The 20 Best Video Games of 2023 So Far

by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor – June 29, 2023

Which videogames impressed critics during the first half of the year? In the gallery on this page we rank the highest-scoring games released between January 1, 2023 and June 30, 2023. Titles are ranked by their Metascores (prior to rounding) as of June 28, 2023 and must have a minimum of 7 reviews from professional critics to be eligible for inclusion.

Note that ...

If a game was released on multiple platforms, we included only the version receiving the largest total number of reviews (usually, but not always, the PS5 or PS4 version).

Multi-game compilations and newly released ports of games released in recent years on other platforms are excluded, unless they are substantially different from the prior release(s) (for example, an HD remaster that also adds some new content or is multiple hardware generations beyond the previous release). We have also excluded expansion packs and other DLC.

8 of 21 photo by Chorus Worldwide Games

85A Space For The Unbound (Switch)

Also on PC, PS5, PS4, XBX, XB1

(#13) A slice-of-life adventure set in rural 1990s Indonesia depicted through pixel art graphics, Unbound follows high school sweethearts Atma and Raya as their lives are changed by a brush with the supernatural. The emotional (and humorous) story, unique atmosphere, and plentiful puzzles combine into a low-key gem suitable for a wide range of gamers.

“There are numerous interesting puzzles that unfold because of the game’s unusual mechanics and set up, and it would be almost unfair to ruin any of them for you here. We’d therefore recommend trying out A Space For The Unbound if you’re looking for something that’s clearly been made with love and passion – it’s hard not to be whisked away by its charms.” —Gamezebo

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