might be one of the most historically significant periods we have seen in gaming in over a decade, both for the ugly toll it took on human lives and for the sheer quantity of incredible games released. Each year, we at Forever Classic Games collect a list of games that we recommend to our readers as a curated collection of worthwhile experiences. While it may have been easy to choose our favorite titles from this year, it was painful to see the workers of the games industry suffer so much loss.
As the tremendous uptick in game sales during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic was followed by a return to a norm that inevitably decreased profits for most game companies, we saw the results of poor financial planning and near-sightedness from nearly every major publisher. This transparent emphasis on sales from decision-making leadership at these companies resulted in one of the most brutal years in games so far, something that could have been avoided entirely in most instances. This cutthroat approach to business created over 10,000 layoffs, a number that could be far higher as it is an estimate. Recent reports from GamesIndustry.biz cite that 35% of devs in 2023 were affected by layoffs (according to a GDC survey organizer Informa) and that some leaders are preparing for up to two years of continued layoffs and expect full closures. The list of affected companies and the seniority of the staff suddenly without work is a heartbreaking collection of pain that spans all corners of the gaming world.
There was a concerning lack of compassion for the people whose lives are often taken advantage of to make increasingly elaborate products followed by a worrying trend of executives pursuing the uses of generative AI tools, a poor approximation of tasks that leaders tout as ways to reduce crunch that often substitutes talented individuals for derivative content thieves. Major media outlets also lost tenured staff members with several outlets switching to AI-created articles attributed to anonymous bylines or fictional people with false credentials. There’s a half-hearted attempt to mask these articles (and visual pieces paraded as art) but anyone who looks at them with any level of comprehension can usually tell their origin.
Despite the doom and gloom, there is hope to be found in the increase of independent media outlets (of which we hope to learn a lot from ourselves) including Remap Radio, Aftermath, Second Wind, The Indie Informer, Comfy Cozy Gaming, and many more. Furthermore, many indie games reached impressive sales numbers by perfecting their niches and offering titles at affordable rates.
While it was horrific to watch lives struggle throughout 2023, I did see a heartwarming wave of people working together to find each other new jobs or create something on their own. I believe it is only a matter of time before unionization becomes commonplace at major game studios and publishing companies. Governmental regulation might provide some assistance but the slow nature of those laws (at least in America) can barely keep up with the tech industries overall let alone the constant flux found in games. Thankfully, we’re seeing lots of indie studios manage their projects exceptionally well and using their budgets wisely while several tools and engines commit to open-source flexibility and fair business practices with appealing licensing options. Now more than ever, any game can see success. However, this takes a tremendous amount of buy-in from users and actual monetary support of independent outlets and development teams during a time when money is hard-earned and harder still to spend on non-essentials.
Unfortunately, we collectively have to pay for things if we want them to continue. If you like an indie game, buy it — or at least share it with others. To support them further, find that developer’s donation link or pick up some merch from their website. Make those subscriptions to worthwhile magazines and websites. Let the companies abusing their workforce know that it won’t be tolerated anymore and support workers where you can. However, I say this with an understanding that inflation and a housing crisis mean that spending anything on media is often a luxury. Of course, many indie games are understanding of this and offer purchases at a far cheaper price than retail titles. Rather than spend over $70 on a AAA release, I find far more joy in using that same money to discover something fresh in the indie market for a quarter or less of the cost.
Yes, our annual list is a great way to find games and join us in celebrating our favorites but this year more than any other year we have covered in games is one that hopefully results in positive change for the people we have come to know and love in this space.
There has been enough suffering, let’s make something better together.
The criteria of this list are as follows. This list contains only games that saw a full release in 2023, which excludes games that debuted under Early Access though those games can be included in our honorable mentions segment. Live service titles and those with significant expansions are not included in this list since no one on our team put a spotlight on any. Every game chosen has been played by a member of the Forever Classic Games team; if a particularly noteworthy game is not listed, we likely didn’t play it at all or spent a minimal amount of time with it. Games that were ported to a new platform in 2023 are only considered if there was a significant update made such as an indie we loved coming to Switch or a port hitting consoles with added benefits.
We hope you enjoy browsing the games we loved the most in 2023. These titles are listed in no particular order or ranking.
