Tabletop, DnD, board games, and minecraft. Also Animal Crossing.
3rd International Volunteer Brigade (Hexbear gaming discord)
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Hi gamers, what did you play this year? What was your favourite game?
bonus question - Are you going to grab anything at the Steam winter sale?
I am a basic RPG nerd, so my favorites were:
I also really enjoyed Outlanders as a city builder/strategy game.
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous and currently Baldur's Gate 3 were/are my favorites!
Yeah I pre ordered Rogue Trader owlcat's new game and am just gonna wait a few more weeks for them to fix the bugs. Love owlcat's games but I know how buggy they are at release. At least it looks like each game is less bug filled then the last hope that trend continues.
Yeah, I just got Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, but will wait for now.
I started it on PS5 yesterday and it's been smooth sailing so far. No real issues, which is shocking. Only on Act 2, though. As a total newcomer to the 40k universe, it's fun as hell.
I really want to play that. I've read it has incredible range of choices, similar to Wrath of the Righteous actually. I've never done anything with 40K setting before, so hopefully I'm not lost.
I'm playing it right now and it's pretty good. It captures the 40k atmosphere quite nicely. So far the story and combat have been pretty fun. My only problem is that some fights are way too long due to the massive scope of the maps.
Pathfinder: Wraith of the Righteous
did you play PF: Kingmaker? How did Wrath compare?
Wrath is miles better. Way more QoL features and a better overall progression system. I got locked in Kingmaker like 20 hours in and ruined my save game. Wrath doesn't do this kind of shit. And the story itself is better. Mythic Paths are also awesome if you want several playthrough.
I did not play Kingmaker. I had heard Wrath was the better game, so I just jumped there. The Pathfinder system honestly intimidates the hell out of me. And I GM a Shadowrun table. It really just seems like incredible levels of crunch, and I'm happy to have the computer do it for me. But even with that wasn't sure I would like it, but it was honestly one of the better CRPG experiences I've had.
It is far above Kingmaker (which wasn't bad but had a ton of issues); in fact I still place it above BG3 (specifically for the scenario, writing, setting, and ruleset - all above BG3 by far) though I'd likely be in the minority in that. Truly the best "generalist" CRPG I played since BG2.
Played some Morrowind with Tamriel Rebuilt which is like 20 years worth of DLCs for the game. And the writing and environments are top notch and feel very authentic to Morrowind.
Currently playing 40k Rogue Trader which is good.
Most played game is still Eu4 tho
Tamriel Rebuilt is quite simply incredible; also the dev team is awesome and very welcoming.
Also about one or two years back OpenMW finally reached the graphical level of a modded-to-shit original Morrowind, except with the inherent improved stability and performance of the former (not to mention several features for modders absent from the original).
I haven't heard of Tamriel Rebuilt, it sounds amazing! I will check it out
A good chunk of the writing is by Kirkbride's circle of "Monkey Truth" devotees, so its damn good.
Boring answer, but I think Baldur's Gate 3 is the only game released this year that I really enjoyed. There are some new games I haven't gotten around to that I might enjoy, like Tears of the Kingdom, but I tend not to play that many games per year and usually let them age a little first for updates.
I think the favourite game I've played this year though was Citizen Sleeper. Technically it came out last year. Gorgeous art style, beautiful soundtrack, a novel central mechanic that reinforces the themes and the writing tugged at my heart strings. It also doesn't overstay it's welcome at all - I've only got 16 hours in it despite multiple playthroughs and all the DLC content.
I really do need to get Citizen Sleeper. Especially with the sequel announced.
Baldur's gate 3, Kenshi, Nightmare Reaper
Three recommends from me, if I restrict myself to just games that I played this year that were made this year (which isn't very many). The big one is Baldur's Gate 3, that was a good ass-game.
I also played Pizza Tower, which was also a good ass-game. Came out in January though so people have kinda forgotten about it lmao.
Last rec is Volcano Princess, which is a comfy as hell dad game. Raise your daughter to be a ~~ruthless Machiavellian~~ kind and wise queen.
My fave games this year would have to be Guilty Gear Strive, Fallout New Vegas, Lunacid, and a game I just picked up last week called Northern Journey
For those who don’t know what Lunacid or Northern Journey are:
Lunacid is a dungeon crawler in the vein of old Fromsoft games like kings field and shadow tower, the soundtrack is great, the exploration is great, the characters are pretty good, and the graphics are charmingly dated. Would recommend.
The best way to describe Northern Journey is weird, it’s kind of like a 3D metriodvania, kind of a dungeon crawler, it’s hard to describe. It has both some of the most breathtaking views and horrific and creepy enemy design and behavior. Overall it’s great but I haven’t finished it. Would recommend
Armored Core
Just did the three playthroughs, very fun. I've been waiting a long time for a new ac title and this didn't disappoint. Jfc the PvP is impossible though
Tears of the Kingdom is the only new game I've played this year. It's really entertaining, I love the shrine puzzle design this time around, and I'm actually really pleased by the sense of progression that has happened in the overworld.
Haven't had much time to play anything new this year. But for the Steam sale I think I'm going to torrent a DODI repack of BG3 and probs a few other big releases. I ain't paying shit for my slop anymore. 🏴☠️
digimon world next order
I just finished Alan Wake 2 and I honestly can't stop thinking about it. The style, the narrative, how the whole package comes together - I don't usually play horror games, but I'm so glad I did for this
It's so good. It's upnits own ass but in the good way of Nier or Morrowind.
Yakuza:0
Sid Meier's Pirates!
Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal
FTL: Faster Than Light
And of course Civ 4 Ashes of Erebus
Been playing a lot of retro games this year. Had fun with Phantasy Star and the OG 90s Baldurs Gate, revisited the Metal Slug seres and Played all the NES Mega Man games for the first time. Also messed around with a Dreamcast emulator and played Jet Set Radio for the first time. Played Sonic Adventure for the first time in 15 years because I had the sudden urge to check out the Chao garden.
As for games that came out this year, I've only had Super Mario Wonder for two days and it's already a ton of fun. Pikmin 4 was pretty cool too. I've been messing around with Voices of the Void as well and that was neat.
I also want to play Baldurs Gate 3 some time but I'm waiting until I finish 1 and 2 first. Also I bet it runs like shit on my laptop so I dunno...
I feel like there's somethng I'm missing though. I swear I played more modern games this year... weird...
EDIT: PIZZA TOWER! HOW DID I FORGET MY FAVORITE GAME OF THIS YEAR! Easily game of the year for me. Shame the dev is a douche.
Aw damn what's the deal with the pizza tower guy?
He was an asshole regarding the depiction of indigenous people in his game
My most played game this year was Fallout New Vegas (currently going for 2,49€ on Steam). I installed some mods that made the combat realistic and deadly, which was amazing. It was my favourite playthrough yet. I am pretty sure that this is my pick for The Greatest Video Game of All Time.
This year I bought my first gaming PC ever. Up until now I needed to have a laptop for college and work so I was unable to run most of the modern AAA games. The first game I played on it was Jedi Fallen Order (2019). It was really good and I had a great time playing it.
My favourite game that came out this year was Cobalt Core. It's a combination of Slay The Spire and FTL: Faster Than Light. I definitely recommend it to anyone who liked those two games. It has beautiful pixel graphics, great soundtrack, charming characters and very fun gameplay. It's a 10/10 banger in my opinion
In no particular order
And I have a bunch of games I'm excited to play:
Side note: Humble Bundle and humble publishing has been absolutely killing it this year.
Pony Island
pony island 2 just got announced. it looks WILD
Only one of these is from 2023 but here are all the games I played for the first time this year (favorites in bold):
Antichamber
Don't Escape: 4 Days to Survive
Hollow Knight
Lost in Vivo
Noita
OneShot 
Outer Wilds
Rain World (51% of my gaming time lmao)
Submachine: Legacy
Superfighters Deluxe
World of Horror
GTA San Andrea Multiplayer (SAMP)
It wasnt released this year but im still playing it so it counts because i said so.
