We’re not alone in noting that 2022’s game release calendar wasn’t exactly the one we all expected. Several years into the still ongoing global pandemic that thoroughly upended everybody’s day to day lives, 2022 saw its impact on game development hit hardest with countless delays and work culture shifts hammering the already tumultuous industry. Now, staring down the barrel of 2023, some form of normalcy seems to be setting back in for our beloved interactive pass times. And while stability is hardly something we think anyone takes for granted anymore, the slate of games releasing (fingers crossed) this year points toward a development scene that has found its footing.
Here at WellPlayed we do our best to be across most forms of games. For some of us it’s the slickly produced and outrageously gorgeous AAA scene that has our attention, out in full force for 2023 with big hitters like the Resident Evil 4 remake, Bethesda’s long-awaited Starfield and (again fingers crossed) FromSoftware’s first Armored Core title in a decade. For others, independent developers are gearing up for another banger year with unique titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong, Blanc and the impossibly cool Sea of Stars. There are no wrong answers here, just a year full of exciting new adventures and returning favourites. So, from us here at WellPlayed a final and belated happy new year and a huge shoutout to all the games that grace our most anticipated 2023 list below.
One Piece Odyssey
Developer: ILCA | Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Platform: PS5/PS4/Xbox Series X|S/PC | Release: 10/01/23
What’s stopping you from watching One Piece as your New Year’s resolution? Don’t be a coward, embrace one of the best pieces of longform storytelling around. You’ve got access to Netflix.
One Piece has it all. It’s got comical superpowered pirates, extensive worldbuilding, years-long plot threads and ambitious call-backs. And once you’ve done that, jump into the “what if?” retelling of the anime’s 750+ episodes in the first One Piece Japanese roleplaying game to come westward in Odyssey. Ya’ll know how I like to have my expectations absolutely obliterated with video game adaptations of anime, but this one genuinely looks the goods!
Nathan Hennessy
Hogwarts Legacy
Developer: Avalanche Software | Publisher: Portkey Games
Platform: PS5/Xbox Series X|S/PC | Release: 10/02/23
Harry Potter inhabits a world that most of us want to live in. Dark wizards and terrifying secrets aside, a whole generation of kids grew up desperately wanting an Owl to bring them an invitation to Hogwarts – and Legacy may be the closest we will ever come. What cracks me up is how so many people are bouncing off the walls regarding the amazing combat system, or the intensely detailed locales that drag the world off of its pages and onto your screens – when the thing that has both my wife and me nattering about the game is the idea of actually attending Hogwarts classes. The friendly rivalry between us as we discuss who will be better at Herbology, or which of us will dominate Charms – it’s a race to see who the Hogwarts valedictorian in our household will be. I am sure there is some deep and exciting mystery to uncover and solve, but really I am about acing my Ordinary Wizarding Level (O.W.L) standardised tests.
Ash Wayling
I have been waiting for a Harry Potter-themed RPG or similar game for such a long time and now it’s finally coming and looks even better than I could have ever imagined. The scope of the game looks far beyond anything I could have hoped for and I look forward to diving into the wizarding world of Hogwarts and living out my dreams as a good or even bad witch.
Holly Buckley
Blanc
Developer: Casus Ludi | Publisher: Gearbox Publishing
Platform: Switch/PC | Release: 14/02/23
Like Tunic did last year, Blanc has the opportunity to launch early enough in the year to make a name for itself and bring in an audience, which I certainly hope it does. This wonderful looking adventure has been on my watchlist for quite a while and I’m mighty keen to go on a heart-warming journey with a little wolf cub and its fawn friend, especially given its unique look and feel. I can already tell I’m going to be shedding tears by the end, but I’m ready for an emotional tale that I can share with a friend. My only concern comes from how long that journey might be, because no doubt I’ll never want it to end.
Mark Isaacson
Like a Dragon: Ishin!
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio | Publisher: Sega
Platform: PS5/PS4/Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One/PC | Release: 21/02/23
The Like a Dragon franchise has been going on for what seems like forever, but Sega isn’t at all interested in slowing down now. Of all the games in the series that have me most interested, however, it’s Like a Dragon: Ishin!, the first time the spin-off series has landed in the West. Set in the middle of the 1800s, this will feel both unfamiliar and strikingly reminiscent to past fans of the franchise, with a few familiar faces making an appearance playing very different names based on real-life events. Beyond that, expect the usual assortment of violent action, unusual characters and even weirder situations mixed with plenty of emotional moments and top-quality voice acting. Hopefully this one gets the marketing support it deserves as it releases during an incredibly busy period.
