Every year, there will be a game that feels like it’s not talked about enough, and 2023 isn’t without its many overlooked games especially in a year stacked with big releases. These games feel like they were outshined in showcases in past years. A good story but in a bad release window between hotly anticpated games? Whatever the reason, these overlooked games of 2023 may not have released to hype but they always had a small but vocal audience backing them up. From indies to AAA, here are the But Why Tho?’s staff picks for the overlooked games that flew under the radar in 2023.
Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story
Get BWT in your inbox!
Get BWT in your inbox!
Developer: Tequilla Works
Publisher: Riot Games
Song of Nunu is a delightful, charming puzzle game that perfectly incorporates new elements to its puzzles in a way that players can easily assimilate. Bringing fun, magic, and warmth in equal measure, the gameplay strives and succeeds in creating a world full of wonder thanks to creative environments that are gorgeously crafted through stylish visuals. While all of these elements help build the game into the wonderful experience that it is, the main attraction are its dual protagonists, Nunu and Willump. Their shared abound and joyful support of each other makes every successful puzzle and victorious combat all the richer due to experiencing it through their glowing personalities. – Charles Hartford
El Paso, Elsewhere
Developer: Strange Scaffold
Publisher: Strange Scaffold
El Paso, Elsewhere offers a remarkable fusion of narrative depth and engaging gameplay. It’s a testament to Xalavier Nelson Jr.‘s unique approach to game development, and despite a few minor flaws, it stands as a memorable entry in the world of neo-noir shooters that infuses supernatural elements. As James Savage inches closer to the climactic showdown with Draculae, players too will be inexorably drawn deeper into the dark and introspective heart of this captivating tale. The tragic love story at its core, exceptional voice acting, and varied combat make it a game worth experiencing for those seeking a narrative-driven gaming experience that goes beyond the ordinary. – Adrian Ruiz
The Lamplighters League
Developer: Harebrained Schemes
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
I was first drawn into The Lamplighters League because of marketing that highlights the beauty of early 20th-century adventure films. Aesthetically and narratively, the game captures a bit of The Mummy, some Indiana Jones, and a whole lot of Hellboy in all of the best ways. The romanticized 1930s adventure story comes to life with the occult at the center and a roster of anti-heroes to fall in love with. You are the best of the worst, which makes every backstory and narrative progression more interesting than just rooting for the good guys. You play as spies, thieves, mystics, and assassins, each with some of the most beautiful character designs I’ve seen this year.
Capturing a love of adventure is even more of a feat by also capturing tactile stealth combat and turn-based tactics. As a hybrid between real-time and turn-based, The Lamplighters League serves as an entryway into the tactics genre but never gives up its love of the fruitful environment interaction that the genre offers. Having released in the middle of the AAA wave of most anticipated games and Paradox’s choice to layoff 80% of developer Hairbrained Schemes’s staff, this little game had everything stacked against it, but man, is it beautiful. – Kate Sánchez
Age of Wonders 4
Developer: Triumph Studios
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Age of Wonders 4 blew me away when it first came out and the two additional DLCs that have been released this year as well have added some new and innovative ways to play the game. Unfortunately, in a year that has been stacked with games from genres that traditionally win awards and are “most anticipated,” this amazing game has really been overlooked. In any other year, this game would have been talked about for how much its done for the RTS genre. It is by far my Game of the Year, and I’m really excited for what the dev team is coming up with next, as there is definitely more to come. – Matt Donahue
Jusant
Developer: Don’t Nod
Publisher: Don’t Nod
Jusant is a delightful climbing adventure that flew way under the radar in 2023. It is calm and beautiful, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the climb. Simple controls become challenging to master as you explore the mysterious tower. Along the climb, mysteries are revealed through incredible environmental storytelling that flows perfectly with the gameplay approach. It’s the perfect game for someone looking to escape for a few hours and enjoy pleasant vibes and an incredible atmosphere. – Kyle Foley
Cobalt Core
Developer: Rocket Rat Games
Publisher: Brace Yourself Games
Cobalt Core is a roguelike deckbuilder from Rocket Rat Games that didn’t garner much attention. It gives the player many tools to develop their own playstyle, but still challenges them to experiment in order to view the whole story. Despite having eight characters and five ships to pick from, each with unique mechanics, Cobalt Core is so fine-tuned that any combination of characters can produce viable strategies for a successful run. Cobalt Core also features many clever encounters, such as an honorable duel where you and your opponent avoid hitting each others’ weak points, or a frog who needs you to save him from his own faulty rockets. Plus, the pixel art style and the animal pilots are so cute. The mechanics, aesthetics, and storytelling combine so well to make it an incredibly fun and unique game. – Eddie de Santiago
The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood
Developer: Deconstructeam
Publisher: Devolver Digital
The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood manifests a world that is remarkably entrancing. Glinting with a unique visual design and narrative continuously sinks players deeper into a space where isolation sparks questions about humanity and self. It cleverly ties divination with the intention for you to be the wielder of fate through your own designed personalized tarot deck. It’s a title worthy of more conversation and attention as it eventually expands on circumstances like inclusion, identity, and morality. At first glance, it gripped me as something light-hearted. However, it gradually grew more depth and complexity through its characters and the challenges they each face. By the end, I found myself wondering: “Would I have done things differently? Maybe.” – Katherine Kong
Storyteller
Developer: Daniel Benmergui
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Every year, there is a puzzle game that feels short but thinks well outside the box in design. That game for me is Storyteller. The premises are simple. You get a prompt for a story and then with characters and settings, you make that story play out. Storyteller‘s fun comes from how the game evolves overtime. Changing one scene affects everything after that, and the complexity quickly ramps up. Plus its latest free update adds even more layers of fun with new challenge levels and scenarios to complete. The talk of its length definitely overshadowed just how much fun a quick afternoon of this game can actually be and should be talked about in the upper echelon of puzzle games. – Mick Abrahamson
Did you have a favorite that should have made the overlooked games of 2023 list? Let us know what you think hasn’t been talked about enough from this past year!
