Last year brought with it some of the biggest titles in modern-day gaming, and just when we thought things couldn't get any better, the first half of 2023 featured incredible new releases, and surprising announcements for some of the best upcoming games. Whether you own a Nintendo Switch, PS5, PC, or Xbox, 2023 has plenty of games for you to play.
The space has never been this refreshing before, and it finally feels like the next generation of gaming is taking to the sky. This year especially looks stacked with many major sequels, and tons of never before seen worlds, but for now, let's take a look at the 15 most anticipated games of 2023 and, well, the year beyond that, and the year beyond that, and — you get the gist of it.
Lies of P
Lies of P
Platform(s): PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release date: September 19, 2023
Lies of P is an uncanny Soulslike coming in Summer this year from Korean developer Round8 Studio. It bears a striking resemblance with Bloodborne and FromSoftware's other Souls games, albeit Lies of P has different strong suits.
It's loosely based on The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, taking the characters and putting them into a gothic steampunk world where the choices the titular Pinocchio makes will impact the narrative and gameplay. The visuals are stunning, and with all the uniqueness Lies of P is packing, it's going to be one of the best new games of 2023 which you should try.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon
Platform(s): PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release date: August 25, 2023
Speaking of FromSoftware and most anticipated games, yesteryear's Game of the Year studio is also returning with another strong contender. This time FromSoftware is going old-school and reviving its Armored Core series.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon will be a fast-paced take on their mecha franchise, but this time around, it'll be instilled with their globally successful Souls formula. The trailers have showcased stunning graphics and a ruthless combat system built by Sekiro's designer. Armored Core 6 has quickly found itself among the top upcoming games, and it'll be one hell of an experience.
Starfield
Starfield
Platform(s): Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release date: September 6, 2023
Since the release of their last single-player game, Fallout 4, Bethesda Softworks has gone through a handful of changes. Now as a part of Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda's releasing Starfield, a massive space RPG, later this year.
It's been a very rocky ride for Xbox's first-party content, and everything hinges on how hard Starfield can hit. So far Starfield's gameplay has been shockingly good, and the tables might turn in Xbox's favor for once. Calling it the most anticipated game of 2023 would be an understatement as Xbox's future will depend on its success, and hopefully, those billions acquiring Bethesda pay off.
Mortal Kombat 1
Mortal Kombat 1
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release date: September 19, 2023
After months of leaks for the sequel to Mortal Kombat 11, gamers were left speechless when NetherRealm announced a reboot of the classic fighting franchise. Mortal Kombat 1 is currently targeting a Fall 2023 release, and in the meanwhile, we're getting loads of character trailers that are showing off how gory, violent, and beautiful the series' reincarnation is going to be.
The reboot will have many twists; Alliances between previously sworn foes, characters with different backstories, and villains who are now on the side of good. But rest assured, not everything has changed, the fatalities aren't going anywhere.
Assassin's Creed Mirage
Assassin's Creed Mirage
Platform(s): PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release date: October 12, 2023
If you haven't heard, Assassin's Creed is allegedly heading back to its roots. Recent Assassin's Creed games, although quite successful, have strayed away from the series' core values. However, Ubisoft has promised that their 2023 flagship, Assassin's Creed Mirage, will give fans what they've been asking for.
Set in the city of Baghdad, Mirage explores the origins of Basim and his rise to a master assassin within the brotherhood. Assassin's Creed Mirage also serves as a spin-off prequel to Valhalla, and thankfully, the focus is more on stealth than acting like a barbarian.
Alan Wake 2
Alan Wake 2
Platform(s): PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release date: October 17, 2023
Remedy Entertainment was radio-silent since they dropped the Alan Wake 2 teaser at The Game Awards 2021, however, all that will change this year. The writer-turned-savior of Bright Falls has been trapped in the darkness for over a decade, but it appears as if Alan's finally cracked the code for escape.
Unlike Remedy's past games, Alan Wake 2 will be their first venture into the survival-horror genre, with the cherry on top being that you'll get to play as two protagonists instead of the titular writer. It'll be a treat for those who love thrilling narratives, and with Halloween lurking right around the release date, there couldn't be a better time to play it than day one.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Release date: October 20, 2023
Mario has perhaps defined the childhood — and even adulthood — of most gamers. Luckily, Nintendo's revitalizing the traditional side-scrolling of the Super Mario games in Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Play as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Toad, and Yoshi as you embark on a journey across the Flower Kingdom. Avoid enemies in the silliest ways, engage in boss fights, solve thrilling puzzles, and do all that in quirky new animation. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is going to be a wondrous "Odyssey" indeed, and it'd be criminal not to mark it on your best upcoming games calendar.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Platform(s): PS5
Release date: October 20, 2023
Fall was already shaping up to be the most packed time of the year, but Insomniac just had to release Marvel's Spider-Man 2, another one of 2023's most anticipated games, in the same time frame. The long-awaited sequel to the critically acclaimed 2018 Marvel's Spider-Man swings onto PS5s later in October. Kraven's apparently searching for worthy prey, and the Spider-Men fit the bill perfectly. Venom's set to make an appearance too, so hold onto your gaming chairs as Spider-Man 2 won't be anything short of amazing.
