Last year was a pretty fantastic year for games, with heavy hitters like Elden Ring and God of War: Ragnarok delighting fans and critics alike. Indies also got their fair share of love— Sifu was a unique beat ’em up that brought challenging but satisfying combat, while Stray proved that playing as a cat can be as fun as having one.
Gaming in 2023 looks as good, if not better. There are a ton of highly-anticipated titles expected to be released this year, ranging from sequels and remakes to new IPs. With so many names on that list, we’ll be focusing on those with confirmed release dates as of writing. Here are the biggest upcoming games set to release this year!
Fire Emblem Engage
With Fire Emblem: Three Houses’ success, it’s been a long wait to get the next entry in the series. That wait is set to soon be over as Fire Emblem Engage arrives for Switch early this year.
Fire Emblem Engage brings back the franchise’s signature tactical gameplay but comes with something new. Using a new mechanic called Emblem Rings, players can now summon heroes from the previous Fire Emblem to help them in their battles. Not only do you merge appearances with them, but you’ll also be able to unleash their special skills! What’s more, all of your allies will be able to use these Emblem Rings too.
The game takes place in the continent of Elyos, where Alear — your main avatar — has been awoken from a thousand-year slumber to help defeat the Fell Dragon Sombron, who threatens to reawaken after being sealed away. Besides going through the grid-based tactical gameplay, players also get to explore the hub world of Somniel, where they can prepare for upcoming battles or do other activities like fishing and wyvern riding.
Release date: 20 January 2023
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
You can pre-order the game from the Nintendo eShop.
Forspoken
Square Enix formed developer Luminous Productions intending to make AAA games using the company’s proprietary Luminous Engine, an impressive, technologically advanced game engine. After the release of Final Fantasy XV, there have been speculations about their next game. PlayStation’s Future of Gaming PS5 teaser revealed that it would be a new IP, Forspoken.
Forspoken thrusts players into the role of Frey Holland, a young woman who is unwittingly transported from her home in New York City to the fantasy world of Athia. There, she finds herself now able to use magical abilities. In Athia, Frey has to help its citizens fight against a blight that has corrupted the land and its inhabitants.
The key feature of the game is its fluidity. Combat is fast-paced, with players able to use a wide range of spells to tackle the dangerous creatures lurking in Athia. Traversal is also quick, with Frey’s magical abilities allowing her to parkour around the open world with ease and style freely.
Release date: 24 January 2023
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
You can pre-order the game from the PlayStation Store for PS5, or on Steam and the Epic Game Store for PC.
Dead Space Remake
Dead Space is one of gaming’s iconic horror titles, and there have not been many games that have been quite like it since. So, to hear that it would be getting a complete remake has excited the fans.
The remake comes from Electronic Arts’ Motive Studio, who are rebuilding the game from the ground up using the Frostbite engine. In addition to the revitalised graphics, Dead Space Remake has enhanced audio to fully immerse players in the scares and a new feature called Intensity Director, which changes lighting, ambience, and enemy placement when players return to a previously explored area.
Release date: 27 January 2023
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series Consoles, PC
You can pre-order the game from the PlayStation Store for PS5, Xbox Store for Xbox Series consoles, or on Steam and Epic Game Store for PC.
Hogwarts Legacy
It has been too long since gamers have had a full-fledged game in the wizarding world of Harry Potter, so it is no surprise to see how excited fans are to play Hogwarts Legacy.
Hogwarts Legacy takes place in the 1890s, where you take the role of a fifth-year student who has just entered Hogwarts. You, however, are unique in that you hold the key to an ancient secret that threatens to tear the wizarding world apart. Since this is a prequel, you won’t be able to meet Harry and his friends, but you’ll be able to see iconic characters like Nearly Headless Nick, The Fat Lady, and Peeves.