Mark Isaacson
Destiny 2: Lightfall
Developer: Bungie | Publisher: Bungie
Platform: PS5/PS4/Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One/PC | Release: 28/02/23
The end of an era. Or is it? There is an enormous rift between those that have followed all of Destiny 2‘s plot beats and those who have simply enjoyed being along for the ride. I am squarely in the latter camp and Lightfall is being touted as the closing chapter in the years-long saga that began in 2017. The heavy neon cityscapes we’ve been teased with in trailers are what I hoped we’d be able to explore since we first glimpsed the remnants of humanity from the Tower. And then, the inevitable question. What’s next for Bestiny? [sic].
Nathan Hennessy
The Day Before
Developer: Fntastic | Publisher: MyTona
Platform: PC | Release: 01/03/2023
For the longest time I’ve been craving a good zombie MMO that I can play with my mates until the early hours of the morning. On the surface, The Day Before from Fntastic ticks all the boxes – its gameplay is inspired by the likes of The Last of Us and The Division, and visually it looks stunning. This is the game a lot of people have been waiting for, which is why it spent so long at the top of the Steam Wishlist charts. But while I love an underdog, even I know rooting for The Day Before to succeed is wishful thinking, as there are a ton of red flags surrounding the project. But I’m a glass half full kinda guy and I am hoping that on March 2 when it launches we get at least something resembling the game Fntastic is promising.
Zach Jackson
I’m not going to lie to you, this slot was initially taken by another highly anticipated PC release but the sheer level of hype, mystery and outright existential horror swirling around Fntastic’s The Day Before has skyrocketed it up my list for the year. This zombie-survival shooter-MMO…thing has been cooking for a long time now, with its initial reveal causing a massive wave of expectations and intrigue to crash down around it. In the proceeding years, that sweet, sweet Steam Wishlist water has slowly but surely rolled back out to sea and in its absence, The Day Before has largely closed up like a clam shell. What exactly will we find inside when it releases, we don’t really know. A pearl? A shrivelled yet tasty treat? A reason why I’m so caught up on these ocean-adjacent metaphors?
James Wood
I will admit that I am holding my breath for this one. We have only seen slivers of information and felt more than a few broken promises. The idea of the game sounds great, an open-world survival shooter that doubles as an MMO has certainly piqued my interest. I really hope to see more information and gameplay soon so I can continue to say with confidence why this game belongs on my list of anticipated games.
Holly Buckley
Star Wars: Jedi Survivor
Developer: Respawn Entertainment | Publisher: EA
Platform: PS5/Xbox Series X|S/PC | Release: 17/03/2023
Star Wars fans spent many years patiently waiting for EA to branch out and do more with the licence than bleed our pockets with aggressive multiplayer monetisation. In 2019, those patient years were rewarded when Respawn Entertainment released Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, a Souls-like action game that introduced us to Jedi runaway Cal Kestis. With the first game in the books, Respawn can look to iterate and innovate with the sequel, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Picking up several years after the original, Survivor will see Kestis matured and hardened by his battle against the Empire. Alongside the exciting new narrative possibilities, it looks as though Survivor will be adding a host of new combat wrinkles that will be most welcome. Something tells me that this follow-up will be strong with the Force.
Adam Ryan
Have A Nice Death
Developer: Magic Design Studios | Publisher: Gearbox Publishing
Platform: Switch/PC | Release: 22/03/2023
Having sat in Early Access for a good while, Have a Nice Death hits 1.0 across PC and console this year and I’m keen to embrace its full potential. Like Hades before it, releasing in early access provides a smaller team the luxury of building its game around community support, and that can often lead to a highly polished title by the end of the journey. I’ve been keeping a close eye on this one over time and everything points to just that, with top-level animation across procedurally generated platforming levels full to the brim with charm.
