Best Ongoing Support of 2023

Say what you want about 2023, but it was indeed one of the best years for gaming. We had some of the biggest and best releases in a decade, and even with new games, there are old ones that remain strong despite the competition. Here at The Nerd Stash, we’re preparing to unveil our Game of the Year; however, other categories that deserve recognition, and one of those is the Best Ongoing Support of 2023. For those avid game-as-a-service fans, we’ve picked our favorites, and we’re ready to share them with all of you.

Honorable Mention: Disney Dreamlight Valley

Reviews Freelance Writer Giovanna: Disney Dreamlight Valley is everything we ever wanted if the Disney universe made its way to Animal Crossing. We have some of the most iconic characters of Disney/Pixar and a fun gameplay loop of befriending said cast members, crafting and harvesting things, and improving a once-abandoned Valley.

This game isn’t in a higher spot because it is still relatively new to qualify among the best titles with ongoing support. While updates are constant, there are times when there isn’t enough to do, and most of our team tends to leave the game for some days. We know this genre isn’t a hardcore one, but we would like a few more reasons to return daily.

Valorant

Reviews Editor Alex Gibson: Valorant once again stood out in 2023 not just for its electrifying gameplay but for Riot Games’ commitment to nurturing and expanding its universe. Ever since its launch three years ago, the game has been on a relentless upward trajectory thanks in large part to Riot’s dedication to post-launch support. The game’s core mechanics, a blend of precision gunplay and dynamic hero abilities, is a loop that its hardcore fanbase love. But it’s the constant delivery of fresh content and refinements that keep the gameplay experience interesting and the community sticking around.

At the heart of the game’s forward march is Valorant‘s esports scene, which has blossomed even despite having kicked off during the tricky post-COVID-19 era. Riot has leveraged its experience with League of Legends to produce some of the best LAN tournaments we’ve ever seen from a (relatively) new game. The implementation of a franchising model in its esports scene and the nurturing of a healthy Tier 2 environment demonstrates the publisher’s vision for a robust, competitive future. Add to that the arrival of Premier, its in-game tournament system which offers a tangible “path to pro” for aspiring players, and you have a game that’s not just thriving now but is set up for long-term success.

Most of the new content this year has consisted of adding to its culturally diverse roster of Agents. They’re woven into the fabric of Valorant‘s identity, resonating with a global audience and helping to tap into markets that tactical FPS games typically don’t breach. Of course, Riot’s approach to game balancing and updates has kept the game relevant over the years. Regular patches and updates ensure a level playing field and keep the meta-game dynamic, and the introduction of new maps ensures that both new and veteran players have something novel to explore.

Moving into 2024, Valorant continues to be a shining example of how continuous and thoughtful support can keep a game at the forefront of its genre. Whether it’s the thrill of competing in high-stakes matches, the joy of mastering a new Agent or simply being part of a vibrant, global community, Valorant offers a gameplay that’s hard to match amid a very competitive genre.

Destiny 2

Reviews Editor David Rodriguez: Now, this topic is a doozy. Destiny 2, which is also in the running for most disappointing, is also on a list of best ongoing. It seems wild, doesn’t it? Well, both things can be true. The Lightfall story was a tremendous letdown; the quality of life changes it brought and the seasons that have been released since have been stellar.

Each new season Destiny 2 introduces has been doing a far better job of building towards the end of the story as we know it in the climactic expansion due next year, the Final Shape. Beloved heroes have fallen, the world has gone through changes, and the sandbox of tools players have to use is more diverse than ever.

Long-awaited functions like an in-game LFG system, loadouts, the Strand subclass, and a host of PVP improvements. The story of Lightfall was a miss without a doubt, but playing Destiny 2 has never been better and more full of fun and interesting things to see and do.

Cyberpunk 2077

Reviews Freelance Writer Julio La Pine: It may seem strange that for 2023, a single-player game was included in the best ongoing support. But let’s remember this game was originally launched in 2020 and had one of the worst launches in gaming history. If it made it here, it is because the developers didn’t give up and redeemed the game in a way we didn’t imagine. With many QoL features, a complete revamp to most of the game’s systems, and even one of the biggest expansions we saw this year, it deserves a spot on the list.

The reason why we don’t think it is the best of them all is because, ultimately, it is a single-player title, and the studio will move on to the sequel, whereas other live-service games remain with us for years. Still, we can’t get enough of all the activities we can do in Night City, and we believe 2023 is the perfect year to return to it and say goodbye to the city that never sleeps.

Genshin Impact

Reviews Freelance Writer Giovanna: This year, Genshin Impact celebrated its third anniversary, even with its ups and downs. Initially, Genshin Impact was seen as a simple dupe of the Breath of the Wild, but it quickly laid the foundations of a different story. With each expansion, Teyvat grew, and the Traveler got more power, but above all, the new characters caught the public’s attention.

Unfortunately, you can’t always be on top, and the story of Genshin Impact declined during the 2.x and 3.x expansions. These versions covered the Inazuma and Sumeru nations, which had their highlight with incredible battle scenes and bosses but still needed more substance. Major conflicts developed among the fan community with all the complaints, especially as the second anniversary approached. Players often complained about nerfed characters, that the story was boring, and that the events were repetitive. At that time, it seemed that Impact was over.

But once again, HoYoverse hooked it up with the latest Fontaine update. This arc redeemed the game with innovative mechanics, the possibility to dive, and a more extensive map full of life. Genshin Impact has listened more to its players recently, and the best of all is that it offers all these improvements free of charge. Well, that is, if you don’t give in to the temptation of getting the hottest waifu or husbando of the moment. For these reasons, Genshin Impact wins our Best Ongoing Support of 2023 award.

And with that, it is a bit nostalgic to say goodbye to another year of gaming, but we know these best ongoing support titles of 2023 will accompany us to 2024 and beyond. We hope all of them provide us with significant updates to keep us hooked, and in the best-case scenario, we’ll get more games to sink our time in. Whatever happens, competition breeds excellence, and we can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon for the gaming community.