WHILE everyone argues about which was the best game of 2023, there is an easier way to tell.
By adding up all of the review scores and averaging them out, you can tell which game is the best.
Luckily, that’s what Metacritic’s for, and we’ve picked out the 10 games from this year that reviewed the best.
Here’s the top 10 games of the year as decided by Metacritic.
10. Super Mario Bros. Wonder
10
Metacritic score: 92
People had long thought that 2D Mario games were dead as Nintendo switched its focus to 3D titles like Super Mario Odyssey.
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However, Super Mario Bros. Wonder brought 2D Mario games back to life with all new mechanics.
With more playable characters, the game also features hidden challenge levels and new wonder flower mechanics.
Wonder added fresh multiplayer gameplay that made us want to jump into levels over and over.
You can read our full Super Mario Bros. Wonder review here.
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9. Cocoon
10
Metacritic score: 92
Cocoon is a completely new style of puzzle game using a mechanic that we’ve never seen before in games.
In this 3D puzzle platformer you carry around worlds, then place worlds inside worlds, for mind-bending puzzles.
On top of the base layer, there is another level of meta puzzles that most people will never find.
It’s unique, and that’s what made Cocoon stand out as one of the best indies this year.
8. Slay the Princess
10
Metacritic score: 92
This game didn’t appear on many people’s top ten lists despite how well it did when it came to reviews.
That’s because it’s a game that you shouldn’t really talk about, as the less you know, the more you will enjoy it.
However, if that description intrigues you, or the beautiful pencil-drawn style, then this is one definitely worth checking out.
It will take you to disturbing places and have you thinking about it long after you put it down.
7. Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed
10
Metacritic score: 92
Future Redeemed may be a DLC, but it is even beefier than most full games on this list.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 was nominated for Game of the Year 2022, and the DLC tightens up everything from the base game.
It provided players with plenty of fan service and the narrative closure that they were all waiting for.
The DLC gave a very satisfying ending to the trilogy, and developed characters both new and old.
6. Street Fighter 6
10
Metacritic score: 92
In the battle of the fighting games this year Street Fighter 6 came out on top with excellent form.
While Street Fighter 5 fumbled its launch and won back some goodwill with updates post launch.
But SF6 came out strong straight off the starting blocks with an incredible cast of characters and a new hub world.
It’s a brilliant experience for competitive and casual players, and can introduce newbies to fighting games.
5. Alan Wake 2
10
Metacritic score: 93
Usually when we have to wait this long for a sequel something has gone very wrong in development, but that’s not the case with Alan Wake.
The sequel was deemed not commercially viable, and Remedy made other games until they were given a second chance.
Alan Wake 2 drastically improves on the first game with better visuals, an improved story, and new dual protagonists.
The survival horror atmosphere is tense in this one, and it was released at the perfect time, right next to Halloween.
You can read our full Alan Wake 2 review here.
4. Resident Evil 4 Remake
10
Metacritic score: 93
The remake of Resident Evil 4 took one of the best games ever made and made it even better.
Not only are there huge improvements to combat, gameplay and graphics, but it feels like a new game in every way.
New enemy placements, weapons and secrets made everything feel fresh, while also keeping the goody humour it’s known for.
Even if you have played Resident Evil 4 a hundred times already, the remake is still worth a shot.
You can read our full Resident Evil 4 review here.
3. Metroid Prime Remastered
10
Metacritic score: 94
Another game from the GameCube era has made it near the top of the list, and this is one people have waited years for.
Metroid Prime is commonly cited as one of the best games in the series and people couldn’t wait for a comeback.
This isn’t a full remaster like Resident Evil, but it did give people a way to play Metroid Prime again.
Before the remaster the most modern console it played on was the Wii, and not everyone still has one knocking around.
You can read our full Metroid Prime Remastered review here.
2. Baldur’s Gate 3
10
Metacritic score: 96
Baldur’s Gate 3 topped many Game of the Year lists, and it seems that the critics agree with the award shows.
It reinvented what we think of as RPGs, and brought Dungeons and Dragons into the mainstream.
With branching storylines, and different characters to recruit, many did multiple playthroughs even with the huge main story.
In-depth character creation means that every playthrough is different, and it has kept people talking months later.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
10
Metacritic score: 96
Breath of the Wild changed the gaming industry forever, and Tears of the Kingdom somehow improved on that incredible formula.
All new abilities gave new ways to improve on the already excellent traversal options, making the open world more fun than ever before.
Adding both a world in the sky and one below the surface made the map of Hyrule even bigger as well.
With all the inventive things you could do in TotK, it took the internet by storm.
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You can read our full Tears of the Kingdom review here.
Written by Georgina Young on behalf of GLHF.