Mark Isaacson
Resident Evil 4
Developer: Capcom | Publisher: Capcom
Platform: PS5/PS4/Xbox Series X|S/PC | Release: 24/03/23
The Capcom industrial machine churns once more as we enter the era of remaking games that are at least adjacent to the modern Resident Evil design ethos. Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes made sense for a market raised on more action-orientated, lore-heavy Resi titles but Resident Evil 4, even some 18 years after its initial release, remains both readily available for purchase and eternally playable. Capcom has been somewhat conservative with new footage of this remake too, only drumming up more mystery as to how they’ve gone about remaking a game that arguably doesn’t strictly need one. For what it’s worth, I’m hoping for a better take on Ashley’s character writing and to relive one of the greatest action titles of all time in deliciously wet 4K reimagined carnage. But if they don’t get the priest suplex right, what’s the point?
James Wood
It feels like only yesterday I was sweating bullets playing Resident Evil 4 for the first time as an 18-year-old in my parents’ garage loft, getting my arse kicked constantly by Krauser until I finally prevailed. Like so many others, Resident Evil 4 has had a profound impact on my gaming interests, with the survival horror masterpiece from Capcom being an irreplaceable member of my top three games club. I mean, I even had posters of Leon and Ada on my wall as a kid. Capcom has made no secret of its intention to give its back catalogue a new lease on life, and so far both Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 have been reimagined for modern audiences with outstanding success. But neither had the influence on game development or the cultural impact that the fourth entry did, so I can only imagine the reverence Capcom is treating this project with. All I can do is wait in anticipation to play Resident Evil 4 in all its wet and beautiful RE Engine glory. Capcom, if you’re reading this, please add Ada’s Separate Ways minigame and I will love you for all eternity.
Zach Jackson
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Developer: Nintendo | Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Switch | Release: 12/05/23
To say that I am a massive Zelda fan would be an understatement, and so it should shock absolutely no one that Tears of the Kingdom is at the very top of my most anticipated list for 2023. Nintendo’s IP was the very reason I became so heavily invested in music, which was integral in shaping who I am today. Breath of the Wild was a breath of fresh air (pun intended) in a market that had become saturated in open-world games with shallow design. The game had so much depth, nuance, and character in its world. A height of open-world design I feel has only been reached since by Elden Ring which released five years after Breath of the Wild.
It was the little things that made BOTW so good. The way the weather affected your gameplay, watching NPCs seek cover when it rains, or the way that the world was entirely designed around capitalising on the game’s unique physics-based sandbox. Breath of the Wild is just a phenomenal time and I am so keen to see what Tears of the Kingdom has to offer. If you were to ask me, the best Zelda title is Majora’s Mask as it was so tightly designed in relation to and as a consequence of Ocarina of Time’s success, and I am hoping that Tears of the Kingdom will be in a similar position. Zelda games are often designed with very different design philosophies in mind compared to their predecessors and I have no doubt that this will follow suit. I have complete faith in the Game Director, Hidemaro Fujibayashi to deliver something incredible.
Jordan Garcia
The only non-indie pick on my most anticipated games of 2023. Strangely, given its insurmountable expectations, we haven’t seen much of the game yet. But the Zelda team at Nintendo have rarely ever missed. What makes Tears of the Kingdom interesting is that its release date will be over six years since its predecessor, Breath of the Wild, released – a longer gap between that game and its own predecessor Skyward Sword. I can only imagine the wild ideas Nintendo is going to throw at us with the way Link interacts with the environments, the secrets tucked away in every corner of the world and what separates this ‘sequel’ from its sibling, given the two share obvious similarities but have opted for different names. Could this be what Majora’s Mask was to Ocarina of Time? I certainly hope so. While I’ve seen more from other high-profile games to get excited about, just knowing this game exists is enough to shoot it up to the top of my most anticipated list.
Josh Rizk
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Developer: Rocksteady Studios | Publisher: Warner Bros. Entertainment
Platform: PS5/Xbox Series X|S/PC | Release: 26/05/23
Co-op? Yes. DC comics? Yes. Playing as the villains? Double yes! Rocksteady looks like it will have continued its trend of creating amazing Superhero games, following the wide success of the Arkham series with 2023’s Suicide Squad. This is shaping up to be an absolute kick-ass game with an interesting story to tell and to top it off, we get to have one last performance from the fantastic Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Everyone knows how much I love my co-op and comics so this one is absolutely tickling my excitement.
Holly Buckley
Look, I was already excited to see what Rocksteady had cooked up for Suicide Squad – but really what I felt was a yearning to return to the Arkham-verse. The Batman: Arkham <Title> games have displayed a pedigree that deserves respect for sheer consistency. There are very few developers left that instil confidence in what they intend to deliver, and Rocksteady still has a firm grip on expectations they can meet.
