Mirage is the Assassin’s Creed many have been waiting for. It pays homage to its roots, bringing with it the challenge and satisfaction of a well-planned and executed stealth assault. It effortlessly blends together the old-school approach with updated design philosophies, a deeper and more immersive game world, and a story that enthralls from start to finish.

Fate/Samurai Remnant is a great palate cleanser after all the massive games of 2023. Fans of either the Fate series or Musou games shouldn’t hesitate to check this one out.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is a tale of redemption in its purest form. No rubbish, no corpo spin, dedication, passion, and determination to deliver on promises made long ago. The team at CD Projekt Red may have taken a rough road to get here, but now they can rest easy. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is finally, the game we all hoped it would be.

Lies of P is a fantastic gothic Soulslike that is worth playing even during this hectic game season. Pick it up if you want a game that will bite back.

Simply put, Starfield is Bethesda’s greatest-ever RPG. The living, breathing universe they have created is one of the most impressive in the gaming space and the sound effects and musical score push the immersion to near perfection. If only I didn’t have to speak to the back of NPCs head.

Mortal Kombat 1 delivers one of the most impressive and exciting storylines I've ever experienced in this genre. The voice acting, the facial animations, everything comes together in near-perfect harmony. Fighting is fun, challenging, and rewarding every step of the way. Mortal Kombat 1 is brutally brilliant, and probably the best Mortal Kombat game I've ever played.

Even in the hectic year that is 2023, I still enjoyed AK-Xolotl. With a demo on Steam, AK-Xolotl is a no-brainer to try for action roguelike fans.

For a game about dinosaurs and the end of the world, Goodbye Volcano High’s coming of age tale ironically plays things far too safe. Those looking for a comfort tale akin to an anime will enjoy its trappings, but those who have already graduated have no doubt seen what this title has to offer.

Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX is a decent shmup, but it doesn’t do enough to differentiate itself from the trailblazers of the genre. This edition also proves to be a bit light on modes, meaning that all but the most diehard of fans should check this one out.

Prison City might cop Snake Plissken’s style, but this side-scrolling adventure proves that there is room for a new grizzled hero. While it provides a hefty challenge, those looking to the futuristic year of 1997 will have a blast.

The Dimension Shellshock DLC for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge makes an already great beat-em-up even better, providing plenty of ways to flex one’s fighting chops – just be ready for a challenge.

Sea of Stars sets itself apart with its unique look, relaxing vibes, engaging gameplay. Not only is it a great indie RPG, but it also currently sits at the top of my indie GOTY list.

Little Man Has a Day ends up feeling a little “eh” itself, being a little too quirky for most audiences. When paired with its short runtime and lack of purpose, it can feel like this title is in its own kind of funk.

Immortals of Aveum is a worthwhile and interesting spin on a genre that is renowned for its lack of drive and innovation. It features an engaging and rewarding combat system backed up by an excellent narrative in a fleshed out and immersive fantasy setting that wouldn't feel at all out of place in a Netflix show.

Combining the world of puzzle games with platformers is an interesting proposition, but UFO: Unidentified Falling Objects manages to keep players engaged with intuitive controls, plenty of unlockables, and countless reasons to come back.

Acceptance covers some serious topics, but its combat makes it feel more like a shallow game than something with a deeper message. Everything is a bit heavy handed, and as a result feels a bit more surface level than anything else.

Between its humor and its off-the-wall action, Moving Out 2 is sure to be a hit at one’s next shindig. Those flying solo will have fun, but be sure to bring a friend or three along to get the best Smooth Moves experience.

Sclash offers an interesting concept that boils action down to its most basic elements, but its cliche story and short runtime make it an easy pass.

While Atlas Fallen is a perfectly fine game, fine doesn’t quite cut it in 2023. If you’re dying to hunt down Wraiths, wait for a discount first.

HYPER METEOR’s momentum-based gameplay channels the finer points of Asteroids in what amounts to a unique take on the formula. It’s a bit simple at its core, but it has the underpinnings of being a cult arcade classic.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is nothing short of a masterpiece. The story is incredible, the world gorgeous and immersive, voice-over and writing of the highest quality, an amazing soundtrack, everything comes together in near perfect harmony. It’s not only the best RPG of the year, it’s the RPG of a generation.

Astrality does some interesting things with the rail shooter formula in the form of its meter, but the awkward shooting is like walking and chewing bubble gum at the same time. Those that can tolerate a bit of awkwardness will dig this interstellar adventure.

Episode 1 of The Expanse: A Telltale Series is designed by and for the fans, but sci-fi aficionados will appreciate its worldbuilding and deep atmosphere. Those that like a good story will enjoy their time exploring the UNN Urshanabi.

I find myself thinking this about a lot of games this year, but in a weaker year Remnant 2 could be a GOTY contender. Don’t hesitate to check it out if you like these types of games.

The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors is a bit light on content, but what is here is a worthy follow-up to the side-scrolling cult classic. Those that don’t mind a short runtime will have a great time minmaxing the Battery Gauge to cause massive damage.

Lost Connections has a powerful message about overcoming social anxiety, but there just isn’t enough substance to really drive its messaging home. As a result, this visual novel fails to make a lasting connection.

Exoprimal was clearly designed to be free-to-play, and much like Capcom’s other competitive multiplayer offerings, I kept trying to find a hook. It’s worth a go on Xbox Game Pass, but this dinosaur just can’t beat the kings of the genre.

Wave 5 of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Pass provides a compelling case to come back nearly a decade after its vanilla release. Whether one wants to hit the town or the tub, there’s a little something for everybody here.