The Wolf Among Us 2
The Wolf Among Us 2
Platform(s): PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, macOS
Release date: 2024
After shutting down in 2018, Telltale Games has managed to find its feet again under new leadership. The studio's returning in 2023 with The Expanse, however, The Wolf Among Us 2 is all that people are talking about. The eerie adventures of Bigby will continue in 2024, picking up six months following the events of the original. The Wolf Among Us 2 was initially canceled despite demand, and the game has gone through hell to become a reality, but our patience has bore fruit, and it'll be in our hands next year.
Senua's Saga: Hellblade II
Platform(s): Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release date: 2024
Xbox has been going through a rough patch as of late, but the company has vowed that it'll be more active with its first-party content. They're giving us Starfield this year, and for 2024, they've confirmed Hellblade 2. Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is being developed by Ninja Theory on Unreal Engine 5, and you'll be blown away by how ultra-realistic the series looks now, not that it didn't already. Hellblade 2 will tell a darker and bolder tale as Senua struggles to navigate a treacherous Iceland. If you enjoy Alan Wake 2, Hellblade's sequel is what you should set your sights on for 2024.
Death Stranding 2
Death Stranding 2
Platform(s): PS5
Release date: TBA
One of the most anticipated games of 2024 is Death Stranding 2, or at least that's what the leaks claim the release date is. Legendary director Hideo Kojima's 2019 strand-type game was surprisingly well-received, and now we have a second part on the horizon. Sam Porter Bridges will be back in action making rounds across America, and hopefully, he's delivering more than packages this time. That said, Death Stranding 2 will be a more expansive game than the original, pushing the limits to what narrative in games can be, and it's arriving exclusively for the PS5 sometime in 2024 if the leaks turn out to be true.
Marvel's Wolverine
Marvel's Wolverine
Platform(s): PS5
Release date: TBA
Since being teased back in 2021, Marvel's Wolverine has quickly found itself on the wishlist of millions of gamers. But that isn't shocking as it's Insomniac carrying the torch once again for another Marvel game. Currently, all eyes are fixated on Marvel's Spider-Man 2, and Insomniac's been careful not to spill the beans about Wolverine and overshadow Peter's return in the process. Some rumors have hinted at Marvel's Wolverine releasing as early as 2024, albeit you'll still have to wait a little longer before you put your shiny new claws to work.
Grand Theft Auto VI
Grand Theft Auto V
Platform(s): TBA
Release date: TBA
Naming GTA VI beside other best upcoming games for 2023 and beyond is a no-brainer. Every game Rockstar releases, whether it's a sequel to the GTA franchise or another Red Dead Redemption, it always redefines how intricate games can be. GTA VI might not have been announced under the best of circumstances considering how Rockstar got hacked, but excitement for it hasn't dropped one bit. GTA VI is perhaps the most anticipated game of all time, and it's safe to assume it's been in development for nearly as long as we've been waiting, so hopefully, we'll have our first official sneak peek soon enough.
Control 2
Control
Platform(s): TBA
Release date: TBA
Control 2 is the sequel to Remedy's 2019 action-adventure game. Based in the same uncanny universe as Alan Wake, Control followed Jesse Faden as she unraveled the mysteries of the FBC in the Oldest House. Control's remarkable choice of art style and world-building made it one of the biggest successes for Remedy, and it's no wonder that they already have Control 2 in the pipeline. For now, Alan Wake 2 is coming up shortly, and it's likely that where it ends, Control 2 will pick things up, though it'll be many years before we get to see exactly how.
The Elder Scrolls VI
Platform(s): TBA
Release date: TBA
Playing The Elder Scrolls VI is maybe the dream for every RPG fan. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was subjected to universal acclaim, and even a decade later, its RPG mechanics and level of detail are hailed as the greatest. It was truly ahead of its time, and Bethesda couldn't help but create more hype and announced The Elder Scrolls VI in 2018, making it one of the most anticipated games in the RPG genre. Well, five years later we're no closer to getting it than we were prior. It isn't surprising since Bethesda's too busy with Starfield, but they shouldn't have done fans dirty by announcing it that soon. Xbox's head Phil Spencer has stated The Elder Scrolls VI is likely more than 5 years away still, so by the time the next-gen Xbox consoles come out, we might finally own a copy.