But a shooter game? With multiple players? And Villainous Hero characters that you have to defeat? This is so far off their usual reservation that even with all the marketing released so far, I am curious how on earth they can deliver such a promise. But, if anyone can pull it off – it will be Rocksteady. One last ride for Kevin Conroy’s Batman – and I am sincerely hoping it is an exceptional one.
Ash Wayling
Diablo IV
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment | Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Platform: PS5/PS4/Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One/PC | Release: 06/06/23
I love Diablo III. It’s been a staple for revisits every other-other season with mates, as we all kick off together and inevitably drift apart with absurd builds and paragon-boosting strategies – but I am tired, boss. I loved playing through Diablo II: Resurrected – heck, I even blasted through the story content of Diablo Immortal, all it did was confirm that I am hungry for a new, meaty Diablo experience – and Diablo IV absolutely looks to be it.
The darker tone aligns with people more used to Diablo II’s aesthetic and coupled with the new and exciting story-telling techniques within the game, I am buzzing at what to expect from our tussle with Lilith, Daughter of Hatred. Sanctuary is a perpetually doomed place, so it’s always fun to check in with the denizens and see what horrible oppressive force is making their life a literal hell this time.
Ash Wayling
Back when I was in college, a mate and I spent days on end playing Diablo III in local co-op, rejecting sleep, and ignoring assignment deadlines. After all, what was an essay on philosophical thought experiments to one of the Nephalem? Absolutely nothing. In a somewhat backwards fashion, I got around to playing Diablo II years later, falling in love with its far darker, more gothic tone. The next instalment of the long-running ARPG series looks to combine the best aspects of Diablo II and III, resulting in a game with a grim aesthetic and depth in its combat systems. The return of Lilith will certainly see the return of my bad sleeping habits associated with this series.
Adam Ryan
Final Fantasy XVI
Developer: Square Enix | Publisher: Square Enix
Platform: PS5 | Release: 22/06/23
There are so many titles I could have listed here, from Zelda to Hades 2, but those two in particular were such a hard lock for my most anticipated that it seemed almost unfair to include them. Final Fantasy XVI, meanwhile, has been slowly building up to its launch and that last trailer during the Game Awards hyped me up big time, to the point where I have very high hopes it can deliver on its promise of big action and Game of Thrones-ish narrative. Given how many iffy RPGs Square Enix launched last year alone, there’s a tiny bit of fear that this might come out undercooked, but we don’t have to wait too much longer to find out.
Mark Isaacson
One of my really unpopular gaming opinions is that I think, while deeply, deeply flawed, I absolutely adore Final Fantasy XV. Affectionately referred to (by me) as the best tale of a loveable boyband on the market, this game just does it for me, despite its various shortcomings. Final Fantasy XVI is poised to take the mantle of my most enjoyed Final Fantasy game, and so its release this year cannot come any faster.
Directed by Naoki Yoshida (aka Yoshi-P), the madman who not only brought Final Fantasy XIV back from the dead but did so by absolutely nuking the original game and its servers (both literally and figuratively) and has kept the game in a great direction since. FFXIV has all the ingredients to make a great game – a director who understands the difference between player engagement and player retention, a combat director who is well-known for their work on Dragon’s Dogma and Devil May Cry, a fanbase of rabid weebs (okay maybe this isn’t quite a thing to brag about) – this is Square Enix’s game to flop.
Jordan Garcia
Those rusted-on Final Fantasy fans among us have been parched and needy for our blockbuster JRPG sequel since we were cruising with the boys in XV back in 2016. With the fan-favourite director of the ubiquitous “critically acclaimed MMO” FFXIV at the helm this time, I’m clamouring to see what high drama and adventures await later this year. Until I get my hands on this dark fantasy romp, I’m being a bad games content writer and going dark on the trailers.
Nathan Hennessy
Baldur’s Gate 3
Developer: Larian Studios | Publisher: Larian Studios
Platform: PC | Release: August 2023
Larian Studios, developers of the incredible modern CRPG series Divinity: Original Sin, are inching towards the launch of the deep Dungeons & Dragons video game, Baldur’s Gate 3. Ever since I was a little tacker, I had a vicarious fascination with the series. I loved watching speedruns, hearing the stories of my friend who has thousands of hours in the games and modded them to death. I myself have many hours in these games but never made big strides in them. The dated D&D 2nd edition rule set is too esoteric and fiddly for me to navigate in the confines of a video game.
