The Games You Must Play In 2023

Gamespace gives its roundup of our most anticipated games of 2023

2023 is almost here and despite many of us taking a crit on our wallets of late, the video game industry has far more than a Steam Sale to tempt us to spend. 2023 is absolutely chocked full of outstanding games, from MMO updates to sweeping fantasy sequels. The team at Gamespace is here to give you fair warning and round up the most hyped games with a confirmed 2023 release so you can either save your pennies or maybe jump into a free-to-play hype train this coming year.

Wanted: Dead -14 February 2023

Get ready to join Zombie Squad in 2023. Due to come out shooting across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation this new hack and shoot RPG might interrupt Valentine’s Day. On 14 February 2023, 110 Industries and developer Soleil will invite players to upload into a neo-future Hong Kong where criminals and corporations might have a bit too much influence. They also have an array of cybernetic implants and submachine guns. In between the traditional and technological backdrop of this urban landscape, an off-the-books team of police officers will shoot, slash, and eviscerate anything to uncover a vast corporate conspiracy. Brought to life by some of the minds behind Ninja Gaiden we couldn’t help but fall for this one when we tried it out at Gamescom 2022. If you can’t wait, however, then you can play Space Runaway as a minigame gone rogue from the full in game arcade.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor – 17 March 2023

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is an upcoming video game set in the Star Wars universe and the much hyped sequel to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Due to arrive on 17 March 2023, this galaxy spanning RPG will return to the adventures of Cal Kestis. After surviving a purge of the Jedi order and the attention of the Empire, this single-player title picks up 5 years after the original release. Even at the edges of known space, there is no outrunning the Empire, and players will take on a range of new enemies, uncover secrets, and make a stand against the darkness. With a firmly established tale, a much-loved set of characters, and a satisfying third-person combat system, all that this Jedi has to do is more of the same and the fanbase is sure to be happy. You can pre-order Star Wars Jedi: Survivor now across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation via the official website.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon – 17 March 2023

A prequel to the fully-fledged Bayonetta series and a title that might have slipped by many radars, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon arrives on 17 march 2023. While there are plenty of follow-ups and new installments, this Platinum Games series gets a prequel and a very different type of adventure. Drawing a ton of visual inspiration from Ōkami, this storybook title follows the young girl Cereza and her first familiar as they wader a mysterious forest and try to save her mother. While it might not be the next big Bayonetta, I’m looking forward to this unique twist on the series. If you want to get a little taste of this tale, there’s even a secret storybook adventure in Bayonetta 3 that acts as a great introduction to the new game.

Resident Evil 4 Remake – 24 March 2023

Six years have passed since Racoon City went to hell. The undead are real, but hopefully just a painful memory for the survivors. Coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on 24 March 2023 the latest rebuild of an old school horror experience finds Agent Leon S. Kennedy putting Racoon City behind him and out to the president’s kidnapped daughter. After arriving at a secluded European village, it seems the terror never ends. With incredible graphics, eerie experiences, and plenty of genre tropes this is RE for an entirely new generation.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – 12 May 2023

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an upcoming action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo. It is the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and is scheduled for release to the Nintendo Switch on 12 May 2023. For fans of the franchise, you can expect a lot of stylistic similarities to Breath of the Wild with a gorgeous depiction of Hyrule. This time, Link will go up into the clouds of this land, gain new abilities and explore beyond and above the horizon on Nintendo Switch.

Final Fantasy XVI – 22 June 2023

The sixteenth in the mainline Final Fantasy Series, the latest adventure for fans is yet another leap into the unknown and n epic adventure. Drawing on established ideas and building on systems that are already well known, the newest entry in the franchise is set in 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. Of course, the precarious balance is thrown asunder by a series of events and it’s up to players to pick a path and jump into a massive open-world adventure full of aggressively handsome characters, melee, magic, and quite amazing hair. To get an idea of what’s coming, check out the trailer and prepare to buy a PlayStation 5 when it comes out as a timed exclusive on 22 June 2023.

