TOP 5 GAMES OF 2023 | STRATEGY, TACTICS, RPG & SIM (PC)

As 2023 comes to a close, it's time to once again look back at a densely packed year of strategy, tactics, RPG, sim, city-building and management games. This list of top games is always tough to curate, and I'm sure at least some of my picks will be controversial - there were many games that released in the strategy, tactics, RPG, sim, city-building and management genres this year, but the "top game of the year" feeling only comes from games that go a cut above. With quite a few of these jostling for position, I'm pretty pleased with where they all sit, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on your top games of 2023, too!
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00:00 - Intro
00:26 - Number 5
03:54 - Number 4
07:03 - Number 3
10:00 - Number 2
14:23 - Number 1
18:08 - Outro
#GameOfTheYear #Top5 #StrategyGames

[@PartyElite]

What a year for games! It's always hard to pick favourites, but I'm going with these for my top 5. What are yours? If you're curious about more great games from this year, check out this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6ulp6mhZdmXsKc

[@Dracobyte]

2023 was a great year for traditional RPG, action RPG and CRPG.

[@Grandmastergav86]

yeah, it was great cause many people discovered Grim Dawn (a masterpiece) as Diablo 4 was utter garbage.

[@Dracobyte]

@@Grandmastergav86 also Path of Exhile.

[@Rex1987]

Wartales, the last train and Jagged Alliance 3 was games that really surprised me this year :-)

[@Deltium5683]

Age of Wonders 4 is a true gem, but of course BG3 is superb as well.

[@kcw1879]

Yes, Age of Wonders 4 is our top game of my lifetime. It has everything I ever wanted in a strategy game.

[@DreamingDrag0n]

I'd probably put Rogue Trader right behind BG3, because the writing is soo good, and I'm saying that as someone who knew nothing about the universe prior to playing the game. I'd also squeeze the Wartales somewhere in my top five.

[@Arxfatal1]

I'm not into strategy games or city builders but I'm hearing so much praise about Against The Storm I'm considering buying it to try it out

[@stainless5708]

Glad to hear Shadow Gambit is one of your top games, currently busy with the DLC, and I'm hooked all over again! For some reason BG3 lost me during act 3, and I stopped playing it....

[@Eagle6Airsoft]

Dyson sphere project just had a combat update, very fun.

[@Daervar]

Baldur's Gate 3, Rogue Trader, Wartales, Jagged Alliance 3. The best year ever.

[@Tanzbd123]

Wow you described nicely, subscribed.

[@methodman6725]

Jagged alliance 3 is sooo good I recommend it to anyone who wants an BG3 mixed with xcom experience

[@havocgr1976]

I am so addicted to against the storm.

[@Philemando]

I'm only Just starting to enjoy tactical turn-based combat. Empire of Sin has been very enjoyable in introducing me to it in a meaningful way.

[@DiabloBG]

Amazing list, we were spoiled so much this year!

[@GamerPhilosophy]

Can't help but agree, these games are special. Full of soul and an obviously passion projects refined to a masterpiece. 💞✌😊👍

[@SoonerMike211]

The Last Spell is up there for me!

[@SeanSmith66]

Always look forward to your reviews! Thank you as always.

[@eliphas1514]

Got against the storm a few days ago and damm its bigger then i thought. Just what i want in a building game.

[@Twincobra13]

I was surprised how much time I sunk into ATS. Also: Beaver, master race! 😉

[@AddyRazz]

Great video

[@spartnmarcen5110]

Against the Storm is giving me They Are Billions vibes minus the hordes with the roguelike and post apocalyptic themes.

[@PK-se2jh]

awesome thankyouuuuuuu

[@stanislavvaldman8354]

I agree about almost all of these games, with the exception of "Against the storm". I didn't feel the magic when tried it to be honest. I was really happy to see the tribute to Shadow Gambit which I finished and loved every second (about 30 hrs). What's missing here is Jagged Alliance 3 and Wartales. JA3 was released just before all consuming BG3 and I loved every second of it, despite clunky mechanics and performance bugs. I even upgraded my PC with a better graphics card to play it smoothly, as it is that good.

