What games are worth playing 2023?

Daring escapades in faraway realms, bone-chilling horror in space, and innovative indie adventures are all on the menu for 2023. While it always feels like the previous year's game release calendar can never be one-upped by the coming one, we're continually proven wrong. This year looks to be stocked with some amazing titles we can't wait to get our hands on.

Alan Wake 2

Platform(s): PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Released: October 17, 2023
Developer(s): Remedy Entertainment
Genre(s): Survival Horror

If you want to keep a weather eye out for some of your most anticipated game launches this year or simply wish to be kept abreast of delays, recent reviews, and new game announcements, then you've come to the perfect place. We here at https://vbrae.com aim to keep you well-informed of the coming video game releases of 2023. Check back for updates!

Updated October 27, 2023: We're ready to dive into the excitement and thrills of October! Whether we're diving into a hay cart in Assassin's Creed Mirage, diving into a free fall while web-slinging through the cityscapes of New York in Marvel's Spider-Man 2, or diving into a mystery in Alan Wake 2, we're here for it.

This Week's Highlights

We're finally winding down on game release for the year, but October has one last huge hurrah for us. Alan Wake 2, to the delight of fans everywhere, premiered this past week, and it has mightily pleased our reviewer, Jade King. In her review, she states, "This feels like the game this developer has wanted to make for years...To see that ambition finally realized is a delight, and the end result is one of the best survival horror games I’ve ever played."

January 2023 Games

The Dead Space remake comes out in January. Is there any other reason to be excited about this month? Holy moly, Forspoken is set to launch this month too, as is Fire Emblem Engage. 2023 is off to one hell of a strong start based on these three games alone.

February 2023 Games

In a stunning repeat of last year, February is once again when the games industry has decided to lighten our wallets and absorb all our waking hours. Destiny 2: Lightfall, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line, and Like a Dragon: Ishin! are just a few of the titles set to release this month. Try not to let the start of the year overload your gaming to-do list only two months in.

March 2023 Games

We waited years for news on the Resident Evil 4 remake. We only have to wait a measly couple of months into 2023 before we can revisit Leon Kennedy's infamous trip to Spain. Not only that, but PC players will be able to dive into the visual splendor of The Last of Us Part 1, Bayonetta fans will get a new origin story, and Remnant: From the Ashes will make a Switch appearance.

April 2023 Games

After several delays, Dead Island 2 is set to release in April. Footage of the game looks pretty good, and so far, it is one of the shining stars of this month. But the clear titans of this month are set to be Minecraft Legends and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor!

May 2023 Games

It's here. The big one. The one we've all been waiting for. May brings with it one of the most highly anticipated games of all time. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was almost unanimously everyone's game of the year, so it awaits to be seen if Tears of the Kingdom will be 2023's. We've also got Redfall, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, and the System Shock remake. May...is going to be amazing.

June 2023 Games

June will be the month that breaks us this year. We've got Street Fighter 6, Diablo 4, and Final Fantasy 16 releasing in the same month? When does the world expect us to work?!

July 2023 Games

July is ripening when it comes to game launches! Both Pikmin 4 and Disney Illusion Island are set to release during the height of the summer. But for the most part, July seems to be a month of peace where we can relax after the torrent of games from May and June.

• July 4: Synapse PSVR2
• July 7: The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie PS4, PS5, Switch, PC
• July 12: Oxenfree II: Lost Signals PS4, PS5, Switch, PC
• July 13: Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg PS4, PS5, Switch, PC
• July 13: Manic Mechanics Switch
• July 14: Exoprimal PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• July 18: LISA: Definitive Edition PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC
• July 18: Viewfinder PS5, PC
• July 20: Lakeburg Legacies PC
• July 21: Pikmin 4 Switch
• July 25: Remnant II PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• July 26: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart PC
• July 27: The Expanse: A Telltale Series Episode 1 PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• July 27: Sword & Fairy Inn 2 Switch
• July 28: Disney Illusion Island Switch
• July 31: Venba PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC

August 2023 Games

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Sea of Stars together in one month. We'll be getting a wide spectrum of emotions within our game releases in August, that's for sure. But the clear heavy hitters of this month look to be Baldur's Gate 3 with its jump out of early access, Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon with the immense curiosity we all feel about its gameplay, and Goodbye Volcano High with our editor-in-chief's highest hopes.

September 2023 Games

So when we first wrote this paragraph for September, we made a joke about how few games were launching this month. And my, how the universe just loves to humble us by doubling down on game launches. Not only is Starfield coming out, we have Rune Factory 3 Special, Mortal Kombat 1, Lies of P, Payday 3, and Cocoon all zooming out this month too. September is giving June a run for its money when it comes to how many games are releasing within it. Or rather it's giving June a run for our money, as its all our wallets who will have to pay the price.

October 2023 Games

We love it when a horror game releases in October. Alan Wake 2 is set to launch in the middle of the month, so that's perfect timing if you aim to celebrate your Halloween with a well-deserved horror title. We've also got Xbox versions of Warhammer 40k: Darktide and Hellboy: Web of Wyrd for those of you looking for spooky settings. And for you Assassin's Creed fans out there, Mirage is releasing in October too!

