The Biggest Game Releases of 2023

Navigating the Gaming Landscape: An Expert’s Guide to the Biggest Video Game Releases of 2023

As brilliantly highlighted in the accompanying video, the year 2023 has been anticipated as nothing short of monumental for video game releases. Following numerous development cycles impacted by global events and the maturation of new console generations, a veritable deluge of highly anticipated titles is being unleashed upon the gaming world. This comprehensive overview delves deeper into the most significant video game releases slated for 2023, offering a granular perspective on what players can expect from these pivotal launches.

January: Kicking Off a Monumental Year for Game Releases

The gaming calendar was immediately robust, commencing with several high-profile launches that set the stage for the year. The Nintendo Switch welcomed Fire Emblem Engage on January 20th, a strategic RPG that built upon the success of Three Houses. This installment introduced a novel “Engage” mechanic, allowing players to summon iconic characters from the series’ storied past, including the revered Marth, thereby integrating a unique layer of fan service and tactical depth.

Subsequently, January 24th saw the release of Forspoken, an action RPG developed by Luminous Productions, the team previously behind Final Fantasy XV. This title, a PlayStation 5 console exclusive also available on PC, presented a distinctive approach to open-world traversal and magic-based combat, marking a fresh IP in the RPG landscape despite facing prior development delays.

Concluding the month, Dead Space Remake was deployed on January 27th for new-generation consoles and PC. This painstaking recreation of the original survival horror classic, meticulously rebuilt within the Frostbite engine, not only elevated its visual fidelity but also introduced the “peeling” system. This innovative mechanic allowed for a gruesome, anatomically detailed dismemberment of Necromorphs, intensifying the horror and strategic combat depth.

February’s Flood: A Confluence of Fantasy, Horror, and Strategy

February continued the trend of significant game releases with an eclectic mix of genres. On February 10th, the Wizarding World was revisited with Hogwarts Legacy, an immersive action RPG that permitted players to inhabit the role of a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The game offered an unprecedented opportunity to explore the beloved Alma Mater and its surrounding regions, fulfilling a long-held fantasy for many enthusiasts.

Following this, Wild Hearts emerged on February 17th, an action RPG published by EA and developed by Omega Force, known for the Dynasty Warriors series. This title offered a fresh take on the monster-hunting genre, integrating a fantastical world inspired by feudal Japan and unique Karakuri crafting mechanics for dynamic combat encounters. The partnership with EA for publication was noted, with analogies drawn to Activision’s role in Sekiro‘s distribution.

The month also presented Atomic Heart on February 21st, a single-player first-person shooter that garnered attention for its Soviet paleo-futuristic aesthetic. Drawing comparisons to Fallout for its setting and BioShock for its combat and narrative eccentricity, this title delivered a distinctive blend of retro-futurism and high-octane action across multiple platforms excluding the Switch.

A significant hardware launch occurred on February 22nd with the PlayStation VR2, accompanied by a curated selection of launch titles. Headlining this release was Horizon Call of the Mountain, a full-length VR game designed to showcase the new hardware’s capabilities within the acclaimed Horizon universe. This experience promised a more substantial narrative and gameplay experience compared to typical VR offerings, exclusively on PS VR2 for PS5.

Strategy aficionados were catered to with Company of Heroes 3, released on PC on February 23rd. This installment in the venerable World War II real-time strategy series featured two distinct campaigns set in Northern Africa and Italy, alongside innovative gameplay elements such as a dynamic campaign map and a tactical pause system, enhancing strategic control during intense real-time engagements.

Survival horror received another entry with Sons of the Forest, also for PC. As the direct successor to the critically acclaimed survival title The Forest, this game intensified the focus on resource management and environmental challenges while pitting players against terrifying mutant cannibals within a vast, explorable environment.

Conversely, Kerbal Space Program 2 launched into early access on PC on February 24th. This title expanded upon its predecessor’s complex space simulation, promising future additions like custom bases, multiplayer functionality, and mod support, alongside eventual console versions, catering to aspiring aerospace engineers.

Finally, February 24th marked the arrival of Octopath Traveler II on PC, Switch, and PlayStation platforms. This sequel delighted fans of classic turn-based RPGs with its distinctive “HD-2D” pixel art style and branching Dickensian narratives, further solidifying the franchise’s unique blend of retro aesthetics and modern mechanics.

