"2023's Top Gaming Hits: Player Choices, Indie Gems, and Platform Scorecards"

In 2023, the standout games for one editor were Baldur's Gate 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, primarily due to the unprecedented level of freedom and choice they offered players. These games were praised for their ability to create expansive, living worlds that allow for a multitude of player decisions, without feeling overly guided or empty. The article highlights the importance of player agency and how these games excel by not constraining choices to a binary system, instead offering a more nuanced and human gaming experience.