Here are the 25 games from 2023 that received the highest scores on Metacritic (the largest aggregator site that collects reviews for movies, games, and series). This is not the usual trend; rather, it is a cross-section that demonstrates the preferences of critics as a whole, rather than individuals.
How we've grouped data:
- releases are placed from top to bottom, from highest to lowest, and in alphabetical order;
- if the game was released on several platforms, the score was taken from the one with the most reviews;
- projects released before 2023 on at least one platform (with the exception of mobile devices) were not taken into account;
- the data is current as of early January 2024. With more reviews, the layout may change;
- only games with at least 31 reviews are taken into account. The only exception was “Slay the Princess”, which currently has 20 reviews;
- we also recommend that you read the best games of 2022.
Baldur's Gate 3 — 96 points (PC, PS5, Xbox Series)
Genre: isometric RPG
What is remarkable: a party-based RPG set in the Dungeons and Dragons universe, with amazing freedom of choice. A new project by the developers of “Divinity: Original Sin” dilogy.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom — 96 points (Switch)
Genre: 3rd person adventure
What is remarkable: direct sequel to “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild”. This time, Link will be able to explore the fragments of Hyrule floating in the sky.
Metroid Prime Remastered — 94 points (Switch)
Genre: 1st person action
What is remarkable: a remake of the original “Metroid Prime”, in which Samus Aran went on a first-person adventure for the first time.
Resident Evil 4 — 93 points (PC, PS4/5, Xbox Series)
Genre: 3rd person horror
What is remarkable: a large-scale remake of “Resident Evil 4”, which will allow you to look at Leon Kennedy's dangerous tour of the European countryside from a new perspective.
Street Fighter 6 — 92 points (PC, PS4/5, Xbox Series)
Genre: fighting
What is remarkable: the return of the legendary fighting game series. This time, the game will feature a story mode that will allow you to freely explore locations and fight their inhabitants.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder — 92 points (Switch)
Genre: 2D platformer
What is remarkable: Mario and his friends return to classic 2D.
Dave the Diver — 90 points (PC, Switch)
Genre: 2D adventure
What is remarkable: an adventure game with RPG elements about the owner of a seaside restaurant who enjoys diving and extracts ingredients for the kitchen on his own.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 — 90 points (PS5)
Genre: 3rd person action game
What is remarkable: the new adventures of Spider-Man, in which the bloodthirsty Venom will take part. A new project by the developers of the original game and series “Ratchet & Clank”.
Slay the Princess — 90 points (PC)
Genre: visual novel
What is remarkable: a visual novel about a monster who must kill a princess to save the world. The game is based on the horror genre and develops the ideas of “The Stanley Parable”.
Alan Wake 2 — 89 points (PC, PS5, Xbox Series)
Genre: 3rd person horror
What is remarkable: after 13 years in a nightmare world, Alan Wake finds a way to break free. Meanwhile, Detective Saga Anderson is investigating a series of murders in Bright Falls. A new project by the developers of “Max Payne” and “Control” (read our text).
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty — 89 points (PC, PS5, Xbox Series)
Genre: 1st person RPG
What is remarkable: an addition to Cyberpunk 2077, which will not only tell a fresh story, but also introduce a hero played by Idris Elba. A new project by the developers of the “The Witcher” series.
Dead Space — 89 points (PC, PS5, Xbox Series)
Genre: 3rd person horror
What is remarkable: a global remake of the terrifying adventure of Isaac Clark, in which developers have updated the visual range, gameplay and story.
Cocoon — 88 points (PC, PS4/5, Switch, Xbox One/Series)
Genre: isometric adventure
What is remarkable: a mix of adventure and puzzle game about an anthropomorphic insect exploring mysterious worlds. The development is led by the lead game designer of “Limbo” and “Inside”.
The Talos Principle 2 — 88 points (PC, PS5, Xbox Series)
Genre: 1st person adventure
What is remarkable: the world in which humankind is completely extinct is still haunted by his philosophical research and contradictory ideas. A new project by the developers of the original game and series “Serious Sam”.
Final Fantasy 16 — 87 points (PS5)
Genre: jRPG
What is remarkable: the new chapter of the famous series will tell you about another confrontation between magical kingdoms. The development is led by Naoki Yoshida, who revived “Final Fantasy 14”. after a failed launch.
Hi-Fi Rush — 87 points (PC, Xbox Series)
Genre: 3rd person action
What is remarkable: a third-person action game in which music and rhythm rule, and the visual style is reminiscent of comics. A new project by the developers of “The Evil Within” and “Ghostwire: Tokyo”.
Pikmin 4 — 87 points (Switch)
Genre: real-time strategy
What is remarkable: a mix of real-time strategy and puzzle in which funny little creatures explore a hostile world.
Sea of Stars — 87 points (PC, PS4/5, Switch, Xbox One/Series)
Genre: jRPG
What is remarkable: A pixelated jRPG about heroes challenging an evil alchemist. A new project by the developers of “The Messenger”.
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line — 87 points (PS4, Switch)
Genre: music arcade
What is remarkable: a musical arcade game built entirely on the soundtracks of the “Final Fantasy” series.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon — 86 points (PC, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series)
Genre: 3rd person action game
What is remarkable: an action game about combat mechanics, developed by Masaru Yamamura, lead game designer for “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice”. A new project by the developers of “Dark Souls”, “Bloodborne” and “Elden Ring”.
Diablo 4 — 86 points (PC, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series)
Genre: action-RPG
What is remarkable: a devilish action-RPG about heroes who become unwitting witnesses and participants in the fierce struggle between good and evil. The creators of the remake of “Diablo II: Resurrected” are participating in the development.
Humanity — 86 points (PC, PS4/5)
Genre: puzzle
What is remarkable: a puzzle about Shiba Inu accompanying crowds of people to their cherished goal.
Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew — 85 points (PC, PS5, Xbox Series)
Genre: tactical strategy
What is remarkable: a team of less-than-alive pirates opposes the Inquisition and hunts for Captain Mordecai's treasure. A new project by the developers of “Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun” and “Desperados 3”.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor — 85 points (PC, PS5, Xbox Series)
Genre: 3rd person action
What is remarkable: the sequel to “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order”, in which Cal Kestis continues to resist the Empire and simultaneously watches as clouds gather over a galaxy far, far away.
The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood — 85 points (PC, Switch)
Genre: 2D adventure
What is remarkable: after 200 years of exile, the witch seeks to find freedom through friends and tarot cards. A new project by the developers of “The Red Strings Club”.
See you next year!
