Every year comes with a different level of excitement and anticipation for gamers who want to stay abreast of big upcoming games. January is usually a silent month for gamers, but not for 2023. Unlike other years, there is a long list of upcoming games of 2023 that will be launched in the first quarter of this year.
This can be seen as a slight deviation from the usual Fall rush for game releases. While 2022 was the year for interesting remasters (like The Last of Us Part I and The Witcher 3), 2023 will be more about sequels. Arguably one of the biggest slated for release is Spiderman 2.
Although some big titles have been slated for release this year, it is not unusual for developers to push back release dates—sometimes more than once—to give them more developmental space. So, some of the games earlier slated for 2023 may eventually be pushed into 2024.
Indie game developers are stepping up the competition
One of the standout games from an indie developer in 2022 was “Stray”. The game which was developed by BlueTwelve Studio and published by Annapurna Interactive bagged multiple nominations and awards at The Game Award 2022. It was even nominated for the coveted “Game of the Year” alongside “Elden Ring” and “God of War: Ragnarok”.
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We expect a similar showing from indie developers in 2023. “Sea of Stars” and “OXENFREE II: Lost Signals” are two indie games confirmed for 2023. While so far, there is no indie title that has caught our attention, we expect that to change by Fall. We will definitely keep you posted with any development.
Confirmed upcoming games of 2023
A slew of the upcoming games of 2023 will be available on multiple platforms, but there will be a few exceptions. There is a handful that will be released on limited platforms. PC gamers may have to wait longer for some of the big titles to come to them.
For example, “Spider-Man 2” is a PS5 exclusive. “Firewall Ultra” and “Horizon: Call Of The Mountain” will be available on PS5 and PlayStation VR2. Another important observation is the gradual phasing out of PS4 from supported platforms in upcoming releases. If you are a PS4 gamer, it is time to consider an upgrade if you want to be part of all adventures.
Without further chitchat, here are the most anticipated games of 2023.
#1. Spider-Man 2
Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platforms: PS5
Release Date: Fall 2023
As Marvel’s website put it, Spider-Man 2 will swing to PS5 in 2023. From what we saw from the trailer, the action-adventure game will bring Peter Parker and Miles Morales together to fight Venom. There is no definite release date. However, Marvel is aiming for Fall of 2023.
Spider-Man 2 will be a PS5 exclusive. There are chances that it may later be released on PC like its predecessors. However, PC gamers should not expect that to happen any time soon. It usually takes at least two years for PlayStation-exclusive games to come to PC. Spider-Man is without a doubt one of the biggest titles on the list of upcoming games of 2023.
#2. Final Fantasy XVI
Developer: Creative Business Unit III
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: PS5
Release Date: 06—22—2023
Final Fantasy is arguably one of the longest-running role-playing game (RPG) series. The latest is the sixteenth main installment in the series—although there have been spinoffs. It is set in a dark fantasy world where the fate of the world lies in the palm of the mighty Eikons and the Dominants that wield them.
The game will feature an open-world and action-based combat system involving magic attacks and melee attacks. After defeating summoned monsters called Eikons, Clive will be rewarded with their powers and fighting techniques. Recurring elements from the series like Chocobo also feature here.
#3. Assassin’s Creed: Mirage
Developer: Ubisoft, Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, Windows PC
Release Date: 2023
Ubisoft has maintained the culture of releasing Assassin’s Creed every two to three years. Assassin’s Creed Mirage will be the thirteenth major installment in the series, the last one being Assassin’s Creed Valhalla in 2020. It is also one of the most anticipated upcoming games of 2023, particularly for fans yearning for the traditional Assassin’s Creed stealthy play.
According to credible sources, Assassin’s Creed Mirage will follow the story of Basim Ibn Is’haq before his appearance in Valhalla. This installment will revitalize the stealth assassination that was long the franchise’s foundation. Therefore, the experience will deviate from that of Valhalla.
#4. Resident Evil 4 (Remake)
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Windows PC
Release Date: 03—04—2023
Resident Evil holds the ace in the world of survival horror games. After about two decades since their initial release, Capcom is reimagining the games for the next-gen consoles. Both the game graphics, character models, and fighting mechanics have all been upgraded.
After the success and rave reviews received by the 2020 Resident Evil 3 remake, it was always natural for Capcom to keep going. Resident Evil 4 is the next in line of remakes and the initial release date suggests it may be out in March. However, that date is subject to change.
#5. Forspoken
Developer: Luminous Production
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: PS5, Windows PC
Release Date: 01—24—2023
Forspoken is one of the big upcoming games of 2023—gamers will be relieved that it is dropping early, giving them time to properly explore before the rush. The narrative-driven open-world game will see the character traverse through diverse terrains and learn new magic spells along the way which she will deploy to stop an evil queen and avenge the death of her young friend.
The main character is a dark-skinned female called Frey. After each combat, she will earn experience points. Her cloak can be upgraded to improve her combat stat and efficiency. Resting in a safe location restores Frey’s health.
This is one of the upcoming games of 2023 that promises to bring a fresh perspective to gaming. With what we have seen so far, we tip it for nominations at The Game Award 2023.
#6. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Developer: Rocksteady Studios
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Windows PC
Release Date: 05—26—2023
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is an action-adventure game that promises to be action-packed. It will be the fifth main installment in the Batman Arkham series. Ironically, it will be the first time that Batman will not play the main protagonist. This game will also be a tribute to Kevin Conroy who will voice Batman for the last time.
