You’ve likely already seen Eurogamer’s top 50 games of 2023, but we wanted to give our personal takes on the games we really enjoyed this year. We’ve compiled top fives from various Eurogamer contributors over the next four days, each providing unique insight into their favorite games of the year.

First up is Lottie, who highlights her top picks:

Lottie

Birth

In ‘Birth,’ Lottie finds a beautifully comforting game that explores loneliness, companionship, and kindness. She speaks of the subtle horror and surreal nature of the game, as well as the symbolic interpretations of loneliness and the effort to rebuild connections.

A Space for the Unbound

‘A Space for The Unbound’ presents a heartfelt and sympathetic exploration of depression and anxiety, according to Lottie. She highlights the game’s depth, storytelling, and thoughtful portrayal of the human heart.

Little Goody Two Shoes

For ‘Little Goody Two Shoes,’ Lottie discusses its unique blend of pixel graphics and anime art style, as well as its elements of horror and character development. She emphasizes the game’s survival and time management mechanics and their impact on gameplay and decision-making.

Coffee Talk 2

Coffee Talk 2,’ according to Lottie, delivers an immersive experience and a fresh take on the original game. She highlights the game’s item-based mechanic and its impact on storytelling and overall gameplay. Lottie expresses her enjoyment of revisiting the world of ‘Coffee Talk’ and the joy of reconnecting with familiar characters while exploring new content.

Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life

Lastly, Lottie reflects on ‘Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life,’ praising the game’s improvements, depth, and preservation of the original’s atmospheric charm. She expresses how the game captures the essence of life’s journey and the emotional weight of the stories within the game world.