re: your year in gaming 2023

my 2 biggest surprises:

1) Baldur's Gate 3

I had no desire to play it due to turn-based, but gave it a shot with my wife (who doesn't play video games at all) doing split screen co-op on the PS5 and we've had a blast the last couple of months. Just killed Raphael and have all of the netherstones so I think we mostly just have the brain stuff left. We are already planning to try Divinity Original Sin 2 assuming it's on PS5 (I think it is?)

2) Zelda Skyward Sword

I never played it on Wii. I bought it on Switch when the HD version originally came out but stopped playing after an hour or two. Decided to give it another shot and forced myself to at least play through the first real dungeon and have been mostly hooked. Just had to get used to the controls (holding L to use the camera and using the right stick to control the sword, for instance). I still have some issues here and there with controls and using items/gear but I've loved the dungeons and puzzle solving. I'm in the middle of the 2nd flame stuff so I should be getting close to the end.