It’s time for our annual countdown to award the very best games this year had to offer. Over the next ten days, we’ll count down our top ten games of 2023.
As always, the votes of each Press Start team member, weighted from #10 through to #1, were collated to compile our collective very best for the year that was. Games worthy of one’s top spot would be awarded the maximum of 10 points and the values would descend down to their tenth selection, which would receive a single point.
A round of rapid polls were utilised to settle dead heats and finalise the top ten.
The original title in the franchise, Jedi: Fallen Order, which first introduced Cam Monaghan as force user Cal Kestis, went a long way to cementing Respawn as a genuine industry powerhouse. The game wasn’t perfect however, struggling with performance woes and bugs despite its wonderful narrative.
Jedi Survivor, as a sequel, felt like a total improvement across the board. It drives forward Cal’s story while opening the series’ universe up even further with an exciting open-world of sorts. And though it still had its share of issues on PC, I felt the game wound up far more stable than its predecessor on consoles.
Given the reception to some of the TV series in recent times, it’s arguable that Respawn’s Jedi series is as premium as Star Wars gets in today’s age and the fact that the team are no doubt working on a third iteration, as well as a shooter of their own set in a galaxy far, far away, is so exciting.
In his review, James W scored Star Wars Jedi: Survivor a 9 out of 10 saying:
“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. Some minor pacing issues can’t stop the game from achieving exciting new heights for the series, if you’re willing to let it take you there.”
Shannon said:
“In what felt like the first truly next-gen game, Jedi: Survivor built on the first game with bigger planets, a much wider variety of combat mechanics whilst retaining the fantastic metroidvania elements that made the first game great. Also, hottest video game villain of the year? Ever?”
Ewan said:
“Jedi: Survivor is perhaps the only game I played this year scarce of any obvious shortcomings. It had it all: a story full of twist and turns; one of years’ best bad guys; engrossing, Soulslike combat; sophisticated, Metroidvania level design; beautiful environments; intricate puzzles; and surprisingly fun parkour sections.
Respawn have made a valuable contribution to Star Wars lore and I’m excited to see how the trilogy concludes, assuming that’s the plan.
At the time of publishing, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (for PlayStation 5) stands at an 85 on Metacritic.
Press Start’s Game of the Year 2023
9. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
10. Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
