it's the end of 2023, and I figured it would be fun to put together a list of the games which made the best impressions on me throughout. Post yours! It's cool if it wasn't a game made in 2023; if you found it this year, that's good enough. It's your year, not this year lol.

I've written about most/all of these in longer form here on Tildes. I might end up repeating myself a bit, but if you want a more thorough description they'll be easy to find in my history. Goes without saying I'd recommend any of them. The order here doesn't mean anything.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon - this was my personal game of the year, and one I'll cherish long after. Armored Core has you building, customizing, and then piloting a mech. AC VI took ideas and mechanics from across its series, blended them together into a new framework, and the result is a fast, explosive experience. As it was in the past, the game takes you through first learning the ropes and exploring new parts, then pushes you to get as good as you can with whatever is fun to you. In the best way, it feels like a game from an earlier time in history - its straightforward mission structure makes for a game you can quickly jump into, make a lot of progress, and jump back out of without having to worry about missing much or forgetting what you were doing. Everything about it has been polished, honed to be about as nice as you could reasonably expect. It looks good, plays great, and tells a story that does with mecha what Fromsoft did with AC's mechanics - it's a little bit of everything, elegantly smashed together.

Exanima - This game is perhaps one of the most unique experiences I've yet to see, despite looking like a lot I have already seen. Exanima takes a very detailed, simulation kind of approach to the objective of dungeon crawling. What makes it unique is its physics system. Controlling a character is more like moving a marionette, where you tug the character along to build momentum and aim your swings. Weapons feel significantly different to each other, and heavy armor changes how well you can move. Once you get used to it, the result of working with this system is a dynamic, visceral kind of combat where you may feel confident, but never certain. An errant slash or clumsy step can mean taking a heavy blow, and recovery is not easy. When the game was younger, folks played and loved the combat so much that it inspired an arena mode. The arena is a separate, distinct mode in which you are tasked with building a roster of characters and participating in tournaments. It is a game unto itself. If you're a fan of games with a very high skill ceiling, Exanima is providing you a system that can go really, really far. The game is a project being worked on by a small group of people, already has a lot of content available, and seems poised to continue development practically forever. Don't let "Early Access" put you off, this one is in a state where it's just good to get more of it. What's there is more than worth its price.

Kenshi - I just got into this one and have been blown the hell away by how much there is to it. In Kenshi you take the role of a person dropped into an alien world, and are tasked simply with surviving. How you do that is up to you, and the world is built to notice and react. There is no story, no main quest or objective. Rather, you can learn more about the world by engaging with it, and determine your own goals within it. As you do things like visit new places, eliminate important people, build your own town, etc., the state of the world will change. This can go in many directions, and there are hours upon hours of videos out there of folks pulling off all sorts of wild shit. Truly, it's a game where your playthrough will become a story the further you go. Mechanically, it's like someone combined Morrowind, The Sims, and Neverwinter Nights, with a big coat of Mad Max paint all over it.

Cyberpunk 2077 - I had played this before, when it first released, and though I did like some of what it was trying to do, the gameplay was busted to the point I didn't care to come back. Now that it's had its expansion and a lot of bugfixing, this game stands pretty tall and I was really impressed with it this second time through. Definitely a case of "they fixed it"; they really, actually did. It's not a No Man's Sky-scale redemption arc but a redemption arc nonetheless, I guess. The big ball of stories and systems rolls along and you roll right up in it, with missions playing out similar to an episode of a higher end tv show. They weave and wrap up satisfyingly, and by the end I feel I had a pretty complete experience of having been a Night City mercenary.

Tactics Ogre: Reborn - Tactics Ogre was always one of my favorite tactics games and this remake both ups its presentation and provides a different kind of challenge. Specifically, it eliminates the ability to power-level anyone; your level is capped as you make your way through the story, forcing you to engage with the game's other systems in order to work out an advantage. The best way I can think to put it, is that it goes in a more Chess-like direction, where you need to be carefully considering how your individual pieces work and planning out a sound approach, because you can no longer action-rpg your way out of it by grinding. At least for me, it felt like a fresh take on something I've enjoyed for a long time, and so became the version I most enjoy playing. If you like Final Fantasy Tactics, TO is its precursor. Give it a go and see what you think - at least for me, it won.

