AVX has also been disabled to support old or lower-end CPUs (which won’t affect performance on high-end configurations), and GPU-bound performance in VR is improved by 20 percent. The button prompt in the Battle Change tutorial is also fixed, along with the Trails to Walk HUD alignment in ultrawide aspect ratios.

Check out the full update notes below for other changes. The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie is available for PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch. Check out our official review. Falcom hasn’t confirmed when Kuro no Kiseki 1 and 2 will release in the West, but it’s working hard to “get these projects started.” Stay tuned for more updates in the meantime.

Version 1.0.3 Release Notes

• Fix some characters missing their link attacks.
• Fix two separate instances of potential crashes on some systems in the Magical Girl Alisa minigame.
• Disable AVX in order to support very old or lower-end CPUs.
• Improve GPU-bound performance in VR by 20% or more by leveraging the hidden area mesh.
• Fix the button prompt shown in the battle change tutorial (yes, we missed one).
• Fix the alignment of the “Trails to Walk” HuD in ultrawide aspect ratios.Fix the letterboxing of a specific subset of image-based story scenes in <16:9 resolutions.

Starfield

Starfield is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated games of the year, and the game finally looks to be on track to hit its updated release date of September 6, 2023. Starfield is Bethesda’s first new IP in over 25 years, and from what we’ve seen so far – the game looks absolutely amazing. Everything from the combat to the exploration and visuals looks impressive, and we’re really excited to see how it all comes up together when the game releases for Xbox Series consoles and PC later this year.

The other characters include Swin Abel and Nadia Rayne, two former assassins in charge of transporting a strange case. Inside it is Lapis Rosenberg, a human-like doll. C works with the trio, and their paths intersect with Rean and Lloyd throughout the story. The new Crossroads system allows players to switch between each protagonist and experience their unique perspectives almost anytime.

For more details on the RPG, check out our review of the game here. As for Kuro no Kiseki and Kuro no Kisek 2 -CRIMSON SiN-, they don’t have a release date for North America and Europe. However, Falcom has been “hard at work to get these projects started” and promises to deliver release news “as soon as possible.”

When Hajimari no Kiseki, known as Trails into Reverie in the West, finally received a release date, it was nearly three years after the conclusion of Cold Steel 4. Not the most comfortable wait, especially since the ending left several questions unanswered.

Of course, there’s also the question of how much Trails into Reverie can improve. It’s developed on PhyreEngine, the same as Cold Steel 1-4. Kuro no Kiseki, the next big arc in the franchise, is where Falcom’s new engine comes into play alongside several new gameplay mechanics. To that end, many genre fans may scoff at Reverie and its visual quality, the reuse of old environments and the crazy amount of characters to remember.

"Thanks to the new Crossroads system, you can shift between each protagonist at almost any time. There are points where the story for one character is locked, and you need to play as the others to continue."

Like Trails in the Sky The 3rd, it’s an Epilogue that expands on its established cast and settings while acting as a bridge for the next arc. However, unlike the Sky trilogy’s conclusion, Trails into Reverie feels like its own entity. It’s a celebration of the characters I’ve known since Trails in the Sky FC; a continued exploration into the psyche and evolution of its vast selection of party members; and, above all else, a brand new suite of challenges for the combat-minded.

If you’re a hardcore fan of the series, Trails into Reverie is an easy recommendation, but even if you jumped in with Cold Steel and were left wanting, it’s a worthwhile continuation. Slight spoilers follow if you haven’t finished Cold Steel 4 yet, so be warned.

Unlike previous titles, Trails into Reverie doesn’t focus on a single protagonist. Instead, it has three – Lloyd Bannings of the Crossbell arc, Rean Schwarzer of the Erebonian saga, and the mysterious C. Each path is separate, whether it’s Lloyd leading the Special Support Section to secure Crossbell’s independence or Rean and Class VII undertaking a new mission in Erebonia. Then you have C, who leads a new trio of characters – Swin, Nadia and Lapis – to investigate behind-the-scenes happenings.

Thanks to the new Crossroads system, you can shift between each protagonist at almost any time. There are points where the story for one character is locked, and you need to play as the others to continue. It’s one of the more ingenuous systems, freshening up the plot and providing some narrative room for the groups to breathe.

"These are only a few examples of the dozens of characters present. Of course, even the newcomers, dubbed the Sinners, are engaging."

It also helps the pacing, even though certain sections can still have objectives like “investigate all these districts.” Each character also tends to cross paths (or roads, if you will) at various points throughout the story. So if you’re venturing through Heimdallr as Rean and sense someone following him, it’s later revealed to be C when shifting to his perspective.

To say that a Trails game has a lot of dialogue would be an understatement, and Trails into Reverie is no exception. There is a lot of material here, and while many of the conversations flow smoothly with some well-done lines (Musse commenting that Class VII doesn’t keep Ash around for his “sparkling personality” is but one), some get long-winded. The signature “everyone gets a word in” approach with multiple characters crops up, which may annoy some.

However, Trails into Reverie does well in delving into deeper character motivations. Despite the Great Twilight’s conclusion, everyone’s inner turmoil isn’t magically gone. Kurt struggles with his personal growth, especially in the company of Juna and Altina, who have evolved by leaps and bounds. Claire atones for her involvement, throwing herself into more work while trying to find a path to redemption. Rean is hopeful for the future but guilty over those who died in the ensuing war and whether he deserves happiness.

These are only a few examples of the dozens of characters present. Of course, even the newcomers, dubbed the Sinners, are engaging. The chemistry between Swin and Nadia somewhat mirrors that of Joshua and Estelle while still feeling different (thanks in no small part to their unique past). Lapis has that refined air mixed with some violent tendencies, and C serves as a good foil, keeping the group together. It’s an interesting dynamic, and seeing their relationships evolve as we learn more about their past is quite compelling.

"As significant as the story-telling is, combat is also a major part of the experience. The Action Time Battle system returns, and it’s pretty much as you remembered it from Cold Steel 4."

Falcom also goes the extra mile with its side characters, whether it’s Lenalee and Pruna in Crossbell debating whether Rufus’s sentence is too harsh, Vivi and Linde of Thors being…Vivi and Linde, and so on. Almost every character in the game has good voice acting, even if some, like Tio, sound off compared to previous titles. It helps offset some of the more annoying characters like Angelica, or the decidedly one-note side plots, like the relationship between Tita and Agate, that should have been removed years ago. They’re small parts of the overarching story, thankfully.

As significant as the story-telling is, combat is also a major part of the experience. The Action Time Battle system returns, and it’s pretty much as you remembered it from Cold Steel 4. The actions of each ally and party member are on a timeline. Some attacks can cause delays or cancel others, while Arts can take longer to execute. Each character has Crafts, which can be executed immediately, and S-Crafts – Ultimate moves that can be used any time if you have enough Craft Points. It’s not uncommon to build enough Craft Points, execute a regular Craft and then execute an S-Craft just before the enemy’s turn begins for an extra turn.

However, the enemy also has weaknesses to different types of damage and a Break gauge. Striking with the right damage type or a Critical attack allows for executing a follow-up if you have enough Brave Points or BP, which deals more Break damage (with fully broken enemies taking more HP damage and missing their turn). You can also execute Rush Attacks, where all four active party members attack at once for even more Break damage against all foes. You must be careful about BP, though, since it activates the all-important Orders for damage reduction, increased damage, increased Break damage, Reflect, and so on.

