Pushing Buttons: How should we remember 2023 in games?

In this week's newsletter: While it was an incredible year for players, it was a tough year for anyone making games

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The time has come: our list of the 20 best games of 2023 is now live. I can't remember a year with such an embarrassment of riches to choose from, and the diversity of this list really reflects that. Most outlets - and players - appear to have divided themselves along the lines of Team Baldur's Gate, Team Zelda or Team Alan Wake 2, and any one of them would be a worthy GOTY. In the end you have to go with your heart. Have a read and see if your feelings align with ours.

Keep an eye out, too, for our games-you-might-have-missed list tomorrow, in which our full complement of critics recommend more than 30 additional games. And if you'd like to hit reply on this newsletter and share a few sentences about your own favourite games of 2023 and your most anticipated games of 2024, there's still time! We'll be publishing your responses next week.