I feel people will be split hairs about DS2/SotFS. People will either really genuinely detest the game for being different - between Soul Memory, the oddities of Power Stancing, Durability issues, Covenant woes, and how the game handles Fragrant Branches, there's a lot of the game that feels somewhat incomplete or frustrating.
Yet. I think this is, by far, the best DS game you can get your hands on. Probably the best From's ever done it. There's something about DS2/SotFS, a je ne sais quoi that makes the game shine. The availability of options and pathways, the fun weapons and diversity of spells, the boss designs, lore, the spectacular sights... all of it just *works* in ways that makes it feel so special. Bonfire Ascetics so you can NG+ an area early, the usefulness of every weapon, the fashion game... it's really phenomenal.

It is with a heavy heart I have to say Civ VII is an utter downgrade to Civ VI in almost all feasible capacities.

While the changes to how Leaders and Civilizations occur is interesting, it brings this disjointed sensation to the game. Everything doesn't feel cohesive, nothing is clearly outlined, and the visual style feels so reminiscent of Civ V that all the charm Civ VI brought has been drained out of the system to make way for a wholly uninspired experience.

Truthfully, I can't play the game for more than 30 minutes or more without needing to pause and go do something else. Diplomacy has been oversimplified to the point where it's "Click the positive attribute to win" button prompt game, the individual missions and selections are all wholly uninteresting and uninspired clones of Civ: Beyond Earth, the music is repetitive and annoying, nothing feels engaging nor personal, it just really feels like Civ giving up and becoming more "Mobile-Esque".

Speaking of Beyond Earth, the game copies a lot of its DNA from BE. From settlers starting off as minor cities to confusing tech trees with "advancements" that don't do much to each "era" bringing in unique units... everything feels like it's been copied from Civ:BE without any of the unique, janky charm Civ:BE brought to the table.

I can't recommend the game in its current state. The UI is atrocious, the graphics are dull, the gameplay is boring and repetitive, there's no beneift to expanding, exploring, exploiting and exterminating. If you want a more refined Civilization game, play Civ V. If you want actual fun in a 4x, play Civ VI. As it stands, I really don't think I'll be playing this again until the DLC's because no matter how hard I try, nothing feels genuine, earned, or even challenging, even on the harder difficulties.

After installing a patch, the game now works properly.
It is a shame that AMD had to step in to fill the shoes of Square Enix's blunder, but this is life.

I cannot recommend a game higher this year, I think.
Abiotic is a perfect blend of Half-Life 1, SCP, and survival/crafting. Genres and ideas I never thought could co-mingle have formed a perfect blend of thrilling and hilarious.
Solo and Multiplayer, so far, have both been incredible experiences, and I love how every instance from combat to collecting have been made a seamless, exciting experience.
If you can - I would not only recommend buying this once, but buying it twice - once for yourself, and once for a friend.

Big buff hot demon lady that wants to ♥♥♥♥ you until you pass out.
Is there anything more to be said?

One of the best games of 2023 by a long, long mile. Combat is interesting and unique, the dialogue is intriguing, the plot is thick, and the world is rich.
Strategic planning is a necessary factor in the game, the capture system is mind, the mysteries are fascinating, and above all, the game has incredible graphics and a killer soundtrack.
Customisation does lack a little in the clothing department, however, the ability to set your own pronouns, have the ability to wear a head scarf or face mask makes this game a stand-out amongst other monster-catchers.
The game is, at no point, overtly difficult, or a cakewalk, and with tweakable difficulties and scaling, this game is incredibly user-friendly to any who wish to hop in and play. With an easy modding system, multiple save slots, and unique creatures, I severely misjudged just how complex and wonderful Cassette Beasts is.
An easy 9/10 - my only critique being the somewhat dull Bootleg (this game's version of Shiny) hunting can be, even with late-game items.
If you have the money to spend, then definitely consider this your top-most priority.

You drink forbidden forest-flavoured jungle juice with a peculiar wizard in his somewhat crumbling astronomy tower on the edge of a forbidden woodland to communicate with ancient-language-speaking walking apple people that haven't been seen in centuries to find out how to repair the mysteriously-collapsed Town Hall because the Mayor does not want to increase taxes, and in doing so, it causes a meteorite to vanish from the river, the local bus to suddenly fix itself, a bridge repairing itself over a valley full of bones and skulls, a completely destroyed greenhouse to restore itself, everybody in the town receiving presents from yourself, the seemingly-infinite mining system's mine cart system to reactivate, and the Amazon-adjacent company that has been poisoning the town against its own businesses to suddenly collapse overnight.

Take that for what you will, it's a good game in my opinion, just thought you ought to know.

If you play Numeron, you go to Hell before you die.

The best Age of Empires game. Great campaign with good humour, best map maker, unique and fascinating infantry, and diversity between different pantheons. Fantastic, and definitely worth your time.

I am pleased to say that, after the December 15th patch, I am no longer experiencing any major glitches and/or crashes.
A wonderful 4x strategy game that demands your full attention.
Buy it on discount, or from one of its many Humble Bundle appearances - you shan't regret it.