November 2023 Games

November was previously bare of games, but now we've got the surprise shuffle of The Day Before from March 1 to November 10. It remains to be seen what other games will join this lone title.

• November 1: Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story Switch, PC
• November 2: Star Ocean The Second Story R Switch
• November 2: Thirsty Suitors PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC
• November 2: Fashion Dreamer Switch
• November 2: PlateUp! PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
• November 2: POWERWASH SIMULATOR VR Meta Quest 3
• November 2: For the King II PC
• November 2: RoboCop: Rogue City PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC
• November 2: The Talos Principle 2 PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• November 3: Wario Ware Move It Switch
• November 6: The Invincible PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• November 6: Football Manager 24 PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC
• November 7: Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• November 7: Tintin Reporter: Cigars of the Pharaoh PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• November 7: Salt and Sacrifice Switch
• November 9: Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• November 9: Cuisineer PC
• November 10: The Day Before PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• November 10: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• November 14: Hogwarts Legacy Switch
• November 14: Coral Island PS5, Xbox Series X|S
• November 17: Persona 5 Tactica PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC
• November 17: Super Mario RPG Remake Switch
• November 17: Bluey The Video Game PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC
• November 22: Jurassic Park Classic Games Collection PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC
• November 30: Granblue Fantasy: Versus Rising PS4, PS5, PC
• November 30: Biomutant Switch
• November 30: Gangs of Sherwood PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

December 2023 Games

We know there is a dedicated fan base that is absolutely pumped that Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is coming out this year. It's currently the only game we have set to release this month, but we're sure that's bound to change soon.

• December 1: Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince Switch
• December 1: Batman Arkham Trilogy Switch
• December 5: The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria PS5
• December 5: Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong Switch
• December 7: Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• December 7: Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• December 7: Smalland: Survive the Wild PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• December 14: House Flipper 2 PC
• December 31: Blazing Strike PS4, PS5, Switch, PC

To Be Announced 2023 Games

Though none of these games have set launch dates yet, we can hope to see them some time this year. Or, failing that, we can keep track of them for 2024.

• 33 Immortals Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Anger Foot PC
• Animal Well Switch, PC
• Arc Raiders PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Arizona Sunshine 2 PSVR2
• Ark 2 Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Ark: Survival Ascended PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Avowed Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Behemoth PSVR2, PC VR, Meta Quest 2
• Black Myth: Wukong PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Blue Protocol PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Bounty Star PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Cat Quest: Pirates of the Purribean PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC
• Clockwork Revolution Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Concord PS5, PC
• Creature Keeper PC
• Cuisineer PC
• Cyber Knights: Flashpoint PC
• Death Stranding 2 PS5
• DecaPolice Switch
• Dragon's Dogma 2 PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Dune: Awakening PC
• Dungeons of Hinterberg Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Earthblade TBA
• Earthlock 2 PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Everywhere TBA
• Fable TBA
• Fabledom PC
• Fairgames PS5, PC
• Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted 2 PSVR2
• Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Flock PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Foamstars PS4, PS5
• Forever Skies PS5, PC
• Galacticare PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Ghost Bike PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Hades 2 TBA
• Harold Halibut Xbox Series X|S
• Hell Is Us PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Homeworld 3 PC
• Honkai: Star Rail PS5
• Hyper Light Breaker PC
• Hytale PC
• John Carpenter's Toxic Commando PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Judas PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC
• Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• King Arthur: Legends Rise PC
• The Kunitsu-Gami - Path of the Goddess PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Lightyear Frontier Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior PC
• Marathon PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater TBA
• Metal Slug Tactics Switch, PC
• Metaphor Re Fantazio PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution PS4, PS5, Switch
• Neptunia: Sisters VS Sisters Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
• Neva PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC
• Nine Sols PC
• Palworld PC
• Path of Exile 2 PS4, Xbox One, PC
• Phantom Blade 0 TBA
• Phasmophobia PS5, Xbox Series, X|S
• The Plucky Squire PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC
• Post Trauma TBA
• Pragmata PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Professor Layton and the New World of Steam Switch
• Quilts and Cats of Calico Switch, PC
• Ravenswatch PS5
• Replaced Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Revenant Hill PS5, PC
• Rift of the NecroDancer Switch, PC
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Sand Land PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Schim PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Switch, PC
• Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Skate Story PC
• Skull and Bones PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• South of Midnight Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Space Trash Scavengers PC
• Star Wars: Hunters Switch
• Star Wars Outlaws PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Stellaris Nexus PC
• Still Wakes the Deep PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Suikoden 1&2 HD Remaster PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
• Sword of the Sea PS5, PC
• Teardown PS5, Xbox Series X|S
• Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC
• Throne and Liberty PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Time Flies PS4, PS5, Switch, PC
• Towerborne Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Towers of Aghasba PS5, PC
• Transformers: Reactivate TBA
• Ultros PS4, PS5, PC
• Valheim Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Wayfinder PS4, PS5, PC
• Where Winds Meet PC
• The Wolf Among Us 2 PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
• Yes, Your Grace: Snowfall Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC