Top 25 AAA games in 2023

In 2023, gamers were ecstatic about the release of gaming projects. Studios made this year truly eventful, as almost every month saw the launch of a major game. Some of these games achieved success and acclaim from players and critics, while others did not reach such heights. In this top list, we have gathered all the AAA games of 2023.

Dead Space

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The remake of the legendary horror game Dead Space thrilled gamers. While the trend of remaking old games often raises concerns about lack of originality, in this case, the developers did everything perfectly. Fans can once again dive into the story of Isaac Clarke, but now on a completely modern level.

The new graphics engine deepened and intensified the game's atmosphere. Dynamic lighting and volumetric particles were particularly appreciated. Additions included new soundtracks and even new mini-locations on the "Ishimura", unveiling new parts of the story.

Hogwarts Legacy

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Early 2023 delighted Harry Potter universe fans with the long-awaited release of Hogwarts Legacy. The game world will surely please fans, as it is made with love for the franchise. You'll play as a fifth-year student you create in the character editor. Then, you head to Hogwarts, where magic and all-too-familiar places seen in the movies await.

During your journey, you'll encounter many interesting creatures, visit various locations, solve puzzles, battle evil, and practice magic. The further plot depends on your actions, as every decision will influence the story.

Atomic Heart

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The anticipation for this game turned into a real drama. The internet was rife with rumors that the project didn't actually exist and was limited to a technical demo shown by the developers. However, all these myths were dispelled when Atomic Heart was released.

The game is a dynamic shooter set in the unusual setting of an alternate history. It somewhat resembles Fallout in a futuristic USSR style. However, it's not an RPG, and not many decisions influence the ending. But it does feature intense boss battles that will make you sweat.

Resident Evil 4 Remake

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A legendary horror game where you'll constantly hear "Leoooon!" The Resident Evil 4 Remake is significantly different from the original released in the early 2000s: it has updated graphics, an improved game engine, and an enhanced oppressive atmosphere. Players can immerse themselves in it and enjoy the dark gameplay.

The gameplay is almost identical to the original: the character needs to collect survival items and fight monsters, and also protect the president's daughter.

Dead Island 2

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The sequel to Dead Island was in development for so long that some had resigned themselves to the project being canceled. Despite concerns, the release in 2023 was successful, selling over 1 million copies in the first three days. Dead Island 2 takes us 10 years forward, with the action set in Los Angeles.

The essence of the game hasn't changed: you're still tasked with the fun extermination of zombies in various ways. The project didn't turn into a dark horror; it remains akin to a comedy, much like the film "Zombieland".

STAR WARS Jedi: Survivor

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Star Wars fans received a continuation of Cal Kestis’s story this year. STAR WARS Jedi: Survivor takes us to a time when Cal has become an adult and experienced Jedi. Accordingly, the problems and enemies encountered in the game have become more mature and challenging.

The gameplay also underwent some changes. New combat styles, skills, and weapons were introduced. However, the project faced significant difficulties at launch that took a long time to resolve.

Poor optimization marred the game's first impression. Even on top PCs, STAR WARS Jedi: Survivor lagged and crashed with errors. The FPS was sometimes so low that it was impossible to play. This issue has since been fixed.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

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Another nominee for "Game of the Year". The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild became one of the most significant releases of the last decade. This project offered players a vast open world, captivating for hundreds of hours thanks to its diverse and, most importantly, engaging content.

This sequel continues Link's adventures. You will battle monsters, powerful bosses, gather resources, solve puzzles in dungeons, and cook. The dishes provide character-boosting bonuses.

Tears of the Kingdom slightly changed the familiar Hyrule, added aerial and underground worlds, and updated the character's abilities.

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum

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It’s the most absurd and disappointing release of 2023. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum did not become a sensational failure nor did it spark heated debates within the community. The only thing this project left behind was bewilderment and embarrassment. Instead of a full-fledged stealth action game set in the popular “The Lord of the Rings” universe, we received an undercooked demo version that the developers called a finished game.

Many projects from small independent studios look much better than this game. Despite the sparse graphics, the system requirements are astonishing. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum strains even the most modern graphics cards.

Gollum is one of the key characters in "The Lord of the Rings". The story of the hobbit corrupted by the One Ring is one of the most dramatic and complex in Tolkien’s works. This game was supposed to tell that story but ended up being nothing more than a decent stress test for your graphics card, priced at 24 dollars.

Street Fighter 6

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Not only Mortal Kombat 1 emerged as a new fighting game in 2023. The legendary Street Fighter franchise also received its continuation. Street Fighter 6 elevated to a new level, becoming not just a fighting game but a whole gaming platform.

