Nominees for Destructoid’s Best Ongoing Game of 2023

destructoid.com:

There’s a certain “ick” that comes with the term “live service game.” It immediately conjures up images of soulless, microtransaction-filled cash grabs that many would rather not remember, let alone honor. Fortunately, the best titles in this field are (usually) exceptions to this norm.

When done right, a good live service game is like a second home. Ideally, these games are hubs where you can party up with friends and enjoy new content and features at a steady pace. If the presence of microtransactions and paywalls are kept in check, these titles can offer unforgettable experiences. Of course, I imagine some of you will argue that certain picks below don’t meet that bar. But that’s why we’re here to choose which ongoing game is the best of the best. After all, why should you invest your time in anything less than that?

Here’s our list of nominees.

First up, we have Fortnite. And I know, I know, there’s a good chance you have a strong opinion on this game one way or another. That said, there’s no denying that Fortnite has become a cornerstone of gaming that continues to offer substantial updates every season. Just this past month alone, we saw the inclusion of experiences like LEGO Fortnite and Rocket Racing that continue to expand Fortnite into new genres. Sometimes these new modes are pretty fun too! You don’t have to love it, but there’s certainly nothing else like it on the market.

Coming up next is Final Fantasy XIV, and you do have to love it. That’s what the community behind gaming’s best free trial has told me, anyway. I kid, of course; Destructoid is full of Final Fantasy XIV nerds, myself included. This year has been unique for the game following the release of the explosive Endwalker expansion. The lack of a