Trepang2
Developer: Trepang Studios
Publisher: Team17
Platforms: Steam, GOG, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Trepang2 is all about the triumphant roar of a shotgun blasting apart soldiers employed by shady companies that try their best to hide the dark secrets beneath their monuments to power all while desperately trying to survive each carefully crafted CQB scenario. To dethrone an empire, the player travels the globe in search of secret facilities filled with all manners of terror.
There are plenty of action horror games out there but one of the most striking ones I have seen in years is Trepang2. Emboldened by the gameplay foundations of F.E.A.R. and taking compelling risks within its own campaign, Trepang2 is one of the coolest shooters of the year that is worth playing and mastering.
Fans of environmental chaos, immersive sound design, and soldiers in bleak worlds full of layers of mystery must give this game a try. Few games got my blood pumping as much as Trepang2 this year. - Alex McCumbers
Read our full review of Trepang2 here.
The surprise reveal of Super Mario RPG might be one of the brightest moments of any showcase of the year. Announced during a Nintendo Direct in the summer and then released just a few months later this is one of my favorite (and arguably one of the most important) Nintendo releases in recent memory. Sure, the new graphics and gameplay enhancements were expected but what truly warmed my retro-loving heart was the care put into keeping the game close to the original vision.
On nearly all fronts, this is an amazing tribute to the SNES classic and I’m astounded that it even exists. If nothing else, check out this game’s soundtrack; composer Yoko Shimomura returned and it’s a fantastic collection of tracks. - Alex McCumbers
Read a full review of Super Mario RPG here.
Lies of P
Developer: Neowiz Games, Round8 Studio
Publisher: Neowiz Games
Platforms: Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, macOS
Take Dark Souls, throw in some steampunk flavoring, and pour it onto a cake bed of one of childhood fables. That’s how you get Lies of P. This beautiful rendition of a Pinnochio story gone wrong has players battling hundreds of robot-like dolls and creatures to save a city riddled with death and corruption. Though this game doesn’t follow traditional build-crafting like other Soulsborne-type games, there’s just enough customization here to empower most gamers’ playstyles. The environment and setting of Lies of P are what drew me in specifically. I found myself exploring everywhere to learn more about these characters and the machinations of the enemy.
I lost many an hour in Lies of P, and I invite anyone who loved Bloodborne especially to give this one a shot. Why would I lie to you? - Marcus Brown
My Friendly Neighborhood
Developer: John Szymanski, Evan Szymanski
Publisher: DreadXP
Platforms: Steam
In a genre that is steeped in patterns and formulas on how to keep players engaged and frightened it is often hard to stand out. Despite this, I was captivated by My Friendly Neighborhood throughout its entirety. This is a game that is a bit of a gateway into horror gaming for younger players while maintaining enough to be compelling for veterans of the genre. There is a lot of charm to the puppets that strikes an uncanny chord of fear that eventually leads to one of the more impactful stories of the year prefaced by a terrifying final act.
I didn’t expect to shed a little happy tear at the end but that exact moment solidified that this game is special to me. Give this a go if the mascot horror trend feels tiresome or if classic Resident Evil environments are appealing. - Alex McCumbers
Sea of Stars
Developer: Sabotage Studio
Publisher: Sabotage Studio
Platforms: Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Though Baldur’s Gate 3 dominated the RPG conversation this past fall and winter, a smaller retro-themed RPG still won the hearts of many, Sea of Stars. Designed with reverence towards pixel-drawn JRPGs, Sea of Stars tells the story of two siblings destined to accomplish great things in a fantastic world. With intriguing twists on traditional turn-based combat systems, a retro soundtrack, and visuals that look both vintage and new simultaneously, this game revived my love for older-style role-playing games. We reviewed this title over the summer and had nothing but great things to say about it. Be sure to give this title a go, and you might just re-discover a new appreciation for this game type. - Marcus Brown
Read a full review of Sea of Stars here.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platforms: PlayStation 5
Insomniac’s efforts with Spider-Man have been one of the most captivating feats of animation and traversal mechanics in gaming history. Through simple but expressive controls that revolve around just a few buttons, Peter and Miles make New York a concrete jungle gym of acrobatics that is satisfying to utilize. Yet what elevates this title over the previous games is the addition of several iconic villains and characters, culminating in an all-out brawl against Venom and an army of symbiotes. The comic book-style events of the plot are anchored through stellar moment-to-moment writing and emotionally driven characters, creating a Spider-Man adventure that carries the torch of the 90s animated series while brandishing its own banner of how these characters can be used to tell human stories of compassion, heartache, friendship, mistakes, and the sacrifices it takes to reach better places.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on PlayStation 5 is a must-play title for the console and one that hopefully leads to a grander third game from an exceptionally talented studio. - Alex McCumbers
Insomniac’s Marvel’s Spider-Man introduced us to their version of New York, Peter Parker, and the rogues gallery. It set the basis of movement, action, visuals, and storytelling that drew me in so much. Swinging around New York is one of the best feeling and satisfying methods of movement in games I’ve ever experienced. Then Miles Morales introduced us to Miles and his particular brand and spin on being Spider-Man, giving us a better idea as to who he is and the types of villains and other side characters unique to his story. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 now brings the two together in a way I haven’t seen since reading the original Spider-Men comic that gave readers that first look that the mentorship role Peter was always built for.
