In an age where negativity is everywhere, I always appreciate Jake. He just talks about stuff he likes and things that make him happy. And I think we could all use a little more of that. Thanks Jake.
So true. I love how even when he has criticisms or negative thoughts, they are in good spirits and aren't conveyed in such an extreme, hateful, spiteful way like other TH-camrs, Redditor's, reviewers, etc. He just explains what he's thinking or feeling, doesn't bash you in the face with it, and just says at the end "but hey, that's just me guys, my opinion and that's all".
Same reason i watch him, Skill Up and DreamCast Guy. DCG gets a lot of smoke where people call him a shill for liking bad games but the dude just legitimately likes to game.
@@Adamandcalebinc skill up IS critical and quality of his content is good. Thing with skill up is he has a certain narrower taste. There's a type of game skill up likes and if it's not your type we'll you and him will go side ways. You ever watched a movie that critics said was shit, then you watch it yourself and you're like ' hey man I didn't think it was bad!' My very humble opinion jake (like falcon) has very a objective takes on games. This make jake and falcon very reliable game commentators and reviewers.
Was able to meet a couple of the dredge developers at an event. They were super nice passionate ppl. I’m so glad they did well & are getting the recognition they deserve
Alan Wake 2 was my goty as well, and easily one of the best games I've ever played. One of the very few games I've ever platinumed, that's how much I liked it
I was excited to play it until it was announced to be digital only. That's fine if you prefer digital but i dont and want to hold and own it so i will wait in hopes they release physical copy.
I haven't heard many people discussing it after it released which makes me sad but my game of the year was Talos Principal 2, that game was everything I love in a piece of media and far exceeded my expectations
Playing Talos 1 now, and mass effect definitive edition. Yeah, I know I’m behind. But loving them both. I look forward to finishing TP1 to move on to 2.
Hi-fi Rush was extremely nostalgic to me, and reminded me of an absolute random banger game you would rent at Blockbuster, and you'd have to rent it every weekend after that because it was too hard to beat 😅
I'd not thought of it like that but I think you nailed it with that description. I loved playing it, it was just straight up good fun beginning to end.
Been watching you for years now and you’ve quickly turned into my #1 TH-camr for games. You single handedly got me to play the RE series, Metal Gear series, the remedy universe, the steam deck, El Paso and I could keep going. Just keep talking about what you love cause clearly you like the same exact games as me lol. Thanks Jake enjoy your 2024 and I hope I do get to eventually get you a slice on me.
What's cool for me, is that 2023 was the first year I played games when they were released! I actually played games that came out in 2023 and it was more than 1 game. Sometimes I'll play a game from that year months after release. It was fun to play games on launch for a change. Cool times
Sadly you can tell the mmo team made it when you look at the open world it sucks, but the performances and presentation carries alot of this game and of course the boss battles are the best part. I'm just praying ff7 rebirth does their open world segments better
I'm new-ish to Jake's channel. Came because of FPS and now I'm hooked lol. Man, is there anyone online more wholesome?? Jake's awesome! Pretty cool takes too
I just watched the Matty Collab, so I have to say that I LOVED THE DOOM VIDEO! Also, dude, between you and skill up, I don’t know who to be more thankful for. , Well written, concise video game news for the average layman. Please keep doing what you are doing on both your channel and gameranx. You are a regular topic between me and my friends because you hit that 30 to 35-year-old sweet spot of the shit we are interested in and the views we share. 👍🏾
As others have said, I've come to appreciate your channel more and more because you're real and positive about the gaming hobby, and about the rampant stupidity and antagonism that goes with any fandom on the internet these days. Appreciate your good humor and honest takes on everything. Looking forward to a new year with you.
Not the only one saying it here, but I love your channel so much. Your take on the world of games is always fun, passionate, and very much coming from a genuine love of games. And honestly I’m often moved to check out games that aren’t usually “my kind of games,” because you give such a great perspective on them, and why they’re fun. Thanks for doing what you do, and the way you do it.
RE4, Like a Dragon Gaiden, Like a Dragon Ishin, Star Ocean Second Story R, Lies of P and Remnant 2 were the main standouts for me. Also played Disco Elysium for the first time ever in 2023 and it's one of the most memorable gaming experiences I've had in a while.
Gaiden was a nice little surprise Ishin was alright one of the weaker yakuza games like 3 for example. I’m biased tho because I don’t like non-canon stories
@Kylewraps I think it's a little shocking people are listing Ishin on their best of lists but I also enjoyed it quite a bit and I surely won't be complaining if people talk about Like a Dragon more
Thanks for everything mate. U made me forget about my problems so many times this year. I felt like I was there just chatting with you about video games in many of your videos. Thank you and I wish you all the best for 2024.
@@TheJuice70definitely. Doesn’t help that Doc Ocks plan was much more linear compared to venoms, so didn’t really work having the same story structure (first villain gets defeated 75% of way into game, then main villain comes in)
Story wise maybe But like overall nah sm2 was better Sm2 had more brilliant moments but was lacking emotionally For me story wise first arc sm2 second arc sm2 final arc sm1 So I can see why people think sm1 had a better story But overall sm2 had so much better traversal combat boss battles and set pieces So for me sm2 is the better game But sm1 ending hit harder
Completely get your sentiment behind El Paso Elsewhere, I feel the EXACT same way about Metal Hellsinger. I know it didn't technically come out this year but I played the hell outta the demo when that came out and I played it for real this year and it's just made for me. Everything in that game is perfect to me
Alan Wake II is my GOTY too. I loved every second of it and it was totally worth the 13 year wait. Tied for second are Final Fantasy XVI and Spider-Man 2, I just can't pick between them.
What you said about the El Paso game sounds similar to what I recently felt playing Cocoon. That game had a blend of things that just clicked perfectly with me and is now my favorite puzzle adventure game ever. I just could not put that game down until I finished it.
Jake, I hope you see that. I love your before you buy vids and listening to you being a goat. You are the reason I have all the games I have rn. Thank you so much for your work and keep up the goaty content man.
Jake, you have become my main guy for video game news and reviews. Your experience when it comes to in-depth reviews is unmatched. Cant wait to return for 2024, best games!