If you’ve never heard of Baldur’s Gate, you might be surprised to know that this a series that put Bioware on the map prior to Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect. An isometric, classic roleplaying game that features party-based combat that is brutally unforgiving, in a world that is dense with storytelling and rich, fantasy characters. In the new golden age of D&D, in the hands of the roleplaying masters at Larian, I cannot wait to embark on a months-long campaign with my fiancé and some friends. Indeed, we expect just as many scheduling conflicts to throw us off schedule.
Nathan Hennessy
It may be a bit unfair to put Baldur’s Gate 3 here as I’ve been playing the game recently in its Early Access build, available since November 2020 and honestly, I’m in love. I’ve always been a fan of Dungeons & Dragons, and Baldur’s Gate 3’s implementation of the Fifth Edition rules and toolset is fantastic. For a game that is still in Early Access, it is pretty impressive how it has managed to grab me for 60+ hours at the time of writing and will probably continue to do so as it enters its 1.0 release in August of this year.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 sits as the single best turn-based RPG for me, and as such it also stands far and above everything else in the CRPG market. The depth of the characters, their associated dialogue, and the way the combat is more than just directly attacking enemies – developer Larian Studios truly understands how to bring D&D to the video game format like BioWare once did.
Jordan Garcia
AEW: Fight Forever
Developer: Yukes | Publisher: THQ Nordic
Platform: PS5/PS4/Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One/PC | Release: 2023
For the past three years, All Elite Wrestling has been steadily growing and improving, becoming a true alternative to WWE. Excellent matches, huge crossovers with other wrestling companies and long-term storylines have made AEW a must-watch product. The next step in their growth is, of course, a video game that lets fans set up dream matches and kick the shit out of each other digitally as their favourite wrestlers. Opting to avoid realism, Fight Forever is set to be a throwback, pick-up-and-play game that draws inspiration from bygone titles like WWF No Mercy. The idea that I’ll be able to jump into the boots of Hangman Page and Buckshot Lariat the head off MJF and not need to dedicate hours of my life to tutorials is incredibly appealing as a fan of wrestling and gaming alike. Sorry, my wrestling nerd slipped out, let me put that back.
Adam Ryan
Anger Foot
Developer: Free Lives | Publisher: Devolver Digital
Platform: PC | Release: 2023
The most thrilling indie games are the ones that take a simple concept and build an experience around it. In Anger Foot, you make use of a very angry foot to kick open doors, kick slack-jawed idiots in the face and occasionally kick whatever else may help your situation. Sure, you can make use of guns – but they are window dressing compared to the devastating power nested at the end of your leg.
Really, it’s a shallow gimmick – but both the trailer and demo displayed the mastery of the developers in making sure that your kick-venture is as fresh and exciting as you could make it. Environments are littered with convenient trajectory paths for hapless foot-flung goons, and doors soar off their hinges to pancake punks. Seeing one area that is clearly a rooftop filled me with excitement at the prospect of booting a baddie into a doomed descent – it spoke to me.
Ash Wayling
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon
Developer: FromSoftware | Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Platform: PS5/Xbox Series X|S/PC | Release: 2023
Amid the flurry of exciting indies and slick remakes, no other 2023 (hopefully) title has me as amped up as Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. FromSoftware, coming off their biggest hit to date, returning to the cold and cruel metallic trappings of their deeply political and intricate mech-war franchise is poetry to me. The Armored Core games are the last thing I would have expected the studio to present to the world, effectively using years’ worth of hype and goodwill to entice players into checking out an entirely alien experience. We’ve only got the sick cinematic reveal trailer to go on so far, but the game is being directed by Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice lead designer Masaru Yamamura, who has recently told press that there isn’t an active effort to make the series more Soulslike. This is delicious information for my money, as early leaks suggested that Fires of Rubicon will be shifting to an open world environment but adhering to the precision and minutia-focused gameplay of the franchise. A massive gamble with the world’s attention finally on them, FromSoftware seem to be preparing to drop one of the most divisive and interesting AAA games of the year.
James Wood
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
Developer: Team Reptile | Publisher: Team Reptile
Platform: Switch/PC | Release: 2023
I am a Dreamcast guy. With it comes memories of the hip-hop happening thrill ride that was Jet Set Radio, and the yawning void of anything quite like it in modern times. Then along comes Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, unashamedly delivering the spiritual successor that we desperately need. A funky neon experience where you can free run, skate and grind across a city while jamming to banger tunes and leaving your mark in any way you choose. Even with rumours that Sega is actually in early consideration to create a new Jet Set game, this is the title that has established itself on my radar.
Ash Wayling
Bramble: The Mountain King
Developer: Dimfrost Studio | Publisher: Merge Games
Platform: PS5/PS4/Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One/Switch/PC | Release: 2023
There’s just something about games inspired by Nordic tales that grabs my attention and Bramble: The Mountain King from Dimfrost Studio and Merge Games has grabbed it with both hands. In Bramble you play as Olle, who sets off to rescue his sister after she was taken by a troll. Olle must traverse beautiful environments and avoid deadly creatures that inhabit the world. I played and enjoyed a very brief demo of the game last year, with the visuals being simply breathtaking. I’m looking forward to playing through Olle’s journey when it launches this year.
Zach Jackson
Cocoon
Developer: Asobo Studio | Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Platform: Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One/Switch/PC | Release: 2023
When watching the reveal trailer for Cocoon at the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, it was the gorgeous art style that immediately caught my eye, then the gameplay kicked in and it instantly became one of my most anticipated games of 2023. Completing puzzles that are, literally, within other puzzles sounds like a daunting task, but the elegance of Cocoon promises to be captivating and engaging enough to pull it off. The bow that ties the package together is the fact that Jeppe Carlsen, the Lead Gameplay Designer for Limbo and Inside is taking the reins. I genuinely can’t wait to be a bug that dives into balls. Hmm, that came out differently to how I meant it, but you get the point.
Adam Ryan
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
Developer: A44 Games | Publisher: Kepler Interactive
Platform: PS5/PS4/Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One/PC | Release: 2023
Hidden among the big-budget blockbusters and the indie darlings are a number of AA titles that have intriguing concepts and/or solid looking gameplay. One that ticks both of those boxes is Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn. An open-world action RPG that blends godly magic with guns already sounds like a banger but throw in a fox-like companion and you’ve really got my attention. A creative setting and some solid-looking combat have solidified Flintlock as one of my most anticipated games of the year and, as long as I have the option to pet that fox, I have a feeling that my excitement is well-placed.
Adam Ryan
Hades 2
Developer: Supergiant Games | Publisher: Supergiant Games
Platform: PC | Release: 2023
Supergiant Games is my all-time favourite developer, and Hades is naturally one of my favourite games of all time. It would therefore feel unnatural to say that Hades II, Supergiant’s first attempt at a sequel, wouldn’t be my most anticipated game as soon as it was announced. If you dived into the first game like I did, you already know the depth of its many characters, word building and stories, and the room it leaves to build upon. But from the initial trailer for Hades II, it almost seems like everything is new. I honestly don’t need to see a single screenshot from this until the game releases but until then, this will forever remain my most anticipated game for 2023. Supergiant has made four out of four masterpieces and I am confident it will soon be five.
Josh Rizk
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Developer: Team Cherry | Publisher: Team Cherry
Platform: PS5/PS4/Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One/Switch/PC | Release: 2023
Look, I’m just going to come right out and say it. Hollow Knight is one of, if not the best video game to come out of Australia. Team Cherry so perfectly understood the fine dance of combat, customisation, and design that creates a great Metroidvania experience. There is a reason why this game is so highly regarded amongst the Metroidvania community, and that is because it bloody rules. Hollow Knight Silksong has led quite an interesting life, with development being impacted by COVID-19, but that aside it’s pretty reasonable to assume that I will be playing this game the very moment I can.
Following Hornet, whom you meet in the first game, Silksong looks to be more than just a sequel, with the available gameplay shown including some changes that go beyond just minor additions and improvements. As a lover of Metroidvania games, this release cannot come soon enough!
Jordan Garcia
Hollow Knight: Silksong has been on this Metroidvania fiend’s mind since it was announced back in 2019. Hollow Knight remains, in my mind, the best Metroidvania ever made (yes, even surpassing the legendary Castlevania: Symphony of the Night). Silksong’s pitch appears to take a page from Shovel Knight’s various expansions, giving us the opportunity to play as Hornet, who from the trailers has a completely different move set and mechanics to her smaller and stockier counterpart from the first game. It’s been a long wait but with the last update at E3 last year (the it will be coming to Xbox Game Pass no less), I just want to explore every nook and cranny in this very engrossing world. Oh yeah, and it wouldn’t be a WellPlayed list without some Aussie representation and who better than Team Cherry.
