3 years ago
Jakub Dominik
Atomic Heart – February 21st
First on the list is an FPS from Mundfish. Atomic Heart is a first-person shooter set in an alternate version of 1950, where a global system failure happens at the Soviet Facility №3826 that leads machinery to rebel against the people. You are Major P-3, and your task is to eliminate the consequences of a large-scale accident and prevent the leakage of classified information threatening to destroy the whole world.
Atomic Heart is a day 1 Xbox Game Pass title and releases on all major platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
Like a Dragon: Ishin - February 21st
Not a new title in itself, but Like a Dragon: Ishin is a remake of a classic that has yet to be released for the western market. Like a Dragon series spin-off, set in the samurai era, was developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by Sega. Ishin is an action-adventure game set in the chaotic Bakumatsu (1853–1867) phase of the Late Edo period. Players take on the role of Sakamoto Ryōma, who is distressed from conflicting pressures and uncertainty about one's self and their role in society. Ryōma burrows himself with a hidden identity in the streets of Kyoto and joins the grim Shinsengumi.
Like a Dragon: Ishin releases on all major platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
Horizon Call of the Mountain – February 22nd
Horizon: Call of the Mountain is Sony's exclusive and flagship title for PSVR 2. In the VR spin-off, you play as Ryas, a former Shadow Carja warrior. Mastered in climbing and archery, you'll be setting off to climb mountains and fight formidable mechanical beasts, craft multiple tools and weapons at your disposal, upgrade your gear and meet new and old Horizon characters, even Aloy. Suppose you are interested in or have already ordered the PSVR 2. In that case, Horizon: Call of the Mountain is indeed the game to use the full potential of Sony's new VR headset.
Horizon Call of the Mountain releases exclusively for PS5 and requires a PSVR 2 headset.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty – March 3rd
Developed by Team Ninja and published by Koei Tecmo, Wo Long is the next souls-like title from the creators of the very successful Nioh. This time around, the game takes place in China during the Three Kingdoms period. Like Nioh, the game is linear. As players progress, they will encounter Battle Flags scattered throughout the world. Players can use them to save their game or use "Genuine Qi", the game's form of experience, to upgrade their characters and unlock new abilities. Unlike the Nioh series, Wo Long has a jump button, further expanding exploration and combat. The game also features a cooperative multiplayer mode, in which players can summon a friend to help out during battle.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a day 1 Xbox Game Pass title and releases on all major platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores – April 19th
8Guerilla Games introduce their first DLC for Horizon Forbidden West, which sets place in Los Angeles, which is now a volcanic archipelago. Aloy, this time is set to pursue a sinister threat in the form of an awakening Metal Devil. Expect improved gameplay, packed with more unique machines, tools and beautiful landmarks.
Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is a PlayStation exclusive DLC, available for PS4 and PS5.
Dead Island 2 – April 28th
Developed by Deep Silver, Dead Island 2 finally has a firm release date after multiple delays. As the devs describe the game: Dead Island 2 is a unique formula of horror, dark humour and over-the-top zombie-slaying, spanning an epic pulp adventure. This thrilling First-Person Action RPG takes players across a brand-new playground – a hellish vision of LA (or HELL-A, as we call it). Dead Island 2 is stylish, vibrant and flooded with zombie infection. Explore iconic, gore-drenched Los Angeles. Meet larger-than-life characters. Slay countless foes in exquisitely bloody detail. And evolve to become the ultimate Zombie Slayer!
Dead Island 2 releases on all major platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
Star Wars: Jedi Survivor – April 28th
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is an upcoming action-adventure game with a souls-like take, developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts. A sequel to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order continues the story five years after the events of Fallen Order. Cal Kestis once again clashes with imperial forces, this time as a seasoned Jedi Knight. Expect more refined combat with new lightsaber fighting styles and force abilities, and discover new planets with unique challenges and enemies.
Star Wars: Jedi Survivor releases on all current-gen platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S.
Redfall – May 2nd
Redfall is an open-world, co-op FPS from Arkane, the award-winning team behind Prey and Dishonored. Continuing Arkane's legacy of carefully crafted worlds and immersive sims, Redfall brings the studio's signature gameplay to this story-driven action shooter.
Redfall is a day 1 Xbox Game Pass title and releases on all current-gen platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – May 12th
It was only a matter of time to see a sequel of arguably the best Zelda game ever. Surprisingly, Nintendo doesn't share much information about the game. All we can find officially is the below quote: "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is coming to Nintendo Switch on May 12th, 2023. In this sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the setting for Link's adventure has been expanded to include the skies above the vast lands of Hyrule."