I gotta play the El Paso game, thank you for highlighting it. My top five games from last year are the Resident Evil 4 Remake, Spider-Man 2 (yeah the Mary Jane parts are bad haha but other than that it is outstanding), Wanted: Dead, Street Fighter 6 and Final Fantasy XVI.
I agree about Spider-Man 2, I 100% completed it the week it came out but I booted it up after not playing for awhile and I legit had a miles mission where I have to use a spider bot and right after that an MJ mission in a hunter base I’m like damn can I just play Spider-Man?
I haven't played 2023's bigger games yet. I've become something of a patient gamer myself! So while I wait for them to get all the updates and fixes, I play the indies or older games I haven't had a chance yet. One of the indie games I really enjoyed this year is Bramble: The Mountain King. I also finally played Disco Elysium, and it became one of my favorite games of all time. Anyway, thank you for the great content as usual and here's to another great year!
Bro Disco Elysium is incredible. I played it for the first time last year as well and it's up there with my favorites of all time. Such a great experience
@@SolidSnake240 Absolutely. After finishing it, I couldn't get into other games for a month, not many games stick with me like that, so depressing yet so funny. I also love the soundtracks.
@@SoulacheAgreed 100%. The Tribunal is one of my favorite video-game tracks ever. If you want more of that world there's a novel called "Sacred and Terrible Air" which takes place after the game. Highly recommend it if you're into reading. The pdf is easy to find online.
I appreciate you and Falcon @ Gameranx! The stuff you guys do is incredible I always look forward to your reviews! I played a lot of games but I did enjoyed FF16 and Dave the Diver. Maybe we will get a sleeper hit this year that will blow everyone away! I am really looking forward to Persona 3 reload, new yakuza game and new final fantasy7 rebirth! I am a jrpg fan eating good this year 😂 (oh, and Metaphor Refantazio!)
Thank you for all of your effort Jake! Your videos are so interesting and help me to unwind after a long day. I hope your year is full of games you find fun and videos you like making 😊
Jake on behalf of me and my 7 year old son. Thank you for the recommendation of Hi Fi Rush. Never heard of it before this video and we are already loving it. Out type of Jam.
See, this is why I enjoy your videos. You obviously love gaming and the games you love, you're passionate about. I see it best when you try to defend and apologize ("this is a game of the year material??" haha) some of the titles, and you totally don't need to - but I understand why you're doing it, and your defense is full of passion for these games. I have no idea how you can manage playing all these games and sit through them (you work 20 hours a day and play all day long, I guess?), but great job, as always, and thank you for yet another list.
It honestly makes me so happy how many non AAA games are on your list’s my buddy’s and I were just talking about how all these little studios are taking the spot light away from these big companies and it really brings joy to me!!!
I like Jake's videos, watch them as often as I could. He talks calmly and clearly about different game things. He seems like a great guy. Keep it up, man.
Great list, Jake! These are my favorite games from 2023 (not in order) -Like a Dragon Gaiden -Trails into Reverie -Sea of Stars -Final Fantasy XVI -Armored Core VI -Master Detective Archives Raincode -Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Future Redeemed -Blasphemous 2 -Spiderman 2 I wanted to play Alan Wake 2 too, but I really want a physical copy 😢
Ff16 got me this year. It was my first game in the series and it just sucked me into its world in a way games haven't in a long time. The epic kaiju monster battles with the insane visuals of the game made me feel like I was a kid again.
Hey Jake, just want to say thanks for all you do! This one had me pick up El paso elsewhere, and I'm stoked to play it, so thanks. Have an awesome new year and keep up the good work
bro love the list, and love how it's personal to you. Allows me to learn about new games that are not on my radar, with a quick pitch and gameplay of them too.
This video just reinforces why you're one of my favorite reviewers out there. You have amazing taste and don't only talk about big AAA games. You are genuinely one of the only people I've seen even mention El Paso, Elsewhere in any capacity let alone a GOTY list, which is a damn shame because its a great game I also love that when talking about Robocop, you acknowledge its flaws and short comings and then proceed to gush about it anyways. A game doesn't need to be a 10/10 to be a great game, sometimes the experience as a whole ends up being worth waaay more than the individual parts Also huge W for Alan Wake 2 being your number 1 pick, i just finished it recently and wholeheartedly agree, it was my GOTY. Its just such a unique experience and i don't think i've ever played a game like it before.
I appreciate that you made the point that this list is from YOUR viewpoint, and that others might have different opinions. Thanks for making the videos. It's always great to see someone who truly loves video games.
100% agree AW2 is my GOTY as well! I platinumed it (I don’t do that often) and I am doing the Final Draft now. Personally I find Saga’a portions much more fun but Alan’s are more interesting story wise.
This is a solid list brother, I understand why you justify your opinions. But damn I just love your tasting games. Sometimes we disagree, But that can be the best part of your videos. Is hearing why you really enjoy something. Which is what gaming is about. Cheers buddy and thanks for the years of great viewing. Let's kill it in 2024.
Thank you for praising Jedi: Survivor! It was my favorite game this year and there was so much negativity around it which made me pretty sad so I'm glad to see you talk about it!
Love your videos! I recommend local libraries to gamers for renting games! After you hyped up control for a while, i got it free from my local library, and i loved it! I've been on a crusade to get more people to check out their libraries ever since. I've played so many games i otherwise wouldn't have and library funding is based on # of library cards people sign up for
So @jakebaldino I am the same. Love all the big games this year but I have the same feeling. My top 3 Remnant 2, Outlast Trials, Ready or Not. These arent even on others GOTY lists but these games SPOKE to me and my personal likes! 2023 BEST YEAR EVER OF GAMING!
I agree totally with you that Spider-Man 2018 was way better than 2, and yes I agree that its still good. I think 2018's pacing was almost perfect for me where 2 was a bit too quick and didn't allow me to connect with much in the story as well as the first game.
Love it. Thank you, Jake! You being a lot to the table and we’re so glad you’re here. Thank you for sharing your honest takes. You’re appreciated more than you know!
Alan Wake 2 is definitely my game of the year. I've played and really enjoyed a lot if them this year but as a whole package it just nailed it. I think Jake described it as a Remedy ass Remedy game and that hits the nail on the head. I don't think i could even do a top ten because there's been so many other great ones in 2023. Not only the AAA space but so many good indies too. Ive not tried El Pado Elsewhere yet but Jake's enthusiasm is infectious.
