Metacritic Best Reviewed Games of 2023 So Far
Metacritic has just unveiled the list of the best reviewed games of 2023 as of halfway through the year. This includes some loveable indies, some classic remakes and, of course, the usual AAA hits. Let’s take a look at the top 10 games of the year so far according to critic scores- there are some that may surprise you.
10: First up is Star Wars: Jedi Survivor with an 85 This was the sequel to the 2019 Jedi: Fallen Order- and critics point to this instalment being an improvement in almost every way. With compelling characters, more developed gameplay and a whole host of new environments to explore, this was deemed as one of the greatest Star Wars games to date. If you can get past the performance issues on PC, this is well worth a try.
9: Next up is Diablo IV- with an impressive score of 87. Considering Blizzard’s recent host of missteps, there were a lot of fans who were cautious about Diablo IV before launch. However, it appears that the majority did end up loving the game. With all of the microtransactions stripped from the previous entry on mobile, Diablo Immortal, the gameplay loop is engaging and addictive. With the slight caveat of a disappointing endgame, Diablo IV more than lives up to the series’ legacy.
8: Probably the biggest surprise of the year so far has been Hi-Fi Rush on Xbox Series consoles and PC- with an 87-critic rating. The game was shadow dropped earlier this year at Xbox’s developer showcase- where it quickly garnered rave reviews for its unique premise and art style. With a combination of rhythm-based combat and platforming, Hi-Fi Rush is a mix of different genres that somehow pulls it off flawlessly. It also proved that shadow launches can amass a lot of support- if done right.
7: Strangely enough, the next entry in the list is another rhythm game with an identical score of 87. Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line for the Nintendo Switch takes all of what was great about the previous entries and creates what may be the biggest rhythm game ever. With essentially ever single Final Fantasy song ever included, it makes for a unique RPG with all of those classic tunes to keep you playing for hundreds of hours.
6: Moving on from a Final Fantasy spin-off comes the latest mainline entry in the series. Final Fantasy XVI scored an impressive 88- and its not hard to see why. With the most mature story to date (and best characters), Final Fantasy XVI weaves a complex but engaging story with gameplay that really shakes up the formula. While its not for everyone, those who enjoy the high stakes Game of Thrones-like story will find this hard to put down.
5: The first horror remake on this list is Dead Space- which scored an 89 critic rating. A beautiful reimagining of the original Dead Space, this remake ups the fear, the gore and the stakes with what may be the greatest sci-fi horror game of all time. After the disappointing Callisto Protocol, fans of the genre can breathe easy that space can still cause fear like no other setting.
4: Shooting up to 92, Street Fighter 6 is the latest entry in one of the longest running fighting game franchises. This game seeks to be a great jumping in point for new fans while still appealing to veterans. By taking what made the older games so fun and combining them with newer, flashier animations and fighting styles, Street Fighter 6 embraces tradition without feeling dated.
3: Sitting comfortably at 93 is the Resident Evil 4 Remake. If horror fans thought Dead Space’s remake was faithful, the reimagining of Resident Evil 4’s world is one of the greatest ever made. With eerie Victorian-esque structures and enemies made even more horrifying in modern engines, this game blew new and old fans away with its graphical upgrades and graceful handling of the original in a fantastic way.
2: Missing out on the top spot is Metroid Prime: Remastered, with an incredible 94. Nintendo managed to take on of the most highly regarded games of all time and remaster it on the Switch to a degree that many developers could only hope for. While the graphics and performance have been upped, the main appeal here is that Metroid Prime is finally playable on a modern platform. If the critical reception to this wasn’t enough to make Nintendo hurry development for Metroid Prime 4, I don’t know what will.
1: Finally, sitting high with a 96 rating is The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Somehow improving on everything that Breath of the Wild did right while also fixing the most glaring issues present in that original game, Tears of the Kingdom managed the impossible. With the game introducing a whole underground area as well as sky islands, its a marvel that this manages to even run on the Nintendo Switch’s aging hardware. The fact this was pulled off so well is a miracle- and a testament to what a team of truly inspired developers can create when given the right time and support.