The only game released in 2023 that I played is Void Stranger, and it was very good but I didn't like the meta-puzzle part of the game (I am too impulsive / inattentive to catch that stuff) so that soured my experience a bit. The actual sokoban puzzles I liked a lot though, as well as the music and story (the ending was meh though).
Of those that I played this year, my favorite games were:
Planescape Torment
Very good narrative and a unique setting AND the party felt like something out of a JRPG instead of something out of a western game which I really liked
FFXIV: Shadowbringers
The 5.0 MSQ is a good story about overcoming loss and despair, our near future climate change troubles and class consciousness. The dungeons and trials were really good this time. So far the post-launch patches (I have played 5.1-5.3) were a bit redundant / fanservicey but I enjoyed them.
Hollow Knight
Nothing to say that hasn't been said a million times here.
Xanadu Next
Japanese Diablo / Zelda fusion RPG with a good story and a great world which is revealed little-by-little as you progress. This isn't a well known game but I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Astlibra Revision
The dev is very horny and the game features many instances of problematic sexualization but I can't help but adore the game for the batshit insane time-travel story which somehow makes sense and holds up, the unique combat system and the amazing soundtrack compiled from various royalty free tracks (I discovered Shimajiro through it, who is a great artist). Also, I admire the dev's dedication, he worked on the game for 15 years before releasing it.
For multiplayer games, I enjoyed playing Guild Wars 2 and Final Fantasy XIV with my girlfriend, and also Deep Rock Galactic and the Calamity mod for Terraria. We also tried Rabbit & Steel's demo, which is a co-op bullet hell roguelike with MMO mechanics (similar to FFXIV) and it was pretty good, so I am looking forward to its release in 2024.
OH HOLY FUCK FINALLY SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT ASTLIBRA!
The story was convoluted and fun, and once I found a build I liked, it was fun to just make it as powerful as possible. I really liked the leveling up system! Reminiscent of the sphere grid in FFX, but only for one person.
The Elevator Game with Catgirls
It's a VN but mostly puzzles. The art style is kinda cool. And I liked the puzzles. Only had to look up one thing in the steam walk through guide. The atmosphere/setting was really dream like.
CW for the game (Spoiler)
self harm, bullying with a thinly veiled metaphor for homophobia
I also 100%ed Hatsune Miku Logic Paint S. It was my most played game. 
Barely played any games this year so Baldur's Gate 3 I guess.
Was your favorite game really that Gollum game or...?
Edit: Oh lol nvm
El Paso, Elsewhere - think max payne, but you're hunting down your ex girlfriend, Dracula, before she ends the world. Classic slow mo 3rd person shooter gameplay, interesting story, noir as fuck, and overall really enjoyable. ALSO difficulty sliders. Change damage multipliers to positive or negative, healing multipliers, infinite ammo, all that. Great game. Can't recommend it higher.
BG3 goes without saying.
Alan Wake 2 was weird as fuck and I loved every moment of it. Currently replaying it through "The Final Draft"
I played a lot of Darkest Dungeon 2. In fact, both DD games made up for over 50% of my time on Steam. I guess DD2 is my favorite. It's a joke in my household that I literally only play Darkest Dungeon and maybe 20 minutes of something else.
HADES
BG3, ESO, Going Medieval, Dead by Daylight, and WOW Season of Discovery
i'm not going to pick anything up from the steam sale tbh, everything i want to check out i'll just pirate. games on my list in no particular order are: black geyser, citizen sleeper, crusader kings 3, grounded, little witch in the woods, stoneshard, horizons gate, kenshi, knights of the chalice 2, and ultima 9.
the one game i'll probably pick up is tainted grail the fall of avalon. (there's another tainted grail game by the same dev so beware and don't get confused) seems like a dark ass skyrim and looks cool.