STACK #230 December 2023

GAMING FEATURE

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The 10 BEST GAMES RELEASES of 2023

Starfield

MULTIPLAYER ACTION RPG What we said: “ Starfield allows us to explore space at our own pace. While it does have a fair amount of its core gameplay mechanics pulled from Skyrim and the Fallout games, its overall setting, environments, and complete freedom (as well as being able to spend an unhealthy amount of time creating spaceships) all make it well worth the wait.” AD Star Wars Jedi: Survivor MULTIPLAYER ACTION ADVENTURE What we said: “ Jedi: Survivor is a super-satisfying

Star Wars experience and makes for an excellent action RPG. The upgrades to combat, and new skills, keep the game fresh, challenging, and exciting. What we have here is an excellent middle story in what is clearly set up to be a larger saga that will hopefully

2023 proved to be another strong year for some big new game experiences, as well as updates of old favourites. Once again, STACK ’s games team assembled to decide on what we thought were the top tier releases of the year, and here they are, listed alphabetically… Words Amy Flower, Dan Nicholson, Alex Deutrom Final Fantasy XVI MULTIPLAYER ACTION RPG Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 MULTIPLAYER ACTION ADVENTURE What we said: “In Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 ,

continue to deliver fantastic Star Wars adventures for years to come.” DN Super Mario Bros. Wonder MULTIPLAYER PLATFORMER What we said: “We’ve waited a long time for a new 2D Mario experience, and

What we said: “And while we do have an excellent array of fighting skills and action set pieces, this most definitely fits comfortably into the pulpy, high fantasy world of JRPGs. There’s a compelling and

Insomniac have delivered a game that rewards the player handsomely at almost every turn – this really is the type of experience that we got a PS5 for. The

it’s been worth the 11-year wait, as Super Mario Bros. Wonder lives up to the last word of its title in every

detailed story, rich with lore, in a carefully curated experience. Final Fantasy XVI feels less like a game and more like a 40-hour, family-friendly, Game of Thrones simulator.” DN

sheer breadth of experiences encountered is stunning, and Marvel fandom is definitely not a prerequisite as this is an incredibly human story...” AF Moving Out 2

way. The vision, the sound, the gameplay… everything about it is testament to just how talented each member of the team behind it really is. Wonder-ful!” AF The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom MULTIPLAYER ACTION ADVENTURE

Forza Motorsport MULTIPLAYER RACING

MULTIPLAYER PUZZLE ACTION What we said: “If you found yourself addicted to Moving Out then you’re in for many, many a lost hour with Moving Out 2 . It retains everything that was great about that first sortie into raucous removalist

What we said: “While the selection of tracks, cars, and races may seem a little limited for now, Turn 10 have given us a decidedly solid platform

What we said: “ Tears of the Kingdom does for Zelda games what Super Mario Galaxy did for Mario. Nintendo have made things a little bit more excellent, while still capturing the true essence

to kick our Forza Motorsport experience off with. As long as they deliver with their promises of much more to come, and regularly at that, then Xbox racers can rest assured that the legend lives on.” AF Hogwarts Legacy

rambunctiousness, adds a whole lot more nuttiness, and comes out as one of the greatest, most personality-laden co-op experiences that you could ever hope to play.” AF Sonic Superstars

of the rich history of Zelda. It was always going to be hard to top the amazing Breath of the Wild , but Tears of the Kingdom does it in every way that you could possibly ask.” DN

MULTIPLAYER ACTION RPG What we said: “It’s funny, dark, and mysterious in a way that only an ancient world of witchcraft and wizardry can be. This is the kind of game that you can get lost in for hours, and you’ll be happier for it. Many fans of the Wizarding

MULTIPLAYER PLATFORMER What we said: “Managing to be both a love letter to the original 2D games that gave Sonic his big break and an advancement of the form, while old-school players may notice the slight difference in feel and may baulk

Honourable mentions: Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, Assassin's Creed Mirage, Dead Space, EA Sports FC 24, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged, Mortal Kombat 1, Pikmin 4, Resident Evil 4, Street Fighter 6, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line

World have waited years for a game that matches their expectations, and Hogwarts Legacy does not disappoint.” DN

at the more sprawling, less cut-and-paste levels, there’s

no denying that Sonic Superstars is one slick operator.” AF

10 DECEMBER 2023

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