Game of the Year: Everything Else Edition

The final 2023 installment of the Video Games Industry Memo serves as a curated retrospective, shifting focus away from major AAA blockbusters to highlight notable, smaller-scale titles that defined the year for industry professionals. By aggregating personal recommendations from various contributors, the publication aims to showcase the diversity and creative breadth of the independent and mid-tier gaming landscape.

The selection features eight distinct titles, each praised for unique mechanics, narrative depth, or thematic resonance. Featured games include the rogue-lite city builder Against the Storm, the puzzle-focused Storyteller, the genre-bending Humanity, and the multifaceted fishing and restaurant simulation Dave the Diver. Other highlighted experiences include the atmospheric puzzle game Cocoon, the narrative-driven musical Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical, the asymmetrical horror title The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, the environmentally conscious Loddlenaut, and the culturally poignant cooking narrative Venba.

These recommendations emphasize the value of innovation and specialized design in a market often dominated by large-scale productions. The contributors, representing various sectors of the gaming industry, highlight how these titles offer accessible, high-quality experiences that cater to diverse player interests, ranging from cozy, environmentally themed gameplay to complex, narrative-heavy challenges. The collection functions as a qualitative survey of 2023’s "unsung" gaming highlights, providing a snapshot of the titles that resonated most strongly with industry insiders during the calendar year.