Also, like in Cold Steel 4, some enemies can use Dis-Orders, which apply negative statuses (like reduced outgoing damage or increased delay) for a set amount of turns to your party. All of this isn’t even getting into the various elemental Arts and buffs; the Master Quartz and Sub Quartz that can be equipped and levelled for different passive benefits and powerful Arts; managing your positioning on the battlefield; supporting party members and their Orders; or new effects like Swin’s Marked status for critical hits.

"In terms of environmental variety, Trails into Reverie is going to look very familiar to fans."

Further adding to the battle complexity are the new United Fronts. If you have enough bars on the Assault Gauge (also used to deal Break damage to enemies before fights), you can use new team-up attacks involving five or more party members. For instance, United Attack grants buffs to Strength, recovers Craft Points and deals significant damage to foes. At some points, the United Front system can somewhat trivialize combat against regular enemies.

However, boss fights are a different story. They boast massive health pools and a variety of attacks. These are easily the highlight of the combat, much like in previous titles, and serve as a great way to try out various tactics. However, they can still pull out some annoying attacks (like that one Meteor technique that always took my party down to near death, even with Absolute Reflect up).

In terms of environmental variety, Trails into Reverie is going to look very familiar to fans. It’s nice to see updated locations like Heimdallr or Armorica Village appearing for the first time in full 3D, and there are brand-new places to explore upon progressing through the story. However, for series fans, much of the running around is in locations you may have already seen dozens of times.

It’s not the worst thing, as there are new interactions, quests, and goings-on, and it’s nice to see how some things have changed over the years, even if visually, they’re not the highest fidelity by today’s standards. At least the performance on PC is pretty good, thanks to PH3 (which handled the ports of Cold Steel 3 and 4, Azure, and Zero with fantastic results).

"The amount of side content is honestly pretty overwhelming, whether you’re in it for Panzer Soldat battles, Vantage Masters, or even answering trivia questions."

As for the music, it doesn’t hit the same highs the Sky trilogy or Cold Steel 1 and 2 did. However, “No End No World” is a good theme. The combat tracks, especially “Like a Whirlwind”, are also well done. If not for the lofty standards set by previous entries, I’d probably enjoy the soundtrack more, but it’s still good.

One of the newer places you’ll spend time in is the True Reverie Corridor. Unlike the instance in Cold Steel 2, this is a multi-floor dungeon with random arrangements. You can change the layout of floors and open chests for new loot. While you’re given several characters based on the story’s progress for exploring and conquering its many challenges, you can earn Gold Sealing Stones to unlock more. These can also provide new Brave Orders if you have them tag along.

Other Sealing Stones will unlock story episodes called Daydreams set in the past (like when Swin and Nadia had a run-in with Rixia in Crossbell). They provide some additional backstory and interactions and are generally well done. You can also unlock new mini-games, like Magical Alisa LS, a rail shooter set in an alternate universe with Rean as the Dark Lord and Alisa and several other characters as magical girls (do not ask. I don’t know).

The amount of side content is honestly pretty overwhelming, whether you’re in it for Panzer Soldat battles, Vantage Masters, or even answering trivia questions. As a whole, the True Reverie Corridor doesn’t do too much with its layouts aside from some light puzzle solving, battling Formidable Foes or hunting for treasure, but it complements the main story very well.

"Despite its imperfections and annoyances, Trails into Reverie is an essential experience for fans, if not another strong reason for newcomers to finally delve into the series."

Your enjoyment of The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie hinges on some pretty straightforward things. If you’re here to see the continuation of your favorite characters’ journeys and are up to date on everything that’s happened so far (to the extent that you recognize even the minor characters without missing a beat), it’s worth playing. For others who dread having to play all the previous titles to get up to speed on what’s going on, there is a summary of events so far, but you’re still going to be very lost, especially with the sheer amount of lore and characters thus far.

Compared to the current state of role-playing games, it’s easy to view Trails into Reverie as playing it safe or feeling slightly behind the times, which is understandable. It’s a 2020 title that landed in Japan first for the PS4. However, it’s hard to deny the strong combat system and its extensive customization and tactics, the genuinely compelling characters and their stories, or even the sheer scope and magnitude of capping off everything from Cold Steel 4 in a satisfying manner.

Despite its imperfections and annoyances, Trails into Reverie is an essential experience for fans, if not another strong reason for newcomers to finally delve into the series. Here’s hoping that Kuro no Kiseki freshens things up and takes the overarching story forward in new directions.

This game was reviewed on PC.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie

While many may see this as yet another Trails title in the long-running series, for many, it’s the conclusion of a journey that ended somewhat abruptly in 2020. The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie takes place after the events of Cold Steel 4 and sees Erebonia at peace. However, trouble begins to stir once more. This time, there are three different character paths to pursue. Lloyd Bannings and the Special Support Section seek to protect Crossbell; Rean Schwarzer and Class VII deal with the aftermath of the Great Twilight; and a mysterious individual named C butts heads with both.

Players can switch between each protagonist with the Crossroads system and venture into the True Reverie Corridor, a randomly generated dungeon with its own side content, characters, and events. Even if the wait for the next entry is long, fans can finally see the Erebonian saga come to a close when The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie launches on July 7th for PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals

Oxenfree fans can finally continue the mind-bending journey that began in 2016. Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals is set five years later and sees protagonist Riley returning to her hometown. Mysterious events are occurring again, thanks to strange electromagnetic waves, and she’s determined to find the cause. Once again, conversations play out in real time, and your choices influence the story’s direction, the bonds forged, and Riley’s personality.

You can use the new walkie-talkie to speak to (or ignore) the locals and maybe learn more about the mysterious Parentage. Space-time travel, bigger stakes and more await as everything rests on your shoulders. Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals launches on July 12th for PS4, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android, and we can’t wait to see what twists await.

Exoprimal

There have probably been enough jokes about someone at Capcom thinking, “But what if Horde mode Dino Crisis with power suits?” Nevertheless, Exoprimal looks very interesting. Set in 2040, where outbreaks of thousands of dinosaurs occur constantly, players join a squad of exosuit pilots to stem the tide. An AI known as Leviathan is used to predict the outbreaks, but before you know it, time travel is involved. What is Leviathan’s goal with its simulations, and can players resolve the mysteries of the dinosaurs?

The story unfolds through the co-op Dino Survival mode, as two squads of five players compete in various maps to complete objectives. Sometimes you may go head-to-head, but you can forgo PvP entirely. Gather clues to learn more, and pilot several different Exosuits, each with unique roles and capabilities, whether healing allies with Nimbus, tanking damage as Murasame, or taking down hordes of enemies with Zephyr.

Exoprimal launches on July 14th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC, and is also coming to Game Pass on day one.

Pikmin 4

What happens when Captain Olimar crash-lands on a planet and the Rescue Corps sent to retrieve him also crashes? It’s the job of a recruit, aka You, to save everyone, once again corralling and commanding hordes of Pikmin to help.

Releasing on July 21st for Nintendo Switch, Pikmin 4 allows for customizing your character, collecting treasures and exploring the environment to rescue any castaways. A new dog-like creature Oatchi helps out, serving as a mount and also battling some of the hostile monsters that abound. Players can also explore at night, tackling tougher threats and using the new Glow Pikmin.

Throw in a mysterious individual who also seems to be after the castaways, leading to Dandori Battles, where you compete to gather the most objects, and Pikmin 4 seems to have a lot in store for series fans. Newcomers can download a free demo from the eShop, allowing them to sample the gameplay and transfer progress to continue in the full game.

Remnant 2

Defying expectations, Remnant: From the Ashes went from relatively no buzz to a beloved third-person shooter Souls-like that sold over 3 million copies. With Remnant 2, Gunfire Games is going much bigger with new worlds, weapons, armor, enemies, bosses and an increased scale. Taking place nearly 20 years after the events of Subject 2923, Ward 13 is at peace. However, with The Root continuing to spread to other worlds via The Labyrinth, players suit up to try and stop it.

