This is the ranking of the video games (classic and new) that I have played and completed for the first time in 2023 (therefore not second runs).
14th place: Sonic Forces. Played on: Steam Deck. Completed on the 1st of October Score: 7/10.
Sonic Forces is a decent Sonic videogame, but I couldn’t stand the soundtrack and the idea of the custom character was poorly executed and utilized. What a shame.
13th place: The Callisto Protocol. Played on: PC + Steam Deck. Completed on the 27th of August Score: 7.4/10.
The Callisto Protocol is a successful spiritual sequel to Dead Space, with stunning graphics and good gameplay mechanics. However, the repetitiveness of the actions and the plot that dissolves into a bad cliffhanger at the end made me forget about it soon after finishing it.
12th place: Fallout 4. Played on: Steam Deck. Completed on the 5th of November. Score: 7.5/10
Fallout 4 has excellent level design, but the gunplay and gameplay mechanics didn’t satisfy me. However, its performance on the Steam Deck is phenomenal, and as a portable experience, it’s definitely a good one.
11th place: Uncharted Lost Legacy. Played on: PC. Completed on the 1st of April. Score: 8/10
It’s the usual Uncharted, beautiful to look at and enjoyable to play. A technical marvel that, however, is quite easily forgotten shortly after its completion, also due to the well-written but decidedly cliché storyline.
10th place: Prince of Persia 2008. Played on: Steam Deck. Completed on the 1st of May. Score: 8/10
Prince Of Persia is a great platform game, wonderful to see even today. Playing it on-the-go is a real joy. It’s a shame that the plot was not deepened and that they went for a character reboot instead of creating a connection with the previous chapters. This decision was made when cinematic/gaming universes were not yet particularly popular.
9th place: Star Wars Squadrons. Played on: PCVR. Completed on the 10th of April. Score: 8/10
Squadrons VR was a mesmerizing experience. However, The stunning gameplay and spectacular graphics are not accompanied by a good storyline. An experience that every Star Wars fan should live at least once.
8th place: Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Future Redeemed. Played on: Nintendo Switch. Completed on the 15th of December. Score: 8.5/10.
I had already had the opportunity to appreciate the original chapter, and this DLC only confirms the qualities of a superb combat system, always brilliant and rich storyline, and graphics that push beyond the limits of Nintendo Switch hardware, giving us stunning views. I can only imagine what a game forged with such mastery could be like on more powerful hardware
7th place: The Curse of Monkey Island. Played on: Steam Deck. Completed on the 1st of March Score: 9/10.
I love the first two chapters of the saga, as I have written in this article, and I enjoyed ‘Return’. Although I started the third chapter many times in the past, I only managed to finish it this year, thanks mostly to Steam Deck. The artistic direction of this game is still magnificent and stands the test of time, as does the game itself, which is a perfect sequel to Monkey 2, my all-time favorite.
6th place: Hexen 2. Played on: PC. Completed on the 15th of July Score: 9/10.
I will remember 2023 as the year in which I finally completed Hexen 2 after years of unsuccessful attempts. Hexen 2 is a game of great charm, with an atmosphere that is still intact today, despite a risky transition to the full 3D of the Quake Engine, and a cerebral, fragmented, imperfect yet incredibly appealing gameplay. I loved it from the moment I tried the demo in ’99 and I loved it until the last boss, just like its predecessor.
5th place: Resident Evil 8. Played on: Steam Deck. Completed on the 15th of February Score: 9/10.
Resident Evil 8 and its DLCs are the perfect conclusion to the new cycle initiated with the fantastic seventh installment. It’s fantastic on Steam Deck, with finely polished gameplay and an enjoyable and interesting storyline.
4th place: Sonic Frontiers. Played on: PC + Steam Deck. Completed on the 1st of May Score: 9/10.
Sonic Frontiers is a bold, experimental, and successfully executed chapter. The gameplay is solid, the game world surprisingly perfect and the game is overall technically excellent (although surprisingly flawed on Steam Deck). The storyline also manages to be interesting, although the delivery of dialogues and cutscenes leaves something to be desired.
Resident Evil 7. Played on: PC + Steam Deck. Completed on the 2nd of February Score: 9.2/10. Resident Evil 7 marks a turning point for the series and for Capcom. The lore of RE remains intact in the twists and turns of the game’s central house, while the new character’s story proves engaging without relying on the franchise’s more famous figures. Technically superb on Steam Deck.
Quake Remastered. Played on: Steam Deck. Completed on the 2nd of September Score: 9.5/10. As an old-time fan of Quake, it was stunning to see the work done by Nightdive Studios for this remake. However, replaying the original title today, with a portable system like Steam Deck, equipped with its old expansions and a new original episode, literally enslaved me once again in 2023 with its gameplay and atmosphere, perfectly executed. A must-play.
Quake 2 Remastered. Played on: Steam Deck. Completed on the 15th of September Score: 9.8/10. The original title is probably the most significant one in my gaming career for countless reasons. This remaster does it justice in every way, gives it a fitting connection to the first chapter, and breathes new life into it, also thanks to the portability provided by Steam Deck. A manifesto on how to remaster old classics. We’re ready for Quake V.
