Ok, it’s time. Let’s do this. Before I start, I want to preface this as follows. SMT V and Age 4 have distinct chances of making my list retroactively, but I will not be able to see the game through to fruition for a while. I’m busy and it’s long. I have also not played every game this year. RE Village, Inscryption, Death’s Door, Scarlet Nexus, Chicory, Far Cry, Kena, Unpacking and Nier.
With all of that being said, let’s begin.
- Forza Horizon 5
I’ve wavered on the top 2 choices, but ultimately, I settled on Forza Horizon 5 for the top spot. A masterclass technical achievement that doubles as a game that is just damn fun to play. From the diverse open-world to the refined mechanics, Playground Games are in top form here and reiterate exactly why they may just be the best Xbox studio. Couple this with additional great content, surprising depth in the side-stories and some jaw-dropping setpieces and Horizon 5 is just the complete package.
- Halo Infinite
I have had my doubts. Severe doubts. Which is why I’m glad to give a mea culpa here. Halo Infinite is a stellar shooter. The campaign is as fun as Halo has ever been, with much welcome openness and exciting bosses and missions. The multiplayer is a delight I have sunk way too many hours into. Infinite may not be a perfect game, but it’s pretty damn close to a perfect Halo game, and it bodes very well for the future of the franchise.
- Psychonauts 2
Legacyquels rarely go well. Oftentimes, part of the magic is missing. Be that the creatives, the vision or the soul. Even games, although a more comforting media for the genre, has had its own share of struggles. One need only look to Duke Nukem Forever. That’s why it’s all the more impressive that Psychonauts 2 is just about every bit as good as its trailblazing predecessor, and in some aspects (most notably gameplay) even better. The game is a delight from start to finish, absolutely stuffed to the brim with creativity and imagination.
- Hitman 3
In a way, it’s almost shameful how little attention this game got. Not just an amazing technical accomplishment, Hitman 3 is also a love letter to open-ended gameplay design. Endlessly replayable, exciting and stuffed with value, it’s an example of GAAS done right, and one of the few remaining examples of the joys of gameplay systems in an increasingly homogenized industry.
- The Forgotten City
In a year dominated by timeloop games, Forgotten City is without question the best one. A short but sweet experience, Forgotten City combines deep moral questions with an engaging story and unique structure. Few games released in recent memory have felt as feature-rich or well-realized as this.
- The Artful Escape
Much like The Forgotten City, this is another example of a smaller scale title punching far above its weight. A visual treat, The Artful Escape is a trip that is best experienced. No words really do it justice. Just play it.
- Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
While people were rightfully skeptical, GOTG is an absolute delight. A strong story, excellent dialogue, jaw-dropping visuals and pitch-perfect performances make this feel right at home with the MCU’s finest outings, but the gameplay is no slouch either. A surprising amount of choice and consequence, even if not game-defining, add a ton of character to this game and the unique combat system, which has proven kinda love it or hate it, has me firmly in the love it crowd.
- It Takes Two
It’s hard to argue against a game like this winning GOTY. While it’s messy, chaotic and scattershot, it is also positively bursting with heart and a genuine love for and desire to improve upon the media of video games. This is a game that is constantly surprising, oftentimes delightful and above all, completely unafraid to always swing for the fences. And 9 times out of ten, it hits it outta the park.
- Lemnis Gate
This one doesn’t get talked about as much which is quite a shame, as frankly it should. Lemnis Gate, while not perfect, is a truly unique spin on the FPS genre that beautifully meshes strategy with cathartic shooting fun. I have played several matches against my friend and they are some of my most memorable gaming experiences of the year.
- The Medium
Shocking, scary, tense and exciting and an amazing technical showcase to boot, The Medium was everything I was hoping it would be and made for a great treat in early January.
Honourable Mentions:
12 Minutes: Not for everyone, definitely for me.
Deathloop: Rock solid game but a noticeable step back in terms of immersive design for Arkane.
Returnal: Haven’t beaten it, won’t make the list, but it is mechanically very well realized.
Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart: An exceptionally crafted game, but the core gameplay loop is still not a favourite and the price was very high given the length and replayability.
Hades and MSFS: I want to put them on the list but that’s cheating IMO. They had their shot last year and Flight SIm made it (and Hades did retroactively).
Ongoing Game 1: Sea of Thieves Ongoing Game 2: Hitman 3 (it basically had a year) Ongoing Game 3: Microsoft Flight Simulator