In addition to regular fights, the project introduced a world tour, where players can compete for valuable prizes and high rankings. A separate shared location, the Battle Hub, was also added. Here, players can meet others, see the hall of fame, and even enjoy mini-games.

Diablo IV

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The title of one of the most prominent releases of 2023 goes to Diablo IV. Fans waited years for the continuation of their beloved franchise, and the release of this game was very successful. There were opinions that conceptually the project remained at the same level, but this didn’t deter anyone. New graphics, insanely beautiful locations, and the presence of world bosses attracted fans.

However, months later, players began to sense a feeling of redundancy and boredom from the long-awaited project. The content abruptly ended, and the game kindly suggested replaying it over and over to unlock new pieces of possibilities. Then a wave of complaints hit Blizzard.

A characteristic of the Diablo series was its endlessness, and these games did not become tiresome over time. Diablo IV lacks this quality. However, it should not be forgotten that Diablo III faced a similar situation, but over time, it became an amazing game.

Final Fantasy XVI

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Every release in the Final Fantasy series is a major event in the gaming community. Final Fantasy XVI was no exception and ended up being titled one of the best games in the franchise. This time, we learn the story of Clive and a team of rebels. The scriptwriters outdid themselves, creating a story that could bring players to tears. Fans note the depth and drama of the narrative.

In terms of gameplay, the game differs from its predecessors. Firstly, there are many cutscenes, creating the illusion of watching a movie. Secondly, the combat system has become dynamic and interesting. Ultimately, it resulted in an intriguing combination of observation and action.

Remnant II

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Remnant II earned its share of fame in 2023. The sequel turned out to be larger, more varied, and more beautiful than its predecessor. Gamers eagerly immersed themselves in this unique souls-like game and were thoroughly satisfied.

Remnant II significantly expanded on the aspects of the first game. Worlds became more diverse and extensive, with completely new creatures and bosses, while combat became more dynamic and bloodier. There were also new crafting options and rewards, and most importantly, expanded character progression.

Baldur’s Gate 3

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It’s the most famous project, which received several awards at The Game Awards 2023 ceremony, including the top award, "Game of the Year". This role-playing game sees the character grow from an unknown adventurer to a true hero capable of changing or destroying the world. It's all in the spirit of D&D.

BG3 is not lacking in an interesting plot, humor, charismatic characters, diverse classes and their abilities, and epic surprises that can evoke both tears of joy and sadness. It's so multifaceted that you can play it over and over again to discover something new.

The developers support the project. For instance, a new epilogue was recently released as players were dissatisfied with the ending of BG3. This is another plus for both the company and the project.

Starfield

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Starfield was the dream game not only for fans of Bethesda's games but also for Todd Howard himself. There were high ambitions, but were the hopes fulfilled? Not really. Some fans were already prepared for bugs and poor optimization, reminiscent of Fallout 4's instability at launch. However, the problem lies not in what developers or mod creators can fix.

Starfield received mixed reviews due to its gameplay. In this space game, there was too little space, and the hundreds of claimed planets were empty and monotonous. The story wasn't particularly remarkable. Ultimately, it was a project of gigantic proportions with interesting content spread too thinly.

Mortal Kombat 1

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Mortal Kombat fans have become accustomed to the universe's story being rewritten repeatedly. This year's new release, MK1, continued this tradition. It not only rewrote the story but also rebooted the series. A particularly notable change was the altered story of Scorpion and Sub-Zero — the universe's most iconic characters.

MK1 boasts not only a new storyline but also its presentation. The game has transformed in this aspect. It now resembles a high-quality cinematic game even more, an effect achieved by the developers through advanced graphics and live actors.

Otherwise, it's the same fighting game with an even more enjoyable combat system and more brutal fatalities.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

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This is not a separate game, but a story expansion that was very well received by fans, so we had to include it in this top list. Moreover, this DLC is so cool that it is essentially perceived as a separate game.

Unfortunately, Phantom Liberty was decided to be the first and last story expansion. There will be no more, so if you've finished the original, it's time to move on to the expansion, which is filled with unexpected plot twists, interesting characters, and a unique location that differs from the rest of Night City.

Counter-Strike 2

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The release of Counter-Strike 2 was a landmark event in 2023. Firstly, gamers received a continuation of the legendary franchise on a new engine, and secondly, the fan-favorite CS:GO ceased to exist. The controversial decision to shut down the previous project did not go smoothly. The community's anger was so intense that it caused solar flares, and somewhere in a parallel universe, Gabe Newell promised to announce Half-Life 3.

Despite this, CS2 has over 7 million positive reviews on Steam and is doing quite well.