March Madness: Diverse Worlds and Anticipated Remakes

March continued the rapid succession of major releases, offering a breadth of experiences. The Day Before debuted on PC on March 1st, distinguishing itself as a post-apocalyptic zombie survival MMO. Its impressive graphical fidelity, achieved after a strategic engine migration from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5, positioned it as the second most wishlisted game on Steam, following Hogwarts Legacy.

Team Ninja’s latest offering, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, also arrived for non-Nintendo platforms. This action RPG channeled the studio’s established reputation for challenging combat, seen in titles like Ninja Gaiden and Nioh, into a dark fantasy rendition of China’s Three Kingdoms period.

After protracted development, Skull and Bones was slated for March 9th on new-generation consoles and PC. Initially conceived as an Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag spin-off, Ubisoft’s multiplayer pirate game evolved into a naval combat experience akin to Sea of Thieves, finally setting sail after numerous delays that spanned “an entire career.”

PlatinumGames presented Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon on March 17th for the Switch. This prequel diverged from the main series’ third-person action, adopting a top-down adventure format with a charming storybook aesthetic, offering fans a unique narrative perspective within the Bayonetta universe.

Simultaneously, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, the highly anticipated sequel to Fallen Order, was released for new-generation consoles and PC on March 17th. Players were reintroduced to an older, more seasoned Cal Kestis, embarking on new adventures that promised to expand upon the first game’s acclaimed narrative and combat mechanics.

A significant entry in the survival horror genre was Resident Evil 4 Remake, launched on March 24th for PlayStation, Xbox Series X, and PC. This modern reimagining of one of the series’ most iconic, albeit occasionally divisive, installments was expected to reinvigorate the classic with contemporary graphics and refined gameplay adjustments, leveraging Capcom’s renewed trust among fans.

March 28th witnessed the arrival of Crime Boss: Rockay City on PC, a first-person shooter notable for its ensemble cast of Hollywood actors, including Michael Rooker, Danny Trejo, and Chuck Norris. Its unique blend of heist-based gameplay and star power generated considerable intrigue.

Finally, a modern remake of System Shock was released in March for all platforms excluding Nintendo. This long-awaited revival of the influential progenitor to titles like BioShock, a project that commenced via crowdfunding in 2016, delivered a contemporary take on its seminal cyber-horror experience.

April and May: Undead Hordes and Return to Hyrule

April brought Dead Island 2 on April 28th, finally emerging from a protracted and challenging development cycle. This zombie action RPG, set in a meticulously rendered Los Angeles, emphasized visceral melee combat and weapon crafting, continuing the series’ gory tradition across all major platforms except the Switch.

For Switch owners, May 12th was an epochal date with the release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. As a direct successor to the genre-defining Breath of the Wild, this title faced immense anticipation, representing one of the longest gaps between mainline Zelda installments. Its innovations in open-world design, vertical exploration, and dynamic gameplay systems were poised to meet exceptionally high expectations.

June: Demonic Invasions and Medieval Fantasies

The first half of 2023 culminated dramatically in June. Diablo IV was released on June 6th (6/6) for all platforms except the Switch. This installment marked a decisive return to the darker, more gothic fantasy aesthetic reminiscent of Diablo II, providing a vast, open world for players to explore, slay demons, and accumulate legendary loot, resonating with long-time fans of the series.

Subsequently, Final Fantasy XVI launched as a PlayStation 5 exclusive. This iteration signified a substantial departure from its immediate predecessor, abandoning futuristic elements in favor of a return to classic medieval fantasy. The game adopted a more focused, area-based level design and maintained real-time combat, appealing to those who favored a more directed narrative experience.

Notable Game Releases in the First Half of 2023 (Spring/Undated)

Beyond the precisely dated releases, a significant roster of games was also anticipated for the first half of 2023, or with broader “spring” windows, promising a continuous flow of high-quality content.

• Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League: From Rocksteady Studios, creators of the acclaimed Batman Arkham series, this title marked a bold shift. Set within the same universe, it allowed players to embody Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, King Shark, or Deadshot in a co-op shooter experience focused on neutralizing the corrupted Justice League.

• Street Fighter 6: This fighting game represented a significant evolution for the venerable series, moving beyond visual enhancements to introduce a robust character creator and an expansive hub city for exploration, alongside refined combat mechanics. The positive reception from fighting game enthusiasts underscored its potential impact.

• Forza Motorsport: A soft reboot for Microsoft’s flagship racing simulator, this title was positioned as a showcase for the graphical capabilities of the Xbox Series S and X and PC, offering an unparalleled level of visual fidelity and realism for automotive enthusiasts.

