He sent us back Game of the year Articles allow our fantastic team of writers to share their personal PS5 and PS4 picks for 2023. Today, it's contributor Henry Stockdale's turn.
Dredge resonated in a way I didn't expect. Lovecraftian horror was never my bag and my video game fishing adventures mainly occur through RPG mini-games but I didn't stop Dredge until I was done. There's a definite sense of dread that makes exploration exciting while balancing risk and reward, and the enigmatic narrative weaves this together well. It's the most unique hunting game you've ever played, and Black Salt Games has nailed it.
What, you thought Robert's List was going to be the only place you'd see Trails? Think again. As someone who is fully invested in Trails, I loved Trails into Reverie. Closing out the first half of the series after ten games is no easy feat, but Falcom's latest RPG provides a great conclusion to both the Crossbell and Cold Steel arcs. The worldbuilding remains exceptional, the stakes are high, and this is enhanced by strong character writing. I'm ready to stay on the trails through dawn.
I'd like to say that there aren't many games that could convince me to spend 70 hours on them these days, but my list quickly disproves that. Almost immediately, Final Fantasy 16 grabbed my attention with its political machinations, then held it with an excellent combat system and solid presentation. Arguably there's never been a need to focus on the side quests too intensely, even though they often offer some great world-building. I won't forget my trip through Falestia any time soon.
As someone who loves VR gaming, the launch of PSVR 2 in February was exciting and I consider Horizon Call of the Mountain a solid start for the new generation. With production values comparable to Half-Life: Alyx, Horizon is a stunning visual spectacle with great interactivity and fun exploration. It's a compelling ride that feels essential for PSVR 2 owners and the best we've seen in Sony's latest headset yet.
Baldur's Gate 3 is everything I wanted from a Dungeons & Dragons RPG and more. For a board game that often relied on “theatre of the mind,” Larian delivered an exciting campaign with an amazing level of freedom. All while managing the difficult task of translating 5th edition D&D in a way that suits the video game. It's an amazing world filled with amazing characters, and sets a high bar for RPGs that I doubt will be surpassed for a long time.
What do you think of Henry's personal picks for game of the year? Feel free to agree wholeheartedly, or scold relentlessly in the comments section below.
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