Josh Rizk
The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria
Developer: Free Range Games | Publisher: North Beach Games
Platform: PC | Release: 2023
A procedural survival crafting game set within the Lord of the Rings universe? Uhm yes please! I feel there has been little advertising for this game, but it still brings me great excitement to see what awaits me in the Mines of Moria. Playing as a grumbly little dwarf and joining my friends in exploring the great dwarven kingdom, 2023 is our time to dive greedily and deeply.
Holly Buckley
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Developer: Insomniac | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platform: PS5 | Release: 2023
Will Sony drop the next Spidey in 2023? As the biggest Spider-Man fan of the WellPlayed office (not up for debate), I have a strong feeling we will see Peter Parker’s next PS5 adventure towards the end of the year, Sony’s flagship release to lead the second half of the season. If that’s true, I can only imagine what Insomniac has been up to following Miles’ solo outing from the PS5 launch window two years ago, and what this likely PS5-only release will have up its webbed sleeves. One thing’s for sure, I’ll be all over this once the release date hits, as Spider-Man on PS4 was one of my favourite open-world experiences from the last generation, an emotionally thrilling adventure that proved with great writing comes great storytelling.
Mark Isaacson
Mina the Hollower
Developer: Yacht Club Games | Publisher: Yacht Club Games
Platform: PC | Release: 2023
Shovel Knight is probably one of the most iconic indie games of all time for multiple reasons. For me, I loved its cast of characters, music and mechanics across the titles and its various expansions. In fact, Shovel Knight might be my favourite side-scrolling platformer that isn’t Super Mario. Developer Yachtclub Games truly understands what made retro games special, nailing the feel of that era but expanding on it in meaningful ways with modern trends to makes something that feels retro and fresh at the same time. Mina the Hollower is the team’s next project and where Shovel Knight was a tribute to Ducktales and Super Mario from the NES era, Mina the Hollower is a tribute to top-down Zelda games in a dark fantasy setting in the GameBoy Colour era. There is something to be said about developing an art style within the parameters of GBC hardware, the game seems to be pulling it off with flying colours based on early footage. Plus, the soundtrack owns.
Josh Rizk
Redfall
Developer: Arkane Studios | Publisher: Bethesda
Platform: Xbox Series X|S/PC | Release: 2023
Arkane Studios has created some of my favourite games of the last few years, such as the Dishonored series and Deathloop, and is now diving into my favourite genre – co-op. Arkane Studios always has a unique perspective on video games so I look forward to seeing how those will come to fruition with Redfall, and seeing how the studio will tackle the co-op genre really intrigues me.
Holly Buckley
Sea of Stars
Developer: Sabotage Studio | Publisher: Sabotage Studio
Platform: PS5/PS4/Switch/PC | Release: 2023
I was late to the party, but I only played The Messenger for the first time in early 2022 and am slapping myself for not picking it up sooner. Developer Sabotage Studio completely nailed the ode to NES/SNES era action platformers while flipping the genre on its head and adding new ideas of its own to create something that is quite frankly, superior to its inspirations. Combine that with one of the best art styles, comedic writing and soundtracks in the indie space, there is no doubt eyes are closely glued on their next project. Ironically, it was the announcement trailer of Sea of Stars that got me to try The Messenger to begin with as they both share the same universe. Instead of being inspired by action-platformers, Sea of Stars instead is clearly inspired by Chrono Trigger with its striking art style, turn-based battles that occur within the overworld, a small but strong cast of main characters and of course potentially one of the most memorable video game soundtracks of all time (Sea of Stars is using Chrono Trigger composer Yasunori Mitsuda). There is already a lot of footage and snippets out there for those hungry for details to feast on, so I recommend checking that out because words alone don’t do the beauty of the art, gameplay or music justice.
