The Best Video Games of 2023.

Excited about 2023's slate of video games? Or are you all too busy foaming at the mouth over your grand return to Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to play anything else? Either way, Esquire's Gamer Zone has kept busy, and this year has already been a doozy.

First of all, the remake engine never stops—but we're not complaining, because we got a gnarly update of Dead Space out of it. Plus, studios keep making frog-based games, such as Time on Frog Island, Shoulders of Giants, and A Frog's Tale. (If you let me play as a frog, my money is yours.) We're also emptying our wallets into Metroid Prime: Remastered,Fire Emblem: Engage, and Diablo IV, losing countless hours of sleep in the process. Still, we gave up our precious time finding the best skill tree paths to clue you in on some our favorite games of the year (so far). Enjoy, gamers.—Josh Rosenberg

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox Series S|X, PC

Is this finally the modern-gen Street Fighter game we’ve been waiting for? Looks like…yes! At last, we have a brand-new Capcom fighter that boasts the style and thrill of classic Street Fighter titles—but without all the annoying microtransaction/DLC stuff of past entries. (I’m looking at you, Street Fighter 5.) That’s not to say there isn't a lot of content to look forward to with this one. Capcom is already rolling out new fighters, and we’re here for it. Haidouken!—Dom Nero

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Playstation 5, PC, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch

This indie horror game has flown a little under the radar since it dropped in June, but we absolutely love it. Think of it as the Skinamarink of horror games (if you’re familiar with that delightfully demented lo-fi film from earlier this year). It’s a throwback to the PS1-era graphics, with a legitimately haunting setup that calls to mind all the nightmares of your childhood… if you were, like me, a scaredy cat who played PS1 games as a kid.—D.N.

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Playstation 4, Playstation 5, PC

Diablo IV's success had so going much against it, that Esquire published a nearly 4,000-word story about the making of the game. Rest assured, it seems like Blizzard is finally moving in the right direction. And, yes, Diablo IV is as delightfully hellish as we hoped it would be—and a bonafide hit.—Brady Langmann

Platforms: iOS, Android

Flying! On your phone! Remember those exhilarating flight sequences from Skyward Sword? The developers of beloved mobile title Alto’s Odyssey (you should give that one a shot too), have returned, this time courtesy of Netflix Games. Laya's Horizon is a gorgeous and immersive third-person flying experience that feels very much in line with the colorful, ancient world of Skyward Sword. It’s as close to perfect as a mobile game gets. And it’s free to play with a Netflix subscription!—D.N.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Steam

Remakes and remasters, baby! They’re the hottest trend in gaming right now. If you want to see your favorite 2000s-era video games restored in glorious 4k resolution, look no further than this gory space thriller from EA. This is not just one of those remakes where the game got a facelift, though–this return to the USG Kellion has been restored from top to bottom. Boy, does it look good. (And fucking gross.)—D.N.