Instead of classes, players have Archetypes, which allow for multi-classing and mixing and matching Skills and Traits. The random world generation is also kicked up a notch, as you’ll explore new biomes with unique quests and enemies on each playthrough, leading to more replay value. Remnant 2 is out on July 25th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (PC)

Roughly two years and several other PS5 titles on PC later, Insomniac Games’ Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is finally coming to Steam and the Epic Games Store. Launching on July 26th, it supports 21:9 and 32:9 Ultra-wide displays. For the triple monitor owners, it even has 48:9 support. Ray-traced reflections are a given, but you also get unlocked frame rates and ray-traced shadows for exteriors.

There’s support for the haptic feedback and dynamic triggers on DualSense in addition to the keyboard and mouse (not to mention other controller options). Upscaling solutions like Nvidia DLSS 3, AMD FSR2, Intel XeSS and Insomniac’s Temporal Injection are also supported. If this isn’t enough, you can also use DLAA to improve the image quality and Reflex for more responsive controls.

Honestly, just hearing that Nixxes is handling the port is good enough for us, as Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is an incredible dimension-hopping 3D platformer.

Disney Illusion Island

Remember that gorgeous-looking 2D platformer starring Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy that Disney announced? Good news – it’s not dead. Disney Illusion Island recently received a new trailer ahead of its July 28th release, and it looks as sharp as ever. The story sees Mickey and the crew venturing to Monoth Island to recover three books. Along with platforming challenges and puzzles, they’ll take on bosses with their unique abilities and delve more into the island’s various mysteries.

The hand-drawn animation, familiar voices and charming soundtrack will draw you in, and there’s also four-player couch co-op support with unique skills for helping each other out. With its adorable visuals and sleek presentation, Disney Illusion Island could fill the hole that Rayman Origins and Legends have left for party platformers.

F1 Manager 2023

It’s easy to be wary of F1 Manager 2023, especially considering how Frontier Developments handled the post-launch support of its predecessor. Nevertheless, with 23 races, new tracks like the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, and the new Race Replay for reliving the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship, there are some interesting bells and whistles. You can also embody a team during big moments in the season using Race Moments.

Frontier also promises better drive AI and “refinements to racing lines, overtakes and incidents.” F1 Manager 2023 launches on July 31st for PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. Hopefully, it’s a step up from its predecessor.

Jagged Alliance 3

The latest entry in the classic squad-based tactical strategy series, Jagged Alliance 3, sees players assembling a team of mercenaries to rescue the President of Grand Chien and defeat The Legion. Mercenaries come with different personalities and quirks, and some familiar faces are returning. However, all tactical decisions rest with the player, whether you’re customizing weapons and load-outs, battling enemy forces or capturing territory.

Jagged Alliance 3 offers an open structure with plenty of freedom, and you can experience the campaign alone or with a friend in co-op. It’s out on July 14th, exclusively for PC. Will it end up with fewer issues than developer Haemimont Games’ Park Beyond? One can certainly hope.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series Episode 1

Telltale Games is working with Alcon and Deck Nine Games for a new narrative adventure based on the popular sci-fi series, The Expanse. As a prequel to the TV series, it sees Camina Drummer (played by Cara Gee) and her crew on the Artemis exploring The Belt, salvaging space ships and having all kinds of run-ins.

As with classic Telltale titles, your decisions matter and can be the difference between valuable supplies or your crewmate losing a leg. The Expanse: A Telltale Series launches July 27th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and PC via the Epic Games Store. However, this marks the debut of Episode 1 – four more episodes are coming, each releasing two weeks afterwards.

Synapse

Among the many new titles coming to PlayStation VR2 is Synapse, a first-person shooter from nDreams starring David Hayter and Jennifer Hale. As an operative tasked with investigating Colonel Peter Conrad, who is threatening a world-ending catastrophe, you venture into the latter’s mind, battling through surreal environments while gathering clues on his weapon.

The Heart of Darkness inspiration isn’t exactly subtle, but seeing Hayter play Conrad, lending his signature charisma to what should be an intriguing villain, will be interesting. It also doesn’t hurt that the shooting and visuals look good. Synapse is out on July 4th for PlayStation VR2.

Ed-0: Zombie Uprising

From Lancarse, the team behind duds like The Diofield Chronicle, comes Ed-0: Zombie Uprising. Though it has some role-playing elements, this is a hack-and-slash dungeon crawler with randomly generated environments where you slay hordes of zombies in the Edo period. Play as a Samurai, Sumo Wrestler or Ninja, discover over 150 items and skills, and battle bosses.

Will this result in the zombies not turning Japan into a deadman wonderland? Probably not, but it should make for some mindless fun. Ed-0: Zombie Uprising is currently available in early access for PC but exits on July 13th while also being available for Xbox Series X/S and PS5.

Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg

You may be familiar with the Atelier series, specifically Ryza and Sophie, but how about returning to where it all began? Atelier Marie: The Alchemist of Salburg kickstarted the RPG series, and it’s getting the remake treatment on July 12th on PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch. The visuals are updated, with cute 3D character models and stages, while event illustrations are now animated.

Thankfully, the tutorial, exploration and collecting of materials have been improved. Long-time fans can look forward to new events and characters, but if you’re dreading the five-year time limit that past Atelier games are known for, don’t worry, as the new Unlimited Mode lets you play at your own pace.

Blackout Protocol

A twin-stick co-op shooter with rogue-lite elements vaguely based on the SCP? That’s Blackout Protocol in a nutshell. It launches on July 20th for PC as an early access title and sees the S2P Corporation venturing through Sector 13 to deal with supernatural entities. Shrouded in darkness, you must deal with randomly changing environments and friendly fire, using light to guide the way.

Some entities react differently to being illuminated, further adding to the unpredictability and your Panic Gauge, which can result in debilitating conditions. With skills that carry over between runs, you have to survive more than a few deaths to reach the bottom.

Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara

If you’re looking for a more laid-back platforming experience, Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara may be worth checking out. It sees Koa and Napopo journeying through the world of Mara (which some may recognize from Summer in Mara) and discovering all kinds of things, from pirates to volcanoes. There are collectables to collect and secrets to uncover, but those keen on speedrunning also have options.

With eight different levels, skins to unlock, characters to meet, and sailing, Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara promises a fun, colorful adventure. It releases on July 27th for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch.

Some mini-games include a shoot ’em up spin-off with Alisa as a magical girl, a Beach Event with racing and watermelon splitting, and Who Wants to Be a Mirannaire? with Beryl asking questions. It’s pretty trippy overall and should provide fans with enough extra content outside the story.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Into Reverie releases on July 7th for PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch and PC. Set months after Trails of Cold Steel 4, it features three protagonists – Rean Schwarzer, Lloyd Bannings and the mysterious C. Each has a unique story that intersects with the others, and thanks to the Crossroads system, you can switch between them seamlessly.

The three protagonists as Lloyd Bannings, Rean Schwarzer and the mysterious “C.” Each has a separate story arc that intertwines, and thanks to the Crossroads system, you can switch between them at any time. Though things have settled down after the Great Twilight in Cold Steel 4, there’s still plenty of conflict concerning Crossbell’s independence, Erebonia’s struggles and whatever C is planning.

With over 50 characters and the True Reverie Corridor, a massive dungeon with unique bosses and mechanics. The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie launches on July 7th. Stay tuned for more details and check out our review for The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure, which releases on March 14th for PC, PS4 and Nintendo Switch.

