Despite a handful of blockbuster releases and dazzling indies, 2022 was a much quieter year for video games than anyone expected. Thanks to the ongoing impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, many of the most anticipated games of the year wound up being delayed, pushed into 2023 as developers battled with complex workplace situations, lockdowns, and other challenges.
While that led to a relatively quiet year for big games, it also fluffed up the feathers of 2023 – a year which is now absolutely stacked with major releases, from the biggest video game companies in the world. For a taster of what’s to come, here’s every major game currently set to launch in 2023:
- Resident Evil 4 Remake
- Dead Island 2
- Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
- Redfall
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
- Street Fighter 6
- Diablo IV
- Final Fantasy XVI
- Exoprimal
- Starfield
- The Lord of the Rings: Gollum
- Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
- Professor Layton and the New World of Steam
- Skull and Bones
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Alan Wake 2
- Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Note: This list is subject to extreme change, and will be updated as games shift around the calendar year. These are just the major blockbuster games launching – there’ll be plenty more to enjoy beyond these anticipated adventures.
Resident Evil 4 Remake
Release Date: 24 March 2023
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC
After an excellent remake of Resident Evil 2, Capcom is continuing its plan to remake the rest of its beloved titles. While Resident Evil 4 was probably the last in need of this treatment (after all, it birthed the third-person action direction the rest of the series and its remakes crib from) a recent preview of Resident Evil 4 Remake showed us very promising signs that it’s going to be quite the reimagining.
Read: Resident Evil 4 Remake preview: A promising revisit to an all-time classic
Making use of the higher visual fidelity possible with the new generation of consoles, the almost 20-year-old title appears to be filled with far more tension and horror moments that play on your expectations of what to expect. How will it handle the bonkers second half of the game? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Dead Island 2
Release Date: 21 April 2023
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC
Dead Island 2 has shockingly risen from the dead, with a new trailer at Gamescom 2022 (and subsequent delay announced via Twitter) confirming it will finally launch for PC and consoles in April 2023. The game has been in development for around a decade, but it’s now heading towards the light, and will kick off a major calendar year for gaming.
In this adventure, you’re tasked with beating back infected zombies, surviving with a small band of immune humans, and winning back the entire city of Los Angeles through bloody and desperate fights. You’ll have a range of weapons at your disposal to complete your mission, including a deadly katana, glass bottles, and a shotgun.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Release Date: 28 April 2023
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is set to receive a major sequel in April 2023, with the adventure once again starring young Jedi Cal Kestis in the title role. This game will follow on from the events of the original story, and will see Kestis attempting to survive a galaxy turned hostile in the wake of Order 66, which commanded the killing of all Jedi warriors.
An early trailer for the game has shown off mysterious new characters, and plenty of intrigue. Fallen Order was a major success on all fronts, and proved that single player Star Wars games have a solid future at publisher EA.
Redfall
Release Date: 2 May 2023
Platform(s): Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC
Redfall, the upcoming open-world, co-op FPS game from studio Arkane, was originally set to launch in 2022, and was later pushed back to the first half of 2023. The long wait looks like it’ll be worth it – early gameplay trailers have shown off a hybrid stealth-action shooter with plenty of gnarly tricks and twists. In this game, you’ll embody one of four heroes, each of which can use magical abilities or tools to take down evil vampire forces.
It’s a little bit Darkwatch and a little bit Dracula, making it perfect for anyone who loves the horror-western genre, or just a bit of bloody good adventuring. Bring your garlic and keep your eyes peeled for this upcoming release.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Release Date: 12 May 2023
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is officially confirmed to launch in May 2023. This major sequel to Breath of the Wild will see Link return to the land of Hyrule, and also explore far and low with brand new puzzles, sky-faring gameplay, and plenty of intrigue in store.
We don’t know much about the game just yet, but new looks at the action have revealed a sweeping adventure that feels ripe for exploration. If you fell in love with the gorgeous lands of Breath of the Wild, expect more of the same here – but on a much grander scale.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Release Date: 26 May 2023*
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League was delayed in early 2022, and news of the title later went quiet – but it’s now officially on track for a May 2023 launch. This adventure game is described as an open world, narrative-based game where you play as the various members of the Suicide Squad (Harley Quinn, King Shark, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang) on a mission to save the planet from the mind-controlling villain, Brainiac.
