Games of the Year

RPGFan Games of the Year 2023: Best Ongoing Game

GOTY 2023 Best Ongoing Game Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker

Winner: Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker

It’s telling that, even in a year that most would agree was on the weaker side for Final Fantasy XIV, this game still sits at the top of this category. Really, it’s a testament to Final Fantasy XIV that we even think this year is weak; we still got so much good content. While the 6.x patch cycle storyline might sputter a little, it’s full of delightful references to Final Fantasy IV, and the associated trials and dungeons are universally excellent. The developers continued to hone Variant and Criterion dungeons, and they can range from a fun exploration experience to a sincere challenge. But most of all, it’s the raids that sell me on what Final Fantasy XIV has done this year. The Alliance Raids are full of beautiful scenery, touching storytelling, and fun boss fights. The main raid series might be even better, featuring some of the absolute best boss fights in the entire game. For all its warts, this patch cycle continued to hone the gameplay in FFXIV, and it leaves me excited to see what they do to further sharpen it in Dawntrail this summer.

by Zach Wilkerson


Runner-Up: Genshin Impact

Year after year, Genshin Impact continues to impress. Since its release in 2020, the game has seen continuous and rapid expansion thanks to the team of brilliant designers, directors, and writers who bring the world of Teyvat to life. Each new zone serves as a showcase of world design, every new character slots perfectly into the story, and all the new mechanics introduced with said new characters prove that HoYoverse are creative juggernauts with a nearly infinite budget behind them. It’s been such a treat to watch the game continue to grow while keeping its heart in the right place by creating a living, breathing world filled with endearing and unforgettable characters.

by Des Miller


Readers’ Choice: Best Ongoing Game of 2023

Winner: Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker (43.6% of votes)

Runner-Up: Cyberpunk 2077 (29.4% of votes)

Zach Wilkerson

Zach Wilkerson

After avidly following RPGFan for years, Zach joined as a Reviews Editor in 2018, and somehow finds himself helping manage the Features department now. When he's not educating the youth of America, he can often be heard loudly clamoring for Lunar 3 and Suikoden VI.