2023 Will Be An Amazing Year For Video Games
In the aftermath of The Game Awards, lots of sentiments surround the event. Whether it's an unexpected reference to Bill Clinton, a flutist that went harder than anyone would have thought, or Doug Bowser getting played off while accepting an award for Bayonetta, this year delivered a lot of interesting moments. More than anything, however, it showed us that 2023 is going to be a landmark year for video game releases.
Here's a look at some of our favorites.
Final Fantasy XVI
The latest installment of the beloved franchise is helmed by Naoki Yoshida, fresh off his success with the revival of the Final Fantasy XIV MMO. The game will see us take up the mantle of Clive Rosfield, who can summon (see transform into) Ifrit. The game looks to feature kaiju style fights between Eikons, and it seems like it's going to be a ton of fun. Let's hope they can follow up on the success and formula of FF7: Remake.
Release date - June 22, 2023
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was a pleasant surprise after years of Star Wars games that fell flat. In Jedi: Survivor, returning protagonist Kal Cestis looks to pick up where he left off. Gameplay footage at The Game Awards shows the fluid souls-esque combat we're used to with some new platforming abilities and force powers. It also showed some new lightsaber options, which is welcome since they felt pretty limited in the first installment.
Release Date - March 17, 2023
Forspoken
We knew it was only a matter of time before the popular Isekai genre of anime made its way into gaming. Forspoken follows a New Yorker transported into a fantastical and fiendish land as she tries to master her magical abilities and combat monstrous beasts. The world looks massive, the graphics are dazzling, and the combat seems fun. Forspoken should be a good way to kick off the year.
Release Date - January 24, 2023
Octopath Traveller II
Octopath Traveller stormed onto the Switch and immediately made itself a contender for Game of the Year. Boasting eight different storylines that would eventually merge into one great story, the game followed in the footsteps of titles like Bravely Default. The characters were fun, and the gameplay was a nice callback to the JRPGs of old. Octopath Traveller II now looks to pick up where the first left off.
Release Date - February 24, 2023
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon
From the moment Platinum Games introduced us to Bayonetta, she was a star. With a sassy personality, great gameplay, and utterly massive bosses to tear up, Bayonetta was a cult hit that spawned numerous sequels. Now we'll be journeying back to before the events of the three mainline titles to when Bayonetta was still known as Cereza. This cuter prequel follows Cereza as she journeys through a fae forest with the titular Lost Demon. After Bayonetta 3, this should be a fun change of pace.
Release Date - March 17, 2023
Diablo IV
A title long in the making, Diablo IV marks Blizzard's latest tentpole entry into the storied franchise. With all out war raging between the forces of Heaven and Hell, two forces have emerged to lead these armies. On one side, Tyrael, the archangel who has served as our ally since Diablo II. On the other, the monstrous Lilith, daughter of Mephisto. Despite a rocky launch, Diablo III ended up being pretty strong, so hopes are high for this one.
Release Date - June 6, 2023
Street Fighter 6
Not a ton to say here. It's Street Fighter. It runs the FGC. The trailer was weird, but it looks awesome. Buckle up, everyone.
Release Date - June 2, 2023
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is considered to be the best Zelda game since Ocarina of Time, if not the outright best title in the franchise. It was an instant front runner for Game of the Year and went on to win it. Anticipation has been building ever since for its sequel, and this year, it finally arrives. Tears of the Kingdom marks the next major installment in the long running franchise, and it already won an award for Most Anticipated Game.
Release Date - May 12, 2023
Take a peek at our staff pick preview of The Game Awards
