Tof Eklund didn’t play all the big games this year, but they did play some wonderful little ones, mostly with their kids. Frog Detective 3, Cobalt Core, and Chants of Sennaar all top their list of great indie games they played in 2023.
![Nate Schmidt's Game [Experiences] of the Year](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f0f94f64a47900bb21e117e/1705073797517-M9PBAXTOIL0DFVT63VYA/Diablo%2BIV_20230805185602.jpg)
Nate Schmidt's Game [Experiences] of the Year
Nate Schmidt asks, “Why do you have to like the whole game for it to make it on the GoTY list?” Then he lists four games he was too lazy or exhausted to finish.
Open World Nostalgia: Edcel Javier Cintron Gonzalez's Games of the Year
Edcel offers a list of his favorite games from 2023, including Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Bayonetta 3, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and Garden Story.
Waste Eating Space Robots: Don Everhart's Games of the Year
Don Everhart reviews his year of gaming in 2023, discussing Armored Core VI, Akka Arrh, Waste Eater., and the state of labor in games. Semiosis makes a cameo.
A Short Hike
Roger Whitson enjoys taking in the environments of AdamGryu’s A Short Hike. Maybe we should all just pick our heads up, take things at our own pace, and see what the world has in store.
Waste Eater
Don Everhart considers ecological disaster, technological solutionism, and class conflict as depicted in Waste Eater. A game by Cain Maddox, Waste Eater asks a crucial question that should always be put to these solutions: who will do the work?
Walk with the Living
Tof Eklund has thoughts on the relationships within Walk with the Living (2022), a tactical role playing game created by Cole Brayfield. When even the reanimated skeleton is gay, you know you're in for a good time.
We Become What We Behold
Roger Whitson examines We Become What We Behold, a 2016 game self-published by Nicky Case. Whitson considers what the game adds to the conversation around media effects.
Edcel Cintron-Gonzalez's 2021 Games of the Year
From Battle Cats to Brawl Stars, Edcel Cintron-Gonzalez highlights some of the best mobile games of 2021!
Christian Haines's 2021 Games of the Year: All The Small Things
In 2021, it was the small games - the indie games full of heart and subtle pleasures - that truly impressed.
Tof Eklund's 2021 Games of the Year: Magic, Boyfriend Dungeons, Pretend, and More!
Is Montero a game? Is pretend mode the hardest difficulty? Is that a weapon or a boyfriend?
Blake Reno's 2021 Games of the Year: Games That Will Get You Through the Year
From tales of romance to accounts of psychosis, these are game narratives that will get you through the year.
Patrick Jagoda's 2021 Games of the Year
Time loops and rogue-likes, coop play and pixel pleasures - Patrick Jagoda’s 2021 games of the year are reminders of all the amazing things games can do!
Don Everhart's 2021 Games of the Year: Wish You Were Here
Don Everhart takes you on a journey through some of the year’s best and strangest games, while also wishing games were more readily available to everyone.
Roger Whitson's 2021 Games of the Year: That Pandemic Gaming Life, Part 2
Stuck in the time loop that is the pandemic, Roger Whitson offers up his gaming gems of the year.
Nate Schmidt's 2021 Games of the Year: The Santa to Krampus Continuum
Nate Schmidt rates his games of the year on the utterly objective Santa to Krampus scale. Enjoy these indie horror, strategy, and musical experiences!
A Scaredy-Cat’s Most Wanted List
Claire Brownstone recommends some games with terrifying monsters to play - or run from! - for the Halloween season!
7 Games to Play for the Start of School
7 games to play in September, as fall approaches, school begins, and the trees change color!
GwG Recommends: Indiepocalypse Picks
Don Everhart offers a delightful selection of games from the game zine Indiepocalypse!
The GwG Games of the Year
Some of our editors and contributors’ 2020 games of the year!