Diablo IV – 6 June 2023

The endless battle between the High Heavens and the Burning Hells rages on as chaos threatens to consume Sanctuary. On 6 June 2023 players will once again step into the darkness and whether they have a mobile or not they can battle the forces of evil on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. The latest in the iconic ARPG dungeon crawling series is back, microtransactions and all, as Blizzard hopes to recapture the magic that made the series so familiar to us all. With stunning graphics, a whole new world to explore, some dead-ly classes, and the return of old enemies, there’s plenty to prepare for when Diablo IV lands later this year.

Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly – Spring 2023

Spruce up your old espresso maker and get grinding when the second installment of the Coffee Talk arrives sometime in 2023. While we only have a wide release window for this title, we’re desperate for more from this spicy blend. Taking plenty of bartending action and weaving it into a unique narrative isn’t new. VA-11 HALL-A first gave me a taste of that style of gameplay, but Coffee Talk brings its own unique mix of bar blending to the table. The second time around, you’ll brew latte art for a mix of humans, fairies, mythical beasts, and more. This heart-to-heart sim was something special back in January 2020 so keep an eye out for this order of great gameplay on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC.

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk – Summer 2023

If you loved the rush of SSX Tricky and Jet Set Radio but Rollerdrome was a bit too much run and gun then you’ll be able to get back on the street with the release of Bomb Rush Cyberfunk in 2023. The indie title from Team Reptile pushes the limits of skateboard and BMX bravado. You’ll enter a cartoon world full of bright facades and sunshine alleys, then borrow a little Splatoon silliness to tag your way to greatness. This upbeat funk is due to roll onto PCs and catch some air around the middle of the year, so plenty of time to check out the trailer.

Homeworld 3 – First Half 2023

One of the most influential RTS of all time is coming back. Among the 2023 bag of remakes and follow-ups, another huge additional installment is on our radars. Homeworld took the gaming scene by storm with a set of gorgeous visuals, epic scale, operatic sci-fi themes, and a revolutionary 3D battlefield space. After years away, some licensing hell, and more, we are finally about to return to Hiigaran space and find out what is in store. Take the fleet into battle when Homeworld 3 returns to PC in the first half of 2023.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – Fall 2023

Yet another PlayStation exclusive and sequel that will benefit from the power of the next generation consoles, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is due to hit the Sony console in fall 2023. While we don’t have a definitive release date we do know that this will follow on from the very first Marvel’s Spider-Man game. After recapturing the nostalgia of web slinging for console and PC players, this time around the web crawler arrives with a brand new set of villains, including the iconic Venom. Alongside these criminal problems, we can also expect Mile Morales and tons of incredible comic book action when Insomniac’s sequel returns to the dizzying heights of New York. Find out more on the official website.

Lies of P – 2023

It’s no falsehood to say that this mix of classic children’s tale Pinocchio with the hardcore cut and thrust of Dark Souls might just be the most unexpected mash-up on this list. Coming to PC and Console in 2023, Lies of P takes place in a twisted fantasy world. Players will get to play as Pinocchio, a puppet mechanoid with an inhuman range of abilities and weapons built in. In order to become human, you’ll need to find the mysterious Mr. Geppetto. Telling the odd lie is the least of Pinocchio’s worries as a city full of malevolence and horror awaits. Hack, slash, and survive long enough to overcome this souls like experience and uncover the Lies of P when it lands in 2023 on PC and console. Check out 40 minutes of gameplay here.

Blue Protocol

An open-world anime RPG with cute characters, plenty of combat, and tons of environments to explore. No, it’s not 2020. Blue Protocol is finally coming westward thanks to Amazon Games, and the publisher behind Lost Ark and New World might have a huge hit incoming. Players looking for new horizons after exploring the outer reaches of Sumeru will be able to jump into the world of Regnas for free PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 in the second half of 2023. Here, you’ll explore a world on the brink of disaster and fight to unite what’s left of this mysterious place against ancient and nefarious forces. Developed by Bandai Namco and set to be free to play, this scratches all my anime itches. Keep an eye on the official website for more or have a look at the initial Amazon announcement now.