Jake you deserve the likes more than most! Here's to a great 2024 (not too good cos backlog). Also I've gotten into Yakuza... Finished Zero and am on Kiwami. That is going to absorb me!
Never played top down games like bg or divinity but can you explain how is it any different than baldurs gate 2? It doesnt seem any different in the gameplay to me.
@@trankia1224This is a great take man. Everybody either makes formulaic rpg games or just rehashes old mechanics. Larian is the peak while Owlcat is not far behind imo
@carancole5974 they're nowhere near each other in gameplay The difference is like God of war and God of war 2018; a little similar yeah sure but they play wildly different
Always a feels good time sitting down for a Jake Baldino video. Happy New Year man. Always love your takes and really looking forward for to your discussions throughout 2024!
I am playing Alan wake 2 now, and I am having a blast with it, as well as getting goose bumps every time I hear a “Alan wake” from the shadows hahahaha it always scares the shit out of me 😂 and I love it ❤
Shout out to Metroid Prime Remastered. I missed out on the Gamecube when I was younger and Metroid wasn't on my radar at all during the Wii era, looking back at it now I wish I played them back then. So with the Switch remaster I had the perfect excuse to finally check it out, and wow, it did not disappoint. Feels like a game that could've came out in the last 5 years, it's so ahead of its time for being 20 years old. Now I'm dying for info on if 2 and 3 are getting Switch remasters, and for more on Prime 4!
Lies of P really surprised me. I usually don't play souls type games, but I've been obsessed with this game. The art style, music, boss design, and different combat styles make the game so fun and replayable
As always, great video Jake. I Love Alan Wake 2. Funny enough I’m playing through AW 2 right now. Just finished Sagas first 2 chapters and thought I wanted to to revisit Control. I’m about to fight Hartman and before you do you listen to a recording that talks about the lodge at Couldron Lake. It was such perfect timing. Remedy kills it. My GOTY is Armored Core VI. Yamamura directing was one of the best things FromSoft could’ve done. I hope they give the reigns to him more and more for upcoming games. The world creation, the scale of the world, the sound engineering, story everything, for me at least was hit out the park.
You made me realize I haven't played a lot of games this year besides Cities Skylines 2 and Forza Motorsport. With Dredge, you actually got me thinking of Maneater. That was a great gameplay loop for me. One of the few that I couldn't stop playing until I beat it.
Alan Wake 2 was great and I like it almost as much as the first game, but for me my game of the year would be Lies of P. I had so much fun playing that game. It felt almost like From Software had a small team of developers split off from the main company and make their own game.
Bro seriously lies of p is so damn good. Every chapter brought a new environment to explore and always new enemies and gear its so good. Not to mention the amazing story.
I was kinda going through the start of the game without expecting much, but that all changed the moment I played the song “Feel”. From that moment on, for some reason, I knew I was in for a great game, and it’s also the best game I played in 2023.
I slept on it for far too long but I'm playing through it at the moment and it's great. Already makes me kind of nostalgic for the older Fromsoft Souls games. Don't get me wrong, Elden Ring was fantastic but I kind of gravitate more towards the more linear non-open-world structure.
Lies of P was truly spectacular. I'm amazed how many people I saw that either didn't typically love soulslikes, or even had never played thru a soulslike before, loved this game. I myself am a massive souls fan and less of P is now up there with my favorite souls games of all time.
Loved this list, a lot of big hitters as well as some more unique, lesser known experiences. And to make it clear, this is just out of curiosity because it's great everyone has different opinions, but why didn't you put ToTK on this list? I personally adored it
Alan Wake 2 is my goty as well. Especially surprising after a 13yr wait. Appreciate the vid, man! Always worth watching. Now, I think I gotta check out El Paso, Elsewhere after hearing about it here. Happy 2024!
Great list! 2023 was absolutely stacked! I loved almost everything I played this year, but my standouts were Baldur's Gate 3, Alan Wake 2, and HiFi Rush. Such unbelievable experiences all in their own unique way. Runner ups are Tears of the Kingdom, RE4 Remake, and the Dead Space Remake!
I’m playing catch up right now. Zelda and RE4 were my faves. I’m playing Final Fantasy 16 now and I’m enjoying it, and I’m saving Baulders Gate 3 for last.
Nice to see Jedi Survivor on someone's list. The tech issues overshadowed what was probably the game I had the most fun with this year. I finished it in like 40hrs at about 90% completion and immediately went into a NG+ because I wasn't ready to let it go. Awards don't matter but I don't think the soundtrack and the diegetic music from Pyloon's Saloon got the recognition The deserved. The music they played during the final encounter and conclusion that flowed into the credits had me just sitting there and pondering. As I get older I find my appetite for the simplistic stories that most folks tell within the Star Wars universe don't hold as much interest for me. Between Survivor and Andor I was happy to see something still fun but a bit more nuance. The semi-openworld with a metroid vibe hit me just right and usually fall off of those pretty quick. I haven't had that much fun in an open world since RDR2, and some parts of CP 2077. Though CP2077 has some jarring tonal shifts that pulled me out of it similar to GTA5. Frontiers of Pandora looks like it might have a similar approach; when it goes on sale I will buy it.
Your tastes are basically mine. I'm in a game for a tight, fun experience with a great story. Games like Resident Evil 4, Alan Wake 2, and Spider-Man 2 are literally my bread and butter. They're incredible adventures that keep you hooked from beginning to end and don't take half a year to complete. But, I do love me some deep, well crafted RPGs if the story and characters are good enough to hook me. Thankfully, BG3 did just that from beginning to end. But honestly AW2 and BG3 gotta be tied for me for GOTY.
Great video, as always. I'll need to branch out and play some of these other styles of games like Dredge and Sea of Thieves. My top games in 2023 were Hogwarts legacy, Lies of P, FF16. My GOTY was BG3. I also missed out on a ton of good games because I was catching up on games from 2022 like Elden Ring, God of War, Horizon, and Spider-Man 😆 🤣 I'm most looking forward to Dragon's Dogma 2 in 2024!
