Gaming had a good year in 2022 with releases such as Elden Ring and Xenoblade Chronicles 3, but there are several games coming in 2023 that players might be anticipating more than others, perhaps most notably the long-awaited Final Fantasy 16. Release dates can always change, but the number of games set launch in 2023 means that many of the most anticipated should reach players before the end of the year. The lineup for 2023 includes games from multiple large franchises, including the aforementioned Zelda and Final Fantasy, as well as Resident Evil, Dead Space, Star Wars, and more, but standalone, original games seem poised to impress too.
For players, the release date for a new game they've been waiting for can feel like Christmas at any time of year. Not every game earns a 5-star Screen Rant review, and some games end up being nearly unplayable at launch due to bugs and glitches. However, 2023 looks like a promising year in gaming with players anticipating any of a number of big releases.
Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom Is The Most Anticipated Game Of 2023
The sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom is scheduled to release for the Nintendo Switch on May 12, 2023. At The Game Awards 2022, Tears of the Kingdom won the award for Most Anticipated Game, showing that players are ready to step back into Hyrule for another adventure as Link. Nintendo has been tight-lipped about the plot for TOTK, limiting the information given in trailers and teasers, but what players have seen has left many of them excited about this new journey.
The Remake Of Resident Evil 4 Is Coming In 2023
Resident Evil 4's remake is reimagining the story of Leon as he sets out to rescue the president's daughter, Ashley. Resident Evil 4 has been remastered and ported to newer generations of consoles over the years, but this time the end product will be different from the original in more ways than just graphics and controls. While the remake certainly appears to keep the overall feeling of the original Resident Evil 4, the remake will be making changes to the characters and plot.
Dead Space Returns On January 27, 2023
Like Resident Evil 4, Dead Space is being remade and released in 2023. It's receiving more than improved graphics, however, and will even remove Isaac Clarke from the list of silent protagonists, making him fully-voiced instead. Amid the changes being made to the game, players might be relieved that the Dead Space remake is keeping the plasma cutter, a weapon that is iconic to the series. The anticipation for Dead Space doesn't end with the remake, as some players are hoping that this will be the beginning of a revitalization of the franchise, leading to a proper Dead Space 4.
Battle With Eikons In Final Fantasy 16
Scheduled to release June 22, Final Fantasy 16 is the next entry in a franchise that recently celebrated its 35th anniversary. While Final Fantasy 15 had a rough development, that hasn't killed the anticipation for Final Fantasy 16, which has team from the critically-acclaimed Final Fantasy 14 working on it. FF16 will follow Clive, the brother of Phoenix's Dominant, a role he was supposed to have. Differing from previous installments, Final Fantasy 16 makes an important Eikons change by centering the plot on them and the Dominants who can summon them.
Cal Returns In Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Releasing on March 17, Cal Kestis returns five years after the events of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Having survived Order 66 and eventually reconnecting with the Force, Cal tried to help rebuild the Jedi Order. Cal Kestis might not be the favorite choice of protagonist for every fan, but his story will reportedly be darker in Jedi: Survivor, and the changes being made to his character might be enough to sway opinions on him. With the popularity of the franchise as a whole, it might seem unsurprising that players are ready to dive back into the Star Wars universe.
Enter The Wizarding World Of Hogwarts Legacy
After delays, Hogwarts Legacy's release date is February 10, 2023, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with last-gen consoles' and the Switch's release coming later in the year. While Hogwarts Legacy will feature plenty of familiar material for fans of Harry Potter, it'll take place long before the events of the original novels. Players will be able to choose which house to , create their characters, and even become dark wizards if they desire. With the stunning graphics and expansive world shown by developers so far, it might be hard not to anticipate the release of Hogwarts Legacy.
Honorable Mentions For Exciting 2023 Game Releases
Of the games already announced for 2023 releases, there are too many to include in one list. After a long, difficult development, Dead Island 2 has an official release date for April 28. Octopath Traveler 2 is coming out on February 24. Then, there are games that haven't received official dates for release, such as Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Lies of P, and Silent Hill: Ascension. While the games without exact dates could receive delays, that doesn't stop the excitement that players might feel for their impending release.
2023 is filled with game releases, with what seems to be an emphasis on survival horror. Games from multiple survival horror franchises are receiving remakes, such as Dead Space, Resident Evil 4, and System Shock. And some of these remakes are giving players hope that it's the beginning of a second life for the franchises and lead to new games instead of remakes. At the same time, too many survival horror games in 2023 could leave some feeling stale, ruining the possible anticipation through overabundance.
A new year is coming, and with it comes a new list of games for players to add to their libraries. While survival horror will see an abundance of releases in 2023, it's far from the only genre represented by new titles as the most anticipated game - Tears of the Kingdom - is part of the fantasy and adventure genres. Players might not feel anticipation for every game, but most players are likely to find a game or remake coming in 2023 that suits their tastes, or it could represent the return of a favorite franchise, like with Final Fantasy 16. Short of development issues and delays, 2023 is projected to be another strong year for gaming releases.
Source: Resident Evil/YouTube