Lunacid - Lunacid is a simplistic game that does what it does exceptionally well. Borrowing primarily from King's Field, it's a first person dungeon crawler in which you piece together the weird place you're in by finding stuff and opening up new paths. It's playing the King's Field influence pretty straight; it lives off being spooky and weird, and spruces up combat to suit a more modern sensibility. What impressed me was just how good of an iteration it is; King's Field is a tough series to get into these days and this game feels like a successful effort to bring it back.

Honorable Mention - Mechwarrior 5: Mercenaries - this one gets an honorable mention because just to be frank, the base game is kinda mediocre. It's through mods that I had a fantastically good time with it. I was never into Battletech, but did play the old Mechwarrior games, and while I did miss some of the more simulation-ish aspects of the older games, MW5 + the mods I used gave me enough to do and experiment with that it just didn't matter in the end. In particular, Coyote's Mission Pack, vonBiomes, and Yet Another Mechlab added just a ton of stuff, and of course you can go much much further with it if you want. The base game is not bad on its own, it's just easy to see all it has to offer really quickly. The mods primarily add variety, to tasks and options, and it's in that swirl of ideas and systems where I found a lot of the fun I had.

Post your picks! Just about all of this is on sale right now, so hopefully too we'll all find some neat stuff to check out.

One of my favorite rabbit holes is lost media. There are two definitions for how it usually comes up: first is media which is considered lost or otherwise inaccessible. The second isn't necessarily lost for sure, but simply relatively obscure media people can't identify. A lot of searches start with people recounting some vaguely traumatizing memory of some TV show, movie or book from their childhood, which can then turn into a vicious hunt that takes years to solve. The most famous example is probably the "Clock Man" which played a big role in drawing general attention to the concept of lost media.

Famous examples include the early seasons of Doctor Who, London After Midnight (and many, many, many other silent films), the first Superbowl, an extended version of the ending of Freaks, the original 9-hour cut of Greed... You can find countless ongoing searches today for all sorts of media ranging from songs to video games to commercials and even commercial bumpers.

It's a fun rabbit hole, particularly when you look into the searches themselves and how media gets found. Does anyone have any particular pieces of lost media you're looking for or invested in, or a search or piece you just find interesting? Feel free to talk about cases that have been found, too!

Looking for an app/platform for logging and rating the games I've played. I play a lot of classic games (playing Dragon Warrior 2 right now) so something with support for older stuff is a must. Tell me what you use!

I miss the magic of Christmas. Today and tonight feels ordinary to me, and I miss that sense of wonder.

I miss the trips my family would take to visit our relatives. I miss the get-togethers, and the feasting, and playing games with my cousins and the family friends.

Even though I'm an atheist now, I miss having to go to midnight mass. I miss the excitement of being able to open one present before going to bed.

Unless some tragedy befalls me, I'm sure I can recapture that magic in my future. I'm not depressed about it. But that's a hope for later. For now, this is it.

For everybody else out there who's having a so-so Christmas... wishing you all the best, and hope you can still find a moment to appreciate the holiday.

Normally in the evenings I have to myself, I keep busy and find satisfaction in coding, or writing, or gaming. Tonight, those things don't feel meaningful.

I just wish I had somebody special to share Christmas Eve with, like in all those cozy Christmas songs. Instead, I'm just tired and want to sleep... But I can't go to bed until me and my mom can get my dad changed, so he's not wet with urine the whole night. Just like last night, and the night before that, and the night before that.

I wish I could have gotten to know my dad as well as I've gotten to know my mom, as an adult instead of as a child. But I also would have never spent this much time with my mom if my dad didn't end up with PCA, so wishing for that is wishing for an impossibility.

Why are people setting off fireworks in my area, starting at midnight? It's already 2:00 AM. It's Christmas Eve, not New Years. Aren't kids supposed to be asleep for Santa Claus to drop off presents? Do kids still believe in Santa Claus, or do they just stay up late playing video games on Christmas Eve now?

Maybe they aren't fireworks, maybe they're shooting at Santa.

I've been hearing some ambulance sirens. My dog is upset. It's hard to feel sorry for myself when there are some people having a much worse Christmas than me. If you're having a true disaster of a Christmas, I am truly sorry and I hope you pull through.

Fair warning, some of the games are porn.