Armored Core 6 is my favorite game this year. Is the game perfect? No. But it's a return to a long dormant franchise done right. Many times a franchise goes dormant and you never see it again. And for it to be better than the last entry is all you can hope for, and it's way better than 5 to me. Just love tinkering and painting my mech/AC for hours on end
I feel like Jake might really dig the detective noir yet oddball weirdness of Master Detective Archive: Raincode. It's a brand new series, crazy high production values, and moves so succinctly and is genuinely funny. I loved it, it was my sleeper hit with all those dark yet goofy lost ps2 game vibes. Anyone else like it?
@JakeBaldino Woah, this just made my day!! Of course man, I hope you dig it if you find the time to check it out. Love all your work man, consider my shoes tied and the bed gone to haha cheers! 🍻
Much appreciate this list, experience the personal experience. You carry this video on the strength of your own feelings and experiences. Awesome review.
You make me want to try out that new Robocop game. When I was a kid, I got stuck on the first level of the NES Robocop. The part was probably 5 minutes in where there's a wall closing in on you. I couldn't figure out how to get past it, and never bothered to try the game again. I remember being in High School and my friend who collected old games showed me you could get past that by pressing the Select/Start button or something. I still feel dumb about it. lol
"A Jake game" - I completely get that sentiment. I was writing for a gaming site at the end of 2014, and when we were culling nominations for Game of the Year, one of my noms was Shovel Knight and I died on that hill. I forget what we picked that year but I still stand by that wild card pick.
When i heard you say "Alan Wake 2"... Oh man i got so happy because this game changed my life, i love it like no other game and I'm glad it's getting the love it deserves from the fans.
@@thewelshlink Hi, i remember i was just gonna watch a video too but i saw how ambitious the second game looked and how much people praised the first one so i ended up playing it and i have to say you should do both. A video will make you understand the story but playing it will make you care for the characters and love the second one more.
I’ll drop my top 5 games of the year! 👇🏻 5. Spider-Man 2 4. Resident Evil 4 3. Dead Space 2. Tears of the Kingdom 1. Alan Wake 2 Honorable Mentions - Pikmin 4 Metroid Prime Mario RPG What a great year for gaming 🎮
Alan wake 2 as a huge alan wake 1 fan is a mixed bag for me, I love some parts and feel like some parts are poorly thought out. Now jedi survivor is just torture for me because I really want to play it but i got it on release and it ran so badly i had to refund it. I just hope someday I can enjoy it without all the performance issues. Especially in this day and age where so much star wars feels irreverent to its own series history I really liked jedi fallen order was such a breath of fresh air and I am so sad I can't play survivor.
Jake man I love your videos and you are not wrong. There were a lot of good games that came out last year and it is hard to decide what stood out best. Had to think long and hard myself what I enjoyed. For me, it was FF16, RE4 remake, Tears of the Kingdom, Mario Wonder, Spider-man 2, and Remnant 2. But still, so many great games came out XD. I look forward to your reviews this year, especially for FF7 Rebirth, Rise of Ronin, Mario vs Donkey Kong, Black Myth Wukong, and more. As always great video
Alan Wake 2 was my GOTY but of course tons of incredible games this year. One I don’t see talked about much at all is Amnesia The Bunker. It’s such a well designed horror game and it was one of my favorites this year.
we made it another year! thank you so much for being here. LET US CONTINUE ONWARD
Thank YOU for being here for us ❤
Absolute Legend. Love you man.
Sad, when ppl can't even have their own opinion w/o being called a racistfascist 😢
@@noleftturnz that took a left turn
Where Did that come from🤨📸
In an age where negativity is everywhere, I always appreciate Jake. He just talks about stuff he likes and things that make him happy. And I think we could all use a little more of that. Thanks Jake.
I was just thinking about how underappreciated his channel is, I like that there’s very little bullshit and very little hype
So true. I love how even when he has criticisms or negative thoughts, they are in good spirits and aren't conveyed in such an extreme, hateful, spiteful way like other TH-camrs, Redditor's, reviewers, etc. He just explains what he's thinking or feeling, doesn't bash you in the face with it, and just says at the end "but hey, that's just me guys, my opinion and that's all".
Same reason i watch him, Skill Up and DreamCast Guy. DCG gets a lot of smoke where people call him a shill for liking bad games but the dude just legitimately likes to game.
Facts.
This.
Thanks for all your hard work Jake. You're my go to reviewer for all things gaming related. Hope 2024 is a banger year like this last one!
Thanks. I really appreciate knowing that!
You should add skillup to your watchlist too. He's a bit more critical
@@Adamandcalebinc I watch SkillUp sometimes as well. Both are great for different reasons :)
Nah Jake is the GOAT
@@Adamandcalebinc skill up IS critical and quality of his content is good. Thing with skill up is he has a certain narrower taste. There's a type of game skill up likes and if it's not your type we'll you and him will go side ways. You ever watched a movie that critics said was shit, then you watch it yourself and you're like ' hey man I didn't think it was bad!'
My very humble opinion jake (like falcon) has very a objective takes on games. This make jake and falcon very reliable game commentators and reviewers.
Was able to meet a couple of the dredge developers at an event. They were super nice passionate ppl. I’m so glad they did well & are getting the recognition they deserve
Alan Wake 2 was my goty as well, and easily one of the best games I've ever played. One of the very few games I've ever platinumed, that's how much I liked it
BG3 IS a game for the ages though, if you're into RPGs.
@@cmdrf.ravelli1405bg3 is my GOTY, but AW2 easily had the better story and direction.
I was excited to play it until it was announced to be digital only. That's fine if you prefer digital but i dont and want to hold and own it so i will wait in hopes they release physical copy.
Alan Wake 2, Remnant 2, Armored core 6, RE4 remake and Lies of P were my favorite!!!❤
I honestly don't know why more people aren't talking about armoured core. It's leagues above most of the games released this year
Remnant 2 with my boys was so much fun, super underrated game
@@bencarlson4300right I had a bunch of fun at first but I got burnt out on it once I got mostly everything and beat a hardcore run
I haven't heard many people discussing it after it released which makes me sad but my game of the year was Talos Principal 2, that game was everything I love in a piece of media and far exceeded my expectations
Playing Talos 1 now, and mass effect definitive edition. Yeah, I know I’m behind. But loving them both. I look forward to finishing TP1 to move on to 2.
It's up next for me after I finish what I'm playing now. Really intrigued by it.