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a Nintendo Switch exclusive.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League – May 26th
Upcoming action-adventure game developed by Rocksteady and published by Warner Bros. Part of the Batman: Arkham series, the game takes place five years after the events of Batman: Arkham Knight and this time around, we play as Suicide Squad members assembled by Amanda Waller and sent to Metropolis to stop the alien invader Brainiac and save the members of the Justice League whom he has brainwashed.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League releases on all current-gen platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S.
Street Fighter 6 – June 2nd
Upcoming fighting game developed and published by Capcom. It's the 6th main instalment in the Street Fighter series. The main fighting gameplay of Street Fighter 6 is based around the Drive Gauge, a system designed to encourage player creativity. The gauge can be used for five different techniques, requiring players to choose which to prioritize. Most of the Drive Gauge's mechanics are based on previous mechanics from Street Fighter mainline games, such as Parry, Focus Attack, EX move, etc.
Street Fighter 6 releases on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
Diablo IV – June 6th
Diablo IV is a highly anticipated Hack & Slash game and a precursor to looter games developed by Blizzard, with heavy roots in the PC gaming scene. The core formula for the series' gameplay revolves around gradually obtaining more vital equipment by defeating increasingly difficult enemies. Enemies are fought using different character class skills, which can be customized by equipment and talent trees. This concept is used to progress through the story and quests. Diablo's grim and dark world awaits you solo or in co-op, with five playable classes to choose from, an exciting dark story and a gameplay loop that made the H&S genre mainstream.
Diablo IV releases on all major platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
Final Fantasy XVI – June 22nd
Square Enix presents the 16th main instalment into the series, set on Valisthea, a world divided between six nations that hold power through access to magical Crystals and Dominants, humans who act as hosts for each nation's Eikon. Tensions between the nations escalate as a malady dubbed the Blight begins consuming the land. Clive Rosfield, the guardian to his younger brother Joshua, witnesses his kingdom destroyed and goes on a revenge quest in pursuit of the dark Eikon Ifrit. FF XVI is the first game from the main series not to have any turn-based combat.
Final Fantasy XVI is a timed PS5 exclusive.
Games that are still coming in 2023 but with no firm release date:
Starfield
The biggest Xbox launch title this year, Starfield from Bethesda, is the studio's first entirely new franchise in 25 years. The game would be best described as "Skyrim in space". Build your ship and venture into an unknown adventure filled with quests, procedurally generated planets and next-gen visuals, all covered in a classic Bethesda-style RPG fashion.
Starfield releases on PC and Xbox Series X|S.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is the next game in PlayStation's critically acclaimed Marvel's Spider-Man franchise, developed by Insomniac Games. Only a few details are known about the game so far. The game will also feature a story starring Peter Parker and Miles Morales.
Spider-Man 2 is a PS5 exclusive.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is the second part of the Square Enix remake of FF7. The Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth gameplay is expected to follow Final Fantasy 7 Remake – high-quality production values, action-packed combat, great visuals and, of course, a fleshed-out story.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a timed PS5 exclusive.
Alan Wake 2
Fans had to wait a long time for this one. Alan Wake 2 is the sequel to the 2010 psychological thriller Alan Wake, developed by Remedy.
Alan Wake 2 is releasing on PC and Xbox Series X|S.
Assassin's Creed Mirage
Ubisoft goes "Back to the roots" with the AC series. Mirage will be an old-school Assassin's Creed instalment without RPG elements or a vast open world. Set in 9th-century Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age, the game will follow Basim Ibn Ishaq (a character first introduced in Valhalla) and his transition from street thief to a fully-fledged member of the Assassin Brotherhood. Ubisoft promises more focus on stealth and storytelling in a bid to appeal to fans of older AC games.
Assassin's Creed Mirage releases on all major platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
Lies of P
Lies of P is the most anticipated game by Souls genre fans. Developed by Neowiz Games, inspired by the familiar story of Pinocchio, it is an action souls-like game set in a dark Belle Époque world. Guide Pinocchio on his unrelenting journey to become human and fight through a Bloodborne-esque world and monsters.
Lies of P releases on all major platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
Stellar Blade
Previously called Project EVE, Stellar Blade is an Action RPG developed by SHIFT UP. Expect a Devil May Cry/Souls-like mixture of combat in a dynamic world with a mysterious story to unearth.
Stellar Blade is a PS5 exclusive.
Conclusion
2023 sure looks far better than the previous year for gamers. If you have your favourite game or want to add something to the list, leave a reply on Twitter or our Discord Server.
Disclaimers
Jakub Dominik is a gaming and technology journalist for Stock Checker.