23 Hottest Game Releases of 2023 You Need to Know About

2022 was a massive year for gaming, but that doesn’t mean 2023 is slowing down on the release front. This year sees a wealth of long-awaited releases, big-name sequels, remakes, and some interesting new projects hitting consoles and PCs. We’ve rounded up some of the flagship releases to keep on your radar:

Forspoken

Release date: 24 January 2023 (PS5 | PC)

Forspoken, the first game from Luminous Productions, is an action-adventure game that follows a normal New York City woman, Frey, who is transported to the cruel land of Athia with a magical, sentient bracelet wrapped around her arm. The game features fast melee and ranged combat and some impressive traversal mechanics that should make moving around the mysterious world a blast.

Dead Space

Release date: 27 January 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PC)

2008’s sci-fi horror survival Dead Space will be getting a full built-from-the-ground-up remake in 2023, but the remake remains true to the core foundation and spirit of the game. The game will use the Frostbite Engine (made famous by the Battlefield series), which has allowed the developers to expand and improve on the level design, combat mechanics, and story. The developers added that their true vision for the game can finally be realised thanks to the advancements in technology, with ray-tracing, atmospheric lighting, and 3D audio implemented; so we’re excited for this one.

Hogwarts Legacy

Release date: 10 February 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PS4 | Xbox One | PC)

Fans have been clambering for a fully-fledged Harry Potter game for years, and Hogwarts Legacy could just be that dream project. The game is an immersive, open-world action RPG set in the 1800s, and allows you to embark on a journey through familiar and new locations as you explore and discover magical beasts, customise your character and craft potions, master spell casting, upgrade talents and become the wizard you want to be.

Wanted: Dead

Release date: 14 February 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PS4 | Xbox One | PC)

Wanted: Dead is a grindhouse-inspired third-person shooter/slasher from Japanese developer Soleil, whose last project included 2020’s underappreciated Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time. You play as a police officer in a sci-fi Hong Kong, as you aim to take down some pretty deadly enemies using slick takedown moves, fiery gunfights, and a samurai sword.

Wild Hearts

Release date: 17 February 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S)

An unusual project for EA, but one which has caught our eye. Wild Hearts is essentially a westernised version of Monster Hunter, but promises to offer a more welcoming and intuitive experience, as opposed to the depth and complexity that Capcom’s long-running creature slaying series delivers.

Atomic Heart

Release date: 21 February 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PS4 | Xbox One | PC)

Coming from Russian studio Mundfish, Atomic Heart is one of the most gorgeous and interesting shooters coming in 2023. You take control of a KGB agent sent to a facility overrun by rogue robots. There are elements of supernatural powers and fierce gunplay, so Bioshock fans will want to keep an eye on this one.

Like a Dragon: Ishin!

Release date: 21 February 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PS4 | Xbox One | PC)

Like a Dragon: Ishin is actually a 2014 spin-off from the Yakuza series, one which has no story connection to the mainline series, but uses many of its combat and gameplay systems; and it’s now coming to modern consoles and PC in the form of an updated remake. Players take on the role of Sakamoto Ryoma, a real-life historical figure credited with leading Japan to a major reformation. The character takes the face model of Kiryu from the Yazkua titles, as a little nod to the game’s big-brother franchise.

Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened

Release date: 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PS4 | Xbox One | Switch | PC)

Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is a remake of the 2007 Sherlock Holmes entry that helped kickstart the franchise in the modern era. Similar to other games in the series, you take control of the famed investigator to solve a nerve-wracking Lovecraftian adventure.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Release date: 3 March 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PS4 | Xbox One | PC)

Developed by Team Ninja (Nioh series), is an action RPG set in 184 AD, Later Han Dynasty China. The game follows the story of a nameless militia soldier fighting for survival in a dark fantasy version of the period, where demons plague the Three Kingdoms.

Star Wars: Jedi Survivor

Release date: 28 April 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PC)

Respawn Entertainment is delivering the sequel to 2019’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and picks up five years after the events of the previous game. Cal must stay one step ahead of the Empire’s constant pursuit as he continues to feel the weight of being one of the last remaining Jedi in the galaxy. Combat has been reworked, with new lightsaber stances, mounts to use, and of course, some tricky new enemies to fight.

Resident Evil 4 Remake

Release date: 24 March 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PS4 | PC)

Much like the Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 remakes which were released in 2019 and 2020 respectively, Resident Evil 4 is a full, built-from-the-ground-up reimagining of the 2005 classic. The game won’t detour too far from the original, but will include new story elements, slicker combat, and will run on the RE Engine which has powered the past remakes, as well as Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil: Village.

