The Most Anticipated New Games of 2023: A Deep Dive into the First Half’s Biggest Releases
As highlighted in the video above, 2023 is truly shaping up to be a monumental year for new game releases, particularly within the first six months. Gamers worldwide are eagerly awaiting a slate of titles that promise to push boundaries, revive beloved classics, and deliver fresh, innovative experiences. This article expands on the must-play new games of 2023, offering a closer look at the development journeys, anticipated gameplay mechanics, and what makes each of these titles a standout.
From highly-anticipated sequels to long-gestating remakes and brand-new IPs, the gaming landscape is vibrant. We are focusing exclusively on games with confirmed release dates, understanding that the dynamic nature of game development means delays can always occur. Let’s delve into the exciting lineup that defines the beginning of a remarkable year for video game enthusiasts.
Groundbreaking Worlds: Sci-Fi and Fantasy Epics
Atomic Heart: Soviet Sci-Fi Anarchy
Launching on February 21st, 2023, Atomic Heart brings a unique blend of first-person action-adventure to the forefront. This title has garnered significant attention for its striking alternate-history Soviet sci-fi setting, immediately drawing comparisons to genre giants like BioShock. Developers have promised a world brimming with bizarre robots, an array of melee weapons, firearms, and powerful abilities, all set within expansive and visually impressive environments.
The journey for Atomic Heart has been extensive, evolving from a Kickstarter project years ago through numerous delays. Its eventual release marks a significant moment for players who have followed its progress, eager to experience its distinctive artistic direction and potentially genre-redefining gameplay. The game’s commitment to visual fidelity and a truly original premise positions it as a dark horse contender for early 2023.
The Dead Space Remake: A Return to Cosmic Horror
The Dead Space Remake, arriving on January 27th, is poised to reignite the survival horror genre with its gritty, sci-fi dread. Following the recent taste of cosmic horror offered by titles like The Callisto Protocol, there’s a clear appetite for this style of immersive, terrifying gameplay. Despite some debate over whether a visual overhaul was truly necessary for the original, the remake’s updated graphics appear nothing short of stunning.
Developed by EA’s Motive Studio, this remake aims to be more than just a graphical upgrade. It seeks to deepen the narrative, refine gameplay mechanics, and potentially integrate elements from the subsequent Dead Space titles, offering a comprehensive and truly definitive experience for both veteran fans and newcomers to the USG Ishimura.
Hogwarts Legacy: The Ultimate Wizarding World Adventure
Set to release on February 10th, 2023, Hogwarts Legacy fulfills a long-held dream for Harry Potter fans: an expansive, open-world RPG set within the wizarding universe. Taking place centuries before the events of Harry Potter or Fantastic Beasts, players will create their own character, attend classes at Hogwarts, and explore a richly detailed world brimming with magical potential. This immersion into a beloved franchise is a key appeal.
The game has faced its share of delays, only amplifying the community’s anticipation. Its promise of player freedom, deep character customization, and an original story within the iconic setting presents a huge opportunity for a truly magical interactive experience. This is a crucial 2023 game release for fans of the Wizarding World.
Forspoken: Magic, Parkour, and a New Fantasy Realm
Forspoken, from Square Enix, is scheduled for January 24th, 2023, and is met with cautious optimism. This action RPG transports a seemingly ordinary protagonist into a fantastical world, bestowing upon her an array of magical powers. Its core gameplay loop revolves around fluid, parkour-like traversal across vast open environments, combined with magic-centric combat and extensive questing.
After a demo release that generated mixed feedback, many players are reserving judgment for the full game. However, the game’s long development history and the unique blend of magical abilities with fast-paced movement could still deliver a compelling and innovative experience. The emphasis on a unique traversal system makes this one of the more experimental upcoming games in 2023.
Sons of the Forest: The Next Evolution of Survival Horror
Following the success of its predecessor, Sons of the Forest is slated for release on February 23rd, 2023. This sequel aims to expand upon the acclaimed survival horror mechanics of “The Forest” by offering a larger, more cinematic experience with enhanced depth and improved graphics. Players can expect more complex mechanics and a continuation of the mysterious narrative that defined the original.
