The Year of Gaming: A Hilarious and Epic Adventure!
Unleashing the Wildest Fantasies The 8 Hottest Gaming Trends of 2023
2023’s hottest gaming trends
Image credit: Capcom
Oh boy, what a year it has been for us gamers! From the breathtaking depths of Baldur’s Gate 3 to the euphoric highs of Hi-Fi Rush, 2023 has showered us with a diverse array of jaw-dropping games. And guess what? We can actually identify some consistent themes and ideas – yes, you heard it right!
Every year in gaming has its own trendy obsessions, whether it’s the obsession with HDR or tattooed lead characters. So, what were the trends that shaped 2023? Get ready for an epic ride as we dive into eight of the most exciting trends this year!
The Revenge of the Fighting Games – A Knockout Experience!
The fighting game genre is here to stay, and boy, did it make a grand comeback this year! Street Fighter 6 delivered exquisite combat systems, a diverse roster of fighters, and customization features that breathed new life into the series. Mortal Kombat 1 brought us an outrageously hilarious story, mind-blowing visuals, and an abundance of game modes. And just when we thought we’d seen it all, Party Animals waltzed in with its wacky Gang Beasts-inspired battles. Fighters of all ages got a taste of the action in this new era.
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Proper Horror – Brace Yourself for Nightmares!
Image credit: Frictional Games
Resident Evil remakes are a blast, but Capcom’s series has always leaned towards action and giant monsters rather than pure horror. Well, this year, we got more than we bargained for! Alan Wake 2 delved into the depths of fear, melding Lovecraftian horror with the eeriness of Silence of the Lambs. Amnesia: The Bunker took us on a claustrophobic and hellish descent into war. And let’s not forget Layers of Fear, which served up all the gory thrills of a Dario Argento movie. Brace yourself – it’s been a chilling year!
The Fragmentation of the RPG Adventure – Embrace the Unconventional!
Image credit: Neowiz
We’re used to epic open-world RPGs like Zelda and Elden Ring, but 2023 saw a shift away from established conventions. Baldur’s Gate 3 took us back to the golden age of CRPGs, offering an imaginative tabletop-inspired masterpiece with boundless player creativity. Sea of Stars and Octopath Traveler reinterpreted SNES-era role-playing classics for a modern audience. Lies of P merged Soulslike tropes with European folklore, while Tchia introduced a brilliant shapeshifting mechanic. Sci-fi RPGs also had their fair share of stellar titles, from the highly anticipated Starfield to the rejuvenated Cyberpunk 2077. The RPG adventure has bucked the norm!
Innovative Nostalgia – When Old Meets New in the Coolest Way!
Image credit: No More Robots
Developers love to tap into nostalgia, but this year they took it to a whole new level. Spirittea may look like a traditional RPG, but it’s actually a supernatural bathhouse sim with an intriguing spirit detective twist straight out of Spirited Away. Videoverse throws us back to the early 2000s with its internet interfaces, telling a heartening story of friendship. And let’s not forget Killer Frequency, a neon-soaked journey that brilliantly captures the 1980s slasher movie aesthetic and creates a unique murder mystery experience. Prepare to be mind-blown by innovative nostalgia!
Vertical World Design – Scale New Heights… Literally!
Image credit: Don’t Nod
When we think of open-world games, we imagine vast landscapes, rolling hills, and maybe a few mountains. But 2023 brought us a new dimension – literally! Jusant and Chants of Sennaar took us on contemplative journeys to towering heights, while New Heights added an unprecedented level of realism to climbing simulations. And on the flip side, Dredge and Dave the Diver plunged us into the abyssal depths of the ocean. Prepare to experience gaming from a whole new perspective!
Philosophical Experimentation – Mind-Bending Questions Await!
Image credit: Sad Owl Studios
What is the true nature of a virtual environment? How does the player relate to what they see on the screen? These mind-bending questions were explored in 2023 like never before. Viewfinder challenged players to take photographs of in-game landscapes and use them to unlock new areas. Cocoon delved into worlds within worlds, encapsulated in portable orbs, offering a cosmic Russian Doll adventure. Wanted:Dead shattered the fourth wall with a postmodern take on the role-playing adventure. And let’s not forget Slay the Princess, a visual novel that playfully examines fairytale tropes. It’s official – gamers now need a philosophy degree!
Video Games as Soap Opera – Drama Unfolds!
Image credit: Annapurna Interactive
Gone are the days when narrative games were limited to visual novels and dating sims. This year, we witnessed an explosion of complex relationships and dramatic narratives. Venba took us on a culinary journey, exploring the role of cooking in an Indian family in Canada. Thirsty Suitors blended relationships, skateboarding, and battles in a heartwarming drama. And Saltsea Chronicles submerged us in the lives of a nautical community adrift without their captain. As players, we became emotional navigators, steering characters through intricate interpersonal situations reminiscent of long-form TV dramas. Prepare for some serious drama!
The Continued Metaversation of Games – Gaming is the Future Social Space!
Image credit: Epic Games / The Lego Group
Persistent online games have been hosting brand “experiences” for some time, but 2023 was a turning point. Minecraft announced mind-blowing tie-ins with Star Wars and the BBC’s Planet Earth 3 documentary. Roblox embraced everything from Barbie to Bakugan, becoming the ultimate playground. And who can forget Fortnite’s collaboration with Lego for an unforgettable branded survival adventure? It’s crystal clear that games, not social media empires like Meta, will be the virtual social spaces of the future. So, get ready to bump into your grandparents in Call of Duty – it’s happening!
The Finest of the Fine – The 25 Best Games of 2023!
Check out the 25 best games of 2023! Prepare to be blown away by the epitome of gaming excellence.
What a year it has been! From epic battles in fighting games to spine-chilling horrors, mind-boggling RPG adventures to innovative nostalgia, scaling new heights to philosophical inquiries, and soap opera-like dramas unfolding within our screens – 2023 truly delivered an extraordinary gaming experience.
But wait, dear readers, what were your favorite trends and games this year? Did you embrace the revenge of the fighting games or get lost in the depths of proper horror? Perhaps the fragmented RPG adventures took you on an unforgettable journey, or you found solace in the innovative nostalgia of gaming. Did you reach new heights in vertical world design or ponder the philosophical questions posed by the games? Maybe you immersed yourself in the dramatic narratives of video games as soap operas or witnessed the continued evolution of the metaverse. Share your thoughts and game-filled adventures with us!
P.S. Keep your eyes peeled for more humorous and informative game guides and reviews, where we’ll continue exploring the wacky world of gaming in our own delightful style. Stay tuned!
