We take a look at 8 Games to Look Out for in 2023, these titles will release at a variety of times throughout 2023 and who knows, there may have been titles on our list that end up delayed, but based on what we know, these are our selection of games to keep an eye on this year. We have tried to stay clear of the very obvious headline stealing releases and give a chance to some titles that won’t necessarily be on everyone’s radar as we move through the year.
Atlas Fallen
From Deck13 and Focus entertainment, this one made our list after it’s trailer reveal last year and it certainly has some series potential to be up there with some of the hotly anticipated titles in 2023
“Rise from the dust and glide the sands of a timeless land, filled with ancient dangers, mysteries and fragments of the past. Hunt legendary monsters with powerful sand-infused weapons and abilities in spectacular, super-powered combat.”
Atlas Fallen will deliver a full co-operative experience or can be played solo depending on your preference of course and it classifies as an action-adventure RPG and from the trailer and stills, it looks visually very impressive.
Of course being a Focus Interactive published title, we can certainly hold some high expectations of this one and we think it should be on everyone’s list to keep an eye as more news is revealed closer to release. The last thing we’d say here is if you are a GeForce NOW member, then this is a GFN friendly publisher, so it’s reasonable to expect that this should be playable in the cloud via GeForce NOW on or close to release.
AC Mirage
Now, the Assassin’s Creed franchise really needs no introduction but with Mirage, it feel and certainly appears that they could be returning more to the core of the franchises roots as we take on the character of Basim.
AC Mirage is set in 9th Century Baghdad, we do know already as per Ubisoft’s confirmation, that it will be a shorter, more narrative driven title in comparison to previous instalments like AC Valhalla where you can spend countless hours. Talking of Valhalla, Mirage actually takes place 20 years before those events.
With players possibly recently falling out of love with the franchise, this is one that we feel will bring people back to their beloved Assassin’s Creed as it truly looks to build upon and embrace the roots of the series.
It goes without saying, that any year that an Assassin’s Creed launches, means it surely has to make the list of games to look forward to. It’s possibly a troubled Ubisoft’s most reliable and solid franchise and we feel confident that this one will have everyone talking later in the year.
TeslaGrad 2
Modus games and there title TeslaGrad 2 makes our list and with good reason, it looks like it is going to be one to watch.
“Lumina, a young Teslamancer, finds herself stranded after her airship crash lands in Wyrmheim, a remote and treacherous land to the North. Embark on a dangerous adventure, exploring a gigantic, abandoned tower looming over a fjordside valley, on a quest to get Lumina home and back to her family.”
The game will be playable at the up and coming Steam Next Fest in February.
Bringing together a blend of adventure, puzzles and action, this platformer looks like it could charm it’s way in to many players libraries in 2023. It’s set to come with an incredible soundtrack to the game and we all now how much I love a good soundtrack in games, so you can clearly see why it’s made my list before I even say anymore on it.
Teslagrad 2 is the follow up to it’s predecessor, yet looks to bring fresh new elements to the new instalment.
With incredible story-telling, puzzles, boss battles and Nordic Folk and Electronic tracks featuring in the sound track, it’s one that should be up for considering and added to people’s wishlists so that you can track and find more out about the game as it nears it’s launch.
Again with this one, Modus is a GFN Friendly publisher, so barring any cloud exclusivity deals that Xbox may try and get by snagging this one onto xCloud, then there’s a good chance you’ll be able to pick this up for GeForce NOW if you aren’t intending to play locally on PC or Steam Deck.
Park Beyond
Now this one may be a little controversial by it’s very inclusion in the list given that Frontier with Planet Coaster, very much tend to have a stronghold over this genre but nevertheless Bandai Namco and Limbic Entertainment certainly feel that this position of dominance is there to be challenged.
“In Park Beyond, you can create the park of your dreams without being held back by gravity. The accessible controls and a story-driven campaign mode will help you learn the ropes of park management and build increasingly crazy rides and modular coasters.”
That’s right, you guessed it, it’s time to build your theme park in this challenger title, as it throws it’s hat in the ring of simulation and management.
In terms of what we know on this one, details are a little light, however with a story driven campaign, player creativity the world will be your oyster and we feel for that fact it’s challenging a genre leading developer, that alone makes it pop onto our list for games to watch in 2023.
Atomic Heart
Releasing in the first quarter of 2023 barring any last-minute delays, Atomic Heart is generating a lot of buzz amongst gamers, with the sheer vibe and tone that the trailers have set.
It’s another Focus Entertainment published title and we do know that it will be making it’s way to GeForce NOW already, so whether local or cloud, this one applies to you to look out for as it’s set to be a strong release in the early part of the year.