The game allows you to customise your own wizard or witch as you explore the open world through the eyes of a newbie — visiting places in the wizarding world like Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Combat is another part of the experience, with Hogwarts Legacy allowing players to cast various magical spells as they develop their combat style.
Release date: 10 February 2023 (Current-Gen), 4 April 2023 (Last-Gen), 25 July 2023 (Switch)
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series Consoles, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
You can pre-order the game from the PlayStation Store for PS5, Xbox Store for Xbox Series consoles, or on Steam and Epic Game Store for PC.
Atomic Heart
Set in an alternate timeline in the Soviet Union, Atomic Heart is an intriguing new FPS IP that blends Bioshock-like gameplay with a steampunk style.
As Major P-3, your job is to ensure that the situation at Soviet Facility 3826 gets under control after an accident occurs. There, rogue robots and biomechanical experiments will be out to hunt you. Using the special abilities of your polymer glove, which grants various powers like telekinesis and freezing capabilities, you have to survive the facility while discovering its secrets.
Release date: 21 February 2023
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series Consoles, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
You can pre-order the game from the PlayStation Store for PS5 and PS4, Xbox Store for Xbox consoles, or on Steam for PC.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
The incredible Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order receives its much-anticipated sequel in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, which continues the story of the Jedi Knight Cal Kestis.
Picking up five years after the events of the last game, Cal continues his fight for survival against the Galactic Empire, with new adversaries to face in his journey. Along with the new story, the game is set to bring back the challenging but rewarding combat while introducing new elements like Force stasis, which allows players to freeze enemies and blaster bolts in mid-air.
Release date: 17 March 2023
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series Consoles, PC
You can pre-order the game from the PlayStation Store for PS5, Xbox Store for Xbox Series consoles, or on Steam and Epic Games Store for PC.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
It’s not often that we get a game based on the famous historical Chinese period, so it is refreshing to see developer Team Ninja try their hand with a new IP — especially with the producers of Bloodborne and Nioh backing the project.
Set in a dark fantasy version of the Three Kingdoms period, players will follow the story of a nameless militia soldier who must fight off the deadly creatures and enemy soldiers plaguing the kingdom. Featuring swordplay combat based on Chinese martial arts, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty’s action is fast and frenetic and promises to give players a rush of excitement.
Release date: 3 March 2023
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series Consoles, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
You can pre-order the game from the PlayStation Store for PS5 and PS4, Xbox Store for Xbox consoles, or on Steam for PC.
Resident Evil 4 Remake
The remakes continue for the Resident Evil series as it moves on to the fourth mainline game. As with the previous remakes, Resident Evil 4 is being built from the ground up using Capcom’s excellent RE Engine.
It follows the story from the original 2005 game, with Leon S. Kennedy sent to rescue the daughter of the president of the United States. Upon tracking her to a remote European village, he realises that something has gone very wrong with its residents.
In addition to the enhanced visuals, the game has tweaked the Ganados villagers with new ways to attack Leon. The remake also offers a new mechanic that allows Leon to parry attacks with a knife. The fan favourite Weapon Merchant also returns, now allowing players to trade gems for special items.
Release date: 24 March 2023
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series Consoles, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
You can pre-order the game from the PlayStation Store for PS5 and PS4, Xbox Store for Xbox consoles, or on Steam for PC.
Dead Island 2
It is wild to think that Dead Island 2, revealed in 2014, is finally coming out. Originally announced at Sony’s E3 2014 event, the game’s development problems have been well-noted in the media. Still, it has turned a corner after making a stealthy re-appearance a few months ago.
Like the first game, a zombie outbreak has ravaged the lands. This time, the locale is set in Los Angeles and San Francisco, with players able to take in the sights of iconic places like Venice Beach. Combat is also suitably bloody, featuring over-the-top weaponry and a brand-new skill system for your character to dish out the pain creatively.