• Hollow Knight: Silksong: The highly anticipated sequel to Hollow Knight, a title widely regarded as one of the best Metroidvanias, placed players in control of Hornet. This follow-up promised a unique moveset and an expansive new world, building upon the critical acclaim of its predecessor.

• Homeworld 3: Two decades after its predecessor, this deep-space real-time strategy game continued the saga, introducing innovative terrain mechanics to offer tactical cover in space, adding a new dimension to fleet engagements.

• Redfall: From Arkane Studios, known for Dishonored and Prey, this co-op first-person shooter immersed players in a vampire-infested New England town. Its emphasis on teamwork and unique character abilities offered a fresh take on the vampire hunting genre.

• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl: This long-awaited survival horror sequel, based on the rich lore of the Tarkovsky film and “Roadside Picnic,” faced immense development challenges, including a global pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Its release on Xbox and PC was highly anticipated, representing a triumph of perseverance.

• Starfield: Bethesda Game Studios’ first new IP in over two decades, this expansive space-faring RPG was frequently described by its director, Todd Howard, as “Skyrim in space.” It offered an unparalleled scale of exploration across hundreds of planets on Xbox and PC, promising deep customization and narrative freedom.

• The Expanse: A Telltale Series: A narrative adventure set within the universe of the popular television series, this game provided a fresh story for fans, leveraging Telltale’s renowned storytelling prowess on PC and consoles.

• Alan Wake 2: Remedy Entertainment’s return to the psychological horror world of author Alan Wake promised a proper survival horror experience, deepening the lore and expanding the scope of its predecessor.

• Ark 2: The sequel to the popular dinosaur survival game featured Vin Diesel, who was actively involved in its development as “President of Creative Convergence” for Studio Wildcard. This installment aimed to build upon the established crafting and creature taming mechanics with a star-studded cast.

• Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon: FromSoftware, celebrated for its Soulsborne titles, revived its beloved mech combat series after a long hiatus. While distinct from their recent action RPGs, this return was met with considerable anticipation, especially given the studio’s heightened profile.

• Assassin’s Creed Mirage: This entry marked a deliberate return to the foundational pillars of the Assassin’s Creed series: stealth, parkour, and assassinations, set in 9th-century Baghdad. It aimed to scale back the expansive RPG elements of recent titles, appealing to long-time fans of the franchise.

• Hades II: Supergiant Games surprised fans with a sequel to their critically acclaimed roguelike, Hades. While details were scarce, the prospect of more fast-paced action, slick visuals, and narrative depth from the award-winning studio generated immense excitement.

• Lies of P: This action RPG offered a dark, “Bloodborne-esque” retelling of the 19th-century Pinocchio fairy tale. Its unique premise and challenging combat mechanics positioned it as a compelling new entry in the action RPG genre.

• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2: An exclusive PlayStation 5 sequel from Insomniac Games, building on the commercial and critical success of its PS4 predecessor. Leveraging the new hardware, it promised to deliver enhanced web-slinging mechanics and a compelling new narrative for the friendly neighborhood superhero.

• Payday 3: A decade after its predecessor, this co-op shooter series returned with larger-scale heists set in a “living and enormous representation of New York City,” promising expanded criminal endeavors for its fanbase.

• Pikmin 4: The next installment in Nintendo’s unique real-time strategy series, featuring the eponymous plant-like creatures. While details remained sparse, the game was expected to continue the series’ charming blend of exploration and strategic resource management.

• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Joining a roster of asymmetrical multiplayer horror games based on classic film licenses, this title allowed players to either evade or embody Leatherface and his entire family, directly drawing from the chilling 1974 slasher classic.

• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2: A long-awaited sequel to the 2011 third-person shooter, continuing the saga of Ultramarines Captain Titus against hordes of Tyranids. This title aimed to deliver intense, close-quarters combat within the grimdark future of the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

• The Wolf Among Us 2: The reformed Telltale Games announced a return to the Fables universe, picking up six months after the conclusion of the critically acclaimed original, which was released a decade prior. This narrative adventure continued the story of Bigby Wolf, offering a fresh mystery for fans.

The sheer volume and diversity of these video game releases 2023 has transformed the year into an unparalleled period for the industry. From highly anticipated sequels and ground-up remakes to ambitious new intellectual properties, the array of experiences available has solidified 2023’s standing as a truly exceptional year for gamers across all platforms. The ongoing development of new titles promises even more exciting additions to this already impressive roster of 2023 game releases.