Monster Hunter Rise

Monster Hunter Rise enjoyed a great critical and commercial reception on the Nintendo Switch, and naturally – fans on other systems wanted a chance to experience this latest entry in the long running saga. The developer has delivered just that with the subsequent release of Monster Hunter Rise on PS4 and Xbox One, and the Sunbreak expansion for the same is set to follow soon. The base game released on January 20 this year, so interested fans can already try it out.

Deliver Us Mars

KeokeN delivered an excellent adventure in the form of Deliver Us the Moon, and fans are naturally curious about the next project from the developer. Deliver Us Mars will be expanding upon the strengths of its predecessor, and fans can expect a more engaging gameplay loop this time around with better exploration options and clever puzzles among other improvements. Deliver Us Mars released on 2 February 2023 for PC and all last gen and current gen consoles.

Little Devil Inside

Little Devil Inside caught the attention of many players with its intriguing premise and fresh art style, and we are really excited for this game as well. Players will be embarking on a grand adventure spanning multiple areas, and you will be tasked with hunting down hideous beasts of different shapes and sizes. It’s been in development for some time now, and we are still waiting on its release date at the time of writing this feature.

Wanted: Dead

Wanted: Dead looks like a thunderous throwback to middle market action adventure games of the PS2 era, and we are here for it. Currently in development at Soleil, Wanted: Dead thrusts players into a conspiracy tale and asks them to use their wits and swords to crawl out of the many dangers that punctuate this adventure. The action is brutal, with fast and frenetic gunfights and melee finishers making for a dynamic gameplay loop that should be a joy to engage with. It is set to release on 14th February, 2023 for PC and current-gen and last-gen consoles.

Atomic Heart

Set against the backdrop of an alternate history Soviet Union, Atomic Heart tells the story of Agent P-3 fighting back against the machines that are posing a threat to the existence of humankind. Players will have plenty of options when it comes to dealing with enemies. You could use your guns, a handcrafted melee weapon, or supernatural powers like telekinesis to clear your way through the varied hordes of machines in this one hell of an adventure. Atomic Heart releases for PC and consoles on 21 February, 2023.

Like a Dragon: Ishin!

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is one of the most underrated games in the Yakuza franchise, and that largely comes down to the game being available only in Japan. Now though, R.G.G. Studio is working on bringing this cult classic to a global audience with a full fledged remake of Like a Dragon: Ishin! The project is being built using Unreal Engine 4, and players can expect a ton of gameplay overhauls in addition to the visual facelift which should make this remake a worthwhile experience. It will be released on 17 February 2023 for PC and last gen and current gen consoles.

Scars Above

Scars Above is set in a mysterious alien structure, and you assume the role of a scientist who finds herself trapped in this hostile environment. You must use everything at your disposal to find a way out of this environment while engaging in a deeper mystery revolving around this structure. The developers have stated that the gameplay will be a challenging affair, so you will have to make judicial use of your firepower and abilities to get through tough enemy encounters. It releases for PC, last gen, and current gen consoles on February 28.

Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened

Sherlock Holmes The Awakened is a modern remake of the 2008 classic by the same name. This adventure pits the famous detective against grotesque monsters and otherworldly threats inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulu’s mythos. Much like Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One, you will have to collect clues to build up to a conclusion in order to get to the epicenter of this mystery which should be a fun time for fans of the franchise. It releases for all major consoles and PC sometime during Q1 2023.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Team Ninja has done a wonderful job with Nioh and its sequel, so it stands to reason that the hype for its spiritual successor Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is off the charts. You assume the role of a warrior as he rises from a nobody to a legend, and that journey is filled to the brim with plenty of tough boss fights set against varied locales. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty will feature a dynamic combat loop where players can mix and match different weapons, Elemental beasts, and other tactics to defeat enemies. Suffice to say, it looks amazing. It releases for PC and all current gen and last gen console platforms on 3 March 2023.

Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse

Koei Tecmo has been doing a great job with the Fatal Frame remasters, which have proven to be the best way to experience these classics on modern platforms. The developer is hard at work on remastering the 2008 Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse, which will modernize the gameplay along with new additions like a photo mode, new costumes and of course updated visuals. It will be released on March 8 2023 for all major console platforms and PC.

WWE 2K23

After a rough last couple of years, the WWE games made a grand return with WWE 2k22 which proved to be a solid experience with plenty of highs along with few apparent flaws. This year’s entry will feature improved graphics, better gameplay, and the showcase mode will be putting the spotlight on popular wrestler John Cena. It releases for all major last gen and current gen console platforms and PC on March 17 2023 though fans opting for the Deluxe Edition will get early access on March 14 2023.

Resident Evil 4 Remake

Resident Evil 4 is considered by many to be one of the best games in this long running survival horror franchise, and for good reason. Resident Evil 4 features a solid and enjoyable gameplay loop with plenty of variety amongst its levels, and the game has surprisingly stood the test of time so many years after its release. The developer is hard at work on a full fledged remake of this classic which would open this gem up to a broader audience, and fans can expect many new additions including but not limited to new side quests and new weapons. It releases for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on March 24 2023.

System Shock Remake

System Shock is easily one of the most influential games when it comes to immersive sims, and countless fans would have fond memories of carefully inching their way through the game’s corridors while the rogue AI SHODAN plots its next move. Those fans and many newcomers will get a chance to experience this classic in a new light with Nightdive’s remake of System Shock, which will add modern gameplay conveniences alongside better visuals. It releases for all major consoles and PC sometime in March 2023.

Street Fighter 6

The beloved fighting series is making a grand return with Street Fighter 6, which is bringing a ton of new things to the table. But the star of the show is undoubtedly the move to an open world in the form of World Tour mode, which should hopefully open up new avenues for gameplay. This entry will also be adding a commentary system alongside the usual PvE and PvP content that one would expect from a game of this ilk. It will be released for all major consoles and PC on June 2 2023.

MLB: The Show 23

MLB: The Show 22 was a great game, and this year’s entry is set to bring better visuals and marginal gameplay improvements to this well established formula. While not a lot has changed with MLB: The Show 23, fans of annualized sports releases know this and they are there for it. It releases for all major consoles on March 28, and preorders for the same are live now.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure

The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure released to great critical and commercial acclaim in 2011, but the game was exclusive to the Japanese region with no English support available. While fan made patches have been around for some time now, the developer is working on an official global release for the game with English language support – and it is scheduled to release for all major last gen and current gen consoles and PC on March 14 2023.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie

Much like Trails to Azure that we discussed previously, The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie is also being introduced to a global audience with a re-release. Players will be taking control of a group of warriors as they embark on a grand adventure in this fantastical realm, and you will be able to freely change between characters with the Crossroads system. The combat is largely rooted in turn based traditions, but the developers have stated that it will have a lot of dynamic elements to it which should make it more engaging than before. Trails into Reverie releases for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch on July 7 2023

Lies of P

NEOWIZ’s upcoming Lies of P is based on the popular story of Pinocchio, but it takes place in a dark fantasy world filled to the brim with all kinds of hostile threats. And you must best these threats in the game’s Soulslike combat to complete your quest to become human once again. Players will be able to attach equipments like flamethrowers on their bodies to help in battle, and you can also unlock different skills to expand your moveset before facing the toughest foes in the game. Lies of P will release for all major consoles and PC sometime this year.

Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon

FromSoftware is returning to this long forgotten franchise with Armored Core 6 Fires of Rubicon, which is set to usher in a new era for this mecha brawler series. Players will once again be customizing their mechs with different weapons and abilities to get through enemies and bosses, which will obviously be challenging like the Souls games. Of course, fans are really excited to see FromSoft’s new take on this franchise and hopefully we won’t have to wait long. Armored Core 6 is probably set to release sometime this year for all major console platforms and PC.