Being able to switch between Miles and Peter, experiencing both their thoughts and perspectives on the story kept things fresh and ultimately fun. Each hero deal with their own hardships and find different ways to balance the difficult path that is being a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man while trying their best to support each other in theirs is wholesome at its core. Adding a glide to the web-swinging was the exact touch needed to keep the traversal mechanics exciting. Giving the bulk of the story to and focusing on Venom gave that villain the gravitas the black slime deserves. For the third time, I platinumed a Spider-Man game on the hardest difficulty, and I cannot wait for what Insomniac has next in store for us in the Marvel Universe! - Joe Siemsen
New Pikmin releases have been sparse over the series’ 20+ year history, but they rarely disappoint. Pikmin 4 steps back from the risky combat encounters of earlier entries and goes all in on time and resource management, “Dandori” as the game calls it. What results is the most accessible and streamlined Pikmin experience yet. PNF-404, the Pikmin’s home planet, has never felt so vast with so much to accomplish day-to-day, from collecting treasure, defeating local threats, exploring caves, completing Dandori challenges, rescuing Castaways, and growing your Pikmin army. Making the most of your resources is both the fun and challenge of Pikmin, so regardless of skill level, your drive to improve will determine how much you get out of the experience. Across its main story, post-game, multiplayer, and Dandori missions, Pikmin 4 is not only the most content-rich installment but feels like a celebration of everything the series has accomplished up to this point. - Reese Anderson
Blasphemous 2
Developer: The Game Kitchen
Publisher: Team17
Platforms: Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
One of the most visually stunning Metroidvania games is Blasphemous; I was extremely excited to hear that a sequel was to be made. This was one of the first games I played through entirely on my Steam Deck and it was such a satisfying experience that I think anyone who enjoys 2D action platformers owes it to themselves to play both of these games from The Game Kitchen. While I prefer the first game, Blasphemous 2 is a tightly designed escapade through breathtaking vistas with a horde of horrifyingly beautiful monsters. Each of the three weapons is fun to utilize and the map is one of the best I’ve seen in this genre, making the platforming, combat, and problem-solving an absolute joy.
Together, these games are such a brilliant display of artistic vision with a soundtrack that wraps one in harmonious guitars. - Alex McCumbers
A full review of Blasphemous 2 is available here.
Resident Evil 4
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PlayStation VR2, Xbox Series X|S, iOS, macOS
There was so much expectation and trepidation for the remake of Resident Evil 4; the original game is regarded as a masterpiece by many, myself included. It is the game that got me into horror games with compelling gameplay and secrets that outweighed the fear I got from playing. Thankfully, the remake is just as brilliant, adding new layers to the groundbreaking gameplay for the better while adding another wash of new details to bring out the grotesqueness of its monsters.
I’m still maybe more fond of the stark difference between both versions of Resident Evil 2, but the remake of RE4 is a tremendous achievement; I’m impressed that Capcom pulled off what seemed impossible. - Alex McCumbers
Read our review of Resident Evil 4 here.
