The Best Video Games of 2023 | Cannot be Tamed

2023 was a a great year for video games. I played 43 games that released during the year and really liked a lot of them. Here are my top 10 games of the year, along with some honourable mentions.
#GotY #GameoftheYear #best2023
00:00 Intro
00:38 Honourable Mentions
02:32 Game 10
04:15 Game 9
05:47 Game 8
07:23 Game 7
08:49 Game 6
10:26 Game 5
12:20 Game 4
14:09 Game 3
16:23 Game 2
18:32 Game 1
20:54 Outro
Game footage is taken from trailers and my own footage. Music is the from the games mentioned.
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Intro artwork, logo and banner by: @theMagdalenRose
"Sergio's Magic Dustbin " Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
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"Cantina Blues" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
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[@BlottaMcTablets]

Dude... I love it when Pam is here to talk about video games. This channel is so chill, and I get to hear about a lot more than the same old triple A titles. It's just a good time.

[@Coffeeandacigarette]

Agreed. I see some hidden gems here and I'm all in.

[@DeformedConscience]

All these years later, It's so nice to continue to watch a gaming channel with somebody who actually plays, and appreciates all of the games in their collection, realizes when it is time for excess stuff to go, has no problem addressing shortcomings, is their own 'team', and has no bullshit drama. Thank you Pam. In the sea of shit that is KZbin, you are a tropical island oasis. 🍻 🍻 🍻

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I appreciate that, thank you.

[@dxcSOUL]

Toxicity is a major problem in the gaming sphere. It's nice to find an oasis where there is none of that BS.

[@Umbra_Witcher]

i always like how you keep things on a flat plane pam. no overreaction youtuber shit and always straight shooting.

[@ilovethesmelloffire]

You sound very Reddit

[@Umbra_Witcher]

@@ilovethesmelloffire sounds good robert de niro

[@zacharyberridge7239]

​@@ilovethesmelloffirewell, that's the dumbest thing I've heard today, and that's saying something. Have a reasonable take on something? Must be a redditor. Lmao

[@zabeardybeardy232]

Yeah, it gets old when all they do is react to trends that are reactions to reactions of something problematic. Actuall perspectives on things are refreshing.

[@zugabdu1]

This is why I get my video game news from this channel. She acts like an adult.

[@STASISGame]

Thanks so much for this Pam! I've been a fan of yours since I watched your mini doc on The Dig - awesome to know that you enjoyed Bone Totem!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

It was really great! Thanks for making it.

[@TheColorUrple]

Now this right here is a list. A focus on unique gameplay, obscure indie treasures, dark atmospheres, narrative-driven titles, and putting Alan Wake where it belongs. Hell yeah, Pam.

[@ungooglablegames]

Stasis was also number 2 in my ranking of ALL games from 2023 on my channel.

[@zachpajak7493]

Your Best of the Year videos are always the GREATEST!!! Thank you for all of these recommendations, most of which I’d honestly not heard of. Your channel is one of the best.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thanks so much

[@slugbones]

Dang that dracula game looks sick. I haven't heard anyone else mention it. Everybody is saying Alan Wake 2 is GOTY and I've never played any of those games so will have to check it out.

[@Panosole]

Nice video Pam.......happy new year.😊

[@Mr_Wheez]

Never heared of Stasis: Bone Totem but that seem right up my alley. Thanks for bringing this up.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

You're welcome

[@Mr_Wheez]

@@Cannotbetamed1 Home computer exclusive game, Steam Deck verified and two predecessors! 🤓 Bought it and started to play it directly. I’m hooked. Thanks again! That’s why I like your channel. Someone with a similar taste who has a unique take on her top ten list with some real surprises. Best regards from Hamburg, Germany

[@johnm82]

Great video! My backlog is way too long, but now I'm going to have to add a couple more!

[@TheDylanCharles]

Loved your video, as always. You may be happy to hear that this video finally got me to pull the trigger on El Paso Elsewhere. Can't wait to check it out!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Yay! I knew you'd like it.

[@TradeCards]

Fantastic video Pam. Adding a bunch of these to my list! Thanks for the heads-up!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I hope you like the ones you end up trying.

[@TradeCards]

​@@Cannotbetamed1Robocop being on your list is a huge eye-opener!