Crash Team Rumble

In development at Toys for Bob, Crash Team Rumble is a multiplayer game with a simple goal that is to capture more Wumpa fruit than the opponent. Matches will take place between 2 teams of 4 players, and the maps are going to be elaborate platforming jungle gyms complete with level specific obstacles and opportunities to grab more fruit. The game modes seem rooted in genre traditions like CTF and free for all, but it looks like a fun time regardless. Crash Team Rumble will release for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series consoles sometime this year.

Minecraft Legends

Minecraft Legends is a strategy game set against the backdrop of this popular universe. You will have to command your army against entire fortresses, and it looks like a really fun time. It will be released for all major console platforms and PC on April 18 2023.

Lord of The Rings: Gollum

Set against the backdrop of a fantasy universe, Lord of the Rings: Gollum will put players in the shoes of Gollum as he navigates through this world while dealing with its split personality disorder. The gameplay will have stealth as a major focus, and Gollum will also be able to use its agility to climb and get around environments with relative ease. It looks like a promising project, and it is set to release for all major consoles and PC sometime this year.

Beyond Good and Evil 2

Beyond Good and Evil 2 is one of the more interesting games on the list, mostly because it has had a turbulent development cycle lasting almost 15 years and counting. It’s obviously a pretty ambitious project with a lot of moving parts, but with departures and delays left right and center it looks highly unlikely that the game will see the light of day anytime soon. While it’s officially slated to release for PS4 and Xbox One, only time will tell whether the developer will release this game for these decade old machines or not – if it manages to reach the finish line.

Dead Island 2

Much like Beyond Good and Evil 2, Dead Island 2 is also famous for its infamous development cycle. But thankfully, the game has managed to crawl out from the depths of its development hell and is finally approaching its imminent release of 28th April 2023. Dead Island 2 will feature the same brutal melee combat that fans love along with RPG esque progression mechanics and support for co-op gameplay – and we will be diving into this game when it launches.

The Wolf Among Us 2

The Wolf Among Us is considered by many fans to be one of Telltale’s finest works to date, which is why fans are extremely hyped at the prospect of a sequel. The Wolf Among Us 2 is being developed with the assistance of AdHoc studio, and expectations are naturally high from this project. While we don’t know much about the story side of things at the moment, we know that this game will be released in full unlike the last entry which was released in an episodic fashion. The Wolf Among Us 2 is set to release for all major last gen and current gen console platforms sometime this year.

Starfield

Starfield is easily one of the most exciting games on this list, simply because it is Bethesda’s first new IP in over 25 years. But this space odyssey isn’t just all show and no substance, Starfield is set to be the premier next-gen Bethesda RPG with cutting-edge graphics and gargantuan open-world comprising over 100 fully explorable planets. As for the gameplay, expect the same loop of tackling quests and leveling up as you work your way through the main story – though the actual mechanics seem much more polished this time around. It will be released for Xbox Series X/S and PC sometime in 2023.

Forspoken

Okay, so the recent demo ranged from intriguing with its magic and movement abilities to downright painful with its writing and barren world. But there’s still plenty of potential in Forspoken, Luminous Productions’ upcoming action RPG. Following Frey Holland, as she attempts to defeat the once-benevolent Tantas of Athia and return home, a lot of magic is available to wield and plenty of unique areas to explore in the main game. Plus, the visuals look nice and should shine even more when HDR has been fixed. Releasing on January 24th, 2023, for PS5 and PC, Forspoken is a PlayStation-console exclusive for the next two years. Here’s hoping it lives up to expectations.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

It’s a cliché to say it, but Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is one of next year’s biggest games. It’s also probably the biggest PS5 exclusive without a shadow of a doubt, even with big names like Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth coming up. However, with Miles Morales and Peter Parker featured and Venom finally debuting (with his voice actor promising the game will be “massive”), it may not be the most controversial take. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is launching in Fall 2023 exclusively for PS5. Brace yourself, though, because it’ll be darker than the previous games.

Marvel’s Wolverine

Not confirmed for next year (unless you ask Microsoft. No, really), but still significant is Marvel’s Wolverine. Compared to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which should build on its predecessors, we know nothing about the gameplay. However, the announcement trailer showed Logan ready to fight in a familiar location on Madripoor island. Game director Cameron Christian of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales fame are in charge, so maybe it’s another open-world action-adventure game. Either way, it’s currently in development as a PS5 exclusive.

Dead Space

Isaac Clarke’s slow descent into madness begins anew when the remake of Dead Space arrives on January 27th, 2023, for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, courtesy of Motive Studio. Along with massively upgraded visuals, the remake features the Peeling system for chipping away layers from enemy limbs and the Intensity Director for 1200 random terrifying events.

The sound FX for weapons have been revamped, and Isaac Clarke is fully voiced, with Gunner Wright returning to reprise the role. That’s only the tip of the iceberg in changes, with numerous new rooms, Zero-G sections that now feature Dead Space 2’s mechanics, and much more. Nevertheless, everything we’ve seen thus far seems to point to it retaining the essence of what made Dead Space so horrifying.

If you’re looking for a compelling sci-fi survival horror and were disappointed by The Callisto Protocol, maybe Dead Space will fill that void. Maybe make you whole.

Deliver Us Mars

Following up on the space adventure title Deliver Us the Moon (if the name wasn’t a clue), Deliver Us Mars sees astronaut Kathy Johanson traveling to Mars with the Zephyr and its crew. The group Outward has stolen the ARK colony ships, and your job is to get them back, lest humanity becomes even more endangered. There’s exploration, platforming and puzzles as players attempt to survive the harsh conditions of Mars while appreciating the ray-traced shadows and reflections on offer. Deliver Us Mars is coming to Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC on February 2nd, 2023.

Hogwarts Legacy

Hogwarts Legacy is an action RPG set over 100 years before the first Harry Potter book, developed by Portkey Games and Avalanche Software. As a fifth-year student of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the player character can use ancient magic and possesses a secret which could have consequences for the wizarding world. While you learn more about these things, you’ll attend classes, brew potions, customize the Room of Requirement to your liking, engage in duels.

Hogwarts Legacy is out on February 10th, 2023, for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, while the PS4 and Xbox One versions arrive in April and the Nintendo Switch version in June.

Like a Dragon: Ishin!

Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin! is finally getting a remake with Like a Dragon: Ishin!, out on February 21st, 2023, for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC. Developed on Unreal Engine 4, you play Sakamoto Ryoma (no relation to one Kazama Kiryu) in 1860s Japan as he seeks vengeance against the one who killed his master.

Join the Shinsengumi in Kyoto as Saito Hajime during the “Bakumatsu” and use four combat styles, slicing enemies with a sword, shooting them with a gun, a mix of both, or just using your bare fists. You even have crazy abilities like energy blasts and black holes. Kiryu may not kill people, but Ryoma is a whole different matter. Again, no relation.

Since this is Ryu ga Gotoku, you have tons of Substories and activities ranging from karaoke, fishing, vegetable shopping and traditional dance to running a restaurant and Jan-ken-pon.

Like a Dragon 8

Like a Dragon: Ishin! looks great and all, but what about brand-new games in the franchise? What about Ichiban Kasuga, the hero of Yakuza: Like a Dragon? Cue Like a Dragon 8, starring both Kasuga and Kazama Kiryu, though you’ll still have various allies to back you up. It’s a turn-based RPG and promises to be the biggest game in the series. Very little else is known, even the reason behind Kiryu’s new look, but it’s coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC in 2024.

Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name

As you probably noticed, Kiryu’s hair undergoes some changes in Like a Dragon 8. To help players understand why, while also detailing events surrounding the Dragon of Dojima from Yakuza 6 to Yakuza: Like a Dragon, there’s Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Releasing in 2023 for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, and PC, it starts with Kiryu living a seemingly secluded lifestyle before indulging in some “manual labor.” It’s roughly half the size of a regular title, but there’s a town to explore, side quests to complete, and much more. How important it will be to the overall story remains to be seen, but it looks great.

Horizon Call of the Mountain

PlayStation VR2 launches on February 22nd, 2023, and should be the next big step in console VR gaming. Though it has over 20 launch titles, Horizon Call of the Mountain is undoubtedly the highlight. Developed by Guerrilla and Firesprite Games, it stars a new character, Ryas, a former Shadow Carja. After his actions in the previous games, he’s looking to regain his honor and is a master climber, fighter and Machine hunter. The action takes place from the first-person perspective, but Ryas will use familiar weapons like the bow and combat Machines like the Bellowback, Thunderjaw and Stormbird. Thus far, it’s looked gorgeous, while the combat appears fluid.

Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened

Frogwares is releasing a remake of Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened in February 2023 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Sherlock Holmes and John Watson embark on a harrowing adventure, investigating disappearances. Players will investigate clues and piece everything together, but Sherlock’s insanity will also dip further into insanity as time goes on. With an expanded story, improved visuals and animations, and about 15 hours of playtime, it should be a worthwhile mystery for fans of the series.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Nioh meets Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice with some Dynasty Warriors sprinkled on top – that’s sort of what Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is going for with its combat. Set in the Three Kingdoms era with iconic heroes, mythical beings and fantastical monsters, it’s a faster, more vertically-paced take on the action RPG genre from Team Ninja.

The push and pull of parrying and attacking to reduce your enemy’s spirit, opening them up to powerful blows while using magic and building Morale flows pretty nicely. At over 40 hours and some potential end-game content, it could be your next Souls-like fix when it launches on March 3rd, 2023, for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure

As the follow-up to The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero, Trails to Azure continues the story of the Special Support Section, led by Lloyd Bannings. While all is well after saving KeA and stopping the D∴G cult, other figures seek to use the former for their ends. The sequel features two team members, Noel Seeker and Wazy Hemisphere, and a customizable police car for getting around.

Releasing on March 14th, 2023, for PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch in English, it also features revamped visuals courtesy of PH3 and should have the same quality-of-life features. With how significant the Crossbell arc has been to the overall Trails lore, it’s great to finally have both games available worldwide, especially en route to the release of Trails of Reverie.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

As the sequel to the massively successful Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Jedi: Survivor takes place several years later. Cal Kestis returns, older and stronger but also pushed to the brink by the Empire. Armed with new Force abilities, Cal will also have five Lightsaber stances. You can wield two Lightsabers in Dual Blade stance, or execute heavy attacks with Kylo Ren’s Lightsaber. Want a bit more oomph and blaster fire? There’s a stance that combines a Lightsaber’s slices with a blaster.

Along with encountering new characters and unlocking new traversal methods like mounts, players will battle against new enemies, explore larger biomes with challenges and hidden rewards, and much more. There’s even a planet new to the Star Wars universe which serves as a central providing ground.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is out on March 16th, 2023, for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, and will support ray tracing and faster loading times.

Resident Evil 4

Before it became the action-heavy survival shooter we know and love, Resident Evil 4 was a moodier, scarier game. The upcoming remake, launching on March 24th, 2023, for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, seems to channel that darker tone while enhancing everything about the original game. Along with “modernizing” the graphics and updating the controls, Capcom is looking to “reimagine” the story while maintaining its essence. Whatever that may mean, you’ll still be fighting for your life against Los Illuminados, with new moves like blocking and deflecting chainsaw strikes with your trusty knife. Resident Evil 4 will also support PlayStation VR2 at launch for even more immersive thrills.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

For all of the big games releasing in 2023 and beyond, you have to remember: Few of them can match the hype surrounding The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. As the sequel to Breath of the Wild, it features a new story and gameplay elements like floating islands (with Hyrule Castle itself seemingly levitating). Link can soar from these islands, use new abilities, and even has some snazzy armor. What’s going on? Why does Zelda have short hair? What new threats and adventures await? We’ll find out when it launches on May 12th, 2023, for the Nintendo Switch.

Silent Hill 2

After years of rumors and skepticism, Konami finally unveiled its plans for the Silent Hill franchise, including a remake of Silent Hill 2 developed by Bloober Team for PC and PS5 (where it will be exclusive for 12 months minimum). Composer Akira Yamaoka and creature designer Masahiro Ito also return, lending their talents to the remake.

Unreal Engine 5 has been used for development with revamped combat and set-pieces, no loading screens, and support for the DualSense. A release date still has to be announced, but the developer did reveal that it’s been in the works since 2019 and reaching late production. Even if it doesn’t arrive next year, it won’t be long before we dive back into the mind of James Sunderland and experience the twisted horrors of Silent Hill once more.

Diablo 4

Following the aftermath of Diablo 3, humanity fends for itself against the legions of Hell, spurred by the return of Lilith. Choosing one of five classes – Druid, Rogue, Necromancer, Barbarian, and Sorceress – players venture the world, hacking and slashing demons while leveling up and gaining better loot. Diablo 4 is out on June 6th, 2023, for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC, and is a lot more open than its predecessors, with camps to liberate, dungeons to explore, Skill Trees to go through, and Paragon Boards to figure out.

With more customization in the form of runes, runewords, new attributes, and seasonal powers, there’s a lot in store. Of course, there’s plenty to be skeptical about, what with the always online requirement and microtransactions (which aren’t used to buy power, but that statement is open to interpretation after Diablo Immortal). Then there are the reports of Blizzard having to crunch to meet the release date. Time will tell how it pans out.

Final Fantasy 16

There is so much about Final Fantasy 16 worth looking forward to, whether it’s the hack-and-slash combat system, the world design, the massive Eikon battles, or just the overall presentation. The story centers on Clive Rosfield, living peacefully with his brother Joshua. He grows up and seeks revenge, battling against the Dominants of Valisthea’s various nations, each with their own Eikons. It’s a dark fantasy epic with a distinct vision and vibe, and releases on June 22nd, 2023, for PS5.

Baldur’s Gate 3

The years of waiting leading to the announcement of Baldur’s Gate 3 seemed agonizing until we had to wait several more years for its launch out of early access. Nevertheless, it’s finally out in August 2023 for PC and represents Larian Studios’ most ambitious role-playing game ever. Set over 120 years after the second game, it sees the player kidnapped by Mind Flayers and implanted with Illithid Tadpoles.

Upon escaping with other survivors, they must find a way to remove the Tadpole. With its reliance on Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition rules, there are numerous classes and subclasses to enjoy, an extensive amount of skills and spells to play with, and all kinds of insane choices to make. Whether it lives up to the massive hype or not, Baldur’s Gate 3 is something special.