Josh Rizk
Songs of Glimmerwick
Developer: Eastshade Studios | Publisher: Eastshade Studios
Platform: PC | Release: 2023
Eastshade is the best game you’ve never played. Well, probably never played, but I rarely see it given the credit it is sorely owed. Imagine Skyrim but in place of combat, you are a painter, exploring a high-fantasy island of animal folk while running errands and processing grief through art and community engagement. It’s stunning and the folks who made it, Eastshade Studios, are gearing up to drop their next title, Songs of Glimmerwick. The game sees you attended an academy for mages who cast their magic through musical instruments. While you’re not in class you can tend to the gardens, befriend the local woodland citizens, and build out your sorcerer as you see fit. It’s all tied together with a gorgeous and soft autumnal art direction from a top-down perspective. This is a studio I trust to craft magic, with a proven track record of stunning fantasy worlds and deeply personal writing.
James Wood
S.T.A.L.K.E.R Heart of Chernobyl
Developer: GSC Game World | Publisher: GSC Game World
Platform: Xbox Series X|S/PC | Release: 2023
Immersive Sims are currently the in thing, encouraging players to use dynamic systems and see the game world react in exciting and perhaps unexpected ways. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is kind of the alcoholic uncle of first-person shooter, role-playing immersive simulators. I’ve been following the series since PC Powerplay began running previews on its early, tumultuous development. When I finally got to play the much-delayed and overhauled Shadow of Chernobyl, I was floored. Guns would deteriorate and jam from exposure in the Zone, leading to tense and tactical firefighters against mutants and scavengers. Quest givers roam the huge, faux-apocalyptic world and may die or finish a quest while you’re attending to other matters. Exploration would yield as many new mysteries as it did valuable radioactive artifacts and tools of survival. It was also a buggy, crash-prone mess. But it told me an atmospheric, nihilistic story that felt uniquely lived-in and ahead of its time.
Nathan Hennessy
Starfield
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios | Publisher: Bethesda
Platform: Xbox Series X|S/PC | Release: 2023
I am a HUGE fan of Morrowind and Oblivion (not so much Skyrim), and I have also been craving a good space exploration game that isn’t No Man’s Sky (the other major titles in this genre don’t gel with me and Star Citizen will release after the heat death of the universe) so Starfield is right up my alley! I won’t pretend like some of the announcements haven’t filled me with some form of dread or disappointment though. Like the number of planets and star systems that were revealed — there is no way the scale can be this large without it being shallow in execution — however, that doesn’t mean that we won’t be in for a good time!
Bethesda’s bread and butter has always been the smaller, more intricate details of its playable spaces and the NPCs that inhabit them. While the overarching stories that contextualise your existence in the world have largely been disappointing. With something like Starfield, you can have a more pronounced diversity in cultures and communities in a game, and stuff like this just makes me so happy. It makes a game world feel like a world, and not just a platform to waste my money on. The announcement that Bethesda was going back to Oblivion’s style of dialogue rather than Skyrim’s or Fallout 4’s also pleases me greatly! Bring on the “it just works” memes!
Jordan Garcia
The Wolf Among Us 2
Developer: Telltale Games | Publisher: Telltale Games
Platform: PS5/PS4/Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One/PC | Release: 2023
Christ, has it really been ten years since The Wolf Among Us? The decade that followed the release of Telltale Games’ adaptation of Bill Willingham’s Fables comic book run was a tumultuous one for the studio, seeing it close its doors in 2018. But now, thanks to some business acquiring and former staff forming AdHoc Studio, we’re finally returning to the seedy, neon-drenched streets with Bigby and Snow (with both original voice actors returning for the project!). It’s impossible to say right now if this long-awaited sequel will be able to recapture the Telltale magic of the first, but all the right pieces seem to be in place. The Wolf Among Us 2 represents a second chance of sorts, for the developers of course, but also for fans of this gritty, superbly stylised fairy-tale world.
James Wood
Witchfire
Developer: The Astronauts | Publisher: The Astronauts
Platform: PC | Release: 2023
Ever since The Astronauts announced Witchfire it’s been on my radar, and after more than five years of waiting, we’ll finally be able to go hands-on with it when it launches in Early Access early in 2023. On paper the premise is super exciting – a first-person roguelite shooter set in a dark fantasy world where the Church is at war with witches. In order to defeat the infamous witch of the Black Sea and her army, the Church converts sinners into witch hunters by using pagan magic, arming them with powerful weapons and spells conjured by Vatican sorcerers. I mean if that’s not enough to pull you in, it’s being developed by the creative leads of Painkiller and Bulletstorm. Sold yet?
Zach Jackson
Well there you have it, the games that the WellPlayed writers are excited about in 2023. What games are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