[@Kribaca117]

OMG, I got the chills. I was skimming through the bottom to see if Alan Wake 2 was even on there (I was going to be so pissed, I just knew it!). Then you got to the part where you revealed the list. I was on number 2 when I saw it. I laughed with excitement and with a shit-eating-grin, lol.

[@lillyanneserrelio2187]

Haha Your face while the list of played games (quickly) scroll down the screen is priceless. I love it! 😍

[@Ruko]

Fantastic list Pam, a few of these im playing sooner for sure now.

[@darkoale3299]

Excellent list. You always keep me up to date on games I've never heard of. Appreciate it!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Glad to help!

[@edwardmarshall5359]

Great list! I'm 30 hours into Alan Wake 2 , and it's easily one of my GOATS. Between that and BG3, I've been completely occupied, but, man, I really need to play your 10 through 7, 3, and 2. Number two wasn't even on my radar! Thanks for the recs.

[@zooropa04]

Killer Frequency sounds a bit like the movie Pontypool, at least in its concept if not its story. Thanks for mentioning it, it definitely put this game on my list!

[@jorgelarranaga1136]

Great Video as usual Pam! Have a good week!

[@zellar1]

Great list! I agree with most of these titles. Very efficient use of video and talk!! Thanks for posting.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@legionarybooks13]

Hi-Fi Rush was an unexpectedly fun time. I also wonder if Jusant has further inspired Pam's love of rock climbing.

[@northofvalhalla5087]

The little nonchalant wiggle while the list of games scrolled by cracked me up. Now that I've finished watching the video. Great delivery as always, and a couple are going on my wish list!

[@joshuatheargonaut4412]

Good stuff. Great top ten list. Definitely going to check out Jusant and Killer Frequency now.

[@VanBurenPhilips]

Oooh Black Skylands looks like my cuppa tea. Steam deck verified too! Also you've prompted me to have another run through Jusant, no hunting for stuff this time, just climbing.

[@darinherrick9224]

Love your list videos. You always give a unique perspective and list great games others ignore.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thanks!

[@makaveli4205]

Wow u played a lot of games. I hate winter time. Always stuck indoors. I seen robocop 2 at the theater it kicks ass

[@anthonywheeler2082]

Such a cool list Pam. That Bone Totem game is something I'll have to check out.

[@Lupiniunstar]

I always love your best of the year lists (and your monthly updates) because you play such different games that I don’t hear about! And even if you’re playing a popular game I love your takes, you always have a different sort of opinion that you back up and even when I disagree I appreciate someone breaking down why they feel differently

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I appreciate that.

[@frozenninja4030]

Great vid, Pam! Totally agree on Alan Wake 2. It was so unique and interesting and it had that great Remedy-ness on full blast. Fantastic experience. Really looking forward to Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and FF7 Rebirth in the near future.

[@markcampbell8590]

My personal favorite game of the year is Lies of P. I adored it so much and another indie game I loved was Pseudoregalia which is a platform Metroidvania

[@YDwelve]

Damn this was... amazing. almost all the spots make me curious. I wasn't even aware how many games i missed and I'm super glad #6 didn't take the first place.

[@winterburden]

Thanks for this neat best games video Pam!

[@Spare_Ombres]

Thanks Pam for the great list, you even make me discover some games that I missed!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Any time!

[@marcretro]

Happy New Year Pam! thanks once again. got my ps4 connected after 10 months was thinking of you and some horror story type games that you would recommend. Cheers from Vancouver

[@alanamarko]

so happy to see you loved Alan Wake II as much as I did, and I'm *DEFINITELY* checking out Stasis Bone Totem ASAP. thanks for making it known! i'd never heard of it before.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

No problem, I hope you like it as much as I did.

[@TimosBoumpoulis]

Perfect review. Thanks a lot !

[@grant78uk]

Happy new year to you. Liking your new hair style and colour

[@Chepo90]

I really enjoy your videos Pam!. Are concrete and well structured. Alan Wake II is and incredible game, for sure. Remedy again with an amazing story. For me, the games that I enjoyed the most in 2023 were: Hi Fi Rush, Sea of Stars, Laika, and Pizza Tower. Amazing year for the gaming!.

[@ToyKeeper]

The games I enjoyed the most in 2023: Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, Smash 5, "Give Me Toilet Paper!", Vampire Survivors, Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth, Hades, Dead Cells, XKCD "Escape Speed".