[@LaymensLament]

my top 5 in those categories last year are last spell, dd2, ja3, bg3 and rogue trader. my goty was lies of p but bg3 is one of the biggest achievements in gaming. against the storm would be on the list too but i only played it this year, probably bouncing rogue trader.

[@Brutalchaos2]

Give < Imperator Rome > a chance. Its being revived right now. 11,99€ on steam. Made by the same studio as CK3!

[@anab0lic]

Did you play Jagged Alliance 3?

[@chungus978]

What is the game at the very beggining of the video pls tell me!!

[@serarthurdayne9490]

BG3 is just head and shoulders above everything else

[@ionicslasher]

Shadow Gambit is awesome. We will miss Mimimi games.

[@ryanz486]

Wartales for myself would be just behind BG3. Rogue trader...eh, I learned my lesson after the last 2 owlcat games.

[@shredman59]

For single player only, is AOW4 worth it? I don't like skirmish. Does it have real campaigns?

[@deathjester1022]

Absolutely worth it imo. There are campaign scenarios that need to be played in order with an overarching story. But outside of those scenarios no real campaign. The main way of play is very much like the Civilization games. Pick a faction, pick a map, and play vs AI. Each game can take many hours to play depending on things like map size, difficulty, and goals. It's also super replayable due to being able to create so many unique factions, and you can let the AI generate random factions to play against.

[@MAACotton]

Surprised you never mention Gates of Hell. One of the best newer RTS out there

[@mcmarkmarkson7115]

Rogue trader was so awesome, GoTy for me.

[@876Marcus]

Pathfinder or rogue trader?

[@glennabalos1024]

What is the game at the beginning? The train.

[@DylDyl_45]

Pls play planet zoo again your videos where so inspiring so I went on to make a great zoo of my own and it ended up great.😊😊

[@theeraphatsunthornwit6266]

Ok i am convinced . I am buying the storm thing .p.s. 20 hours into the game. I am quite bored . 6/10 i guess.

[@PappyGunn]

I think you are exaggerating the trading aspect of the Rogue Trader. It also seriously needs balancing. I just finished act 3. Fighting waves of bosses, then fighting more waves of bosses, to finally face the last boss of that act, supported by waves of reinforcements. That was after fighting waves of baddies in the arena. Not having access to my ship, that means by this time every character had permanent injuries affecting their performance. Also too much talking with baddies. The banter is annoying.

[@chungus978]

What is the game at the start of the video pls tell me anybody

[@Squash_belge]

Last train home

[@chungus978]

@@Squash_belge Thank you bro

[@chungus978]

@@Squash_belgethank you very much

[@samuelyoungblood3172]

Will you be going back to planet zoo

[@IIIJG52]

I cant quite agree with Nr 5, but to be fair ive mostly played it in MP, with horrible out of sync issues constantly. It was nice, but top 5 ? eeh not for me.

[@beelee88]

super early. I'd even dare to say, first? 😂

[@RemusKingOfRome]

Yes, Baldur's Gate 3 , I would add Cyber Punk 2077 Phantom Liberty. Talking of BG3, how is Bear thrills doing ?

[@Gladius-clashmini]

I really miss your planet zoo let’s play man

[@jordanlemaster7442]

SAME. I hope he brings it back for 2024.

[@View619]

I don't know how you guys can recommend Rogue Trader with a straight face when there are so many bugs that it literally cannot be completed. I'm convinced that recommendations like this are one of the reasons why Owlcat can produce their third game with significant bugs and problems, yet still see decent sales. You really need to reevaluate your criteria for recommendations.

[@mdc3227]

Against the Storm is NOT a city-builder. It's a puzzle game. There's no citizen management, there's no persistence.

[@Necreon021]

Sad reality of things is, TWW3 doesn't deserve a spot in top 5

[@blaaaghy8300]

I don't see how Rogue Trader can get third place, it's very buggy, animations don't line up, the gun shoots threw cover and than the animation plays for the character and it's 50 bucks!