Release date: 28 April 2023
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series Consoles, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
You can pre-order the game from the PlayStation Store for PS5 and PS4, Xbox Store for Xbox consoles, or on Epic Games Store for PC.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Breath of the Wild is a seminal game in the Zelda franchise, with players still discovering new things about the game even to this day. The wait may have been long, but fans will finally be excited to get their hands on its direct sequel.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom brings Link back to the world of Hyrule and promises the same masterful sandbox design from the first game. The game also teases new elements, with sky-bound dungeons to explore and expanded traversal. It’s an expanded version of Breath of the Wild, and we can’t wait to see and play it.
Release date: 12 May 2023
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
You can pre-order the game from the Nintendo eShop.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Rocksteady Studios is back with another game in the Arkhamverse, but this time, it is not focused on the Caped Crusader. Instead, it is on the rag-tag group of DC’s Super-Villains — the Suicide Squad.
This iteration of the Suicide Squad consists of Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and King Shark. Their mission is to travel to Metropolis to do an impossible task, eliminating the Justice League. The team have seemingly been corrupted by Brainiac, requiring Amanda Waller to send out the squad to clean up the mess.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a third-person action shooter with the open world of Metropolis ready to be explored. Players can play alongside three other friends as one of the Suicide Squad members, each with unique and traversal capabilities.
Release date: 26 May 2023
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series Consoles, PC
You can wishlist the game from the PlayStation Store for PS5, or on Steam for PC.
Street Fighter 6
The next entry in the Street Fighter series is coming, aptly called Street Fighter 6. Series staples like Ryu and Chun-Li will be returning, and fans can expect new fighters to the roster, like the supermodel and judo champion Manon, the gladiator-inspired Marisa, and the mysterious business-attired JP.
Street Fighter 6 features an all-new World Tour mode. This single-player story adventure allows you to customise a player avatar and freely explore 3D environments based on locations from different countries. There are opportunities for your character to learn iconic moves like Hadoken or Spinning Bird Kick to use in battles, and minigames are also available to play between matches.
Release date: 2 June 2023
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series Consoles, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
You can pre-order the game from the PlayStation Store for PS5 and PS4, or on Steam for PC.
Diablo IV
The world of Diablo returns with Diablo IV after more than a decade since the release of its predecessor. Taking place after the events of the Diablo III: Reaper of Souls expansion, it is set in the world of Sanctuary, where the daughter of Mephisto, Lilith, has been summoned by cultists. Her return sees players attempt to pursue her as they gather secrets about the world and its history.
Diablo IV has an all-new open world, with five unique regions to explore. The core Diablo gameplay is back, with RPG character progression, replayable dungeons, and loot-hunting at the fore. Players can choose between five classes — the Druid, the Barbarian, the Sorceress, the Rogue, and the Necromancer; each with unique skill sets.
Release date: 6 June 2023
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series Consoles, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
You can pre-order the game from the PlayStation Store for PS5 and PS4, Xbox Store for Xbox consoles, or on Battle.net for PC.
Final Fantasy XVI
Square Enix’s biggest franchise returns with its next mainline game, Final Fantasy XVI. Now developed by the company’s Business Unit III team, headed by Naoki Yoshida, who is credited with reviving the fortunes of Final Fantasy XIV online, this new Final Fantasy game presents itself as an exciting title coming out in 2023.
Set in Valisthea, Final Fantasy XVI revolves around creatures known as Eikons, magical beings that come as a powerful force. The story follows Clive Rosfield, tasked to guard his younger brother Joshua who is blessed with the ability to summon an Eikon. Unexpected events occur, however, setting Clive on a path of revenge.
The role-playing game adopts a more active approach, emphasising melee and magic combat and includes the ability to dodge attacks. Clive can also gain access to powers from the Eikons upon defeating them to aid him in battle.
Release date: 22 June 2023
Platforms: PlayStation 5
You can pre-order the game from the PlayStation Store for PS5.
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Visuals courtesy of Portkey Studios, Square Enix, and Nintendo.
