Unique gaming experiences in 2023
The main reason I continue playing video games is because they consistently surprise me and spark my curiosity to delve into the stories they tell. This year was no exception, with a significant number of great games released that surpassed my imagination and the actual time I can dedicate to this activity. However, these are the games I genuinely enjoyed, but not for obvious reasons:
Returnal
The beginning of the year was quite tense for me, constantly under pressure and in need of a game to unwind.
I won't claim that Returnal helped me tremendously, but its mood and aesthetic of neglected and destroyed worlds resonated with me. At that time, I felt like whatever I did had no meaning, but stopping was even worse, so I pushed forward to the next cycle.
Resident Evil 4 Remake
RE4 is a perfect example of the ultimate game: it's long, lighthearted with an existing but almost unnecessary story, and generally fun to play. However, the most unforgettable part of this game was the first encounter with the Regenerador.
I haven't seen such a detailed, crafted, unique, and challenging enemy in a game for a long time. This adversary is always full of tricks, so even when you figure out how to slow it down, it surprises you with another way to inflict more pain.
Alan Wake 2
It not only has the catchiest song of the year but also an actual musical performed by Max Payne. Sounds crazy? That's because we are living in a crazy world, the world of 2023.