At a glance, Lunacid might not look like much but it expertly captures the joys of delving into strange worlds with only a torch, a sword, and some spells to keep one company is unparalleled. Inspired by the King’s Field series, Lunacid is a low-poly, first-person dungeon crawler with intriguing use of simple sound effects, moody rhythms that undercut the slower pace, and surprisingly deep and satisfying mechanics that are satisfying to learn. It’s a game I have enjoyed predominantly on my Steam Deck before nodding off at night and allowing the beautifully sparse, dangerous world to wash over as I exist between wakefulness and sleep.
This game is a simple concept stretched to something special, going far beyond a curious tribute to become a game I love exploring. - Alex McCumbers
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Developer: Nintendo EPD, Monolift Soft
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
When the inevitable successor to the Nintendo Switch arrives –assuming it can play Switch games– Tears of the Kingdom might be far more impressive to me as I struggled with the game’s performance even on the Switch OLED. Gripes aside, Tears of the Kingdom builds on the brilliance of Breath of the Wild, giving players a lot of freedom to explore its hostile rendition of Hyrule in their own ways. I personally avoided building vehicles but some of the coolest clips I saw on social media were from players that pushed that system to the limits. The aspects I loved most involved the tighter narrative and the way the game rewards curiosity. I was just as eager to explore this world as I was when Breath of the Wild changed how I thought about gaming forever thanks to it being the advent of the console’s hybrid functionality.
I desperately want to come back to Tears of the Kingdom on hardware that enables it to sparkle as much as the game deserves. - Alex McCumbers
Baldur’s Gate 3
Developer: Larian Studios
Publisher: Larian Studios
Platforms: Steam, GOG, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, macOS
At this point, there is little I can say that you haven’t heard already somewhere else. Simply put, Baldur’s Gate 3 rules and it is a spectacular display of narrative design. The freedom of action and exploration found in Grand Theft Auto V or Tears of the Kingdom is to the same degree of freedom of choice and conversation found in BG3. Utilizing a modified version of DnD 5e with some of the most satisfying RPG content in the genre’s rich history made this game a true masterpiece of this era. It is clear that Larian learned a lot in their development of the Divinity: Original Sin games and applied it here with a Natural 20. I personally have three BG3 saves going, a solo experience, and two other games with friends, and all three have turned out dramatically different from each other. Seeing how all those details stack up and change the course of the story presented is fascinating. It’s a joy to play, and the replay value here in a 100+ hour experience is nothing short of impressive.
Larian Studios has already released several patches, fixing issues and adding content. If they treat Baldur’s Gate 3 at all like they treated Divinity: Original Sin II, we are in for a lot more Baldur's Gate 3 goodness in the future! - Joe Siemsen
Final Fantasy XVI
Developer: Square Enix Creative Business Unit III, Square Enix Creative Business Unit I, and PlatinumGames
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: PlayStation 5
Final Fantasy 16 overstays its welcome by the end of its messy story. Yet, it features some of the coolest moments I have ever seen in video games. Embracing the mechanics of games like Devil May Cry, FF16 is a full-blown action experience with jaw-dropping boss encounters and truly epic music accompanying these cinematic moments. I’ve always been a fan of kaiju films and I love the summoned entities found in the Final Fantasy franchise; this game offers explosive drag-out fights between godlike beasts that I couldn’t get enough of.
Surprisingly, I enjoyed the protagonist Clive Rosenfield’s growth as a reluctant leader burdened with immense responsibility. In fact, he might be one of my favorite main characters in the franchise. Getting to know the people he leads is compelling and the narrative is filled with well-written fantasy dialogue and voice acting. Although there is a lot of repetition in combat and I think the game could’ve been cut about 10-15 hours shorter for a tighter tale but I am glad to have gone the distance with it and I anticipate the upcoming DLC content. What I hope Square Enix learns from FF16 is to pair their excellence in presentation with more engaging gameplay systems and a larger variety of action mechanics should they choose to go this genre route again.
Seriously, Ifrit sprinting up the arms of Titan while Clive belts out a soul-wrenching battle cry might go down as one of the best boss encounters I have ever had the pleasure of playing. - Alex McCumbers
Street Fighter 6
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom, Taito (Arcade Version)
Platforms: Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Arcade
Returning to the hip-hop urban vibes that made Third Strike so compelling, Street Fighter 6 is such a welcome change after the visual atrocities of Street Fighter V. The addition of a modern control scheme enabled more players than ever to learn the addictive ways of fighting game combat, making for a vibrant player base that is awesome to behold. Even for those who would rather play standard modes or bounce through the wacky story mode, Street Fighter 6 is one of the best the franchise has seen in a long time. It looks great, sounds great, and has mechanics and moves that are fun to learn. Plus, SF6 has one of the best training modes in a fighting game, giving visual feedback for the systems that are often hard to understand.
