It’s that time of year when the team at LadiesGamers think about their favourite game of 2023. I had tough choices to make for this list as I’ve had a brilliant year playing many great games for review and some just for pleasure.
Additionally, there have been a few stand-out titles in the last year. My Best of Games 2023 are ones that I thoroughly enjoyed playing, and they are also the games I thought about long after I’d finished them.
Pikmin 4
I’ve always loved the Pikmin games, so I bought the game when Pikmin 4 was released. In the game, you assume the role of a recently recruited member of the Rescue Corps, a group needing rescuing following an unsuccessful attempt to save Captain Olimar.
Under your command are the squads of Pikmin to explore various areas, fight enemies, secure treasures, and solve puzzles. They can be directed to perform various tasks, such as carrying objects and fighting enemies, and have individual weaknesses and strengths. For example, Red Pikmin is invulnerable to fire, Blue Pikmin can walk underwater, and Winged Pikmin can lift objects and float over hazards. I love exploring the game world and the puzzle strategy elements. It’s a happy game to play.
Cities: Skylines II
Cities: Skylines II is the second game in the popular city-building series. I have spent thousands of hours playing the first game, Cities: Skylines, and over time, I think I will have as many hours played in Cities: II. I’ve already got nearly 200 hours played so far this year. Building a city is great fun, and I love watching it come to life with all the cims going about their daily business.
You can read our Cities: Skylines II review here, and our guide is here.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
If it’s got the word Zelda in the title, I’m sure to love the game and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is no exception.
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom offered me hours of exploration, and I loved ambushing the enemies with Muddle Buds on the end of an arrow. It is exceptional for confusing monsters, causing them to tell friends from foes no longer and attack one another. Experimenting with the Zonai devices is great fun, too.
Here, you’ll find our The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom review, and we also have a Tips and Tricks guide for the game here.Â
Sea of Stars
It was a bit of a disappointment after breaking my wrist in a fall and finding out I couldn’t hold a controller to play a game. So I searched for a game on the Nintendo Switch to change the controller inputs to the right joycon, and Sea of Stars was that game.
Sea of Stars is a retro RPG with a great storyline, and it tells the story of two Children of the Solstice who combine the powers of the sun and moon to perform Eclipse Magic. This magic is the only force capable of fending off the monstrous creations of the evil alchemist known as The Fleshmancer. Sea of Stars was the right game at the right time for me, as I could play it one-handed.
Our Sea of Stars review is here.
SteamWorld Build
SteamWorld Build is the newest game in the SteamWorld series. Like all the SteamWorld games, this one is a different genre from all the other SteamWorld games. It is a city builder above ground and a mine to explore underground. It’s a great mix of genres and it has given me many hours of pleasure playing SteamWorld Build. Our SteamWorld Build review and a SteamWorld Build Guide are here.
My Little Universe
My Little Universe is a pretty simple game in some respects. Your little character is automated, and he starts hammering away at the resources without you having to do anything. There is something cool about how the game’s mechanics work that made me really enjoy my time reviewing the game.
You can read our review of My Little Universe here. Â
Crime O’clock
Your goal in Crime O’clock is to investigate several crimes that occur across different periods within a large area. While offences may initially seem independent, soon you determine that there are irregularities in cases that tie them together.
Each story in Crime O’clock is simple and gives just enough context to support the mystery. Meanwhile, the overarching narrative of the game delves into more complex ideas. It’s a neat puzzle game and one that I really enjoyed playing. Our Crime O’clock review is here.Â
A Highland Song
Last but definitely not least, in my Best Games of 2023 is A Highland Song. Moira McKinnon is running away from home over the Scottish Highland on her way to see the sea, and I went with her every step of the way and what a journey it was. This game combines platforming with rhythm sequences and lots of hills to climb. An amazing soundtrack backs it up, and I fell in love with Moira McKinnon and the Highlands.