“In a mad and sublime utopian world, take part in explosive encounters. Adapt your fighting style to each opponent, use your environment and upgrade your equipment to fulfill your mission. If you want to reach the truth, you’ll have to pay in blood.”
The game itself does take on a very familiar story with utopian worlds, robot controlled systems, so it’s not something that gamers haven’t taken on before but this title looks visually impressive and like it truly has an air of something special about it, which is why it’s made our list.
Featuring combat abilities, skills and collecting resources, Atomic Heart releases in February and quite frankly, we think it looks fantastic and carries so much potential. We just hope that it doesn’t turn out to be a title that builds anticipation, and then fails to deliver at launch or is marred with technical issues.
So it’s you versus the robots once again, are you up for the challenge?
We certainly are, so you won’t have long to wait to find out just how good Atomic Heart turns out to be.
Wild Hearts
Now this one will be met with a serious amount of groans, I dare say. However it’s again, publisher and developer, working together to challenge a status quo.
With it being EA, I do understand that this will automatically switch people of to the possibility that this is one to watch, however what seems to be a take on going head to head with a Monster Hunter style game, Wild Hearts is from Koei Tecmo Games and published by EA.
“WILD HEARTS™ is a unique twist on the hunting genre, where technology gives you a fighting chance against fearsome beasts infused with the ferocious power of nature itself. Take on these creatures alone or hunt with friends in seamless co-op.
No one remembers why the Kemono began their rampage through a once-prosperous Azuma. Fueled by desperation, they wield the power of primal nature at its most destructive. For a while, it seemed that none could stand against their overwhelming might. But hope arrives in the form of a formidable hunter armed with deadly weapons and ancient technology called Karakuri that could turn the tide of battle.”
The gameplay trailer recently released, it certainly holds some intrigue and interest and very much has the ability to carry some potential. It’s more a case of whether this will be an IP that delivers on that potential or whether the inevitable comparisons to Monster Hunter prove to much of a cross to bear.
Releasing in February Wild Hearts is certainly wanting to gain a place in gamers minds, hearts and libraries, cleverly avoiding a fall launch in what could shape up to be a very busy release schedule year for games.
It’s one to watch to see whether it really manages to strike all the right notes, but we feel it was deserving of a mention when thinking of games to look out for in 2023.
The Invincible
The Invincible is from Starward Industries and published by 11 bit studios, it takes us towards the future on an adventure that again involves robots. We just can’t seem to get away from those pesky robots!
“Rethink human’s dominion in The Invincible: a story-driven adventure set in a hard sci-fi world by Stanisław Lem. Discover planet Regis III as scientist Yasna, use atompunk tools looking for a missing crew and face unforeseen threats. Make choices in a philosophical story that’s driven by science.”
One of the reasons we put the game on our list is that it is based on an iconic science fiction novel and these kinds of adaptations tend to go one or two ways. They either prosper and turn out to be a stroke of genius or they completely miss the mark.
The game naturally has a very story-rich element of adventure to it and is set to takes us on a wild journey of exploration, in some of the eeriest places.
So buckle up, strap yourself in as it’s mankind versus the robots once again.
Nightingale
Our last entry into our list of games to look out for in 2023, is Nightingale by Inflexion Games.
It’s an open-world survival craft title that is launching in early access this year, and one that fills us with intrigue.
“Set out on a journey of survival and adventure, into the mysterious and dangerous Fae Realms of Nightingale! Become an intrepid Realmwalker, and venture forth alone or with friends – as you explore, craft, build and fight across a visually stunning Gaslamp Fantasy world.”
Nightingale is PVE and can be played Solo or with friends, as you find yourself stranded beyond the world, leaving you to fight for your survival, spanning across vast and beautiful landscapes, realms near and far.
These types of survival craft open world games are capturing more and more gamers, with a variety of stories to tell. With this being in early access, we anticipate that it may open to somewhat mild reviews, but as with all early access titles, you go on a journey of development, hoping that at the end of it all, you have a beautifully crafted masterpiece that everyone is talking about.
That sums up our games to watch in 2023 and as you can see, we have very much avoided nearly all of the huge, hyped, most talked about titles and that is exactly how we wanted it to be. The spotlight needs to shine on the vast array of titles launching this year that are going to deliver some of the best gaming experiences and then others may well completely miss the mark. With that being said, the only thing to do, is strap ourselves in and enjoy the gaming ride that’s in store for us in 2023.
Let us know what you think below, are any of these games on your watchlist already for this year?