Anticipated Games Of 2023
Could 2023 be the another terrible year for video games? Could we be relieving the bad phase we went through the last 3 years? Well, I agree to disagree, after putting a long list of these games. The selection of games that are coming out are highly anticipated, system sellers, genre defining, among other badge of honors.
This is a personal list, but I didn't mention that because somehow the games I've picked are all those that everybody wants to play, so I am doing my best to talk about them here. If we're going to empty our wallets, it would be for the titles that are actually worthwhile.
And I also hope I get the systems needed to play some of them. There are over 30 million PS5 owners now, holy heck. Is economic recession actually real at this point? Sometimes I wish I wasn't so poor, just to know that any better. Well, time to put out the list here, I will do some small honorable mentions too. This list has no ranking in particular.
10 - Dead Space
I've talked non-stop about how much the remake is going to change horror games after its release, because the developer videos have shown that this will feel entirely like a different game, even if it is mostly about faithfully adapting the original.
More robust ways to dismember Necromorphs, in-depth body anatomy, visual overhaul entirely, an amazing sound design, and funny enough, Isaac Clarke here gets to be voiced. And the game is a few weeks from being released. My body is fully ready, and I am going to buy some adult diapers too when it comes out.
9 - The Wolf Among Us 2
Man, that ending from season 1 really had me on a spin. Imagine just waiting years for a second season, I think this is how the Siberia fans had actually felt. Then there was all that controversy surround the closure of Telltale Games, only to be bought out and return from the ashes with few of the original staff remaining.
I should be skeptical, yet from how the trailers presented the game, the art style and the voice acting, it was pretty clear that this game has a chance of being pretty good. I can't wait to come back and play Bigby once more. Not only that, but I was also considering buying and reading The Fables comics based on it.
Even better news, this will not come out in episodic release format, the entire season will be released together. And thank god for that one.
8 - Alan Wake 2
Another game I've waited for a long time to come, and it's here. No gameplay showcase or anything to tell us what kind of game it's going to be, but I have a funny feeling Remedy will spill the beans real soon. Plus, the original had a remastered release not long ago.
Remedy has changed a lot as a game studio since then; they've become a public company, released multiple games that have pushed the visual envelope, and some of the most insanely ambitious titles played to date. If they've shown Alan Wake 2 now, they're already dealing with large expectations, and them knowing that, means they got something cooking in there.
7 - Final Fantasy XVI
Franchises need to evolve, so I guess it'll be taking like 4 Final Fantasy games to really get here. One of the best known games today is Final Fantasy XIV MMO, which even surpassed World of Warcraft. The man who did all this, Yoshi-P is now involved in this new game, and it's taking a very different direction from the other installments.
And that direction involves changing the tone to be mature, not like what FFXV did, that was like playing a boys scout game. No, this one will have blood and guts, cursing, more sexuality, darker themes, the entire narrative will be geared towards more adulterated stuff. Staying more true to the medieval origins it comes from.
Breathtaking visuals aside, the gameplay will be heavily focusing on summons, and abilities. Melee combat is something derived from DMC, and that I can work with, long as it is done well. Shame that it's a PS5 exclusive, hopefully I will get the system before June.
6 - S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart Of Chornobyl
Another long awaited sequel, but this time, the game will be an Xbox exclusive with a PC release. I still can't believe, after 14 years, we're finally getting a new Stalker game. Plus, the efforts that developers have made to fight for their country while helping to make the game is something else entirely as well.
But that's not the only reason this here is on the list, this game will be a fully realized Stalker game, carrying the early ambitions of GSC Game World to much higher graphical fidelity using UE5. The look and feel will of the game will be pushing the FPS and survival sim genre entirely. Most of the devs are now working in the Czech Republic, while others still fighting in Ukraine. So there's a chance it'll be delayed to another year, whatever the case, I hope the final product comes out amazing.
5 - Resident Evil 4 Remake
You know what this is about, if you've played RE2R, you know Capcom is fully embracing their hot streak of making good games. This will be also be the year Street Fighter 6 is coming out, but everybody is talking about the new remake like it is the second coming. A lot of horror games coming out in 2023, but this and Dead Space remake are going to rock the boat hard.
Action Survival Horror games are their forte, and looking at how well the game is going from the clips I've seen, I have no doubt this will be a huge success. As well as some noticeable changes too, I just hope Leon here isn't well, a little too rough and loses the campy humor entirely.
4 - The Legend of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
The sequel to Breath of the Wild, and the first game released for the Nintendo Switch, the system seller comes back hard after 6 years to close off the story that ended on an interesting cliffhanger. I can't imagine how they'll push the envelope here, so I leave that to fans of Zelda's imagination. BotW has changed video games since then, and I think this will too.
It's an obvious pick, because I do own a Switch, and if not, am sure some people will find other ways to play it 😉. This will also be probably the year Nintendo announce their new system. It's been a long time coming, and will probably be a way to showcase this game as well.
And lastly, this won't be a 60 USD game, thank god for that one.
3 - Like A Dragon: Ishin!
Ah yes, finally, the remake us Yakuza fans have been waiting for, the medieval Japan spin-off is finally the chance for the mainstream. I have only one Ryu Ga Gotoku game left to finish before I touch this, and here's why I am really waiting for this game.
This spin-off will have major characters from the other Yakuza installments return, well, in spirit and likability mostly. The combat will be sword based, but outside of that, same old Yakuza games. With different flavors, mixes, and all.
I don't expect to be disappointed, because I know this game will floor me and anyone else. A good Yakuza fan knows that very well.
2 - Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League
I am kind of sad that the James Gunn movie didn't sell that well, I mean, it was an amazing film. But if that lead to this, great. Rocksteady has been taking their sweet time, returning to the DC universe with a game that isn't about playing Batman anymore. No, it's about killing him and the other Justice League members for going rogue, no thanks to Brainiac. The first foray into their Arkhamverse.
They have shown to have a great track record for games with fun gameplay, and engaging combat. But get this, you'll be playing multiple characters of the Suicide Squad on a mission supervised by Amanda Waller. It's also going to be a funny game, the good DC game humor that is. This will also be last game Kevin Conroy have voice over for, due to his passing.
Honorable Mentions
Forspoken
Am actually more interested in seeing how this goes out because of Luminous Productions, not a fan of what Square Enix has going on with the story and characters.
Starfield
This is going to be Bethesda's biggest game, but I am not too keen on it because of how they're still using the new engine retroactively with the old. Plus, this is going to be Star Citizen competitor, to me that is.
Redfall
I am kind of excited to see where Arkane takes this, I like the whole gothic vampire, meets The Lost Boys kind of thing going on here. An interesting co-op game that is said to be as ambitious as the Far Cry games.
1 - Fable
Come on Microsoft, show us something. Anything, I don't think I might live long enough to see this game come out unless it's soon. I've been losing my mind over what has been going with this project. Inner studio turmoil have left bad vibes, but the other side of the story is showing that they finally have everything they need to finish the game.
I wish I could see more, all the games coming from Microsoft and this is the one that has shown very little detail of. It's been nearly 3 years since its reveal trailer and over 5 years that rumors have started spreading around.
Fable is a game I grew up playing, and it's something that is very close to my heart. I am very much looking forward to this one, either this year or maybe the next.
So here's my long list. Happy New Year everyone, even if we're two weeks past that now. A lot of sequels and remakes, but few new projects. No worries, I am sure some of you have bigger list of games, because I know this year is going hard on leaving us very short on cash.
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I had completely forgotten about Like A Dragon: Ishin. The latest Yakuza really managed to grab me, I liked that they took the risk of taking a turn-based combat. I understand this one will go back to the old action mechanics, I'm excited to see how it is.
Happy New Year to you too, even if it's a little late, haha.
Honestly not that many games I'm excited for this year. Tears of the Kingdom will be a must buy though. Luckily my backlog is huge and I just got a PS5 with a lot of games to catch up on.
I really hope fable and the remake of resident evil 4! fable I have liked since the first one, it is a very entertaining game. good list of games for 2023 my friend, greetings!!!
I really am eager to see Fable getting its shine on the spotlight. Microsoft is playing hush on so many of their game projects now.
It doesn't seem like a bad year, obviously you missed a couple, although they haven't said anything COD has complied with launching a new COD every year, there's Howarts Legacy and maybe many others that are worth it, what I'm thinking is when are is going to making the consequences of the covid quarantine felt in video games, since they do not come out the year that their development begins, although of course, for independent developers it probably helped them get ahead, but I still think that the big franchises could have been affected, maybe many titles were delayed a year or two.
Great list! I am excited for Alan Wake 2 and Stalker 2. A lot of recent and upcoming games seem to be remakes when there is really no need to retell the same story over and over again, Companies should expand upon a universe/world that is already created instead of trying to recapture lightning in a bottle.
2020 - 2022 was rough for all creative industries so 2023 is the year everybody gets back into the swing of things! Players will see what good things developers can dish out when given enough time to create.
Thank you for sharing your list, hope those games meet your expectations!
I'm looking forward to Starfield and Redfall 🙂 and also the Cyberpunk expansion whenever that'll be released. I'm also curious about Hogwart's Legacy, but it's pricey and I'm not sure if I'll snap that up ASAP or not... Oh, and Diablo 4!
There's nothing else really I'm looking forward to, mostly just older games that are already released and I need them to go on special before buying them. xD
Curious about Cyberpunk expansion and Diablo 4 as well, if either turns out good, am buying them.
When that Fable teaser was released I was truly excited but a shame we are not able to see more about the game, I´ve read bad things about its development, I just hope it doesn´t end too badly.