[@Moe-Scola]

Afterimage looks good, so I'll probably add that one to my collection in the near future. Tears of the Kindgom is easily my favorite game of 2023, consuming just about all of my gaming time for 2.5 months. I enjoyed the powers, Hyrule felt like it had more life than it did in BOTW, and I loved the open-endedness of the puzzle solving. I completed the fire temple the "wrong" way and loved every second of circumventing the intended path. Other favorites were Blasphemous 2 and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. For this year, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is my most anticipated, and the demo has confirmed for me that I'll have a great time with it. Looking foward to fully diving in when it releases tomorrow.

[@caczech]

Paraphrasing a clip you shared... "No Ilmo, I went straight to #1 to see Alan Wake II is your favorite game of the year... Like an asshole."

[@model.citizen.ps3]

love the video - good reviews. my game of 2023 was Robocop

[@0515dem]

You’re quite good at articulating the emotions the games you play invoke. Totally bought Black Skylands, zen games are my jam

[@xavito4337]

I always like that you play games that I never had idea they existed. I always end up wishlisting 3 or 4 games that you talk about 😂

[@Whatthetrash]

Awesome list! Great to hear your thoughts. ^_^ In regard to what I'm looking forward to this year, I *just* learned about 'Crypt Custodian' which is the next game by Kyle Thompson (creator of Islets which was my Game of the Year for 2022). The trailer looks (and sounds!) great and supposedly has a 2024 release date so... looking forward to that one. :)

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I will definitely play Crypt Custodian, I've loved both of his other games.

[@MichaelH-1]

Number 3 looks great and I've never heard of it somehow. Thx for the cool video!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

No problem, I hope you give it a shot.

[@NathanGatten]

Its now two years old, but I highly recommend checking out the sequel to The World Ends With You. Totally brilliant grungey game with a chill and sweet sense of humor.

[@rawhide793]

Cracking list, I've put three on those on my to buy list which I would never have heard of and Robocop is an imminent purchase. Happy new year 2024!

[@CatalystOfFire]

I played Signalis and Bone Totem back to back this year and I have to call my doctor about my Lexapro prescription, but wow were they both great. Solid list!!!

[@hippiasminor6264]

Quite an impressively diverse array of titles. I was unaware of the existence of many of these (although I don't really strive to keep up, admittedly). For me, Jusant is the real find on this list.

[@alexhuama]

Me encanta tu canal, una super lista espero jugar varios, saludos 🤠

[@octahedronn]

escribe en inglés, mal educado

[@SixOThree]

That's a unique Top 10. Good stuff yo.

[@pigs18]

Of those 43 games, I played (does quick math) none of them. I mostly worked on my backlog which is good but some of these are going on my to-do list.

[@YakWaxLips]

All look great! I've heard amazing thing about Stasis so may give that a go next

[@Cannotbetamed1]

You should, hope you like it.

[@PCGamingGoodies]

I also enjoyed Cocoon, from the maker of Limbo and Inside; Firmament, from the maker of Myst; the remakes of System Shock, Resident Evil 4, and Dead Space; BG3; AW2. Last year was like that Frank Sinatra song: It Was a Very Good Year.

[@oyoyoyo7624]

A list with great taste. And I learned of a fantastic-sounding game too. Nice

[@oyoyoyo7624]

I revisited your list from last year, that one is also super-solid. Thanks

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I'm glad you liked them both.

[@Bru_Dog1]

you defiantly lean vampire esk shooter style game. Good video

[@joet6434]

It was so nice to see an honest personal top games of the year from Pam instead of the numerous others i have seen from certain sites & content creators, which for the majority feature the same obvious big games of the year & not their true personal choices.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Why would they lie and not put their own choices?

[@joet6434]

@Cannotbetamed1 they all put the big name releases to get more subs, comments & views. I could be wrong, but how can so many youtubers all have near identical lists? It appears they are choosing these to increase viewership & subs rather than their personal picks. Your list had many games i have not seen mentioned in the numerous other videos i have viewed, so i appreciated yours more because it didn't have the obvious games on the list. There were a few like Baldurs Gate & Alan Wake 2, but i felt your list came from a personal place rather than one geared only towards driving up numbers & feeding the youtube algorithm.

