2023 has been a gold mine for video games. Resident Evil 4 somehow got better. Final Fantasy XVI reinvented the series. Tango Gameworks made a rhythm game and rocked. Even Nintendo outdid The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild! I already did a piece on the best of 2023 so far, so I won’t talk about it much here. What I am talking about is what is next. Despite all the great games to grace our consoles, there’s still plenty more. We have web-slinging heroes, quiet assassins, gory brawlers, and many worlds to see, so let’s get started!
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon – August 25th
After ten years, the next Armored Core is upon us. Made by FromSoftware, the team behind last year’s smash hit Elden Ring, this vehicular combat game will be just as hard as the rest. Set on the planet Rubicon 3, players will assume the role of Raven as they take mercenary jobs to protect the valuable substance, Corral. Given FromSoftware’s track record, this game could be this year’s underdog. Early reactions to the game are positive, with some saying it lives up to the series and company name. Fans of the series will find the gameplay similar to the original and upgraded to fit modern-day controls. Get in the Armored Core and fight for the future when the game launches in August.
Starfield – September 6th
Space: Bethesda’s Newest Frontier. Starfield will be the company’s first new series in 25 years. This time, instead of Fallout‘s wastelands or Elder Scrolls’ medieval lands, we explore the reaches of the galaxy. All of Bethesda’s trademark gameplay, from customization to companions, will be present and even better than ever. With over 1,000 planets to explore, the journey you take will be unique to you. Xbox has been putting all its chips on this since its purchase of Bethesda in 2020. So far, Starfield is shaping up to be one of the year’s most ambitious titles. We’ll just have to wait and see if 25 years will pay off when it releases in September.
Mortal Kombat 1 – September 19th
A new era emerges. Netherrealm’s renowned fighting series is being ‘rebooted.’ Taking place in an alternative timeline created by Fire God Liu Kang, we get to see a different take on the story. All of the original fighters from 1998’s Mortal Kombat will be here, as well as returning fighters. Unique to Mortal Kombat 1 are Kameos, which are non-playable characters who will fight alongside you and add to combos. While the full roster hasn’t been revealed yet, the game will have DLC fighters, much like previous entries. Announced at San Diego Comic-Con, those fighters will be Ermac, Quan Chi, Takeda, Homelander (The Boys), Peacemaker (DC), and Omni-Man (Invincible). Practice those fatalities and ready your fighters when Mortal Kombat 1 launches on September 19th.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage – October 12th
Assassin’s Creed is returning to its roots. Taking place in 9th-century Baghdad, you play as young Basim Ibn Ishaq, whose older version is a supporting character in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. This game will act as an origin story for the character but also be a return to form for the franchise. Stealth combat and parkour will be heavily emphasized this time around, with the RPG elements of recent titles being put to the side. The gameplay harkens back to previous entries, so fans of the originals will be satisfied. Still, for those who enjoyed the newer games, the graphics, the story, and the $40 price tag, Mirage will be worth the play.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – October 20th
Peter and Miles are in for a venomous treat. The next installment in Insomniac’s acclaimed Marvel’s Spider-Man series will be its biggest yet. Players will get to explore New York, as well as Coney Island, as both Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Miles Morales/Spider-Man. New to the game so far are famed nemeses Kraven the Hunter, Lizard, and Venom. Also making his debut will be Harry Osbourne, a longtime friend of Peter’s and son of New York Mayor Norman Osbourne. An all-new feature is webwings, which will let Spider-Man glide around with ease. I wrote an article on the game and its Comic-Con panel, which you can check out here. This is PlayStation’s golden goose for the rest of this year, so get ready to swing into action on October 20th.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder – October 20th
Classic Mario is back in the weirdest way possible. Nintendo has brought back the 2D gameplay of Super Mario Bros. and infused it with a whimsical and colorful charm. With the addition of Wonder Flowers, the Mushroom Kingdom will change in crazy and unforeseen ways. Even see a warp pipe move? How about Mario as an elephant? While details on the game are a bit sparse, as it was recently revealed, we can expect a lot more of the unexpected. We’ll just have to see when Wonder launches in October.
Like A Dragon Gaiden: A Man Who Erased His Name – November 9th
The Dragon of Dojima is no more. Under the alias Joryu, Kazuma Kiryu is working undercover for the Daidoji Clan, but mysterious forces are out to bring him out of hiding. This game takes place between Yakuza 6: The Song of Life and Yakuza: Like A Dragon and explains the time jump. The familiar brawling gameplay will return, as well as side missions and karaoke, among other things. An English dub will also be available, with YouTube star and voice actor YongYea as Kiryu. Add to that a $50 price tag, and it’s a must for fans of the Yakuza series.
UPDATE: The game will also launch on Xbox Game Pass on November 9th.
Persona 5 Tactica – November 17th
The Phantom Thieves are back, and this time, it’s war. Join them, alongside some new faces, as they take down a mysterious regime. The game will be a real-time strategy akin to Fire Emblem, a first for the franchise. However, from what we’ve seen, it looks accessible to those who enjoyed Persona 5 and its turn-based gameplay. Launching on all consoles, it will be available as an Xbox Game Pass title so subscribers can play the game with their membership. Make plans to try out this game when it launches in November, and take some hearts!
And that’s just some of the games left for 2023! Which one are you most excited about? Have you pre-ordered any? Let me know in the comments! Until next time, game on!
