Gaming Well in 2023
As we wind down 2022, most of us are looking back on our gaming experiences over the past 12 months. COGconnected is looking at our favorite games, the best soundtracks, best performances of 2022, but we also have a lot to look forward to. Today, we’re going to countdown our Most Anticipated Games of 2023.
There are a ton of brand new IPs, as well as sequels and DLC for last year’s favorites and beyond. Our staff voted on what we are most excited for in 2023, so here are our picks.
18. Sea of Stars
Sea of Stars is a turn-based RPG from Sabotage Studio. Fans of games like Chrono Trigger will immediately see the similarities and inspiration drawn from the classic games of the genre. There is no official release date for it yet, but we are expecting it to come out in the Summer of 2023 for PC, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch.
17. Remnant 2
The sequel to the 2019 hit Remnant: From the Ashes is making its debut next year, we hope. Remnant 2 was just announced this earlier month. There’s still a lot we don’t know about it, but if it is anything like From the Ashes, you can be sure Remnant 2 will go bigger, better, and more brutal than the first.
16. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Banishers is a new game and new venture in gaming for developer Don’t Nod. They are branching off from their usual story-driven adventures in a new direction with a focus on action. However, the subject matter of Ghosts of New Eden will undoubtedly have elements for Don’t Nod’s narrative-focused experience to shine.
15. Deltarune
From the creator of Undertale, the equally beloved Deltarune series is expected to have a good year in 2023. There are two chapters that have been released since 2018, but Toby Fox says that Chapter 3, 4, and 5 will all come out at the same time.
14. AEW Fight Forever
WWE’s biggest competitor in the wrestling world is AEW, both in live performances and in video games. AEW Fight Forever will be coming out in February, published by THQ Nordic. Regardless of which wrestling league ultimately comes out on top, a different roster from what WWE games offer is a very exciting prospect.
Check out our 13-9 Most Anticipated Games of 2023 on the next page!
13. Armored Core VI
FromSoftware’s fame in recent years can mostly be attributed to their Soulsborne games, their biggest success so far being Elden Ring. Armored Core is a very different series than hardcore Elden Ring and Dark Souls fans are used to, but after winning countless GOTY awards, hopefully FromSoftware will bring in even more fans to the series.
12. Dead Space (2023)
The remake of the classic 2008 survival horror Dead Space will be coming in hot in January. The adventure of Isaac Clarke is being rebuilt from the ground up for a modern feel, but remaining faithful to the original game. The spiritual successor The Callisto Protocol may not have it the spot like all fans wanted it to, but hopefully Dead Space (2023) will.
11. Starfield
Bethesda… in SPAAAAACE! What more needs to be said? Fallout and The Elder Scrolls are best known for their fantastical worlds, quirky characters, and often quirky launches. Still, the depth of the games that they eventually become is what fans are really waiting for.
10. Street Fighter 6
Street Fighter is one of the most iconic fighting series. It is safe to say that it will always have a strong presence in the fighting game community. It has been nearly 7 years since Street Fighter V originally came out, but with the amount of updates, DLC, and new editions, it hardly feels like it. Fans are totally ready for another round with Street Fighter 6.
9. Elden Ring DLC
It was the Game Awards’ Game of the Year and it is COGconnected’s Game of the Year. Elden Ring truly brought the Soulsborne games to the mainstream this year. FromSoftware isn’t done with it yet either. Elden Ring got a free content update not too long ago. Whether or not you count free content updates as DLC or not, the prospect of more content for this game is a bigger reason to get excited for a lot of people than even a lot of full games.
Check out our 8-4 Most Anticipated Games of 2023 on the next page!
8. Forspoken
A PS5 exclusive demo for Forspoken came out in Decemeber. Players were pretty divided over it, but COGconnected really enjoyed it. Most Square Enix games fit a particular aesthetic, but Forspoken strays from that in an interesting way. Also, on a personal note: customizable nails that affect your stats is one of the coolest, most subtle design choices.
7. Death Stranding 2
Madman or visionary, Hideo Kojima has his own distinctive style that resonates with gamers, often in divisive ways. Death Stranding’s release is a prime example of that. However, now that players have a better understanding of what the series is, hopefully tempered expectations will allow more gamers to enjoy Death Stranding 2.
6. Diablo IV
Diablo games are notorious for having long gaps between releases. Thankfully, they also have a reputation for being some of the most solid dungeon crawler/fantasy RPGs. After 11 years since Diablo III, hopefully Diablo IV will be worth the wait.
5. Resident Evil 4 (2023)
The original Resident Evil 4 is considered to be the best in the series, as well as one of the greatest games in its genre. The success and quality of the Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes are very encouraging for fans excited for Resident Evil 4 (2023). A modern recreation of a classic is definitely something to be highly anticipated.
4. Alan Wake 2
It’s been 12 years, but we are finally getting a sequel to the 2010 game Alan Wake. After sharing it’s universe with the hit Control, new life and excitement has been breathed into the series. The prospect of more crossovers between games is very exciting to me personally, and hopefully more gamers.
Check out 3-1 Most Anticipated Games of 2023 on the next page!
3. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man is not just a hero among heroes, Marvel’s Spider-Man is a hero among superhero games! There are a lot of examples of bad superhero video games, but this series a shining beacon of quality and good ol’ fashion fun. A follow-up to something beloved as Marvel’s Spider-Man is sure to turn a lot of heads.
2. Final Fantasy XVI
There are few franchises as big as Final Fantasy. The games are not for everyone and not every Final Fantasy game is even for every fan. Judging by the trailers, Final Fantasy XVI’s action will be on a larger scale than the franchise has ever shown us before. But you can bet this won’t be the final fantasy.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Here it is. Perhaps the biggest game of next year, Breath of the Wild was GOTY in 2017, so Tears of the Kingdom has a lot to live up to. It may be our Most Anticipated Game of 2023, but we really don’t have much to go on other than the announcement trailer. Still, with the legacy that The Legend of Zelda has, this hype is absolutely warranted.
And there we have it. These 18 titles are the games that we at COGconnected are looking forward to most in 2023. What do you think? Is your most anticipated game on this list? What is your number one? Let us know in the comments below.
Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.