The game’s story is a lot similar to the movie. Amanda Waller assembles a team of super-criminals to stop an alien invader called Brainiac and save members of the Justice League that are under his spell. In the trailer, we see the suicide squad decimate the Justice League with Flash used as a play toy before Batman shows up to ruin the party.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is also set in Metropolis and has 4 playable characters namely King Shark, Harley Quinn, Deadshot, and Captain Boomerang. The game has two playing modes namely solo and four-player cooperative multiplayer mode. After an early delay in 2022, it will likely be one of the games of 2023 that will rake in awards.
#7. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Developer: Respawn Entertainment
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Windows PC
Release Date: March: 03—17—2023
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor will be a deserving sequel to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order which was released in 2019. The story happens five years after the events of the Fallen Order. Jedi Knight Cal Kestis will still be at the center of the action as he strives to survive the hostile Galactic Empire.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor will borrow lots of gameplay elements from its predecessor. However, it will also feature new additions. The early trailer shows intriguing scenes and combat mechanics. It is also one of the upcoming games of 2023 that will pull surprises.
#8. Alone In The Dark
Developer: Pieces Interactive
Publisher: THQ Nordic
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Windows PC
Release Date: 2023
Alone In The Dark is the seventh mainline installment in the series. It will likely be the biggest upcoming game of 2023 in the survival horror genre. Gamers will feel like this is long overdue considering the fact that the last time we had any game from the franchise was in 2015 (Alone in the Dark: Illumination).
In the game, Emily Hartwood seeks to enlist the help of a private investigator Edward Carnby to search for her uncle who had gone missing. The search takes them to Decreto Manor, a home for those with mental fatigue, where they encounter dangerous monsters, nightmarish world portals, and strange residents.
#9. The Lords Of The Fallen
Developer: HEXWORKS, Defiant Studios
Publisher: CI Games
Platforms: PS5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X and Series S
Release Date: 2023
This is one of the upcoming games of 2023 without a definite release date yet. Although there is a huge chance that we will see it in 2023, there is still the possibility of a delay. The RPG promises vast adventure with breathtaking sword fights. The world will be 5 times larger than the original game.
Gods don’t fall forever. So, the defeat of the demon God, Adyr, wasn’t meant to last forever. Eons later, Adyr’s resurrection draws near and the fabled Dark Crusaders will journey through realms of the living and the dead to stop that from happening.
#10. Hogwarts Legacy
Developer: Avalanche Software
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: 02—10—2023
It feels like forever since the last Harry Potter game and Hogwarts Legacy will be more than welcomed among long-time fans—we hope. This is one of the upcoming games of 2023 that promises loads of actions and enchanting explorations from the Wizarding World. Set in the 1890s, the story follows a fifth-year student at Hogwarts.
In Hogwarts Legacy, players will be given the chance to build their characters in the beginning as well as choose their gender and house. A lot of customization can be done at this stage including choosing body type and voice.
#11. Dead Space
Developer: Motive Studio
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Windows PC
Release Date: 01—27—2023
Dead Space is finally getting a remake after the 2008 game of the same name took gamers by surprise. It is one of the upcoming games of 2023 that is scheduled for the first quarter of the year. The survival horror game will keep the basic plot of the original. However, the graphics will be upgraded for the next-gen consoles.
The story is told through Isaac Clarke, an engineer serving as a crewman on a repair vessel assigned to the USG Ishimura, a huge planetary mining ship that suddenly disappeared from radar. Upon investigation, they discover that the vessel has been run over by mutated human corpses. Isaac fights to stay on his feet in order to save the surviving crewmates.
#12. Wild Hearts
Developer: Koei Tecmo, Omega Force
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Windows PC
Release Date: 02—17—2023
Every once in a while, a game emerges and challenges what we know about how games should be played. Wild Hearts is poised to be that game for 2023. Set in the fantasy world of Azuma, the game challenges the player to hunt massive monsters as they navigate through vast large areas—which can be mistaken for an open-world game.
Players will have eight different weapon types to choose from. However, the most innovative feature of this game is that players can build crates and large machines that give them the chance to deal massive damage to enemies. It will feature a single-player and multiplayer mode.
#13. Street Fighter 6
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom, Capcom U.S.A., Inc., Taito
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Arcade game, Windows PC
Release Date: 06—02—2023
From beta testing, we have an idea of what Street Fighter 6 would look like. While the fighting franchise will maintain most of its old characters, there are a bunch of new hard-hitting fighters and improvements to the art and fighting system. Looking back, it is amazing to see how this fighting game has evolved.
The game will feature three modes namely Fighting Ground, World Tour, and Battle Hub. Fighting Ground features online and local versus battles allowing players to square off with friends or find a worthy challenger online. World Tour is a single-player story mode that can give you more insights about each of the characters.
Conclusion
In addition to the new titles, remakes, and sequel upcoming games of 2023, there will be downloadable content for some of the titles that gamers love. Forbidden West will get an expansion on 19 April 2023. The DLC titled “Forbidden West: Burning Shores” will take Aloy through the ruins of Los Angeles.
There will also be a spin-off to the Horizon series called “Horizon Call of the Mountain”. The PlayStation 5 set for a 22 February 2023 release date will be a launch pad for Sony’s new PlayStation VR2 headset.
Finally, after what seems like forever, PC gamers will finally have “The Last of Us Part 1” on 3 March 2023. This is close to 10 years after the game was first launched on PS3. However, it is coming just six months after the release of the remake on PS5. A worthy end to the anxiety of PC gamers.