Alan Wake 2

Announced at The Game Awards 2021, it’s been more than a year since we’ve seen Remedy Entertainment’s Alan Wake 2, the long-awaited sequel to the 2010 classic. It’s leaning much more into survival horror and is still in third person perspective, with Remedy’s Northlight Engine used for development. Not much else is known, save for it being on track for release in 2023 for PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S, but new players can jump right in without playing the previous entries, so that’s a plus.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage

The Assassin’s Creed franchise has moved steadily away from its stealth origins after, well, Assassin’s Creed Origins. But Assassin’s Creed Mirage brings it back, front and center, focusing on Basim as he goes from street thief to joining the Assassin Brotherhood in ninth-century Baghdad. Players will parkour through the four districts and partake in classic “Black Box” assassinations, searching for the best way to take down targets. It’s only 15-20 hours, and after how gargantuan the recent entries have been, that sounds wonderful. Mirage will retail for $50 in 2023 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, and Amazon Luna.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

Whatever your opinion of the movies in general, what little we’ve seen of Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora looks promising with Massive of The Division fame in charge of development (in collaboration with Lightstorm Entertainment and Disney). Exploring the Western Frontier as a Na’vi, players fight back against the RDA in this massive open-world action-adventure for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Amazon Luna. Compared to The Division, the gameplay is in first-person, and despite taking place in the same universe, it’s a standalone story. It’s all very intriguing, but rumors of troubled development, which may have caused the title’s delay to 2023-2024, have been circulating. We’ll probably get a better idea of its state heading into next year.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon

FromSoftware’s next big title veers away from fantasy into sci-fi and revisits the cult-classic Armored Core series. Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon takes place on Rubicon 3, a planet laid to waste after a mysterious substance was discovered and caused a cataclysmic disaster. That same substance has re-emerged, and as a mercenary, you’re smack-dab in a conflict between corporations and resistance groups over it.

Like its predecessors, Armored Core 6 is focused on mech customization and tuning different parts to your liking. There isn’t an open-world structure. There’s no campaign co-op, and this isn’t a Soulsborne-type game, despite having intense boss battles. Regardless, the aesthetic and giant robots look positively amazing. Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon releases in 2023 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Final Fantasy 7 Remake remains one of the best games of 2020 and a dream come true for fans. However, it was also the start of a brand new story, where previous characters’ fates would change. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is the next part, releasing in Winter 2023 exclusively for PS5 (a necessity due to its SSD, as per the developer). The first trailer saw Cloud walking side by side with Sephiroth, and the developer recently confirmed that Zack has an “active role” after the last game’s conclusion. Even with no details yet on gameplay changes, locations, and whatnot, we can’t wait to see where the story goes next.

Starfield

Bethesda Game Studios’ next magnum opus, its first new IP in more than 25 years, and arguably the biggest Xbox Series X/S exclusive yet – many of these things describe Starfield. The story is set in the 24th century, 20 years after a war between the United Factions and Freestar Collective, with the player joining the space exploration group Constellation.

While their overarching role has yet to be revealed, the sense of freedom – with over 1000 planets to explore, several major cities to explore, and much more – is still reminiscent of Bethesda’s previous titles. That’s not even factoring in the mining, spaceships (with full customization), various NPCs, companions, factions, and much more. One could argue that it’s almost too ambitious, especially given its delay to the first half of 2023. Nevertheless, it’s an RPG to watch out for when it arrives for Xbox Series X/S and PC next year.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

GSC Game World returns to the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone again with S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. All the usual tropes, from mutants and anomalies to other S.T.A.L.K.E.R.s, are present, and there’s a massive open world to explore. You can ply your trade, collect and sell artifacts, or investigate the Exclusion Zone and learn more about the state of the world. There are over 30 weapon types with several ways to modify them, various factions, and a non-linear branching story.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is slated to release in 2023 for Xbox Series X/S and PC.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie

Some felt that the ending of Trails of Cold Steel 4 ending wasn’t a fitting conclusion to the Erebonian saga. Trails into Reverie remedies this, presenting an epilogue with three main characters – Rean Schwarzer, Lloyd Bannings, and C – each with unique story arcs. You can switch between them at any point while indulging in different side stories for the massive cast. Brave Orders and Arts return, and the new United Front system offers even more ways to defeat enemies. There’s also the True Reverie Corridor, which features randomly generated dungeons and mini-games. The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie releases July 7th, 2023, for PS4, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and PC.

Layers of Fears

Along with Silent Hill 2, Bloober Team is working on Layers of Fears, the third title in its psychological horror series. It’s about the “stories of artists enslaved by their obsessions” and casts a “new light on the overarching narrative.” Except for the Painter’s Spouse from the first game potentially being the main character, very little has been revealed about the story. However, it’s developed on Unreal Engine 5 for 4K, HDR, ray tracing and Lumen’s immersive lighting. Layers of Fears is out in early 2023 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Death Stranding 2 (Working Title)

Yes, actor Norman Reedus said it’s coming, and yes, the various teases of new characters with “who”, “what”, “where”, and “how come” were weird. But the reveal of Death Stranding 2 (currently the working title) was something else entirely, from Fragile attempting to escape a battlefield with a baby to having a ship with the Drawbridge logo on it and conversing with an older-looking Sam Bridges. It also seems that Higgs is making a return, judging by Troy Baker’s inclusion, and we wouldn’t have our masked-wearing weirdo rocking out any other way. Death Stranding 2 is coming to PS5, but no release window has been confirmed.

Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League

Following the underwhelming Gotham Knights, there’s some concern about Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, especially following the departure of Rocksteady founders Sefton Hill and Jamie Walker. The action-adventure title is due on May 26th, 2023, for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. It features Deadshot, Harley Quinn, King Shark, and Captain Boomerang as the protagonists as they fight against various superheroes – including Batman, in Kevin Conroy’s final role – who have been brainwashed by Brainiac.

Though it has a four-player co-op, solo play is also possible, and you can switch between each character while the AI handles the others. Brief gameplay snippets have looked promising, but here’s hoping we get an extensive deep dive soon.

Hades 2

A sequel to Supergiant Games’ amazing rogue-lite dungeon crawler is a complete surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one. The story sees Underworld princess Melinoe, venturing beyond Hell to explore a “bigger, deeper mythic world” with new locations and slay Kronos. Olympus again lends its might in the form of Boons, but there will be other upgrade systems like the Arcana Altar and the ability to tame witch familiars.

Perhaps most appealing is that the story will once again evolve based on your success and failures over multiple runs with dozens of fully-voiced characters, from familiar faces like Zeus to newcomers like Apollo and Nemesis. Hades 2 will go into early access for PC on Steam and the Epic Games Store, with more details to come in 2023.

Lost Soul Aside

Of the many titles coming to PlayStation as part of the China Hero Project, Lost Soul Aside looks the sharpest. Revealed in 2016 by solo developer Yang Bing for PS4, it immediately caught our attention with its fast-paced combat and stellar visuals. All these years later, UltiZero Games is involved while Sony serves as the publisher, and a PS5 release is confirmed.

The gameplay looks to have leaned into an action-adventure vibe with high-speed set pieces as protagonist Kazer is seemingly on the run from various forces after merging with Arena, a dragon-like symbiont. A release date still hasn’t been confirmed, but Lost Soul Aside is worth keeping on your radar.

The Witcher 1 Remake

In this age of remakes and remasters, it’s surprising that it took this long for a remake of the first Witcher game to be greenlit. Developed by Fool’s Theory, a studio founded by veteran Witcher developers with CD Projekt RED’s creative supervision, The Witcher Remake is a “modern reimagining” of the first game, developed from the ground up on Unreal Engine 5. It will also be an open-world game title, which is a significant departure from the original. Get comfortable, though, since it’s currently in the early stages of development and won’t release until after the next mainline Witcher title.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

Initially, Hornet was to be a playable character in Hollow Knight, but the increased scope of the DLC has resulted in a proper sequel. Announced in February 2019, Hollow Knight: Silksong will be released by June 2023 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Featuring a new kingdom to explore, a unique play style with Silk, over 165 enemy types, and a quest system, it looks gorgeous in terms of visuals, style, and gameplay. The wait has been long, but hopefully, finally, we’ll get to play it next year.

