The 2023 calendar is quickly running out of empty spaces and as we approach the end of the year, we’re taking a look back at what an extraordinary year it’s been for gaming releases – perhaps the best since 2015. With games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Baldur’s Gate 3 and Alan Wake 2 receiving big critical acclaim among many others, a top 10 wouldn’t do it justice. Instead, we’re ranking the top 25 highest-rated video games of the year.
First and foremost, some rules. Our rankings are based on OpenCritic ratings. We’ll also be excluding remasters and expansions in order to give newly released, full games a fair shot. Remakes, however, will still count if they’re substantial enough to be a fresh and “new” experience (like Dead Space). Games must also have at least 20 reviews on OpenCritic to make the list. Fear not, we’ll also be doing a separate overlooked games of 2023 article soon!
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Top 25 Highest-Rated Video Games of 2023
Honourable Mentions
- Lies of P – 82
- Forza Motorsport – 84
- Mortal Kombat 1 – 84
- Hogwarts Legacy – 84
- Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless – 84
- Star Wars Jedi: Survivor – 84
- Blasphemous 2 – 84
25. F1 23
- Score: 85
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Developer: Codemasters
24. Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew
- Score: 85
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Developer: Mimimi Games
23. Octopath Traveler II
- Score: 85
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch
- Developer: Square Enix
22. Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
- Score: 85
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Developer: FromSoftware
21. Humanity
- Score: 85
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC
- Developer: THA Ltd
20. Starfield
- Score: 85
- Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
19. Cassette Beasts
- Score: 86
- Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch
- Developer: Bytten Studio
18. Theatrhythm Final Bar Line
- Score: 86
- Platforms: PS4, Nintendo Switch
- Developer: indieszero
17. The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood
- Score: 86
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
- Developer: Deconstructeam
16. Cocoon
- Score: 87
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch
- Developer: Geometric Interactive
15. The Talos Principle 2
- Score: 87
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Developer: Croteam
14. Final Fantasy XVI
- Score: 88
- Platforms: PS5
- Developer: Square Enix
13. Pikmin 4
- Score: 88
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
- Developer: Nintendo
12. Diablo IV
- Score: 88
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
11. Dead Space (2023)
- Score: 89
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Developer: Motive
10. Alan Wake 2
- Score: 89
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Developer: Remedy Entertainment
9. Hi-Fi Rush
- Score: 89
- Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Developer: Tango Gameworks
8. Sea of Stars
- Score: 89
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch
- Developer: Sabotage Studio
7. Dave the Diver
- Score: 90
- Platforms: PC
- Developer: MINTROCKET
6. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Score: 91
- Platforms: PS5
- Developer: Insomniac Games
5. Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Score: 91
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
- Developer: Nintendo
4. Street Fighter 6
- Score: 92
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Developer: Capcom
3. Resident Evil 4 (2023)
- Score: 92
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Developer: Capcom
2. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Score: 96
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
- Developer: Nintendo
1. Baldur’s Gate 3
- Score: 96
- Platforms: PS5, PC
- Developer: Larian Studios
