Games – Biggest Games of 2023

Games – Biggest Games of 2023

The PS5-Xbox Series generation finally seems to be getting off to a good start in 2023 as Unreal Engine 5 support grows after two years of false starts. The last-generation consoles from Sony and Microsoft are losing more developer support. Starfield, Spider-Man 2, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and Final Fantasy 16 are the only games designed specifically for new hardware, but owners of PS4, Xbox One, and particularly Switch have a lot to look forward to as well.

The game lineup for next year is undoubtedly the most exciting since the console guard changed in 2020, with dozens of games pushed back to 2023, a focus on new-gen hardware, and at least one major exclusive from each platform owner. We’ve taken that anticipation as we begin a brand-new year and create a list of the biggest video games of 2023, organized chronologically by release date. Only games with officially announced 2023 release dates or windows were considered for this list. 

Additionally excluded are games like Disney Dreamlight Valley and Baldur’s Gate 3, both of which are slated to exit Early Access in 2023. The Northern Hemisphere determines release windows for specific seasons (spring and fall).

1. Fire Emblem Engage

A busy year began with Nintendo’s release of Fire Emblem Engage on January 20. The Switch-only game debuted the series’ new protagonist, Alear, who has red and blue hair. The most recent mainline Fire Emblem allows players to “engage” or summon past Fire Emblem heroes, such as Marth, the series’ first protagonist and a Smash Bros. mainstay. Alear can access their tools and skills when a previous hero is engaged.

Engage follows 2019’s excellent Fire Emblem: Three Houses, which earned a 9.5 from IGN.

2. Forspoken

After two delays in 2022, Forspoken was finally released on PS5 and PC on January 24. Its all-star writing team, which includes Gary Whitta from Rogue One, Amy Hennig and Todd Stashwick from Uncharted, and Allison Rymer from Shadowhunters, is one of the main reasons to keep an eye on the new action RPG from Square Enix. The main character Frey in Forspoken’s isekai narrative concept is transported from modern-day New York City into the fantastical world of Athia, which is rich in magic and intricate mythology. As she makes her way home, Frey will learn extraterrestrial abilities that will aid her in both combat and navigation.

Release Date: January 24 | Platforms: PS5, PC

3. Dead Space

The 2008 classic survival horror game, Dead Space, has been completely remade. It has been entirely reconstructed using the original designs and EA’s Frostbite engine, with “all new assets, new character models, and new environments.” Dead Space hasn’t changed fundamentally, but EA Motive’s creators have added features like Peeling, which allows players to shoot extra flesh, tendons, and bones off of Necromorphs, to keep things interesting. It functions as a unique health bar for the mutant bad guys in Dead Space and a visual treat for gorehounds.

Release Date: January 27 | Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

4. Hogwarts Legacy

One of the most anticipated games of 2021 is now one of the biggest third-party releases of 2023. (and then 2022). After two years of delays, Hogwarts Legacy was finally set to premiere on February 10, allowing longtime Harry Potter fans to live out their own Wizarding World fantasies. Players create a distinctive character and choose their preferred house before the game begins. Then, as fifth-year Hogwarts students, they begin the game. In the open-world RPG, you fall behind your friends and must complete quests to catch up. Despite the abundance of places to visit, secrets to discover, and activities to partake in, the game’s developer, Avalanche Software, was unable to include playable versions of some Hogwarts activities, such as Quidditch, Gobstones, and Wizard’s Chess.

Release Date: February 10 (PS5, XSX|S, PC), April 4 (PS4, X1), July 25 (Switch) | Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC

5. Wild Hearts

6. Atomic Heart

7. Horizon Call of the Mountain

A standalone PSVR 2 spinoff called Horizon Call of the Mountain is based on the same period as Horizon Zero Dawn. Its two main gameplay focuses are Traversal, supported by a satisfying climbing mechanic, and bow-and-arrow combat. While bow-shooting requires you to pantomime the actual action—reaching back for an arrow, nocking it, aiming, then pulling back and releasing—climbing requires you to reach physically from ledge to ledge.

Call of the Mountain was launched alongside PSVR2 on February 22.

8. Company of Heroes 3

9. Sons of the Forest

10. Kerbal Space Program 2 (Early Access)

Kerbal Space 2 enters Early Access on February 24. After the space flight simulation, you can personalize and paint your ships using brand-new environments, enhanced visuals, a revamped user interface, and over 350 new rocket parts. The Early Access version of KSP 2 features brand-new terrain and atmosphere systems and a completely recreated Kerbolar system from the first game. After the game’s initial release, its creator Intercept Games, plans to build upon it by introducing new systems to explore, distinctive bases, and support for multiplayer and mods.

Release Date: February 24 | Platform: PC (PlayStation and Xbox versions to follow at a later date)

11. Octopath Traveler 2

12. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Wo Long: Team Ninja, the company behind the action games Nioh and Ninja Gaiden, is back with Fallen Dynasty. According to the description, Wo Long is a soul-like tale set in a grim fantasy retelling of China’s Three Kingdoms period. Wo Long, in typical souls-like fashion, will be “an extremely challenging and demanding game,” according to Team Ninja. Our Wo Long preview called the combat’s breakneck pace “fantastic,” distinguishing Wo Long from many other soul-like games.