I am so happy y’all included Connections on the poll. Not only is it really a wonderful daily puzzle game, but it’s become really special to me. My mom has been in the hospital for over a year now and every day when we talk on the phone, we play Wordle and Connections together. We make connections between words but we also strengthen our connection, which is cheesy but accurate.
Yeah - I really didn't expect to see it on the list, but it's been the game I've technically played the longest this year. I play it with my wife every evening along with Wordle & Octordle - and share the results & discuss with my mum. Connections is aptly named when you look at it through that lens.
It very much scratched the same itch as Sea of Stars, and I loved both of them. If Final Fantasy has decided to go full action-RPG, I guess us fans of turn-based RPGs are going to have to mostly get our kicks from games that play with nostalgia.
I don't know if I would say that Final Fantasy has "decided" to go full action-RPG. There hasn't been a traditional turn-based mainline entry in the series since FFX over 20 years ago. Both XII and XIII had active combat elements. It's been a steady evolution over time as games and tastes have changed. There's always Dragon Quest! Ha ha.
Ok, I think that's fair, they didn't just make a jump from pure turn-based to full-on action-rpg, it had been somewhat gradual, but from the perspective of someone who prefers the former over the latter, the latest entry feels like they crossed a threshold and aren't ever going back, which is a shame, imo.
It's funny you mention DQ, I am a very late arrival to that series, I jumped on with the last one on Switch, and I really enjoyed it.
I feel like a bit of a minority, but I really wish Hi-Fi Rush got some love here. The Cell Shading is beautiful, has no more story than it needs, enjoyable combat loop, and found a way to make a boss fight composed entirely of QTEs fun
I feel like rhythm games have a pretty niche audience? I've met like two people ever that enjoyed them and only because they were very good at them. It's a lovely game, but even with the accessibility features it's still not going to find a very broad audience I feel.
I normally don’t like rhythm games because I don’t have any rhythm, so I was surprised that I actually really enjoyed HiFi Rush. Ended up going back and playing Viewtiful Joe this year and it’s so punishing by comparison. HiFi Rush made it fun for someone who isn’t great with rhythm.
It’s crazy to think we all thought Tears of the Kingdom would be an automatic GOTY, but there are just SO MANY worthy games this year! I know it won’t win 1st place, but I’m rooting for Sea of Stars to make it pretty far in the bracket, it so perfectly encapsulates a good RPG from combat, to story, to movement and it’s so polished and “finished” in a way many games today aren’t allowed to be before release.
Man, I've been playing so much Doomsday Hunters. Griffin mentioned it a while ago and it's terrific if you like tons of different systems adding up/contradicting each other to create amazing and bizarre builds. Also, the art is awesome.
Oh sick, that's a solid deal. Yeah I got it on steam and just use an xbox controller and haven't had any issues. There are some ongoing bugs that the developers seem to be aware of but they aren't really related to performance.
Pikmin 4 has been a highlight of my year for 2023! It's my favorite entry in the series to date; the controls and quality of life things added into the game (Oatchi, rewinding time, less pressure to sprint toward the story's finish line) have made my experience playing Pikmin so much better. I find the RTS style really satisfying and when you nail the perfect run on a level it feels so good. I love that on its fourth installment the Pikmin franchise is still finding ways to add to the game and change things up in a good way (and having access to all 9 types of Pikmin is such a treat).
BG3 is a clear winner IMO. Fundamentally changed the way we think about RPGs, player relationships, party management interactions. ToTK is good, but not revolutionary.
I'm on the opposite side here -- while BG3 is easily one of the best cRPGs I've played, it's still "justx a very, very good cRPG with an incredible wealth of options, paths, and well-written characters. It also launched with such a multitude of problems that I have a hard time calling it GOTY. TotK introduced mechanics that will again be copied by innumerable games down the line for their innovation, just like BotW did. It's also incredibly well executed -- some of those interactions are nothing short of miracles to programmers.