Hi-fi Rush was extremely nostalgic to me, and reminded me of an absolute random banger game you would rent at Blockbuster, and you'd have to rent it every weekend after that because it was too hard to beat 😅
I'd not thought of it like that but I think you nailed it with that description. I loved playing it, it was just straight up good fun beginning to end.
Man that’s why I love you. I didn’t know anything about El Paso elsewhere. I’m so excited to check it out now. Let’s amazing
Been watching you for years now and you’ve quickly turned into my #1 TH-camr for games. You single handedly got me to play the RE series, Metal Gear series, the remedy universe, the steam deck, El Paso and I could keep going. Just keep talking about what you love cause clearly you like the same exact games as me lol. Thanks Jake enjoy your 2024 and I hope I do get to eventually get you a slice on me.
Thanks Brandon! I appreciate this. The kind words go a long way for me. Here's to 2024 onward and upward 👍👍🍕
What's cool for me, is that 2023 was the first year I played games when they were released! I actually played games that came out in 2023 and it was more than 1 game. Sometimes I'll play a game from that year months after release. It was fun to play games on launch for a change. Cool times
I appreciate the shout out to FF16. It's like Azura's Wrath and FF7 Remake had an angry baby and I'm all about it 😤
That's so good. Such a good way to describe it. Wish I thought of that! Lol
Sadly you can tell the mmo team made it when you look at the open world it sucks, but the performances and presentation carries alot of this game and of course the boss battles are the best part. I'm just praying ff7 rebirth does their open world segments better
I'm new-ish to Jake's channel. Came because of FPS and now I'm hooked lol. Man, is there anyone online more wholesome?? Jake's awesome! Pretty cool takes too
I just watched the Matty Collab, so I have to say that I LOVED THE DOOM VIDEO! Also, dude, between you and skill up, I don’t know who to be more thankful for. , Well written, concise video game news for the average layman. Please keep doing what you are doing on both your channel and gameranx. You are a regular topic between me and my friends because you hit that 30 to 35-year-old sweet spot of the shit we are interested in and the views we share. 👍🏾
As others have said, I've come to appreciate your channel more and more because you're real and positive about the gaming hobby, and about the rampant stupidity and antagonism that goes with any fandom on the internet these days. Appreciate your good humor and honest takes on everything. Looking forward to a new year with you.
Not the only one saying it here, but I love your channel so much. Your take on the world of games is always fun, passionate, and very much coming from a genuine love of games. And honestly I’m often moved to check out games that aren’t usually “my kind of games,” because you give such a great perspective on them, and why they’re fun. Thanks for doing what you do, and the way you do it.
RE4, Like a Dragon Gaiden, Like a Dragon Ishin, Star Ocean Second Story R, Lies of P and Remnant 2 were the main standouts for me. Also played Disco Elysium for the first time ever in 2023 and it's one of the most memorable gaming experiences I've had in a while.
HARDCORE!
HARDCORE TO THE MEGA!
Gaiden was a nice little surprise
Ishin was alright one of the weaker yakuza games like 3 for example. I’m biased tho because I don’t like non-canon stories
@Kylewraps I think it's a little shocking people are listing Ishin on their best of lists but I also enjoyed it quite a bit and I surely won't be complaining if people talk about Like a Dragon more
Play armored core 6 fool
Thanks for everything mate. U made me forget about my problems so many times this year. I felt like I was there just chatting with you about video games in many of your videos. Thank you and I wish you all the best for 2024.
thank you, Jake for the honest and candid reviews.. i got a bunch of games this year at your recommendation and love them. currently playing robocop.
I agree Spiderman was way better than Spiderman 2
From a story standpoint I found that one 100% top to bottom perfect
@@JakeBaldinocomes down to pacing to me. Both games are 20-25 hours, but one story feels well paced, another feels rushed.
@@TheJuice70definitely. Doesn’t help that Doc Ocks plan was much more linear compared to venoms, so didn’t really work having the same story structure (first villain gets defeated 75% of way into game, then main villain comes in)
nah
Story wise maybe
But like overall nah sm2 was better
Sm2 had more brilliant moments but was lacking emotionally
For me story wise first arc sm2 second arc sm2 final arc sm1
So I can see why people think sm1 had a better story
But overall sm2 had so much better traversal combat boss battles and set pieces
So for me sm2 is the better game
But sm1 ending hit harder
Completely get your sentiment behind El Paso Elsewhere, I feel the EXACT same way about Metal Hellsinger. I know it didn't technically come out this year but I played the hell outta the demo when that came out and I played it for real this year and it's just made for me. Everything in that game is perfect to me
Alan Wake II is my GOTY too. I loved every second of it and it was totally worth the 13 year wait. Tied for second are Final Fantasy XVI and Spider-Man 2, I just can't pick between them.
Maybe silence Hill 2
What you said about the El Paso game sounds similar to what I recently felt playing Cocoon. That game had a blend of things that just clicked perfectly with me and is now my favorite puzzle adventure game ever. I just could not put that game down until I finished it.
There's a game called El Paso? Thats where I'm from.
@@Devilsblood it's called El Paso Elsewhere. It's one of the games Jake mentions in the video.
@@Devilsbloodit’s called El Paso Elsewhere…looks great, wish I could play it, but only on Xbox/Pc
5:55 my boy Jack dropped the best beatbox intro !
Jake, I hope you see that. I love your before you buy vids and listening to you being a goat. You are the reason I have all the games I have rn. Thank you so much for your work and keep up the goaty content man.
Thank you for sharing that. The kind words go a long way for me. Thank you!!!
Jake, you have become my main guy for video game news and reviews.
Your experience when it comes to in-depth reviews is unmatched.
Cant wait to return for 2024, best games!
I gotta play the El Paso game, thank you for highlighting it. My top five games from last year are the Resident Evil 4 Remake, Spider-Man 2 (yeah the Mary Jane parts are bad haha but other than that it is outstanding), Wanted: Dead, Street Fighter 6 and Final Fantasy XVI.
Hifi Rush felt like it was my mini goty. Such an underrated game that still gets the love it deserves. Felt like a PS2 game in so many ways.
Ps2 still the Best
I agree about Spider-Man 2, I 100% completed it the week it came out but I booted it up after not playing for awhile and I legit had a miles mission where I have to use a spider bot and right after that an MJ mission in a hunter base I’m like damn can I just play Spider-Man?
I haven't played 2023's bigger games yet. I've become something of a patient gamer myself! So while I wait for them to get all the updates and fixes, I play the indies or older games I haven't had a chance yet. One of the indie games I really enjoyed this year is Bramble: The Mountain King. I also finally played Disco Elysium, and it became one of my favorite games of all time.
Anyway, thank you for the great content as usual and here's to another great year!
Bro Disco Elysium is incredible. I played it for the first time last year as well and it's up there with my favorites of all time. Such a great experience
@@SolidSnake240 Absolutely. After finishing it, I couldn't get into other games for a month, not many games stick with me like that, so depressing yet so funny. I also love the soundtracks.
@@SoulacheAgreed 100%. The Tribunal is one of my favorite video-game tracks ever. If you want more of that world there's a novel called "Sacred and Terrible Air" which takes place after the game. Highly recommend it if you're into reading. The pdf is easy to find online.
@@SolidSnake240 I had no idea there was a novel, thanks for letting me know. I'll have that to look forward to when I do a second play through.
@@SoulacheNo problem! I just love talking about that game lol
I appreciate you and Falcon @ Gameranx! The stuff you guys do is incredible I always look forward to your reviews! I played a lot of games but I did enjoyed FF16 and Dave the Diver. Maybe we will get a sleeper hit this year that will blow everyone away! I am really looking forward to Persona 3 reload, new yakuza game and new final fantasy7 rebirth! I am a jrpg fan eating good this year 😂 (oh, and Metaphor Refantazio!)
Thank you for all of your effort Jake! Your videos are so interesting and help me to unwind after a long day. I hope your year is full of games you find fun and videos you like making 😊
Jake on behalf of me and my 7 year old son. Thank you for the recommendation of Hi Fi Rush. Never heard of it before this video and we are already loving it. Out type of Jam.
So glad to hear that! Thanks for letting me know
See, this is why I enjoy your videos. You obviously love gaming and the games you love, you're passionate about. I see it best when you try to defend and apologize ("this is a game of the year material??" haha) some of the titles, and you totally don't need to - but I understand why you're doing it, and your defense is full of passion for these games. I have no idea how you can manage playing all these games and sit through them (you work 20 hours a day and play all day long, I guess?), but great job, as always, and thank you for yet another list.
It honestly makes me so happy how many non AAA games are on your list’s my buddy’s and I were just talking about how all these little studios are taking the spot light away from these big companies and it really brings joy to me!!!
Love listening to your takes Jake, thanks
I like Jake's videos, watch them as often as I could. He talks calmly and clearly about different game things. He seems like a great guy. Keep it up, man.
Nice list there were so many amazing games this year!!! My game of the year is Resident Evil 4 remake also enjoyed Tears of the Kingdom and Robocop.
Great list, Jake!
These are my favorite games from 2023 (not in order)
-Like a Dragon Gaiden
-Trails into Reverie
-Sea of Stars
-Final Fantasy XVI
-Armored Core VI
-Master Detective Archives Raincode
-Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Future Redeemed
-Blasphemous 2
-Spiderman 2
I wanted to play Alan Wake 2 too, but I really want a physical copy 😢
I think Jake deserves a character spot in a videogame!! Happy New Year everyone 🎉🎉❤❤
Great list! Can’t wait to hear more from you, Mr. Baldino, in 2024.
On a personal note, “Cocoon” is my “El Paso, Elsewhere” for 2023.
Ff16 got me this year. It was my first game in the series and it just sucked me into its world in a way games haven't in a long time. The epic kaiju monster battles with the insane visuals of the game made me feel like I was a kid again.
I want to shoutout Pikmin 4. It took 10 years but they went ahead and made the best Pikmin game like it was nothing. Phenomenal game!
Hey Jake, just want to say thanks for all you do! This one had me pick up El paso elsewhere, and I'm stoked to play it, so thanks. Have an awesome new year and keep up the good work
bro love the list, and love how it's personal to you. Allows me to learn about new games that are not on my radar, with a quick pitch and gameplay of them too.
This video just reinforces why you're one of my favorite reviewers out there. You have amazing taste and don't only talk about big AAA games.
You are genuinely one of the only people I've seen even mention El Paso, Elsewhere in any capacity let alone a GOTY list, which is a damn shame because its a great game
I also love that when talking about Robocop, you acknowledge its flaws and short comings and then proceed to gush about it anyways. A game doesn't need to be a 10/10 to be a great game, sometimes the experience as a whole ends up being worth waaay more than the individual parts
Also huge W for Alan Wake 2 being your number 1 pick, i just finished it recently and wholeheartedly agree, it was my GOTY. Its just such a unique experience and i don't think i've ever played a game like it before.
I appreciate that you made the point that this list is from YOUR viewpoint, and that others might have different opinions. Thanks for making the videos. It's always great to see someone who truly loves video games.
100% agree AW2 is my GOTY as well! I platinumed it (I don’t do that often) and I am doing the Final Draft now. Personally I find Saga’a portions much more fun but Alan’s are more interesting story wise.
This is a solid list brother, I understand why you justify your opinions. But damn I just love your tasting games. Sometimes we disagree, But that can be the best part of your videos. Is hearing why you really enjoy something. Which is what gaming is about. Cheers buddy and thanks for the years of great viewing. Let's kill it in 2024.
Thank you for praising Jedi: Survivor! It was my favorite game this year and there was so much negativity around it which made me pretty sad so I'm glad to see you talk about it!
Love your videos! I recommend local libraries to gamers for renting games! After you hyped up control for a while, i got it free from my local library, and i loved it! I've been on a crusade to get more people to check out their libraries ever since. I've played so many games i otherwise wouldn't have and library funding is based on # of library cards people sign up for
So @jakebaldino I am the same. Love all the big games this year but I have the same feeling. My top 3 Remnant 2, Outlast Trials, Ready or Not. These arent even on others GOTY lists but these games SPOKE to me and my personal likes! 2023 BEST YEAR EVER OF GAMING!
I agree totally with you that Spider-Man 2018 was way better than 2, and yes I agree that its still good.
I think 2018's pacing was almost perfect for me where 2 was a bit too quick and didn't allow me to connect with much in the story as well as the first game.
@liquidsword601 I AM SO FUCKING HYPED FOR WOLVERINE! AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT THEY COOK UP!
Love it. Thank you, Jake! You being a lot to the table and we’re so glad you’re here. Thank you for sharing your honest takes. You’re appreciated more than you know!
TotK and Mario Wonder got totally snubbed in this one, but still a great list and great video, Jake. :)
Alan Wake 2 is definitely my game of the year. I've played and really enjoyed a lot if them this year but as a whole package it just nailed it. I think Jake described it as a Remedy ass Remedy game and that hits the nail on the head.
I don't think i could even do a top ten because there's been so many other great ones in 2023. Not only the AAA space but so many good indies too. Ive not tried El Pado Elsewhere yet but Jake's enthusiasm is infectious.
Jake you deserve the likes more than most! Here's to a great 2024 (not too good cos backlog). Also I've gotten into Yakuza... Finished Zero and am on Kiwami. That is going to absorb me!
Jake you always have great takes and that makes happy for some reason
Cooking pasta while watching Jake being the GOATY
Sounds delicious 🤌🤌
Bg3 rpg layers...is a miracle. That studio, that game...is the half life 2 of rpgs. Literally decades ahead of everyone in its genre
Exactly!
Never played top down games like bg or divinity but can you explain how is it any different than baldurs gate 2? It doesnt seem any different in the gameplay to me.
@@carancole5974 BG3 isn’t really top down you can basically put the camera wherever you want. It’s IMO much better than the previous 2 games
@@trankia1224This is a great take man. Everybody either makes formulaic rpg games or just rehashes old mechanics. Larian is the peak while Owlcat is not far behind imo
@carancole5974 they're nowhere near each other in gameplay
The difference is like God of war and God of war 2018; a little similar yeah sure but they play wildly different
Jake dont ever stip making videos. I hope we're both 90 and still watching and doing these videos.
Best TH-cam Channel out there!
you mentioned Final Fantasy 16, my man! That was my favorite game of the year.
Always a feels good time sitting down for a Jake Baldino video. Happy New Year man. Always love your takes and really looking forward for to your discussions throughout 2024!
I am playing Alan wake 2 now, and I am having a blast with it, as well as getting goose bumps every time I hear a “Alan wake” from the shadows hahahaha it always scares the shit out of me 😂 and I love it ❤
I think my top 3 games of the year were
-Lies of P
- LOZ: Tears of The Kingdom
- Sea of Stars
honorable mentions are Final Fantasy 16, Hi-Fi Rush !
Imagine if Jake half turned into a D&D channel that's be funny. I love all your best games. Thanks for the year of games and reviews!
RE 4 was absolutely fantastic… same with 3 … aaaannnndddd 2 … yeah, so all of them
Shout out to Metroid Prime Remastered. I missed out on the Gamecube when I was younger and Metroid wasn't on my radar at all during the Wii era, looking back at it now I wish I played them back then. So with the Switch remaster I had the perfect excuse to finally check it out, and wow, it did not disappoint. Feels like a game that could've came out in the last 5 years, it's so ahead of its time for being 20 years old. Now I'm dying for info on if 2 and 3 are getting Switch remasters, and for more on Prime 4!
Lies of P really surprised me. I usually don't play souls type games, but I've been obsessed with this game. The art style, music, boss design, and different combat styles make the game so fun and replayable
I appreciate that Jake just talks about shit he loves, not just the biggest releases. Appreciate you so much man
As always, great video Jake. I Love Alan Wake 2. Funny enough I’m playing through AW 2 right now. Just finished Sagas first 2 chapters and thought I wanted to to revisit Control. I’m about to fight Hartman and before you do you listen to a recording that talks about the lodge at Couldron Lake. It was such perfect timing. Remedy kills it.
My GOTY is Armored Core VI. Yamamura directing was one of the best things FromSoft could’ve done. I hope they give the reigns to him more and more for upcoming games. The world creation, the scale of the world, the sound engineering, story everything, for me at least was hit out the park.
You made me realize I haven't played a lot of games this year besides Cities Skylines 2 and Forza Motorsport.
With Dredge, you actually got me thinking of Maneater. That was a great gameplay loop for me. One of the few that I couldn't stop playing until I beat it.
Alan Wake 2 was great and I like it almost as much as the first game, but for me my game of the year would be Lies of P. I had so much fun playing that game. It felt almost like From Software had a small team of developers split off from the main company and make their own game.
Bro seriously lies of p is so damn good. Every chapter brought a new environment to explore and always new enemies and gear its so good. Not to mention the amazing story.
I was kinda going through the start of the game without expecting much, but that all changed the moment I played the song “Feel”. From that moment on, for some reason, I knew I was in for a great game, and it’s also the best game I played in 2023.
At the time of writing, I just rolled credits on Lies of P like an hour ago. I absolutely loved my time with it.
Soulslikes just aren't for me. So dated
I slept on it for far too long but I'm playing through it at the moment and it's great. Already makes me kind of nostalgic for the older Fromsoft Souls games. Don't get me wrong, Elden Ring was fantastic but I kind of gravitate more towards the more linear non-open-world structure.
Tango Gameworks are so underappreciated; I'd love to give Ghostwire:Tokyo a whirl at some point in time.
Lies of P was truly spectacular. I'm amazed how many people I saw that either didn't typically love soulslikes, or even had never played thru a soulslike before, loved this game.
I myself am a massive souls fan and less of P is now up there with my favorite souls games of all time.
Thing I hated most about Spiderman 2018 was the MJ missions. Haven't played the sequel yet so it sucks to hear that they even brought that back.
Loved this list, a lot of big hitters as well as some more unique, lesser known experiences.
And to make it clear, this is just out of curiosity because it's great everyone has different opinions, but why didn't you put ToTK on this list? I personally adored it
as a west coast die hard thru and thru, i always smile at jakes love for everything New York and East Coast lol
Alan Wake 2 is my goty as well. Especially surprising after a 13yr wait.
Appreciate the vid, man! Always worth watching. Now, I think I gotta check out El Paso, Elsewhere after hearing about it here. Happy 2024!
Great list! 2023 was absolutely stacked! I loved almost everything I played this year, but my standouts were Baldur's Gate 3, Alan Wake 2, and HiFi Rush. Such unbelievable experiences all in their own unique way. Runner ups are Tears of the Kingdom, RE4 Remake, and the Dead Space Remake!
