As 2023 comes to a close, it's time to reflect on the brighter spots that shone through the challenges of this tumultuous year. Amidst the chaos, the world of video games provided unexpected surprises, joyous moments, and exciting announcements. Here's a roundup of some of the top happenings in the gaming industry this year.

Hi-Fi Rush Surprise Release
The year started with a burst of color and rhythm as Tango Gameworks and Bethesda dropped the surprise release of Hi-Fi Rush. Departing from their usual eerie titles, Tango Gameworks presented a lively rhythm-action game that captivated players. The absence of a lengthy marketing campaign and teaser trailers added to the excitement, making Hi-Fi Rush a standout moment in the early months of 2023.

More Cool Stuffs Dropping Without Warning
The trend of pleasant surprises continued throughout the year with unexpected releases. A remastered Metroid Prime, substantial God of War DLC, and new Final Fantasy XVI content caught gamers off guard, providing instant gratification without the typical anticipation build-up. The Metroid Prime Remastered release, in particular, left Nintendo fans eagerly counting down the hours until they could dive into this long-awaited port.

Alan Wake 2's Awesome Musical Level
Alan Wake 2 emerged as one of the standout games of 2023, with a particular highlight being the trippy musical level known as "Herald of Darkness." Combining live-action segments with intense combat, this musical sequence left players mesmerized and delighted. The uniqueness of this level even earned it a spot at The Game Awards, offering a refreshing break from the otherwise lackluster show.

Arkane's Blade Game Teaser
In a surprising move, Arkane, known for titles like Dishonored and Deathloop, teased a Blade game set in Paris. Departing from their usual first-person perspective, this third-person adventure promises a fresh take on the Marvel universe. The announcement sparked excitement, leaving fans eager for more details about this intriguing project.

Peaches from the Super Mario Bros. Movie
Amidst the mixed reception of the Super Mario Bros. Movie, one element stood out – Jack Black's hit song "Peaches." Despite potential fatigue, the catchy tune and Jack Black's entertaining portrayal of Bowser in the music video became an unexpected highlight. The remix and extended version further added to the enjoyment, offering a lighthearted moment in an otherwise bland animated film.

GTA 6 Reveal Trailer Finally Arrives
After a long wait of 12 years since the first Grand Theft Auto V trailer, Rockstar finally unveiled the GTA 6 reveal trailer. While it provided only a glimpse, the mere confirmation of the game's existence, a release date, and accompanying screenshots sent waves of excitement through the gaming community. The short trailer may not reveal much, but it was enough to satisfy the hunger of eager fans.

Devs Fixing Decade-Old Bugs
Surprising gamers even further, developers took the unexpected step of fixing decade-old bugs in beloved titles. Mojang rectified a decade-old typo in Minecraft, Blizzard addressed a longstanding typo in World of Warcraft Classic, and Valve patched out a bug that plagued Half-Life for over a decade. These unexpected fixes added a layer of nostalgia and appreciation for developers revisiting and improving upon older games.

More Studios Unionizing
In a positive turn for the industry, the unionization push gained momentum in 2023. CD Projekt Red, Avalanche Studios, and Sega of America were among the entities forming unions, advocating for better working conditions. While setbacks occurred, such as the layoff of unionized testers at Keywords Studios, the industry's progress towards improved labor conditions and negotiation success at indie studio Tender Claws marked significant strides.

Eli_handle_b.wav's Mash-up Videos
Injecting humor into the gaming landscape, YouTube account Eli_handle_b.wav consistently delivered entertaining mash-up videos. Blending moments from games and live-action material, the creator showcased technical skill and a keen sense of humor. The recent Dr. Evil and Fallout 4 mash-up exemplifies the creator's ability to craft hilarious content that resonates with the gaming community.

Baldur's Gate 3 Takes Over the Internet
Contrary to expectations, it was Baldur’s Gate 3, not a Bethesda title, that dominated the RPG scene in 2023. The turn-based, PC-focused Dungeons & Dragons game developed by an independent studio took the gaming community by storm. Its success demonstrated that a well-crafted game can captivate audiences without the need for flashy marketing campaigns, proving that quality and word of mouth can propel a game to success.

As 2023 comes to a close, these moments in the world of video games serve as reminders of the joy, excitement, and unexpected surprises that continue to make gaming an enduring source of entertainment.