Assassin's Creed Mirage

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Following the release of Assassin's Creed Origin, the fan community was divided into two camps. Those who didn’t like the RPG elements were forced to watch the franchise drift away from its roots. However, in 2023, Assassin's Creed Mirage was released, bringing the series back to its origins.

Yes, leveling up is still there, but it's not as deep as in previous games. The focus is on stealth, and the storyline centers on the assassins' order, pleasing fans of the earlier series parts. Overall, the release was successful, but players had one complaint: the game is very short. This is attributed to the fact that Basim's story was initially conceived as a large DLC for Assassin's Creed Valhalla.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

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In this game, you'll play as two characters — Peter Parker and Miles Morales, who are set to face new adventures, new enemies, and new battles. The project continues the story of the previous part, where Miles Morales appeared as the new Spider-Man. It also introduced Harry Osborn, infected with a symbiote.

The symbiote will play an important role in the sequel: it will give Peter and Miles new abilities and unleash the terrifying Venom.

Lethal Company

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Unexpectedly, Lethal Company burst into the Steam top charts. This indie game occupies leading positions with positive player reviews. Remarkably, the project rose to prominence just days after its release, and its online presence continues to grow.

At first glance, the game seems simple and unremarkable, yet it's full of fun, action, and humorous moments, especially when played with friends, laughing at various mishaps.

The horror game captures you from the first minutes. You play as laborers obediently serving the mysterious conglomerate "Company", which constantly demands profit plan fulfillment. The money earned can be spent on personal upgrades or on improving your spaceship.

Alan Wake 2

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In its time, Alan Wake became an iconic game, and fans had been asking the developers to release a sequel for many years. The wait of over ten years was worth it. Alan Wake 2 is a horror game that immerses players in the mysterious world of the famous writer Alan Wake, who disappeared in a creepy town under unknown conditions.

The plot keeps you on edge and won't let you relax until the very end (and at the end you'll go playing other games from Remedy). You'll discover many secrets in the writer's realm of nightmarish dreams. This adventure will certainly be memorable, as the game received numerous enthusiastic reviews from players and critics, as well as a nomination for "Game of the Year".

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

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In 2023, Activision released (or rather, disappointed with) another part of the Modern Warfare series. Fans were promised a dark story about Makarov, who had sent shivers down their spines in previous parts of the franchise. It was supposed to be an epic story, but in reality, it turned out to be a complete failure.

Most gamers confidently state that this cannot be called a full-fledged game, but rather a DLC for MWII. However, it was marketed as a separate project and sold for a substantial amount. The community was outraged when they saw that the new Call of Duty consisted almost entirely of content from previous games and Warzone.

Regarding the story, voice actor Christopher Judge's comment at the Game Awards ceremony was telling. On stage, he said that his nine-minute speech was longer than the plot of Modern Warfare III.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

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The long-awaited Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora was finally released in 2023. Many were skeptical about the project due to an unimpressive trailer, where the world of Pandora appeared, to put it mildly, strange and unattractive. However, the developers managed to surprise everyone. At the time of release, we saw a game with stunning graphics and atmosphere.

Part of the community claimed that Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is just another game in the Far Cry series, but in a different setting. Essentially, this is true, but it does not make the project bad. The game excellently captures the details of the movie and boasts an amazing open world.

Thanks to the fact that your character is a member of the Na’vi people, the gameplay turned out to be fast-paced and lively.

The Day Before

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One of Steam's most anticipated projects was released on December 7, 2023. With advertising on Times Square and YouTube trailers, The Day Before stirred the gaming community, but only briefly, as it literally died. Four days after its release, on December 11, the game was removed from Steam, and the Fntastic studio announced its closure. It was the most notorious failure of 2023.

The reasons were nightmare optimization, boring gameplay, poor graphics, and an empty world. The project combined everything that could go wrong.

The Day Before could have been saved, but the developers lacked the funds and desire. This can be inferred from the stark difference between the 2021 trailer and the actual product. Interestingly, an enthusiast started a petition for the game's development to continue.

THE FINALS

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In December, lovers of dynamic shooters welcomed a new project. THE FINALS offers not only fast-paced gameplay with a colossal adrenaline rush but also an advanced destruction system.

Destructible environments are the main feature of this game. Everything around the players doesn’t just shatter into pieces, but also has its own physics. Is the enemy behind a wall and you don't know how to reach them? Just collapse the wall on them, and the debris will crush them.

Notably, the shooter is available for free to all players, which will undoubtedly keep its online presence at a high level.

This was a review of the 25 major releases of 2023. Agreeably, the year was eventful in terms of gaming. Which game did you like the most? And which one is the least? Write your answers in the comments.

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