Dead Island 2

Release date: 21 April 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PS4 | Xbox One | PC)

After years in development hell, Dead Island 2 will see its release in April 2023. The sequel moves the action to Los Angeles, and brings with it all the stylish, vibrant, and gory first-person melee combat that made the first game such a huge success. In addition to a bigger world, new enemies, and a darker sense of humour, Dead Island 2 also features an admittedly impressive gore and dismemberment system, showing the most detailed flesh wounds we’ve seen in the genre.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Release date: 12 May 2023 (Switch)

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the sequel to the Switch launch title, Breath of the Wild, and continues Link’s adventures in an open-world Hyrule, this time letting Link explore floating islands and soar high in the skies above the vast lands of Hyrule.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

Release date: [Update: delayed] 26 May 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PS4 | Xbox One | PC)

Coming from Rocksteady Studios, creators of the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham series, this Suicide Squad game sees players take control of Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang and King Shark, who begrudgingly embark on a mission to take down Superman, The Flash, and the rest of The Justice League. Gameplay will be similar to that of the Arkham games, focusing on third-person exploration and combat, but players will have the ability to switch between the various supervillains in order to use their respective special powers.

Street Fighter 6

Release date: 2 June 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PS4 | PC)

The old fighter is back but more energised than ever, as Street Fighter 6 preps for launch in 2023, running on Capcom’s proprietary RE Engine (seen in the Resident Evil games). The game features three distinct game modes: World Tour, Fighting Ground and Battle Hub, along with a diverse roster of 18 fighters, including fan favourites like Ryu, Chun-Li, Luke, Jamie, Kimberly and more.

Diablo 4

Release date: 6 June 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PS4 | Xbox One | PC)

Fans have been waiting a long time for a new Diablo instalment, and it’s almost here. Blizzard’s beloved RPG will give players endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish dungeons, and legendary loot. You can also play the campaign solo or with friends, and explore an expansive endgame and shared world where players can meet in towns to trade, team up to battle world bosses, or descend into PVP zones to test their skills against other players.

Final Fantasy 16

Release date: 22 June 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PS4 | Xbox One | PC)

Final Fantasy‘s more action-oriented approach continues with Final Fantasy 16, which will feature segmented open environments and an action-based combat system involving both melee and magic-based attacks. The story follows Clive Rosfield, guardian to his younger brother Joshua, who witnesses his kingdom destroyed and goes on a revenge quest in pursuit of the dark Eikon Ifrit.

Assassin’s Creed: Mirage

Release date: TBC 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PS4 | Xbox One | PC)

Assassin’s Creed Mirage takes place in ninth-century Baghdad and centres on the coming-of-age story of Basim Ibn Is’haq, the Hidden One who appeared in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, however, the game is set twenty years before Valhalla. The game will be somewhat of a throwback to the classic gameplay of older Assassin’s Creed games, with a focus on story, assassination missions, and parkour, with less emphasis on RPG mechanics and XP building.

Alan Wake 2

Release date: TBC 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PC)

Remedy will finally be releasing a sequel to 2010’s Alan Wake. So far, not too much is known about the third-person horror adventure, but it’s safe to say that you can expect more light-manipulating combat and twisty narrative beats.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn

Release date: [Update: delayed] TBC 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PS4 | Xbox One | PC)

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn looks to be an interesting entry into the action-RPG genre, delivering an adventure that mixes guns, magic, and gods. You play as Nor Vanek, a member of the coalition army, who fights for humanity’s survival after a door to the afterlife has been opened.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Release date: TBC 2023 (PS5)

2018’s Spider-Man game from Insomniac was a smash hit, and after the standalone expansion/spin-off, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, the game is getting its full sequel this year with Spider-Man 2. Not too much is known, but players will have access to more suits and abilities, and delve deeper into the story-arc hinted at the end of the first game, with the introduction of Venom.

Warhammer: Space Marine 2

Release date: TBC 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PC)

The underappreciated gem that was the first Space Marine game is getting a sequel this year, as Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive announced Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. The third-person action title will allow you to explore iconic Warhammer lore environments and unleash deadly abilities and an arsenal of devastating weaponry to obliterate the relentless Tyranid hordes.

Redfall

Release date: 2 May 2023 (Xbox Series X/S | PC)

Arkane (who were behind the Dishonored, Deathloop, and Prey series) will release their next game, Redfall, a new open-world co-op shooter revolving around vampire hunters. Redfall sees you and a team of friends partner up to take down vampires in a small town in Massachusetts. Hunters will have to master normal weaponry and supernatural powers to best the blood-suckers.

What games are you most looking forward to this year? Let us know by tweeting @MenStuffZA, posting on our Facebook page, or commenting below.