Information about Sons of the Forest has remained somewhat shrouded in secrecy, adding to its allure. Despite some delays, the promise of a bigger, better, and more intense survival game has kept fans eager for its launch. The game is expected to push the boundaries of environmental storytelling and player agency within the survival genre.
Fighting, Strategy, and Legends Reborn: Diverse Gameplay Experiences
Street Fighter 6: The Return of a Fighting Game Icon
Capcom’s Street Fighter 6, launching on June 2nd, 2023, is already generating significant buzz within the fighting game community. Early access impressions have been overwhelmingly positive, praising its stunning visuals and robust gameplay mechanics. The game introduces compelling new characters alongside fresh interpretations of classic fighters, all designed to feel integral to the Street Fighter universe.
Even for those less specialized in fighting games, Street Fighter’s accessibility and depth make it an enduring franchise. The latest iteration promises to uphold this legacy, offering a blend of competitive depth and casual enjoyment, ensuring its place as a standout 2023 game release. Its innovative control schemes aim to welcome new players while satisfying veterans.
Diablo 4: Hell Unleashed Anew
Diablo 4, a long-awaited entry in the venerable ARPG series, is set to arrive on June 6th. Blizzard’s latest installment is visually spectacular, from its signature cinematic sequences to the intense in-game combat. The developers are pushing for a grander scale, featuring larger worlds, more dynamic instances, an abundance of loot, and enhanced connectivity for co-op play.
While many fans hold Diablo 2 as the pinnacle of the series, Diablo 4 aims to forge its own path with a dark, expansive vision of Sanctuary. Its emphasis on a shared open world and persistent online elements represents a significant evolution for the franchise, hoping to redefine what a modern Diablo game can be for its loyal fanbase.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty: A New Challenge from Team Ninja
Team Ninja, renowned for their challenging “Souls-like” titles like Nioh, presents Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty on March 3rd, 2023. This game continues their tradition of demanding combat and intricate mechanics, this time set against a fantasy backdrop inspired by China’s Three Kingdoms period. The blend of historical elements with fantastical martial arts creates a unique aesthetic.
Wo Long promises a more cinematic narrative alongside its compelling combat, offering a fresh take on the genre. Given Team Ninja’s established pedigree for crafting deeply satisfying action games, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a strong contender for fans seeking a rigorous and rewarding experience. This represents a solid entry among new games in 2023 for action RPG enthusiasts.
Company of Heroes 3: RTS Grandeur Returns
For PC strategists, Company of Heroes 3 delivers large-scale World War II real-time strategy on February 23rd. While a console release is planned, the series is fundamentally a PC gamer’s domain. Relic Entertainment, the acclaimed developers, are pushing for an even grander experience, setting the action in the Mediterranean theater with expanded unit options and increased environmental destruction.
The game features a co-op skirmish mode, competitive multiplayer, and promises massive battles that will engage players with intense tactical decisions. Despite being overlooked by “normies” as a niche genre, Company of Heroes games are celebrated for their depth and strategic intensity, offering a truly engaging experience for those who appreciate the genre.
Iconic Remakes and Heroic Adventures
Resident Evil 4 Remake: Reimagining a Masterpiece
One of the most highly anticipated upcoming games of 2023 is the Resident Evil 4 Remake, arriving on March 24th, 2023. This project, once deemed unimaginable, sees Capcom taking its celebrated survival horror masterpiece and giving it a darker, more intense makeover. The developers have indicated a willingness to both honor the original and introduce new elements, aiming for a deeper embrace of horror.
Initial glimpses suggest a heightened sense of dread, with more gameplay set at night, while retaining the iconic action and quirky charm of the original. Additions like the ability to parry chainsaw attacks with a knife highlight Capcom’s innovative approach, promising fresh surprises for veterans who have replayed the original countless times. Its success with the Resident Evil 2 Remake bodes well for this ambitious undertaking.
Dead Island 2: The Long-Awaited Zombie Apocalypse
After a tumultuous development cycle dating back to its announcement in 2015, Dead Island 2 is finally set for release on April 28th, 2023. Shifting between multiple developers, the game now under Dambuster Studios retains its open-world, melee-focused zombie-slaying action set in a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles. The brief gameplay glimpses show the vibrant, gory fun Dead Island is known for.
