Str8JaktJim2023 has been a banger year for gaming, but it has also seen some sub-par releases. As we head into December, the Roundtable Co-Op team look back at our biggest surprises & disappointments for 2023.
Chris Inglis’s Biggest Surprises & Disappointments
Surprise – Miasma Chronicles
Miasma Chronicles is another incredible game from The Bearded Ladies and one of my favourites of 2023. It stands out amongst the turn-based XCOM-style games by giving you the ability to stealth around the map, scouting positions of the enemy and working out the best angle of attack. The RPG elements for character progression and great story really had me sucked in and the side quests were just as engaging.
If you enjoyed Mutant Year Zero, there’s a lot more like it in this game.
Disappointment – Lord Of The Rings: Gollum
While The Lord of the Rings: Gollum featured excellent voice acting and environment design, large portions of the game felt disjointed, and I struggled with precision and control at times with mouse/keyboard. Some of Gollum’s early tasks were a chore to play through but they helped to set up his mindset and seeing him focus on getting back to the precious.
I liked being able to choose responses as Gollum and Sméagol and then seeing them discuss it internally before settling on the decision. After trudging through the game and as I neared the ending, all I wanted was to see and possibly interact with the main characters from the Fellowship, but this was not to be.
My hunger for a new LOTR game was unfortunately not satiated by this one. Definitely check out The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria which is fantastic.
That’s why Miasma Chronicles and The Lord of the Rings: Gollum are my biggest surprises & disappointments of 2023.
Daniel Agius’ Biggest Surprises & Disappointments
Surprise – Lies Of P
Lies of P has emerged as the unexpected gem of 2023, catching me off guard with its compelling narrative and atmospheric world-building. Inspired by Carlo Collodi’s “The Adventures of Pinocchio,” the game immerses players in the once-thriving city of Krat, now haunted by the dual threats of Petrification Disease and the Puppet Frenzy. The city’s unravelling, revealed through intricate level designs, presents a hauntingly beautiful backdrop for exploration, with every hidden corner promising a discovery that adds to the depth of the experience.
At the core of Lies of P is a combat system that elevates the hardcore gothic action RPG genre. The creative freedom to craft weapons by disassembling and reassembling components brings a unique dimension to gameplay, allowing for personalized and strategic choices. The introduction of Legion Arms, mechanical appendages that enhance combat capabilities, adds a layer of complexity and versatility, offering players various ways to approach challenges. Boss encounters, renowned for their formidable difficulty, become not only tests of skill but deeply satisfying triumphs, reinforcing the game’s commitment to a rewarding and engaging experience.
Beyond its exceptional gameplay, Lies of P excels in various other aspects that contribute to its standout status. The accessibility of the narrative, engaging side quests, exceptional voice acting, a captivating musical score, and stunning visual design collectively create an immersive and well-rounded gaming experience. The developers’ meticulous attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the game, underscoring Lies of P as a remarkable addition to the genre, exceeding expectations and earning its place as the surprising standout game of 2023 in my gaming journey.
Disappointment – AEW: Fight Forever
AEW: Fight Forever turned out to be my disappointment game of 2023, despite my initial excitement as a devoted fan of All Elite Wrestling. I cherished the innovative changes AEW brought to professional wrestling, and when they announced their collaboration with Yuke’s for a throwback wrestling game, I was thrilled. However, the end result fell short of expectations, leaving much to be desired.
The attempt to recreate the magic of N64 classics like WWF No Mercy seemed too faithful, and the decision to release a game in 2023 with gameplay that mirrors an N64 title, both in simplicity and visual style, felt like a bold but unsuccessful move. Despite the gameplay’s attempt to capture the essence of beloved classics, the overall execution left me wanting more.
The disappointment extends to the lack of modes and match types, coupled with a subpar creation suite that pales in comparison to the WWE 2K franchise. The comparison to WWE 2K, which had its share of letdowns in its early days, underlines the missed opportunity for AEW: Fight Forever to provide a wrestling game that could stand out in the current gaming landscape.
In essence, the game’s outdated feel, combined with its failure to meet the expectations of modern wrestling game enthusiasts, makes it my disappointment for 2023. The absence of depth in gameplay, limited modes, and a lacklustre creation suite contribute to an overall sense of unfulfilled expectations, especially for someone who was hoping for a game that could compete or surpass existing options in the market.
That’s why Lies of P and AEW: Fight Forever are my biggest surprises & disappointments of 2023.
Darren “Str8JaktJim” Macneall’s Biggest Surprises & Disappointments
Surprise – Sea Of Stars & The Messenger
Sea of Stars by Sabotage Studio is an astounding indie RPG. Its innovative combat, gripping combat systems, and loveable characters (I WILL DIE FOR GARL!) all combine into this incredible journey. Beautiful pixel art environments, amazing dungeons (including a water dungeon that doesn’t suck) highlight the love and care Sabotage put into it. In a year of incredible games, Sea of Stars is a standout.
I’m cheating a little bit here by putting in a second game, and one that came out in five years ago to boot, but I played both these games back-to-back and I want to highlight The Messenger as well. After playing Sea of Stars, I learnt that it was Sabotage Studio’s second game, and it was a prequel of sorts to 2018’s The Messenger. With how much I loved Sea of Stars I went straight out and bought The Messenger. A spectacular 2D platformer with very funny writing and tight controls, it is amazing in a completely different way to Sea of Stars but every bit as enjoyable.
Never have a seen a studio knock it out of the park so hard with their first two games. Sea of Stars and The Messenger should be on everybody’s must play lists.
Disappointment – Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was such a breath of fresh air for Star Wars fans. Interesting characters, engaging gameplay, and an absolutely bonkers ending combined into not only a great Star Wars game, but a great game in general. When Star Wars Jedi: Survivor was announced I was excited to revisit Cal Kestis’ world.
The reality was very different. I get the feeling Fallen Order succeeded because EA wasn’t interested in it. When it did well, any inevitable sequel was going to have more eyes on it.
And that’s exactly what happened. Where Fallen Order was fairly linear with shortcuts that opened up to make subsequent visits less of a chore, Survivor became more open. The small number of cosmetic collectibles in Fallen order transformed into a collect-a-thon in its sequel, making them feel less valuable. The story, which started out very interestingly, took a left turn at Albuquerque and ended somewhere completely different and not at all satisfying. The ending might have been better received by me if Cal’s purported flirtation with the dark side amounted to more than a tiny bit at the end.
I hope any further sequels return to a more linear format with cosmetic collectibles that feel meaningful.
That’s our biggest surprises & disappointments for 2023. What would be your picks? Let us know on our socials!
Chris Inglis