[@tw1tch09]

Alan wake 2 legit pushes the medium further. It’s outstanding in so many ways.

[@crithon]

good list!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thanks!

[@tedskullhammer]

I didn't even know that a Robocop game was released last year!! Heading to Steam now!

[@RedWolfy7]

I somehow knew your number one game choice before you said it. It's such a Pam game 😂 The correct choice, though (also my favorite of the year)

[@a2c2008]

Thanks for sharing, Pam! Mine was Tears of the Kingdom. :)

[@standingbearwhisky]

Love your videos

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thank you

[@bwbryanwhite494]

I'm glad someone showed dead space some love. It feels like everyone forgot about it

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Yeah, I see the RE4 remake mentioned a lot, and no love for Dead Space. I don't know why.

[@pixelpub3981]

Alan Wake 2! Awesome game, and perhaps best music in a game in 2023. Great list!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thanks! I loved all the musical interludes between chapters.

[@tamash.5291]

Interesting games. I like this list. Didn't know Alan Wake 2 came out. I played Quasimorph and pretty much that was my winter holidays.

[@tr1bes]

Alan Wake is only digital on xbox and or Game Pass. There are no physical.

[@Fraxzor]

AW2 is digital only so kinda shot themselves in the foot, especially at Xmas seeing as you can't wrap and unwrap digital.

[@battlepants5818]

My games of the year is: 1. Baldur's Gate 3 - 2. Spider Man 2 - 3. Resident Evil 4 Remake 4. Alan Wake 2. Honourable mention goes to RoboCop Rougecity. The Invincible is a game from 2023 that i bought but didn't have time to play, but it's very intresting. And the new Alone in the Dark game is what i'm looking forward to in 2024.

[@joshsweet7512]

Back from a trip, and time for the chill end of year roundup. Only on this channel can I have "Killer Frequency" and "Jusant" sandwiching "shooting bad guys in the dick". Wild and varied list, and "Thirsty Suitors" looks AMAZING! Keep up the bangers.

[@matthuck378]

What's really weird for me is that I got two AAA games in 2023 (Baldur's Gate 3 and Diablo 4)...And I like them both. Usually, I don't buy any AAA games, or I at least wait until they're a few years old and on sale.

[@mgiebus1869]

That Radio DJ slasher sounds like a perfect October game

[@andrecarvalho8244]

Welp, added a couple more horror and adventure games to my wishlist!

[@aluccard]

cheers for an amazing 2023 gaming year. Alan Wake was amazing!

[@tasmaniaaaa]

you are now my fav youtube gami g channel. best top ever. i love tbe i tro yee i here to talk videogames grrr

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thanks!

[@williammoore1030]

Divinity original sin 2 is my favorite larian game also. Hate having to camp to reset best abilities. The dice rolls also pull me out of the choices.

[@astralmass]

Great video! Will be checking out several of these for sure. FFXVI recently got a price drop so I'll be on that for the next while. Did you play it? If so, thoughts?

[@Cannotbetamed1]

No, I haven't been interested in FF since the PS2.

[@matthewt8214]

2024 this channel is going to hit 100k and well beyond 💪

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I hope so!

[@krisfrederick5001]

We're so the opposite. I revert to comfort games, nostalgia and memories. You endlessly explore. I live vicariously through your experiences. Even just a little "Bit." 😉

[@carloseunice5924]

Thanks!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thank you!

[@DeanSmith-xw8dk]

My fave game I played last year was released a few years ago it was Remedy’s Control and I absolutely loved it!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Control was great.

[@PCGamingGoodies]

I loved Control as well, and the way it explains the "science" of supernatural events is unique and creative. It might've helped them make AW2 because for years Remedy couldn't get the sequel made. Control might've convinced the publishers that this is a great universe to make games for.

[@TheBeird]

I was relagated to the Switch last year. Luckily for me, it was a pretty good year for the Switch.

[@stevesalomon6109]

I was on the fence with giving "Hi-Fi Rush" a try, even with all of the hype, as I myself am not very good at rhythm games. However, your review is promising and has me reconsidering. I still have the original "Dead Space" and loved it, with the remake definitely on my wish list.