Granted, Street Fighter 6 features one of the worst post-launch content patterns that drip feeds expensive avatar skins using popular brands such as TMNT and Spy X Family, resulting in almost every new update being met with cries for these to be character costumes and not cost $15 a piece. Thankfully, the new characters have been fun so far, and locals remain exciting to watch, at least in my region.
Hopefully, Capcom will turn things around with Street Fighter 6 because this is one of their best fighting games. - Alex McCumbers
LISA: Definitive Edition
Developer: Dingaling, Widdly 2 Diddly, Dingaling Productions
Publisher: Serenity Forge, Dingaling Productions, LLC
Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
Prior to the release of LISA: Definitive Edition, I always saw this as an Earthbound-like game with a lot of absurd comedy full of bozo characters. When I finally determined to try it, thanks to the convenience of the Steam Deck, I quickly realized that there was something far darker and uglier behind its simple presentation. This edition packages two games that together tell one of the most gut-wrenching RPG stories I’ve played so far. It’s not for the faint of heart but it is a tale that made me cry, laugh, and realize just how much is possible in games with the proper writing, timing, and knowing the expectations of players.
If Mad Max, Earthbound, The Last of Us, and generally feeling terrible from a display of human atrocity sounds appealing, then LISA: Definitive Edition should be experienced. - Alex McCumbers
Star Wars Jedi Survivor
Developer: Respawn Entertainment
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
The state of Star Wars is abundant; thank goodness we are getting more high-quality games. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor builds upon the previous entry in major ways to create a compelling tour of beautiful alien planets with some of the most memorable characters in the entire franchise. While I’m not keen on Cal Kestus as a protagonist, the people around him are incredibly well-developed. Survivor is an action-packed adventure full of epic showdowns and larger-than-life moments that kept me hooked through the entire story.
That said, what I’ll never forget about Survivor is the actual act of playing it. My partner and I marathoned this game over a weekend and she’s the biggest Star Wars fan I know, so it was a lot of fun watching her eyes light up when certain characters appeared or she conquered a tough section. That weekend was unforgettable, standing out as my favorite social gaming moment in 2023.
Respawn Entertainment needs all the time and resources in the world for a third entry in Cal’s tale. - Alex McCumbers
Read our review of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor here.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Developer: Nintendo EPD, Nintendo Pictures, SRD Co. Ltd
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Super Mario Bros. Wonder came out somewhat as a surprise to a lot of us but this game hits the buttons of many different interests. To start, Wonder is an old-school side scroller with a ton of nostalgia value. It also comes with gorgeous graphics and clever 2D elements incorporated into the 2D plane, while challenging the skills of seasoned veterans. The new art direction is exciting and could easily enchant a new generation of Mario and traditional side-scroller fans. With stellar level design and lots of neat secrets to find, Super Mario Bros. Wonder shows that there are still new things to experience in this tried-and-true franchise.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a fantastic mix of old-style gameplay, engaging mechanical additions, and a fresh presentation that is perfect in quick bursts, often resulting in the feeling of wanting to play more and more. - Zach Snyder
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
Developer: Auroch Digital
Publisher: Focus Entertainment
Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
I’m not a huge fan of Warhammer or Warhammer 40,000 in their entirety. Although I love the visual design of these worlds, I’ve enjoyed a few books over the years, and I always thought the setting would make great games in the right hands. Thankfully, we are spoiled for choice — for better or worse — when it comes to Warhammer games. I anticipated having Darktide on this list but the loot system and rocky launch left me to play it only on rare occasions or to catch up with friends. Thankfully, there was Boltgun — a retro-inspired DOOM-like from Auroch Digital — that scratches that 40K itch and is exactly what I expected.
