Top video games coming out in 2023
Despite the development of many games being delayed or postponed because of the pandemic, 2022 saw the world adjusting to the post-Covid transition, subsequently allowing the release of many awaited titles. 2022 will remain memorable to gamers for the releases of 'Game of the Year' award winner Elden Ring, the post-apocalyptic cat simulator Stray and the latest iteration of Kratos' journey in God of War: Ragnarok. 2023, if the hype is anything to go by, will shape up to be a year of fantastic new game releases as well. Here is our list of the top new video games coming out in 2023.
Hogwarts Legacy
Release date: February 10
Platforms: PS5, PC, Xbos Series X|S (February 10); PS4, Xbox One (April 4); Nintendo Switch (July 25)
Potterheads will finally have something new to sink their teeth into, as the latest Harry Potter-based action RPG Hogwarts Legacy releases about a month into 2023 for three consoles. In this immersive new game, players can live the life of a wizard/witch similar to that of the Harry Potter books and movies - attending classes at Hogwarts, exploring the Forbidden Forest, visiting Diagon Alley, and of course, learning magic spells to fight enemies. Players can also tame and ride magical creatures such as hippogriffs, including animals from the Fantastic Beasts series. If you have ever wanted to live in the world of Harry Potter, this game should be a must-try.
Like a Dragon: Ishin!
Release date: February 21
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Fans of the Yakuza video game series have been waiting for a long time for the international release of Like a Dragon: Ishin! - which was previously available only in Japan since February 2014. In this remake, you can explore the late Edo-period Japan of the 1850s as the legendary samurai Sakamoto Ryōma. The story involves Ryōma attempting to find the murderer of his mentor and joining the historic Japanese police force, the Shinsengumi. The original version of this game garnered excellent reception, both commercially and critically - and fans expect the upcoming international remake to fare similar success.
Resident Evil 4 Remake
Release date: March 24
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Everyone's favourite survival horror game franchise returns this March, in a brand new remake. Resident Evil 4 Remake, as it implies, will be a remake of 2005's game of the same name. Capcom has stated that this reimagined version will preserve the original game's essence, but will also introduce new gameplay, a revamped storyline and updated graphics to make the 'state of the art survival horror' truly come to life. Fans expect improvements to the character models and controls as well and have high expectations considering the success of 2020's Resident Evil 3 Remake.
Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Release date: May 12
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Released in March 2017, Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is debated by fans as the best Nintendo Switch game thus far. Expectedly, its much-awaited sequel has received a lot of hype since it was teased in E3 2019. Last year, we finally received confirmation of the latest iteration of Link's open-world adventure game in Hyrule. Following the defeat of the Calamity Ganon in Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom will follow the same Hero of Hyrule, Link, in a brand new adventure - even taking towards the sky, as shown in trailers so far. While we don't know much else about this game yet, years of hype will finally meet its conclusion in May 2023.
Street Fighter 6
Release date: June 2
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
The latest iteration of the classic fighting game arrives in 2023. The formula is the same as previous Street Fighter games: two fighters using special techniques to knock each other out in a contest to see who's the best. Street Fighter 6 will have three game modes, combining both local and online gameplays, including a single-player World Tour mode where you can explore 3D environments in a new action-adventure spin. As the game approaches release in mid-2023, more features are expected to be announced by Capcom as the months pass.
Final Fantasy 16
Release date: June 22
Platforms: PS5
Square Enix's Final Fantasy series reinvents itself in every new release - keeping dedicated fans hooked into this charming franchise. This year, the latest iteration, Final Fantasy 16, is set to feature the tried-and-tested action-adventure gameplay in segmented open areas. You will be in control of Clive Rosfield, the son of an Archduke who can harness the power of monsters called Eikons to aid him in combat. The story follows Clive in his revenge for the destruction of his kingdom and finding the dark Eikon called Ifrit.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Release date: Fall 2023
Platform: PS5
Known for their critically acclaimed Marvel's Spider-Man video games series, Insomniac Games is set to release their third Spider-Man game in 2023. Fans expect the third iteration to follow the same formula as its predecessors - featuring an open-world, action-adventure gameplay in the sprawling metropolis of New York City, where you can swing around and fight enemies as the titular wall-crawling superhero. While we don't have a lot of confirmed information about the upcoming game yet, if the success of the previous two games is anything to go by, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is going to be the next big release for the PlayStation 5.
Assassin's Creed Mirage
Release date: August 2023 (unconfirmed)
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Classic gamers need no prior introduction to the Assassin's Creed series. The latest addition to the franchise and the sequel to 2020's Assassin's Creed Valhalla will feature the street thief Basim Ibn Ishaq in a 9th-century Baghdad. The gameplay will retain the stealth-action style that Assassin's Creed games are famous for, including spying, close combat and everyone's favourite - parkour. Ubisoft has yet to announce the specific release date of Assassin's Creed Mirage, but rumours suggest it might be somewhere around August 2023.