Read: Everything we know about Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
As he’s controlling members of the Justice League, you’ll need to hunt down characters like The Flash, Wonder Woman and Superman, all of whom are being possessed. There’ll be a robust co-op mode in this game, but it can also be played completely solo, with players changing character at will. No matter which anti-hero you choose, the game should be a literal blast.
*Recent reports indicate this date may shift shortly.
Street Fighter 6
Release Date: 2 June 2023
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC
Street Fighter 6 was recently confirmed to be coming to PC and consoles in June 2023, with a whole bunch of new additions to its fighting system. There’s a flashy new art style, an array of hard-hitting fighters, improvements to netcode, and a whole bunch of other changes in this game. If you’re a fan of arcade fighting games, or you just want to see how much the genre has evolved in recent years, Street Fighter 6 looks like it could be the new pinnacle of the genre.
Additionally, it will also come with a brand new accessible control scheme that should make it easier for anyone to hop in and fight, no matter the skill level. Prepare yourself when this title launches in 2023.
Diablo IV
Release Date: 6 June 2023
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC
The long-anticipated Diablo IV was announced way back in 2019, but it finally looks set to launch in June 2023. Early looks at the game have shown off snazzy new classes, gloomy villains, and plenty of skeletons – all of which you can expect when the game finally launches.
Read: Diablo 4 is dark and gothic as hell – Preview
It won’t be long before we see more of this gorgeous, grungy romp.
Final Fantasy XVI
Release Date: 22 June 2023
Platform(s): PlayStation 5
Final Fantasy XVI, the latest mainline game in the long-running franchise, is set for release in June 2023, although there’s still plenty of mystery surrounding the game. So far, we know it will take place in a world inspired by medieval Europe, with multiple army actions maintaining peace in the region thanks to special gems known as Mothercrystals.
Read: Final Fantasy 16 preview: A complete rejuvenation of the series
You play as an Archduke of Rosaria who must set off on a wild and magical quest after the dark god Ifrit causes chaos in the land. It appears the gods, known as Eikons, will play a large part in this story as well as in combat, with early looks at the game featuring over-the-top, monster-on-monster fights.
Exoprimal
Release Date: 14 July 2023
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC
Exoprimal is a sort-of spiritual successor to Dino Crisis (okay, not really, but we can hope), with online multiplayer gameplay and mechanics. Here, you play as an ‘Exofighter’ armed with futuristic weapons, and tasked with taking on massive hordes of dinosaurs that pour through rifts in the world. Fight back against these hordes in deadly combat, and you’ll be duly rewarded.
Exoprimal looks like a ridiculously over-the-top battler, and includes both player vs player and player vs environment combat. There are some elements of Monster Hunter here, although instead of facing one monster, players will have to take on many.
Starfield
Release Date: 6 September 2023
Platform(s): Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC
The ambitious Starfield, from Bethesda Game Studios, is currently set to launch in September 2023. While originally set for late 2022, it was swiftly moved as Bethesda readjusted its release schedule and turned its focus to polishing the game to its best abilities. Starfield seems like it’ll be an absolutely massive game – both in sales and scope – so it’s likely Bethesda is currently working to ensure a smooth launch.
Whenever this game does launch, expect it to be a sweeping adventure that takes you from humble beginnings, all the way across the stars. There’s life out there in the universe, and it will be your job to find it, befriend it, or betray it.
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum
Release Date: April-September 2023
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is a stealth-adventure game that adapts the world of Tolkien into a grimy, lava-filled trip through the land of Middle-earth as Gollum, the tortured Stoor corrupted by the One Ring. In the game, players will travel through hostile lands, meeting characters from the Lord of the Rings mythos (including Gandalf and Thranduil, the Elvenking), while avoiding the might of Sauron.
Read: The Lord of the Rings: Gollum sets mid-2023 release date
The tale is seemingly set after the events of The Hobbit, and features a grim quest through the Misty Mountains, into Barad-dûr, Mirkwood, Mordor, and beyond.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
Release Date: 2023
Platform(s):
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a wild and long-awaited sequel to
Read: Ghost Trick, Professor Layton, and Fantasy Life return in Nintendo Direct
No matter which path you take, you’ll wind up meeting new friends, gathering valuable items, and forging a shining future. When you’re bored with your current life, you can switch it up, chopping and changing your goals as you dive into tasks like fishing, cooking, fighting, crafting, and mining. Given the excitement of the original, we have high hopes for this adventure.
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam
Release Date: 2023
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam will kick off a new chapter for the beloved Layton series when it launches later in 2023. This surprise sequel was first announced in a major Nintendo Direct, with subsequent details being revealed by developer Level-5.
As announced, this game will follow on from the original Layton trilogy, and continue the story of Luke and Professor Layton exactly one year after the events of The Unwound Future. New puzzles and adventures await, as the mysterious new ‘world of steam’ is revealed. If you’ve ever played the original games, you’ll know why there’s a high sense of anticipation for this decades-in-the-making sequel.
Skull and Bones
Release Date: TBA 2023-2024
Platform (s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC
Skull and Bones, the long-awaited piracy simulator, is set to launch in FY23 – although Ubisoft has flicked its original March 2023 release date for a nebulous window sometime beyond April. While that is cause for some concern, there is still hope we’ll see this adventure soon. In your Skull and Bones journey, you’ll attempt to conquer the high seas as a wily pirate, gathering everything you can to build up your ship, crew, and treasures.
Read: How Skull and Bones stayed the course through development hell
Get ready to raise the black flag and set sail whenever this ship is ready to sail.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Release Date: Q3 2023
Platform(s): PlayStation 5
Much like other nebulous ‘2023’ games, there are currently few details about the release of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the extremely anticipated sequel to the original 2018 hit game. Various teasers and screenshots have shared more about the story – confirming that it will feature Miles Morales and Peter Parker as Spider-Man, and that Venom will play a massive part in the game – but we still don’t know much about the plot, or what to expect.
Whatever’s on the way will likely be just as grand and exciting as the original adventure, which eclipsed every expectation placed on it and almost single-handedly brought back the ‘comic book video game’ genre. There’s no doubt Insomniac Games is cooking up something Spectacular, Amazing and Superior. We’ll just have to stay patient to see what’s in store.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Release Date: Holiday 2023
Platform(s): PlayStation 5
At the Final Fantasy 7 25th Anniversary presentation, Final Fantasy brand manager and executive producer on Final Fantasy 7, Yoshinori Kitase, lifted the lid on the second game in the multi-part Final Fantasy 7 Remake project. It was announced that with the first game titled ‘Remake‘, the second part will be called ‘Rebirth‘. It was also announced that the Remake project would be a total of three games.
This second entry will arrive on PlayStation 5 in late 2023, finally allowing fans to continue the beloved story of Cloud, Aerith, Barret, and pals. The game will follow directly on from the events of Remake, and guide the story toward its epic conclusion, with the third game (currently unnamed) coming at a later date
Alan Wake 2
Release Date: 2023
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC
Alan Wake 2, the long, long-gestating sequel to 2010’s Alan Wake has locked in a release date for 2023. While this may slip, given the reported scope of the sequel, there’s still hope it will be on track for its planned launch. The team at Remedy has a phenomenal library of games behind them – including titles like Max Payne and Control – so we’re expecting big things from this sequel.
So far, we know that the upcoming game will take more inspiration from the survival horror genre than the original, with plenty of tricks and scares up its sleeve. With the horror elements dialled up to eleven, expect Alan Wake 2 to be a massive, spooky surprise.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Release Date: Between April 2023 – 2024
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Windows PC
One unicorn of the gaming world is Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, an open world adaptation of James Cameron’s iconic Avatar universe. This game was announced in 2017, with developer Massive Entertainment announcing the adaptation following news of four major sequels for the film franchise. After gestating for so long, players began to doubt the game would launch at all – but in 2021, the first major glimpses of the action were finally revealed.
In this title, players will embody their own Na’vi warrior to tackle a great journey to the Western Frontier, described as a region never before seen in the Avatar world. While originally ‘confirmed’ for 2022, Ubisoft recently confirmed the game has been majorly delayed, and could arrive as late as 2024.