Boltgun puts players in the role of a space marine with the primary goal to hack apart daemons and heretics with a chainsword or pelt them from afar with a Bolter. The art direction utilizes pixels in a way that makes me giddy with delight. The soundtrack is full of awe-inspiring hooks and addictive metal riffs. There’s a button dedicated to verbally taunting anything at any moment with lines such as “In the Emperor's name!” or “Purge the unclean!” which is just beautiful.
Boltgun runs with a simple concept with enough accouterments to put the player in the heavy boots of this iconic super soldier. I am so glad this game exists. - Alex McCumbers
Alan Wake 2
Developer: Remedy Entertainment
Publisher: Epic Games Publishing
Platforms: Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Thirteen years is a long time for a franchise to add a new entry, and it runs the risk of trying to wax nostalgia where many have laid their memories to rest. In 2023, Remedy Entertainment released the highly-anticipated Alan Wake 2 and offered an overwhelmingly positive refresh — not only to the Alan Wake story but also to survival horror adventure. Any skepticism on the game’s impact was quickly dissuaded, thanks to some of the best narrative writing I’ve seen from Remedy.
Alan Wake 2 offers disturbing environments that prevent the player from ever feeling truly safe, coupled with an eerie sound design that itches against your brain. Saga Anderson, the second protagonist in this game, proved to be just as intriguing and believable as Alan Wake himself. Finally, the game brings some of the best original soundtrack songs I’ve heard in recent years, thanks to the fictitious band of the franchise Old Gods of Asgard — played by the real Finnish rock band Poets of the Fall, should you want to look them up.
Alan Wake 2 offers plenty of new experiences to a cult classic, and this game has definitely earned all the accolades and awards it has received thus far. Don’t miss out on this one because it’s not a game, it’s an experience. - Marcus Brown
El Paso, Elsewhere
Developer: Strange Scaffold
Publisher: Strange Scaffold
Platforms: Steam, GOG, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
One of the coolest experiences of my year was playing through the moody introspective descent of El Paso Elsewhere, a modestly scoped third-person shooter from Strange Scaffold. There is tremendous artistry on display, from the retro-inspired look and mechanics echoing games like Max Payne to the fantastically voiced and directed cutscenes with a soundtrack that sets my soul ablaze. The story hits like a fully loaded train, touching on the impacts of toxic relationships, interpersonal power dynamics, and the harsh realities of realizing when to end things. Of course, this is easier said than done when one’s girlfriend is an ultra-powerful vampire hellbent on ending the world.
I think the game could be a touch tighter, but this is one of the most memorable indie titles I’ve played. The Strange Scaffold team has a special sauce and I’ll be looking into every project they put out henceforth. - Alex McCumbers
2023, A Historically Significant Year in Games
If you’ve reached the end of this feature, thank you so much for taking the time to read our choices for some of the best games of 2023. It was a hard year for anyone working in games and those adjacent to that work but there were so many amazing experiences released that deserve recognition. Once more, we obviously didn’t play everything noteworthy or all of the major games that swooned our colleagues and peers — I still haven’t tried Baldur’s Gate III and I really want to take a week off just to explore the clockwork nightmares of Lies of P — but this is a great place to start when looking for new games to play from last year.
This year, more than most, I will focus on experiencing games at my pace rather than trying to chase the dragon of playing the games right when they launch. I would much rather wait for games to get a few updates to polish the rough spots or fire up games that interest me at that moment on a handheld.
Forever Classic Games has always been my outlet for keeping track of the games I play and finding out what I enjoy most in my favorite medium. Many of the people I’ve met along the way are lifelong friends. I’ve come to appreciate how much effort, artistry, and personality go into every single game released by talking to developers as much as possible. Amazingly, we exist in a time with an endlessly vast collection of experiences in so many genres. Games are special.
Those who have contributed through the years to this site, video channels, and socials deserve so much praise. Learning, growing, and getting to know this team has been an absolute joy. Most of our team have ways to donate directly to them on their bylines and I recommend taking the time to consider doing so. Most of them also stream on Twitch or have their own projects. Please support them as much as possible.
Anyways, thank you once again for reading our accolades for 2023. Here’s hoping we get to do more meaningful content around our favorite games in 2024.
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Last year thousands of layoffs beat down the spirit of the games industry. Despite this tumultuous state, some of the best games we’ve seen in most genres released and that’s worth celebrating. We only hope that 2023 will hopefully be a turning point for everyone involved in the games industry.