The one of them I've played, the fruit-themed twin-stick rogulike Resistance is Fruitile, is quite charming!

https://hot-soup-studios.itch.io/thehouse
https://krunchyfriedgames.itch.io/witches-and-bandits-and-swords-oh-my
https://kosmocat.itch.io/dont-beg-for-help
https://so-pa.itch.io/the-kitchen-of-sopas
https://l-a-r-i.itch.io/shape-of-the-circle
https://virtuaworlds.itch.io/cthulhu-frozen-nightmare
https://distant-dimensions.itch.io/cupid2-0
https://distant-dimensions.itch.io/rivet
https://jdmgames.itch.io/bones-in-the-boneyard
https://distant-dimensions.itch.io/every-second
https://daddarulekonge.itch.io/the-handheld-game-console-encyclopedia-vol2
https://pizzaandgames.itch.io/horror-fan-house
https://chriv-games-horror.itch.io/6knives-episode1
https://mydogstolemyliver.itch.io/visionsvol4
https://distant-dimensions.itch.io/quest-for-the-missing-piece
https://fiveluska.itch.io/second-wind
https://airman4.itch.io/hammertime
https://jarpdzonson.itch.io/mechanical-void
https://projectyaarj.itch.io/solraid
https://projectyaarj.itch.io/tank
https://manstersoft.itch.io/the-mini-game-3-in-1-fun-pak
https://maximilian.itch.io/inertia
https://q-les.itch.io/the-whispersmith
https://kasperv.itch.io/ball-down-hill
https://retrovr.itch.io/spitfire-dogfight-vr
https://xyxitchio.itch.io/flowfall
https://blak-gear.itch.io/uep1
https://teembeerlay.itch.io/erohina-basics
https://hippomobil.itch.io/elastic-egg
https://tonsomo.itch.io/jurl-hd
https://magnus-froelund.itch.io/the-drifters
https://kasperv.itch.io/kasperias-arenas
https://rockodagamer.itch.io/the-decompiled-ultimate-collection
https://tonsomo.itch.io/mille
https://kasperv.itch.io/the-simple-life
https://distant-dimensions.itch.io/area-41
https://tailot.itch.io/motorized-cake
https://tailot.itch.io/cube-orange
https://munegames.itch.io/virtual-coloring-book-for-kids
https://rizvn.itch.io/love-is-war-remake
https://tailot.itch.io/dice-soccer
https://snekjar.itch.io/scaffoldedge
https://magnus-froelund.itch.io/5-in-1-retro-games
https://maximilian.itch.io/side-shooter
https://sj-logo-transparent.itch.io/baldis-basics-songkran-in-education-and-learning-x
https://jdmgames.itch.io/expandoscape
https://hoglet.itch.io/river-strike
https://xxerikxx.itch.io/the-higher-society-v013 XXX
https://xxerikxx.itch.io/the-higher-society-v014 XXX
https://iamqqqqqqq.itch.io/classicgame
https://xyxitchio.itch.io/felix-the-toy
https://pinou007.itch.io/application-that-costs-a-lot-for-nothing
https://calmed-by-the-dark-games.itch.io/calmed-by-the-dark-infinity
https://ahsanmakesgames.itch.io/top-down-showdown
https://faustgabor.itch.io/potatoes-corruption
https://automaticgrasshopper.itch.io/alostgirl
https://krabovaypolochka.itch.io/long-forest-old
https://clevertop.itch.io/temple-of-the-silver-dragon
https://maximilian.itch.io/zombie-apocalypse
https://hempuli.itch.io/mobile-suit-baba
https://kyaniteheart.itch.io/i-think-i-need-your-help
https://thethil.itch.io/strange-toilet
https://icarus-dev.itch.io/the-present
https://phasepixel.itch.io/resistanceisfruitile
https://kyaniteheart.itch.io/a-potion-for-chamomile
https://asa-studio.itch.io/bff-or-die
https://oi01games.itch.io/antonio-anfiloquio
https://thethil.itch.io/strange-toilet-2
https://alexander-wiseman.itch.io/fear-assessment
https://evolvedustry.itch.io/evolvedustry
https://falsevacuum.itch.io/linda-joan-prologue
https://krunchyfriedgames.itch.io/bunny-hill-horror
https://0zanm.itch.io/still-alive
https://kyaniteheart.itch.io/potion-commotion
https://virtuaworlds.itch.io/columns
https://nnuk.itch.io/the-weird-gamma
https://distant-dimensions.itch.io/seclusion
https://krunchyfriedgames.itch.io/bunny-hill-horror-bunny-boiler
https://ibar.itch.io/solitude
https://kyaniteheart.itch.io/sunbeams
https://forwardinstinct.itch.io/panchin-is-frustrated
https://littlemuggames.itch.io/rylees-lunchboxes
https://manstersoft.itch.io/chimera-crusader
https://jdmgames.itch.io/orbital-paladin-melchior-y
https://seeone.itch.io/grav
https://shadowglass.itch.io/assassin-at-crimson-keep
https://thearesjej.itch.io/prosignal
https://manstersoft.itch.io/fun-pak
https://pyrthenix.itch.io/the-legend-of-the-hero-of-edoriam XXX
https://lyl-games.itch.io/color-mind
https://dragonaz.itch.io/the-convoy