Assassin’s Creed Codename Red and Codename Hexe

The developer finally announced that its next mainline Assassin’s Creed title, Codename Red, would take place in Feudal Japan. Players will finally get to play as a shinobi, though very little is confirmed about the story, how it will play, etc. It’s developed by Quebec and raised some concerns due to director Jonathan Dumont being accused of bullying and abuse, so time will tell how that works out. There’s also Codename Hexe, rumored to be set in 16th-century Central Europe during the witch trials. Montreal is leading the development, and it’s reportedly going quite well, though more details are needed.

Grand Theft Auto VI

A new GTA game is on its way, Rockstar Games finally confirmed what has been rumored for years. In an official statement, it noted that, “With every new project, our goal is always to significantly move beyond what we’ve previously delivered. We’re pleased to confirm that active development for the next entry in the series is underway. We look forward to sharing more as soon as we are ready, so please stay tuned to the Rockstar Newswire for official details.” According to reputable sources like Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier and insider Tom Henderson, the sequel will be a “moderately-sized” game and it would feature multiple protagonists and will be set in Vice City.

The Next Witcher

The next Witcher title is in development on Unreal Engine 5 and is currently under pre-production as “Project Polaris.” The story, premise and gameplay are still under wraps, but it will build on The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’s legacy and has over 150 developers on board. It’s also an open-world RPG that marks the start of a new Witcher trilogy. After Polaris launches, two more Witcher titles will be released within six years afterwards. That may sound like wishful thinking, but the appeal of a brand-new Witcher is undeniable.

Cyberpunk Sequel “Project Orion”

Cyberpunk 2077 is also getting a sequel, currently dubbed Project Orion, which will prove “the full power and potential of the Cyberpunk universe,” as per CD Projekt RED. It’s developed by CD Projekt RED North America in Boston with core team members, like lead quest designer Paweł Sasko, moving over. However, it will also receive support from the head studio in Poland and CD Projekt RED Vancouver, requiring about 350 to 500 developers like the first game. Either way, it’s going to be a long wait.

The Witcher “Project Sirius”

CD Projekt RED has a lot of Witcher projects in development. So what’s one more? Developed by The Molasses Flood of Where the Water Tastes Like Wine and Drake Hollow fame, Project Sirius is in pre-production with CD Projekt RED providing support (and over 60 developers). Again, not much is known, but it promises an “innovative take on The Witcher universe” which will present an “unforgettable tale for existing Witcher fans and new audiences.” Whatever that may mean, the narrative should be interesting, going by the developer’s previous work.

Rise of the Ronin

Team Ninja has delivered some stellar action RPG action with Nioh and looks to go even further with Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. In the longer term, however, it’s venturing into open-world gameplay with Rise of the Ronin while maintaining its fast-paced action RPG combat. Set in late 19th century Japan during the Bakumatsu, it’s a period of unrest and civil war with the anti-Shogunate factions fighting the Tokugawa Shogunate. You play a Ronin, a masterless samurai equally skilled with katanas and firearms. You’ll meet various characters and can decide who to side with. It’s all up to you, but what choices those consequences will have remains to be seen. Rise of the Ronin launches exclusively for PS5 in 2024.

Pikmin 4

If you ever lament the long development period of any video game, remember that Pikmin 4 was said to be “very close to completion” in 2015. It was put on a “lower priority” in 2016. In September 2022, the developer finally confirmed that the real-time strategy game would launch in 2023 for Nintendo Switch. The Bulborb returns, and a new playable astronaut character has been confirmed. That’s all we know, so hopefully, next year will offer more details.

Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse

Following the release of Maiden of Black Water for new consoles, Koei Tecmo confirmed that Fatal Fame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse would launch on March 9th, 2023, for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. The location is Rogetsu Island, Japan, where five girls went missing a decade prior. When two are found dead in the present day, the remaining three – Misaki, Madoka, and Ruka – return to investigate and learn the truth (since their memories were missing after being rescued).

The island is abandoned, with many inhabitants dying after a mysterious catastrophe, and hostile spirits roam free. As you collect articles and notes to learn more about the past, the Camera Obscura wards off the spirits. In addition to improvements with lighting, shadows, and character models, the new release also sports a Photo Mode. It’s no Fatal Frame 2 but Mask of the Lunar Eclipse should make for a fun atmospheric horror.

Witchfire

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking about whatever happened to The Astronauts, developer of The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, rest assured – it’s still working on Witchfire. Announced The Game Awards 2017 as a dark fantasy shooter, it evolved into a rogue-lite inspired by Hades and took a semi-open-world approach. It’s set to release early next year for PC early access, but can it rise above its inspirations? Time will tell.

Silent Hill f

The next mainline title in the Silent Hill franchise is surprisingly not set in the titular town. Instead, it ventures to 1960s rural Japan, where strange things are happening. Aside from NeoBards Entertainment being the developer, everything else is a mystery. However, Ryukishi07 is confirmed to be writing the story. Given his reputation for some of the best horror/mystery visual novels like Higurashi When They Cry, and Umineko, there’s a chance that it could be mind-breaking, insanely overdone or both, which is a good thing.

Lies of P

What’s next after live-action Pinocchio or Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio? Pinocchio meets Bloodborne, it seems. NEOWIZ’s Lies of P sees the wooden boy awakening in Krat, which has seen better days. You have to find Mr Gepetto, which is easier said than done when everything in the city is trying to kill you. Fortunately, Pinocchio can combine weapons and even change out body parts for an advantage. Various quests also progress based on your lies, earning different endings. Lies of P is planned to release next year on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC.

Atomic Heart

Mundfish’s Atomic Heart has been in development for a while and offers a mix of alternate-history sci-fi and FPS/RPG action. Set in the Soviet Union, where robotics have advanced rapidly, players control KGB agent Major Nechaev aka P-3, as they venture to facility 3826 and face off against rogue robots. Armed with the Polymer Glove with powers like freezing, telekinesis, and more, you also get a range of weapons, from guns to melee weapons, while dealing with all manner of robotic monstrosities to sick beats.

Atomic Heart has had a long development cycle, with reports alleging mismanagement, several reboots, crunch, and whatnot. It’s releasing on February 21st, 2023, for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC, so we’ll see how it turns out.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster is out next year. However, Rabbit and Bear Studios’ Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes offers a more contemporary take on the formula. Developed by Suikoden veterans Yoshitaka Murayama and Junko Kawano, the RPG features over 100 playable characters (including familiar faces from Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising) and a gorgeous 2.5D art style. With rune lenses reshaping the world of Allraan and the Galdean Empire gaining more power, the story sees two characters, Seign and Nowa, crossing paths and questioning everything. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes releases next year for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

SEASON: A letter to the future

Scavengers Studio is no stranger to controversy following allegations against its co-founders. Things seem on track, though, with the narrative adventure releasing on January 31st, 2023, for PS4, PS5, and PC. It’s the story of Estelle, who leaves her village to explore the world, meeting (and helping) different people and recording things, whether through documentation, photography or recordings. A calm, meditative journey that explores change while presenting a gorgeous-looking art style sounds like the right way to start the new year.

Dead Island 2

Initially believed to be vaporware due to all the delays, changing developers and lack of new information, Deep Silver’s Dead Island 2 finally re-emerged last year. It’s set in post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested California, with Los Angeles and San Francisco as its main cities. Players control six different “Slayers” as they attempt to survive. Swords, hammers, axes and much more are the keys to fighting back against the various zombie types, and you can even activate Fury Mode to rip and tear bare-handed. Despite facing another delay to April 28th, 2023, Dead Island 2 looks like it could finally release next year on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC.