While the year still hasn’t come to an end, it’s given that many gamers are already looking forward to the upcoming titles in 2023.
With the rising competition among game developers, the new games released each year are only becoming better with not just improved graphics, but with fresh gameplay mechanics. Hence, it’s a matter of course that everyone is hyped for the best experience they can experience.
We have hand-picked a set of upcoming video games with release dates set in 2023 that will surely grab a lot of attention from the global player base. Read on and see if you agree with our list of the most anticipated games of 2023!
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
The first mention has got to be the most highly anticipated title showcasing James Cameron’s world of Pandora, which was first conceptualized in the highest grossing movie to date released all the way back in 2009, Avatar.
Developed using a new and improved Snowdrop Engine optimized specifically to render this amazing game, this open-world is said to be more vibrant and interactive than any of their previous games, as claimed by Ubisoft themselves.
The game will be an open-world action-adventure video game that allows the player to explore the mysteries of the beautifully crafted world of Pandora in a unique immersive perspective, allowing free roam on not just the land, but the skies as well. You will be given the role of a Na’vi as you embark on a journey across a brand new expansion of Pandora called the Western Frontier, upon which RDA forces have laid their eyes on.
The release of the game was initially due in 2022, but was delayed by Ubisoft with the claim that they wanted the game to be as perfect as possible. This claim by Ubisoft only adds to the excitement while assuring us a masterpiece delivery.
The game is expected to be released on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Amazon Luna & Stadia. Keep your eyes peeled for any updates on the release date!
You might also be interested to know that the 2nd installment of the Avatar movie series named ‘The Way of Water’, will be released 16th December 2022.
Forspoken
Forspoken, previously known as ‘Project Athia’, is a title that has been getting quite a lot of attention in the recent months. Narrating the tale of a young New Yorker who is transported into the beautiful but dangerous world of Athia, the game presents itself as an action-adventure role-playing game published by Square Enix.
If the trailers are anything to go by, the gameplay introduces the player to a unique set of gameplay mechanics incorporating magic. We are put in the shoes of a girl with a large arsenal of magical abilities that allows swift combat and rapid navigation through all terrain within the game. Being an open-world game, the world is littered with exploration objectives and treasure waiting for the player to pick up at will.
While the gameplay mechanics are indeed what grabs the most attention, the plot of the game itself is nothing to scoff at with a well-crafted story. Luminous Productions has thus far let us peek into the lore and introduced us to the magical and sentient ‘cuff’ or bracelet that appears on the main protagonist Frey’s arm. While being one of the defining features of the game as the companion that guides us through the landscapes of Athia, it also lays open a bigger mystery on what its exact origins are. The plot moves as such that Frey is pitted against the tyrannical rule of a party called the ‘Tantas’ as she struggles in the world to find a way back home.
Forspoken is set to release on the 24th of January, 2023 according to the latest Twitter updates and will be available exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Windows.
Black Myth: Wukong
Everyone loves the classic tale of “Journey to the West”, chronicling the epic of a monkey borne of stone named Sun Wukong. Black Myth: Wukong has a unique take on the classic lore and focuses heavily on the magical aspects of the world, creating an atmospheric action-adventure role-playing game.
The gameplay reveals made so far showcase a beautiful world with extreme attention to detail. In terms of the combat, the influence of the ‘Souls’ series can be clearly seen which is perfectly incorporated with the selection of magical abilities harnessed by the character. More videos have shown the character being able to transform into different forms, hinting for the availability of 72 total transformations in an attempt to stay true to the original lore of Sun Wukong’s 72 earthly transformations. The ability to navigate the world by traveling on a cloud was also showcased, which caused much excitement in the expectant community.
First coming to the spotlight in August 2020, the game developed by Game Science using Unreal Engine 5 is finally anticipating a release window within 2023. Sporting a ‘release only when ready’ approach, Game Science may very well delay the release even further, but this is one game worth being excited for.
Black Myth: Wukong is expected to be released on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Sequel to one of the most iconic games in the entire Star Wars franchise, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is set to release somewhere within the year 2023 promising an even more intriguing plot and world to explore.
Being another narrative-driven action-adventure game similar to its predecessor, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, picks up the story five years after Padawan Cal Kestis survived the Imperial Inquisition. While the core gameplay will remain mostly similar, the combat system is expected to get more lightsaber combat stances added to it, effectively adding more depth into the souls-like mechanics of posture, parry, dodge and counter.
The story will continue its focus on the remnants of the Jedi Order and the Inquisition on their never-ending hunt for the Jedi. While no major plot leaks have been revealed so far, the voice actor for the lead role of Cal Kestis, Cameron Monaghan, claims that the character will be forced to change, speculating perhaps that is the theme that led to the title itself; a survivor who has seen so much in life, forcing him to change.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor will be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Microsoft Windows.
Hogwart’s Legacy
Hogwart’s Legacy is based on a reimagined wizarding world of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series and takes the form of a single-player action-adventure role-playing video game.
Developed using Unreal Engine by Avalanche Studios and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, this is a title which has gathered much attention all over the world due to the success of the Harry Potter franchise.
Set in the times before Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts in the late 1800s, Hogwart’s Legacy unfolds a brand-new chapter in the Potter universe with a fresh cast of characters and mysteries. The main plot follows the story of your character who begins his life as a student at the Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as a 5th year student with unique, special powers. The game features many storylines and the main plot seems to focus on the Goblin rebellion.
In terms of combat, the gameplay mechanics take a fresh turn with a myriad spells and spell-combinations available at the player’s behest incorporating attacks spells, shield spells, control spells and even crafting items to be used in combat.
Boasting a massive open-world map, players are given the ability to navigate and explore on both foot or on their trusty broomstick as they soar through the air. The living and breathing wizarding world is filled with mystery and deep lore for the player to fully immerse himself in for hours on end.
Hogwart’s Legacy is set to release on 10th February, 2023 and will be available on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch.
Credited Mentions
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
The action-adventure sequel to the legendary Zelda: Breath of the Wild is now confirmed to be on its way with the official release date set on 12th May, 2023.
While rumors about the sequel were abundant, it was only at the September Nintendo Direct that more detail about the game was officially released.
Initially set to release in 2022, the date was pushed to Spring 2023 earlier this year due to the game not meeting the developer expectations, quoting that they wanted the release to be ‘something special’ for the expectant player base.
The game’s official reveal trailer shows a series of murals and action shots of Link jumping off into the clouds from atop the skies, climbing up unique terrain, and riding on the back of a flying creature or contraption.
Bringing back the iconic genre-defining art style of its predecessor, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom thus teases yet another immersive and fantasy filled world available exclusively for the Nintendo Switch platform.
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