The speaker's engaging journey into the Yakuza series of games, emphasizing their impact and the standout title Like a Dragon Gaiden.

• The speaker played Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Like a Dragon: Ishin, and Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name.
• Like a Dragon Gaiden was completed in 15 hours, encapsulating the Yakuza series' ability to create emotional investment in the story.
• Kazuma Kiryu's character is highlighted for his coolness and emotional depth, significantly impacting the speaker.

A look back at the year's gaming achievements and the industry's challenges, featuring a broad range of games played.

• 2023 is referred to as the 'best year ever for games,' but the speaker acknowledges issues faced by game developers.
• The speaker completed over fifty games for the first time in 2023, including a showcase of titles played.
• There's an expression of regret for not playing Baldur's Gate 3, and a nod to the perfect design of Resident Evil 4.

The speaker praises the Resident Evil 4 remake for preserving the original's essence while enhancing it with new content and graphics.

• Capcom successfully remade Resident Evil 4, maintaining its core elements while upgrading the story and visuals.
• The Separate Ways DLC added back favorite aspects of the original game, exceeding the speaker's expectations.

The innovative and engaging design of Hi-Fi Rush is celebrated for its rhythm-based gameplay and unexpectedly rich humor.

• Hi-Fi Rush combines the styles of Devil May Cry and The Evil Within 2 with a captivating rhythm-based combat system.
• The game's attention to animation quality and comedy elevates the experience, showcasing the developers' passion.

A recount of the speaker's gaming experiences, including older titles played for a podcast and the anticipation of future content.

• The speaker played games from various years, including Manhunt and Killer7, for their podcast 'Something Rotten'.
• They expressed pride in the podcast's work and teased upcoming content that will cover 'cool stuff'.

Jusant is praised for its serious take on climbing mechanics, creating a unique and meditative gameplay experience.

• Jusant is a climbing game that focuses on realistic climbing mechanics rather than simplistic controls.
• The game's environment provides an immersive experience with varied textures and colors, adding to the sense of achievement.

The speaker reflects on the timing of game releases and how late-year launches can influence their annual lists.

• Marvel’s Midnight Suns, a late-year release, is recognized as a potential contender for the speaker's list of favorites.
• The speaker anticipates next year's video to discuss any late releases from 2023 that may have been overlooked.

Tchia is commended for its open-world gameplay and cultural depth, offering a unique experience developed by a small team.

• Despite being developed by a small team, Tchia offers a vast open world filled with character and specificity.
• The game's mechanics, story, and music reflect its cultural roots in New Caledonia, providing a diverse gaming experience.

Humanity stands out for its intriguing mass movement puzzles and absurdist writing, offering a profound metaphorical experience.

• Developed by Enhance Games, Humanity explores the concept of humans as a mass and the implications of their interactions.
• The game's aesthetic and abstract design allow it to function as a metaphor for various aspects of human existence.

Armored Core 6 is celebrated for its satisfying feel and intricate customization options, allowing for a deeply personalized experience.

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of feel in Armored Core 6, where customization affects gameplay in a tangible way.
• The game encourages experimentation with mech builds, making each modification impactful and distinct.

Lies of P is recognized for surpassing its inspirations, with intricate level design, weapon variety, and challenging boss fights.

• Despite some naming issues, Lies of P delivers with compelling level design and a variety of engaging weapons.
• The game's bosses are both intimidating and awe-inspiring, capturing the essence of the souls-like genre.

Tears of the Kingdom is lauded for its beauty and flexibility, allowing players to creatively navigate its expansive world.

• The speaker finds Tears of the Kingdom to be one of the most beautiful games they've played, with experimental mechanics.
• The game's open-world design encourages exploration and individual creativity in traversing the environment.

Alan Wake 2 is declared Game of the Year for its rich narrative, visual design, and thematic depth, despite gameplay frustrations.

• Alan Wake 2 is dense with themes, rewriting itself and offering multiple interpretations throughout its narrative.
• The game's visual design is highly praised, with performances that align with the surreal and layered storytelling.

The speaker reflects on the significance of 2023 for gaming and expresses gratitude to their community, while promoting Nebula content.

• The art and corporate issues of 2023 will have lasting impacts, and the speaker is proud of their work and community support.
• Exclusive Nebula content is highlighted, including essays, cooking videos, discussions, and podcast episodes.