I'm traveling for the holidays and only have my laptop, which I don't really have many full fledged games I can run on it (it's a macbook, so a combination of poor macOS support in general + the 32bit cliff means many games just don't run on here). I'm also more interested in casual games while traveling anyways.

Let me know if you have any recommendations for browser-based games, ideally something a little off the beaten path. Multiplayer suggestions welcome too for completeness.

(I already wrote this once, but my phone didn't like it and randomly deleted the whole thing... ◕∩◕ )

I've been wanting to develop some games for a while now, and I have an overarching theme idea in mind. I couldn't decide on top down pixelated game or 3D style, because it's more of a visual story kind of game, where you explore, build a base (or several), meet and talk to NPCs, learn the story, etc. I want a lot of detail but I only have (minimal) experience with pixelated games. So naturally, 3D sounds better for a higher detailed, and maybe stylized environment.

I don't know much at all about code ( for example, I had to look up how to format this post). I don't even know what languages there are other than Java. I make resourcepacks for Minecraft, but that's minimal coding for the .mcmeta file. I do also make fabric mods for it, but I use MCreator for those, which I'm sure is like training wheels for coding.

I have the skills for graphics for both characters/environments and GUI/HUD elements. I have an idea for my story, and a few ideas for characters. What I know I don't have is experience in balancing things like economies, rpg skills, fighting, and weapons/armor and their upgrades. But I'm not really planning on implementing those, at least not right now. (The economy would be first if I did)

I recently saw a video on youtube showcasing Unity Engine's nanite environments, and basically, I want in on that. They're gorgeous.

The Questions

So my 8 questions are, on a scale of one to ten (ten being basically impossible for one single person to do), how difficult would it be to make these elements in a singleplayer, 3D game for someone without experience (like me):

1. Sky, ground, objects (like trees, flowers, rocks, etc) and other environment visuals' 3D models for exploration? I need to be able to walk on it, and maybe hit things like trees for lumber.

2. Base building and gathering the materials to build? This comes with the inventory issue as well (looking at you, Minecraft), which I'm still trying to figure out how I want to do this.

3. Crafting said gathered materials for building elements and items to gift to NPCs? This will need GUI and workbench, most likely.

4. Collectibles? Think koroks from BoTW or the museum artifacts in Stardew Valley. I'd like for the player to be able to display these only in/on a shelf/table/glass case inside their base(s).

5. NPCs with many hours worth of randomized dialogue interaction, gifts to and from NPCs, as well as a few friendship levels and unlockable interactions/gifts?

6. What would the time frame look like for me to learn Unity's Engine for these elements, or is there a better engine I should be aware of?

7. What materials might you guess that I'd need to spend money on to make this game? I already have: a Mac, the Adobe Suite, a drawing tablet, all the time in the world, and ideas. Would I need a license for anything?

8. What have I overlooked? 3D modeling (and not just blocky models in blockbench) is a skill I realized I'd need to learn just as I was writing this post.

The reason I'm asking so many questions is because I can't tell if trying this will be worth my time or not, and if I could afford to hire someone for parts of it, if need be. I have ADHD, so I'm wondering if this is just the "new shiny thing" that has caught my eye (probably is). I don't want to dive into a major learning session and project development if it ultimately won't go anywhere because it's too hard for my smooth brain.

Then again, I see some games (what I would consider low quality) that I'm like, "man, I could've done that, that looks so simple and easy!" So basically I have no idea whether I'm near the peak of Mt Stupid on the Dunning-Kreuger graph, or if I'm past it and somewhere in the valley.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Also, feel free to talk to me like I'm a dumb 5 year old.