It's a banner year — and more is still to come
The year is half over and 2023 is already one of the most impressive ever in video game releases. Stellar titles have hit the shelves nearly every week along with some solid original projects.
The developers of “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” lead the way by somehow making a perfect game even better and ultimately refining a paradigm shift in its gameplay and approach. Meanwhile, the makers of “Street Fighter 6” and “Diablo 4” have gone back to the past iterations to come up with an approach that polishes and streamlines winning formulas while also introducing daring new elements that haven't been seen in either series.
EA and Capcom released remakes of their respective classics “Dead Space” and “Resident Evil 4,” allowing a new generation of fans to experience the thrill of the survivalhorror genre.
Elsewhere, new sequels have given fans more polished experiences or a fullscale revamp of franchises. When it comes to newer franchises, “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor” continued the saga of Cal Kestis, and Respawn Entertainment developers created a sequel that balanced the gameplay that attracted fans to the original and brought it to a more openworld style of adventure.
Longer-running series saw continued strength in the first half of the year as well. Nintendo's “Fire Emblem Engage” didn't do anything novel, but it did sharpen and touch up a strategy series that has found its footing. More recently Square Enix's “Final
Fantasy XVI,” which I'm playing through, forged a new path for the series with a deeper change to the combat and return to its high-fantasy roots.
These games would stack up against any year's Top 10 list, but what's remarkable is that 2023 is only half over. Gamers still have another six months to go and that stretches into the popular fall and holiday season when publishers release their big blockbusters. Here are some of the bigger projects to watch.
July
“PIKMIN 4” >> The latest entry to Nintendo's real-time strategy game brings new species of the title creatures and a new helper in the form of the canine-like Oatchi. This is the first entry designed specifically for the Nintendo Switch, so it should take advantage of the system's unique control scheme to make the game more accessible and add depth to the gameplay.
“EXOPRIMAL” >> This new take on the team-based shooter has players fighting an army of dinosaurs conjured up by an artificial intelligence that may or may not be hostile. Teams compete by finishing goals before their rivals before the contest comes to a head in a final battle against each other. It's a little bit of “Overwatch” and a little bit of “Monster Hunter.”
August
“IMMORTALS OF AVEUM” >> Ascendant Studios' first title is an unusual take on the military shooter. Instead of a gritty World War II campaign or a fight to stop terrorists, players are thrown into a fantasy realm, where they have to fight a rival nation. Instead of guns, players shoot out spells in a fastpaced game action game that will leave some thinking of “Call of Duty.”
Although it's been in Early Access for years, Larian
“BALDUR'S GATE 3” >>
Studios is finally completing this turn-based roleplaying game. It carries the tradition of the seminal PC title, but Larian updates the visuals and the game systems.
“ARMORED CORE 6 >> Fires of Rubicon” — How do you follow up an instant classic like “Elden Ring”? FromSoftware is going in the opposite direction of its previous dark fantasy games and revamping one of its cult sci-fi series. The “Armored Core” title focuses on giant mechs that players can customize. with a talented team behind it, this is a serious dark horse candidate for game of the year.
September
“STARFIELD” >> The other game-of-the-year challenger to “Zelda” is Bethesda's ambitious sci-fi RPG. Players create their own character and join the space-faring group called Constellation. From there, it's up to players to craft their own adventure as
they run into potential allies and enemies while explore thousands of worlds.
“MORTAL KOMBAT 1” >> In an already great year for fighting games, this “Street Fighter” rival returns to the arena. As the title implies, it's a reboot of sorts that follows the events of the previous “Mortal Kombat 11.” The big gameplay addition is the introduction of a rotating cast of allies called Kameo Fighters that players can use in a match. It's a needed twist to a formula, and yes, that includes fatalities.
October “MARVEL'S SPIDER-MAN 2” >>
Spider-Man will be doing the heavy lifting for PlayStation 5 this holiday season, but Peter Parker will have help with Miles Morales taking a more prominent role in the adventure. If you've seen the trailer, you can see the bones for an intriguing Spidey adventure with jaw-dropping action sequences and stunning moments.
“SUPER MARIO BROS. WONDER” >>
If you're looking for a classic 2D Mario adventure, then look no further than this upcoming title. It's the first side-scrolling Mario game since “New Super Mario Bros. U,” and it's one that harnesses the power of the Nintendo Switch to revamp the visuals and be a little more whimsical than the usual fare.
“ASSASSIN'S CREED MIRAGE” >>
Ubisoft is returning to its roots with this chapter in its long-running action-adventure series. This iteration follows Basim Ibn Ishaq, who was introduced in a previous entry, and it takes place in the Baghdad. The setting harkens to the original, which took place in the Levant. This chapter features new moves as it follows Basim's journey to becoming a master assassin.
November
“LIKE A DRAGON GAIDEN >> The Man Who Erased His Name” — The series formerly known as “Yakuza” is bringing back a familiar face. Kazuma Kiryu returns, and this chapter brings back the beat-'emup gameplay that longtime fans love. Expect more chaotic encounters and soap-opera storyline.
December
“AVATAR >> Frontiers of Pandora” — Fans of the James Cameron films can now get closer to the action in this first-person adventure. Players take on the role of a Na'vi orphan raised by the RDA. After the humans were driven off, they were put in stasis and wake up 15 years later. Players will explore Pandora's Western Frontier and embark on a journey to become reintegrated with Na'vi society.