As the guys mentioned in a prior episode, your specific experience defines how well you review it. I came across a frankly unbelievable number glitches, a few of which were quest- or game-breaking, after the full launch, which soured a lot of the experience for me. Don't wanna undermine your experience, but here's a few counterpoints to consider.
Slay the Princess is easily my GOTY. Expert writing, beautiful art and animation, and some really cool twists that I was not expecting. Hi-Fi Rush is also up there, and for some smaller titles that didn't get as much love, I'd like to mention Videoverse and In Stars and Time.
I am super down for Connections being included, so long as there's a mention of Only Connect, the UK quiz show from which the concept and execution so clear was born.
Like, apart from having to explain the category link before it's revealed, it's EXACTLY the same game, and I think that should be acknowledged!
Whaaaat, I have to pick between Connections, a game my wife (a person in her own right) and I play together, and Dave the Diver, a game I love and played so much this year that my wife (a person in her own right) got a bit upset about it?!
This is my write-in campaign for "MyHouse.Wad" to be added to this list. I played it after hearing about it on the show and it's criminal there hasn't been more talk about it.
A late addition but In Stars And Time was my 2023 GOTY. A truly amazing game with a beautiful, moving story that instantly became one of my all time favorites.
I love that Lil Gator Game is included in the poll! It was such a laid back but heartfelt experience. It was a great game to play while I was recovering from surgery, when I couldn't go on my usual walks outside. It was really lovely to get the experience of running around and playing outside when I couldn't manage it myself.
I am so happy y’all included Connections on the poll. Not only is it really a wonderful daily puzzle game, but it’s become really special to me. My mom has been in the hospital for over a year now and every day when we talk on the phone, we play Wordle and Connections together. We make connections between words but we also strengthen our connection, which is cheesy but accurate.
Yeah - I really didn't expect to see it on the list, but it's been the game I've technically played the longest this year. I play it with my wife every evening along with Wordle & Octordle - and share the results & discuss with my mum. Connections is aptly named when you look at it through that lens.
my wiiiiiifee borat voice
Criminal that Octopath II isn’t included
Plante is the only one who played it, so I don't imagine it would have much of a shot ha ha.
It very much scratched the same itch as Sea of Stars, and I loved both of them. If Final Fantasy has decided to go full action-RPG, I guess us fans of turn-based RPGs are going to have to mostly get our kicks from games that play with nostalgia.
I don't know if I would say that Final Fantasy has "decided" to go full action-RPG. There hasn't been a traditional turn-based mainline entry in the series since FFX over 20 years ago. Both XII and XIII had active combat elements. It's been a steady evolution over time as games and tastes have changed. There's always Dragon Quest! Ha ha.
Ok, I think that's fair, they didn't just make a jump from pure turn-based to full-on action-rpg, it had been somewhat gradual, but from the perspective of someone who prefers the former over the latter, the latest entry feels like they crossed a threshold and aren't ever going back, which is a shame, imo.
It's funny you mention DQ, I am a very late arrival to that series, I jumped on with the last one on Switch, and I really enjoyed it.
I'm the same way with DQ! Jumped in at Griffin's suggestion. I'm still not wild about the art style, but I really dug the game.
I feel like a bit of a minority, but I really wish Hi-Fi Rush got some love here. The Cell Shading is beautiful, has no more story than it needs, enjoyable combat loop, and found a way to make a boss fight composed entirely of QTEs fun
It feels a little weird that it’s not in the top poll.
I feel like rhythm games have a pretty niche audience? I've met like two people ever that enjoyed them and only because they were very good at them. It's a lovely game, but even with the accessibility features it's still not going to find a very broad audience I feel.
I normally don’t like rhythm games because I don’t have any rhythm, so I was surprised that I actually really enjoyed HiFi Rush. Ended up going back and playing Viewtiful Joe this year and it’s so punishing by comparison. HiFi Rush made it fun for someone who isn’t great with rhythm.
Agreed, it's got such a fun art style that makes you feel like you're playing a cartoon!
Yeah I was very pleasantly surprised by that game, sad it’s not getting a mention
New York giraffe will definitely come in final round with that as the wildcard
It’s crazy to think we all thought Tears of the Kingdom would be an automatic GOTY, but there are just SO MANY worthy games this year! I know it won’t win 1st place, but I’m rooting for Sea of Stars to make it pretty far in the bracket, it so perfectly encapsulates a good RPG from combat, to story, to movement and it’s so polished and “finished” in a way many games today aren’t allowed to be before release.
Man, I've been playing so much Doomsday Hunters. Griffin mentioned it a while ago and it's terrific if you like tons of different systems adding up/contradicting each other to create amazing and bizarre builds. Also, the art is awesome.
I just listened that episode, going through the back catalogue! Did you nab it on PC or Switch?
I know Griffin always plays Switch first but am himming and hawing between platforms myself, it’s on sale on Steam rn but not the eShop
Oh sick, that's a solid deal. Yeah I got it on steam and just use an xbox controller and haven't had any issues. There are some ongoing bugs that the developers seem to be aware of but they aren't really related to performance.
Pikmin 4 has been a highlight of my year for 2023! It's my favorite entry in the series to date; the controls and quality of life things added into the game (Oatchi, rewinding time, less pressure to sprint toward the story's finish line) have made my experience playing Pikmin so much better. I find the RTS style really satisfying and when you nail the perfect run on a level it feels so good. I love that on its fourth installment the Pikmin franchise is still finding ways to add to the game and change things up in a good way (and having access to all 9 types of Pikmin is such a treat).
LOVED Pikmin 4 this year, I'd never played a Pikmin game before and was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it!
BG3 is a clear winner IMO. Fundamentally changed the way we think about RPGs, player relationships, party management interactions. ToTK is good, but not revolutionary.
I'm on the opposite side here -- while BG3 is easily one of the best cRPGs I've played, it's still "justx a very, very good cRPG with an incredible wealth of options, paths, and well-written characters. It also launched with such a multitude of problems that I have a hard time calling it GOTY. TotK introduced mechanics that will again be copied by innumerable games down the line for their innovation, just like BotW did. It's also incredibly well executed -- some of those interactions are nothing short of miracles to programmers.
As the guys mentioned in a prior episode, your specific experience defines how well you review it. I came across a frankly unbelievable number glitches, a few of which were quest- or game-breaking, after the full launch, which soured a lot of the experience for me. Don't wanna undermine your experience, but here's a few counterpoints to consider.
I guess I need to play Dave the diver…
Slay the Princess is easily my GOTY. Expert writing, beautiful art and animation, and some really cool twists that I was not expecting. Hi-Fi Rush is also up there, and for some smaller titles that didn't get as much love, I'd like to mention Videoverse and In Stars and Time.
I am super down for Connections being included, so long as there's a mention of Only Connect, the UK quiz show from which the concept and execution so clear was born.
Like, apart from having to explain the category link before it's revealed, it's EXACTLY the same game, and I think that should be acknowledged!
Whaaaat, I have to pick between Connections, a game my wife (a person in her own right) and I play together, and Dave the Diver, a game I love and played so much this year that my wife (a person in her own right) got a bit upset about it?!
myy wiiiffe
Very nice
Metroid Prime Remastered, Street Fighter 6, Pikmin 4, and Hi Fi Russ snubbed hard
This is my write-in campaign for "MyHouse.Wad" to be added to this list. I played it after hearing about it on the show and it's criminal there hasn't been more talk about it.
A late addition but In Stars And Time was my 2023 GOTY. A truly amazing game with a beautiful, moving story that instantly became one of my all time favorites.
Suika and Lil' Gator Game are two of my absolute favorites of the year. Pure cozy perfection.
Try 'A Little To The Left,' it's a great cozy puzzle game I just found yesterday and I'm loving it so far!
I love that Lil Gator Game is included in the poll! It was such a laid back but heartfelt experience. It was a great game to play while I was recovering from surgery, when I couldn't go on my usual walks outside. It was really lovely to get the experience of running around and playing outside when I couldn't manage it myself.