[@waltblackadar4690]

I think RT is a bit polarizing. It's both deep and buggy, annoying and fun. You posted this and yet two comments below yours said that RT was their GotY. I think RT is one of those games you either truly love or just shake your head and walk away from.

[@FrozenMonkeyG]

Hilarious how you call out the bugs in BG3…Rogue Trader is a bug ridden mess that makes a Bethesda game look polished. The story writing after chapter two is rushed and disjointed and the empire building element is just tacked on and pointless. It’s clear the game was rushed out the door and isn’t a patch on either of the Pathfinders. A real disappointment from Owlcat. Wartales is far more deserving of a top 5 spot than Rogue Trader.

[@mohamedosama7473]

😂

[@legitplayin6977]

Swap Rogue Trader and BG3 around and that’s a solid list

[@carlosrgns]

You sir are a danger to my wallet

[@gameburn178]

1. Age of Wonders 4: has no real campaign -- previous AoW games were noted for these -- and the wrong kind of customizability -- when anything can become anything you lose the uniqueness of race and special units. In my opinion, AoW4 is really only a skirmish tool. I will say, though, if it had been called "Fantasy Skirmish" maybe I'd have liked it more, as I wouldn't have been constantly comparing it to previous -- better -- iterations in the series. 2. Against the Storm: a hybrid that fails in my opinion. Too small, more like a puzzle game, not satisfying as a city builder at all. 3. Baldur's Gate 3: probably one of the best game in years, but not perfect, in fact, it has 2 weaknesses that make it a hit or miss for too many people: (1) the relationship stuff is over the top and kind of annoying. Felt intrusive to me. (2) the need to form parties -- it was bothersome enough in their earlier games, but in BG3 it makes the inventory stuff too much, the combat too long, and the aforesaid relationships and personal dynamics excessive. Felt like reading a novel where the characters are neither likable nor very real. 4. Rogue Trader: the reported bugs were so bad I didn't buy it. This means that for some/many? of your audience the game is really only a potentially great game at the moment. Not sure it can even be put on a list yet. So... BG3 wins because of ambition and sheer scale of the game. BG3 and maybe a finished Rogue Trader are the only real keepers from this year that are on your list. Others off the list, including Jagged Alliance might be more favored in the long run than most of your list.

[@mauldothelastcrafter8194]

KZbinrs: I have to maintain my integrity! Also KZbinrs: I'm going to include a game whose devs I'm tied to, for no other reason than I wanted to. Could have avoided any sketchy feelings, sure, but these guys are my friends!!...err...I LIKE THE GAME!! EDIT: i unsubbed long ago, and this video is just more proof as to why. You just picked the Top 5 releases this year from everyone else's strategy list and stuck em here. Oh gee, BG3 and RT? No way! Next you'll be telling me that Robocop is an inoffensive, if not really imaginative, but fun and delightful FPS.

[@fang_xianfu]

Well since his relationship with Hooded Horse has nothing to do with him promoting their games, he could've not mentioned it and you never would've known. I'm not sure what else you were expecting in terms of integrity. People who are into video games never to do any work on them? Also not sure why "everyone else has these games on their list" is a criticism, he likes what he likes. Overall I'm just generally perplexed by what you hoped to get from this comment. If you're not interested in the videos, that's fine, just press the not interested / don't recommend this channel button and don't look back.

[@waltblackadar4690]

@maldin So much butthurt beta energy from your post. 1. You unsubbed long ago but still watch the videos. Wow, you are such a rebel!!! 2. 95% of reviewers wouldn't disclose their relationships with developers. The fact that he does, EVERY SINGLE TIME, shows that he has integrity. Learn from it. 3. If most everyone else has similar top 5 lists, that just goes to show that these are truly exceptional games. You have my sympathies. I'm so sorry that you have to live with yourself.

[@legitplayin6977]

@@waltblackadar4690Bro gtfo with that “beta energy” shit

[@michaelcook2290]

Against the Storm is in 99% of "best strategy games of 2023" lists. So "for no reason other than I wanted" is a weak parody and suggests you have issues outside of gaming.

[@Raspukek-fu8un]

bullshit games