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2022 is coming to an end, and we were treated to instant classics across all consoles. We could look back and reminisce, but you can always just play those again. It’s not like they are in some vault that can’t be opened. Instead, let’s look forward to 2023, which is already shaping up to be a monster year for gaming. Remakes, sequels, and originals are on dock to bring in millions upon millions. There are so many in fact that this is the hardest list I’ve ever had to make here at TGn. There are over 100 titles gracing us next year, and I must pick 5. Buckle up – these are my 5 most anticipated games of 2023 (in no particular order).
Starfield
Bethesda | Release Date: TBA 2023 (Xbox Series X/S, PC)
The makers of the Fallout and Skyrim franchises are preparing to bring you their first new intellectual property in 25 years. Game director Todd Howard is hyping this title as “Skyrim in space.” For me, that’s all I need to know, but I’m aware others need more and TGn would be very upset if I stopped there. First teased at Bethesda’s E3 press conference in 2018, gamers were insantly intrigued by the idea of space themed sci-fi roleplaying adventure. Starfield is set in The Settled Systems, fifty light years away from our Solar system. A war in 2310 called The Colony War between the games two factions, The United Colonies and Freestar Collective, has been going for 20 years. From either a third or first-person perspective, the player will control a customizable character who is stuck in the middle of the chaos – a member of a group of space explorers called Constellation. That’s all I know, don’t @ me. No proper release date yet for Starfield but as of this writing it is slated for the first half of 2023 and was nominated at the 2022 Game Awards for Most Anticipated Game of 2023.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Nintendo | Release Date: May 12, 2023 (Nintendo Switch)
Moving from a nominated game to the actual winner of Most Anticipated Game of 2023, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom is one that should be on everyone’s wish list. First announced at E3 in 2019 as the sequel to the highly successful Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild, gamers began stashing money aside for their pre-orders. In E3 2021, Nintendo debuted a trailer revealing gameplay and story elements that would answer questions throughout the gaming world and heighten anticipation levels to the maximum. One such element includes floating islands above Hyrule with the ability for players to soar between them in a style similar to Skyward Sword. Other components of the game were conceived from scrapped ideas for DLC originally planned for Breath of The Wild. While the story itself remains largely unknown, players can expect the usual character mainstays of the franchise such as Link and Zelda – any new characters beyond that remain a mystery, one that will be answered in May.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Insomniac, Sony Interactive Entertainment | Release Date: Fall 2023 (Playstation 5)
Here’s what we know about the sequel to Spider-Man and followup to Spider-Man: Miles Morales: not much. One lone teaser trailer and some post-credit scenes reveal the game will involve both Peter Parker and Miles Morales. As for villains, a Spider-Man favorite enters the fray with Venom and possibly Green Goblin (as the post credits scene of previous games have teased). We can assume the innovative third-person web slinging gameplay is there with added powers and abilities. But other than that, everything has been kept hush-hush. The success of Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Miles Morales has added to the anticipation, and fans will be excited to know that game directors Brian Horton and Cameron Christian are returning to this installment. For now, we’ll just continue to wait and keep our Spidey senses tingling.
Final Fantasy XVI
Square Enix | Release Date: June 22, 2023 (Playstation 5)
This one, I am personally hyped for! I’m a lifelong Final Fantasy fan, so you can imagine my excitement when the announcement trailer first dropped in September 2020. Square is seemingly taking the franchise back to its roots this time around with a fantasy medieval theme in lieu of the sci-fi fantasy we’ve grown accustomed to since Final Fantasy XII. Reportedly, Final Fantasy XVI will feature open environments along with an action-based melee/magic combat system that modern day FF fans will appreciate. The game is to be set in the world of Valisthea, which is divided into six nations. Tensions have grown between nations as a malady known as “The Blight” begins taking over the land. Players will star as Clive Rosfield (with young brother Joshua) who sees his kingdom in turmoil and pursues a quest for revenge over recurring Final Fantasy character and lover of all things fire, Ifrit. Producer Naoki Yoshida wanted this installment to include a much darker storyline than previous games to help broaden appeal and reinvigorate the series. Other than two other trailers released in June 2022 and December 2022, not much of the story is known. Like all other Final Fantasy games, players can expect many twists and turns along the game’s journey. And we should of course see plenty of that signature character development and plot depth that makes Final Fantasy one of gaming’s most prestigious franchises and this one of the most anticipated games of 2023.
Hogwarts Legacy
Avalanche Software, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment | Release Date: February 10, 2023 (Playstation 5, PC, Xbox)
Harry Potter fans rejoice! This is going to be the pinnacle of games set in the Wizarding World universe. A little heads up, however, for you last gen and Nintendo Switch gamers: you are going to have to wait longer. Playstation 4/Xbox One release is set for April 4th while the Nintendo Switch release is set for July 25th. Hogwarts Legacy was first announced by Warner Bros. in 2021 and has since garnered major anticipation, especially considering what we know so far as to what player are in for. Hogwarts Legacy is an action roleplaying games in which players will be able to attend classes at Hogwarts as a fully customizable character. They’ll learn what it takes to be a proper wizard or witch, experiencing Hogwarts in its 5th year (before the events of Harry Potter) and defending the school from antagonists Ranrok, leader of the Goblin Rebellion, and Victor Rockwood, leader of the Dark Wizards. It will be the first Harry Potter game with this level of player freedom, exploration, gameplay, and customization. The Wizarding World fanbase spans the entire world, so its no wonder with a game like this, the hype level can’t get much higher!
That’s just five of the most anticipated games. There are still other games like Street Fighter 6, Forspoken, a Dead Space remake, and many more. When we thought gaming couldn’t get any better in 2022, it seems like it’s going to top itself this coming year. Get your pre-orders ready and and tell your significant others this is the year not to bother you. 2023 is going to be a year where we don’t shower or shave often. Isn’t that all we want in a year of gaming anyways?
Three of these are on my list too
Hogwarts Legacy is the first game I’ve pre-ordered in nearly a decade… To say I’m excited is an understatement!