The gaming community remains morbidly curious to see if this title, after so many delays and changes, can live up to its initial promise and rekindle the franchise’s unique blend of dark humor and visceral combat. Its launch will be a testament to perseverance in game development, potentially delivering a worthwhile zombie experience.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League: Rocksteady’s Next DC Saga
Rocksteady, the acclaimed studio behind the Batman Arkham series, unveils Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League on May 26th, 2023. Set within the Arkhamverse, after the events of Arkham Knight, players control members of the Suicide Squad tasked with confronting a corrupted Justice League. This premise alone offers rich narrative potential for comic book aficionados.
The game promises to offer Rocksteady’s signature blend of compelling storytelling and engaging gameplay, with teased appearances by iconic characters like Superman, The Flash, Wonder Woman, and even a final performance from Kevin Conroy as Batman. While many questions about gameplay flow persist, the studio’s track record with the DC universe generates immense excitement for this unique take on heroism and villainy.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor: Cal Kestis’s Expanding Saga
Respawn Entertainment, having delivered a highly successful Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, continues Cal Kestis’s journey with Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, due March 17th, 2023. The first game was praised for its Metroidvania-style exploration, satisfying combat, and respectful additions to Star Wars lore. The sequel aims to expand on these foundations with more enemy types, larger worlds, and new traversal options.
Key additions include creature mounts and multiple fighting stances, offering incredible potential for combat diversity. The appearance of Coruscant and Cal’s new blaster hints at evolved gameplay and story directions. Respawn’s successful initial venture allows for greater creative risks, promising an even richer and more expansive experience for Star Wars fans looking for new games in 2023.
JRPG Mastery and Nintendo’s Next Big Thing
Final Fantasy 16: A New Era of Epic Fantasy
Final Fantasy 16 is one of the biggest upcoming games of 2023, set to arrive on June 22nd. This installment marks a departure towards more action-focused combat and a mature, darker narrative, featuring themes and visuals not typically seen in mainline Final Fantasy titles. Despite this shift, it promises to retain the series’ hallmarks: incredible monster summons, deep emotional drama, and a rich, intricate story complemented by what is widely expected to be “god-tier” music.
For many, a new mainline Final Fantasy is an automatic purchase, relying on the series’ consistent quality and innovative spirit. This entry aims to offer a refreshing experience after Final Fantasy 15, with a particular focus on refining the combat system to deliver a truly engaging action-RPG experience.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom: Hyrule’s Next Adventure
Nintendo’s highly anticipated sequel, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, will finally launch on May 12th, 2023. As the direct follow-up to the groundbreaking Breath of the Wild, this title has been shrouded in mystery, with Nintendo maintaining a tight lid on story and mechanics. This secrecy has only amplified anticipation for a game that promises to evolve the physics-based creativity and open-world freedom that defined its predecessor.
Players are curious to explore a very different Hyrule, potentially with even more possibilities for emergent gameplay. Given Nintendo’s rare decision to create a direct sequel in the Zelda series, fans expect truly innovative ideas and a fresh flavor of adventure that builds upon, yet distinctly differentiates itself from, Breath of the Wild. This is undoubtedly one of the most significant new games of 2023.
Bonus Horizons: More Titles to Watch
Beyond our core 15, a few other titles are set to make waves in the first half of 2023.
Skull and Bones: Pirate Shenanigans on the High Seas
Ubisoft’s long-delayed pirate game simulator, Skull and Bones, sails onto the scene on March 9th. This open-world multiplayer experience promises naval combat and pirate life. Its journey has been fraught with challenges, leaving many curious to see if it delivers a compelling pirate fantasy, or if it will be a game lost at sea.
Like a Dragon: Ishin!: Feudal Yakuza Comes West
Fans of the Yakuza series can finally experience Like a Dragon: Ishin! on February 21st. This feudal-era Yakuza spin-off, previously exclusive to Japan, offers a unique historical setting with the series’ signature blend of dramatic storytelling and over-the-top combat. Its Western release is a welcome event for long-time enthusiasts of the franchise, showcasing new aspects of the compelling characters they love in a fresh historical context.
The first half of 2023 is truly stacked with new games 2023, offering something for every type of gamer. From epic RPGs and intense survival horror to strategic battles and vibrant fighting games, the gaming calendar is bursting with potential. Gamers can expect a period of incredible innovation and entertainment.
