It’s been an excellent year for gamers, as 2023 has brought many exciting new games for us to enjoy. According to the latest statistics, around 23 million Canadians play video games.
That’s around 63% of the population. Considering the industry’s quality right now, it’s easy to see why. There have been some excellent AAA games released this year, but the quality of releases from smaller studios has also been on the rise.
Gaming isn’t just for console or PC gamers either. A growing number of developers have optimized their games on mobile devices, and handheld gaming options have never been better.
While mobile and iPad gaming were often seen as a novelty, they’ve now come into their own as a fantastic way to game in the 2020s.
Whether you prefer playing on a desktop or mobile, there are a lot of different games to enjoy, even online slots, as they are getting more popular in Canada, now that they are legal. Fast payout casinos are a popular option nowadays due to speed becoming such a crucial part of online gaming.
If you’re looking for something new to play, here are some of our top choices for Canadian gamers.
Baldur’s Gate 3
This turn-based RPG has taken the gaming world by storm this year. Developer Larian Studios has drawn a lot of inspiration from the classic tabletop game Dungeons and Dragons, and the final result is a game that’s been described as one of the best RPGs ever.
While this is the third game in the series, you don’t need to have played the previous titles to understand what’s going on.
The turn-based style of play may not be for everyone, and you certainly need a high-end PC to enjoy the game.
However, there’s little doubt that most people will have hours and hours of entertainment just playing through the story filled with unique quests, action-packed dungeons, and brilliant characters.
Viewfinder
Viewfinder might not look like much at first glance, but this game hides some of the most creative and innovative puzzles ever seen in a video game.
The central feature of the game is a camera, which can be used to turn 2D images into 3D realities, which you can then enter to solve puzzles. It sounds very confusing, but the first-person viewpoint and simple controls make it very easy to play.
The game’s developer, Sad Owl Studios, has rightfully earned a lot of praise for this one, and even if you’re not usually a fan of puzzles, it’s well worth checking out.
Fans of the Portal games will no doubt draw parallels in the unique level design and room for creativity in solving each puzzle. While short, it’s a perfect debut game for the new studio.
Dave the Diver
This 2D pixel adventure game is incredibly charming, wholesome, and packed full of surprising depth.
While it starts out as a spearfishing and restaurant management game, it becomes so much more as you progress, unlock more features, and meet new characters.
In a way, it reminds us somewhat of Stardew Valley, which is well-known for looking simple while having a vast amount of depth.
Best of all, Dave the Diver is incredibly easy to run, which makes it perfect for a mobile or handheld device.
As you dive deeper into the depths, you’ll uncover new fish, treasures and surprises that all help to make this game so much fun to play. It’s no surprise that many gamers have this on their Game of the Year shortlists.