I’m playing catch up right now. Zelda and RE4 were my faves.
I’m playing Final Fantasy 16 now and I’m enjoying it, and I’m saving Baulders Gate 3 for last.
Nice to see Jedi Survivor on someone's list. The tech issues overshadowed what was probably the game I had the most fun with this year. I finished it in like 40hrs at about 90% completion and immediately went into a NG+ because I wasn't ready to let it go.
Awards don't matter but I don't think the soundtrack and the diegetic music from Pyloon's Saloon got the recognition The deserved. The music they played during the final encounter and conclusion that flowed into the credits had me just sitting there and pondering. As I get older I find my appetite for the simplistic stories that most folks tell within the Star Wars universe don't hold as much interest for me. Between Survivor and Andor I was happy to see something still fun but a bit more nuance. The semi-openworld with a metroid vibe hit me just right and usually fall off of those pretty quick. I haven't had that much fun in an open world since RDR2, and some parts of CP 2077. Though CP2077 has some jarring tonal shifts that pulled me out of it similar to GTA5.
Frontiers of Pandora looks like it might have a similar approach; when it goes on sale I will buy it.
Elden ring has way worse performance issues than Jedi Survivor and no one cares lmao
thank you for all the nice content you produce, its cool to see your personal pick!
Your tastes are basically mine. I'm in a game for a tight, fun experience with a great story. Games like Resident Evil 4, Alan Wake 2, and Spider-Man 2 are literally my bread and butter. They're incredible adventures that keep you hooked from beginning to end and don't take half a year to complete. But, I do love me some deep, well crafted RPGs if the story and characters are good enough to hook me. Thankfully, BG3 did just that from beginning to end. But honestly AW2 and BG3 gotta be tied for me for GOTY.
Great video, as always. I'll need to branch out and play some of these other styles of games like Dredge and Sea of Thieves.
My top games in 2023 were Hogwarts legacy, Lies of P, FF16. My GOTY was BG3.
I also missed out on a ton of good games because I was catching up on games from 2022 like Elden Ring, God of War, Horizon, and Spider-Man 😆 🤣
I'm most looking forward to Dragon's Dogma 2 in 2024!
Armored Core 6 is my favorite game this year. Is the game perfect? No. But it's a return to a long dormant franchise done right. Many times a franchise goes dormant and you never see it again. And for it to be better than the last entry is all you can hope for, and it's way better than 5 to me. Just love tinkering and painting my mech/AC for hours on end
I feel like Jake might really dig the detective noir yet oddball weirdness of Master Detective Archive: Raincode. It's a brand new series, crazy high production values, and moves so succinctly and is genuinely funny. I loved it, it was my sleeper hit with all those dark yet goofy lost ps2 game vibes. Anyone else like it?
Never even heard of it. Thanks for getting it on my radar!
@JakeBaldino Woah, this just made my day!! Of course man, I hope you dig it if you find the time to check it out. Love all your work man, consider my shoes tied and the bed gone to haha cheers! 🍻
Awesome game! I didn't expect this game to get a mention here, but I'm glad you did.
Much appreciate this list, experience the personal experience. You carry this video on the strength of your own feelings and experiences. Awesome review.
Always thank you! Here’s to another year and putting tears of the kingdom on the hon mention list just for the build physics.
You make me want to try out that new Robocop game. When I was a kid, I got stuck on the first level of the NES Robocop. The part was probably 5 minutes in where there's a wall closing in on you. I couldn't figure out how to get past it, and never bothered to try the game again. I remember being in High School and my friend who collected old games showed me you could get past that by pressing the Select/Start button or something. I still feel dumb about it. lol
"A Jake game" - I completely get that sentiment. I was writing for a gaming site at the end of 2014, and when we were culling nominations for Game of the Year, one of my noms was Shovel Knight and I died on that hill. I forget what we picked that year but I still stand by that wild card pick.
When i heard you say "Alan Wake 2"... Oh man i got so happy because this game changed my life, i love it like no other game and I'm glad it's getting the love it deserves from the fans.
As someone that loved the game, can I ask you… is it worth investing the time of playing Alan Wake 1? Or, is it sufficient to watch a summary video?
@@thewelshlink Hi, i remember i was just gonna watch a video too but i saw how ambitious the second game looked and how much people praised the first one so i ended up playing it and i have to say you should do both. A video will make you understand the story but playing it will make you care for the characters and love the second one more.
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk was a big game for me this year, like you said about the game made just for you, Bomb Rush was that for me.
I still need to play that. Looks really good.
I’ll drop my top 5 games of the year! 👇🏻
5. Spider-Man 2
4. Resident Evil 4
3. Dead Space
2. Tears of the Kingdom
1. Alan Wake 2
Honorable Mentions -
Pikmin 4
Metroid Prime
Mario RPG
What a great year for gaming 🎮
Alan wake 2 as a huge alan wake 1 fan is a mixed bag for me, I love some parts and feel like some parts are poorly thought out.
Now jedi survivor is just torture for me because I really want to play it but i got it on release and it ran so badly i had to refund it. I just hope someday I can enjoy it without all the performance issues. Especially in this day and age where so much star wars feels irreverent to its own series history I really liked jedi fallen order was such a breath of fresh air and I am so sad I can't play survivor.
Jake man I love your videos and you are not wrong. There were a lot of good games that came out last year and it is hard to decide what stood out best. Had to think long and hard myself what I enjoyed. For me, it was FF16, RE4 remake, Tears of the Kingdom, Mario Wonder, Spider-man 2, and Remnant 2. But still, so many great games came out XD. I look forward to your reviews this year, especially for FF7 Rebirth, Rise of Ronin, Mario vs Donkey Kong, Black Myth Wukong, and more. As always great video
Alan Wake 2 was my GOTY but of course tons of incredible games this year. One I don’t see talked about much at all is Amnesia The Bunker. It’s such a well designed horror game and it was one of my favorites this year.
Marvel's spiderman 2 was my game of the year last year
Jake is my FAVORITE game reviewer of 2023!
A game I'm glad that came out the way it did in 2023 was Dead Space remake. It might just take the spot for my favorite Dead Space game.