[@glowerworm]

Afterimage had one main problem and that was that it was too long. I could feel the Elden Ring influence for sure, both the good and the bad, with how Afterimage so badly wanted to evoke a feeling of a grand odyssey, an epic. It succeeded in giving me that feeling, I'd say, but it didn't do enough after the initial impressiveness of the size of the world wore off. It's the only Metroidvania I've ever played where while there weren't any specific flaws that irked me, it just got wholly stale before I finished the game. 24 hours in, still no end in sight, I gave up from sheer boredom (which while sort of impressive in it's own right, that there weren't other significant flaws to scare me away much sooner, is also a very damning problem for the game). I'll keep my eye on the developers of the game because they're clearly very talented and passionate. I expect that they'll release a very artful product in the future

[@roguerifter9724]

Mine is Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader though I didn't actually get it until a few days into the year. I loved turn-based WRPGs. I've always preferred space settings to sword and sorcery settings, despite the first book I ever read being a version of Robin Hood, and Robin Hood being one of my favorite literary, TV, and movie heroes. Plus I've long had a massive soft spot for Frigates tied to my tabletop gaming, and reading history and your main ship in the game is one of two or three classes of Frigate (I splurged for the deluxe edition which adds a third class to the options). And unlike many RPGs where you play as the commander of a combat ship or the party has access to a fighting ship they actually let you play the ship battles instead of restricting them to cutscenes. And I hate when I have access to an armed ship in a game but the only ship battles are in cutscenes.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I don't know much about Warhammer, but Rogue Trader has been peaking my interest.

[@mosesh06]

It's Pam! ❤

[@LucemFerre82]

Great list! Im curious about which Larian game you like more than baldur's gate 3? I personally think I prefer Divinity OS 2 more to be honest, at least when it comes to gameplay, although BG3 is an insanely well crafted game.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I liked D:OS2 better as well. I don't actually love how D&D rules translate into video games.

[@CheapestGamer]

I was looking forward to the new Prince Of Persia (The Lost Crown), though I'm not sold on the price ($49.99). So I'll probably wait for a sale. Though I do have several (hundred) games to tide me over until it drops, including a game that I've been playing the heck out of the past few days that has a somewhat unique premise (Dungeon Munchies). Plus I just picked up No More Heroes III Day One Edition. I picked them both up from Gamestop for $7.49 and $29.99 respectively from their current tiered clearance (25-75% off) sale that ends February 3rd. Dungeon Munchies is unique. You play as a zombie who has to eat different foods made from enemies you defeat to get various abilities and upgrades like additional health.

[@namenameson8353]

cool list

[@standingbearwhisky]

I love the pam dance

[@user-eb1zv6sr9e]

Some of these definitely interest me I'll have to check them out when I'm not broke😢

[@syneremos]

Now on the road to 100k

[@DasKame]

"Slay the Princess" sounds great, hope they will get more languages (i don't like Games with just english text)

[@azuarc]

Never heard of Stasis Brotherhood... My #1 last year (out of ~50 games) was Afterimage, which couldn't crack the top 10 here, though the only overlap we have is Hi-Fi Rush, Starfield, and Stray Gods.

[@SylvainThuret]

Stasis looks very good thank you.

[@chocolocojames213]

Robocop Rogue City really surprised me this last year. I'm hoping for a new game plus mode 😊😊😊

[@eldengarrett9153]

This list was really unique, glad I watched! P.S. Alan Wake 2 is where it deserves: right at the top.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Glad you liked it!

[@johnpettigrew3056]

It was a good year for gaming Pambo, how's Lilly Dog and are you excited about the Felix The Cat Collection? I got a Gradius Hoodie from Konami this month 😎

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Lily is good. I already have Felix the Cat on NES.

[@johnpettigrew3056]

@@Cannotbetamed1 couldn't part with that one eh but it is cool that Konami is doing that.

[@lesserspottedmugwump.363]

Can’t fault this list, Slay the princess is definitely high on my list of to buy games. Jusant was such a surprise. Fantastic stuff. World of Horror looks interesting, but rogue like is in the description.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I do want to try World of Horror at some point.

[@respergu13]

We had very good games this 2023 indeed!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

It was a great year for games.

[@caustinjr81]

Hey Pam my three best games are Robocop Rogue City Assassins Creed Mirage and Mortal Kombat 1

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Nice!