Well and truly into the current generation of consoles and with some huge hitters finally seeing their long-anticipated releases, the first half of 2023 has been an absolute cracker six months for fans of video games of all kinds. With the likes of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Final Fantasy XVI bringing out the big guns alongside some bonafide indie gems, we’re spoiled for choice so far this year.
With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the very highest rated games of 2023 so far, according to review score aggregators Metacritic and OpenCritic. Of course, review scores should never be the be-all-and-end-all of your gaming decisions, but if you’re somehow stuck for what to play right now, hopefully the below list of everything currently sitting over an average 85 review score for the year so far will help you find your next fave.
In the interest of consistency, we’ve omitted any releases that are strictly ports from previous generations to the newer consoles, like The Witcher 3’s new-gen release earlier in the year. Brand-new remakes, remasters and the like are fair game, though. The scores listed for each game are also the highest aggregate rating the game received across all of its release platforms, so something like Diablo IV that has a Metacritic score of 91 on Xbox and 87 on PC will show the higher Xbox number.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Release Date: May 12
Platforms: Switch
Metacritic Score: 96 | Opencritic Score: 96
Our Review: 10/10 “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom builds upon Breath of the Wild’s robust systems to offer an experience that eclipses the original in practically every way.” Read more.
The Cheapest Copy: $69 at Amazon with free shipping.
Metroid Prime Remastered
Release Date: February 8
Platforms: Switch
Metacritic Score: 94 | Opencritic Score: 94
Our Review: 9.5/10 “Metroid Prime Remastered is, without a doubt, the best way to experience Metroid Prime.” Read more.
The Cheapest Copy: $54.95 at Amazon with free shipping.
Resident Evil 4
Release Date: March 24
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Metacritic Score: 93 | Opencritic Score: 92
Our Review: 10/10 “Resident Evil 4 translates a game already revered into an absolute masterpiece.” Read more.
The Cheapest Copy: $59 at Amazon with free shipping.
Street Fighter 6
Release Date: June 2
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Metacritic Score: 92 | Opencritic Score: 92
Our Review: 9/10 “Street Fighter 6 rights the wrongs of its past with multiple modes for every player and strong battle systems like no other.” Read more.
The Cheapest Copy: $74 at Mightyape
Diablo IV
Release Date: June 6
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Metacritic Score: 91 | Opencritic Score: 88
Our Review: 9/10 “Diablo IV is an unquestionable win for Blizzard and one of their foundational franchises when it needed it most.” Read more.
The Cheapest Copy: $83.99 at Amazon with free shipping.
Persona 4 Golden
Release Date: January 19
Platforms: PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Metacritic Score: 90 | Opencritic Score: 88
Dead Space
Release Date: January 27
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Metacritic Score: 89 | Opencritic Score: 89
Our Review: 9/10 “EA Motive could have taken a path of least resistance in delivering a Dead Space remake, though I’m thankful for everything they’ve poured into what is a tremendous reimagining of one of gaming’s truly iconic horror games.” Read more.
The Cheapest Copy: $49.95 at Amazon with free shipping.
Hi-Fi Rush
Release Date: January 25
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC
Metacritic Score: 89 | Opencritic Score: 89
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania
Release Date: March 6
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Metacritic Score: 88 | Opencritic Score: 87
Final Fantasy XVI
Release Date: June 22
Platforms: PS5
Metacritic Score: 88 | Opencritic Score: 89
Our Review: 10/10 “Final Fantasy XVI is an epic in every sense of the word. Consistently sharp writing, a captivating cast of characters, exhilarating combat, and a timeless soundtrack coalesce into an experience that showcases what the PlayStation 5 is capable of at the highest level.” Read more.
The Cheapest Copy: $84.99 at Amazon with free shipping
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line
Release Date: February 16
Platforms: PS4, Switch
Metacritic Score: 87 | Opencritic Score: 86
Our Review: 8.5/10 “Final Bar Line is another fantastic entry in a great rhythm series, propped up by an enormous catalog of essential video game music and a variety of fun and engaging (if slightly superfluous) systems.” Read more.
The Cheapest Copy: $79 at Amazon with free shipping.
A Space for the Unbound
Release Date: January 19
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Metacritic Score: 86 | Opencritic Score: 85
Octopath Traveller II
Release Date: February 24
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Switch, PC
Metacritic Score: 86 | Opencritic Score: 85
Our Review: 8.5/10 “Octopath Traveler II does an earnest job of trying to right the wrongs of its predecessor, making more attempts than ever to integrate the stories of its eight characters.” Read more.
The Cheapest Copy: $57 at Amazon with free shipping.
Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2
Release Date: May 16
Platforms: PS5, PS4, PC
Metacritic Score: 86 | Opencritic Score: 85
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Release Date: April 28
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Metacritic Score: 85 | Opencritic Score: 85
Our Review: 9/10 “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor sharpens combat and exploration to a fine point while delivering a story that goes all in on its characters and human drama.” Read more.
The Cheapest Copy: $64 at Amazon with free shipping.
Humanity
Release Date: May 16
Platforms: PS5, PS4, PC
