The most anticipated games of 2023 on PC and Xbox

 

Last year was not the best for Microsoft. While Sony owners were enjoying exclusives like God of War: Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, and Gran Turismo 7, Xbox and PC users looked sadly at another postponement of a major hit to 2023. And now it has come: the fattest year for blockbusters! So many expected cool games, and even in such a short time, the players have not seen for a long time.

We have compiled a list of the coolest and most anticipated games of 2023 for the Xbox and PC platforms. If some of these games are not rescheduled once again, then, most likely, 2023 can be safely called the year of Microsoft's triumph.

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl

• Release date: 1-2 quarter 2023
• Xbox Game Pass: yes

After a series of postponements, the developers of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl finally decided on a release date for their ambitious project. The release of the game should take place before June 2023. But will that stop diehard fans from returning to the Exclusion Zone? But STALKER 2 will appear in Game Pass, that is, any player will still be able to play it on release without any difficulties.

After the recent “Come to me” trailer, many players were convinced that the gameplay shown in 2021 turned out to be a pre-rendered linden. Now STALKER 2 looks like a real game with familiar visuals. Was it worth waiting for something more? Players love the series primarily for the atmosphere, open world with post-Soviet buildings, non-linear passage, and unlimited freedom for modding. The developers promise that the above aspects will be preserved, so to scold STALKER 2 for cut graphics and animation curves before its release is at least unreasonable.

The screenshots of the game look very good.

Atomic Heart

• Release date: February 21
• Xbox Game Pass: yes

We already know for sure that Atomic Heart exists, and its release will take place at the beginning of winter. The main domestic blockbuster that can prove to the whole world that in Russia they know how to make not only mobile games. We are waiting for the spiritual heir to You Are Empty with a gameplay hodgepodge from BioShock, Dying Light, and Dark Souls. Whether it will be interesting to play it, we will find out in February.

Atomic Heart will tell about the events in an alternate reality, where the USSR has achieved impressive technological power. However, at one of the enterprises where brand new Soviet robots were created, an incident occurred, due to which almost the entire staff died. Piece of iron, designed to help people, rebelled against their creators. In addition, terrible mutant monsters have escaped from the secret laboratories. Players will have to pick up the most powerful guns and, making their way through hordes of enemies, complete a secret task.

The Day Before

• Release Date: March 1
• Xbox Game Pass: Unknown

The third blockbuster created in the post-Soviet space. Like previous games, The Day Before was originally like a hodgepodge of popular titles. However, the FNTASTIC studio intends to oust Tom Clancy's The Division and The Last of Us, to prove to everyone that not only Western developers can make cool games in the open world.

The Day Before will be a kind of MMO in the setting of a zombie apocalypse. Players will have to look for resources, fight monsters and other players, travel across the vast expanses of New York in vehicles, and clean up laboratory bunkers.

The release of the game is less than six months away, and the developers showed us only a small teaser with working RTX technology and official system requirements. Let's hope that FNTASTIC will not let you down, and we will see the game, if not in March, but at least this year.

Dead Island 2

• Release Date: April 28
• Xbox Game Pass: yes

Another unfinished building that managed to change the concept and developers several times. After the release of Dying Light 2, it is difficult to understand how Dead Island 2 can surprise us. Yes, the game will have a cool system of dismembering enemies, hordes of various zombies, a trashy storyline, and six characters to choose from. But this is not enough to stand out from other major releases. Perhaps the developers have a couple of tricks up their sleeves, and Dead Island 2 will be able to surprise everyone.

According to the presented gameplay footage, Dead Island 2 is very similar to the first part, and the plot is similar to Dying Light 2. The game takes place in Los Angeles. The main character will receive superpowers after being bitten by an infected person and will go looking for a cure, helping the crazy survivors along the way. Unlike the original game, we are waiting for a more humorous plot in the spirit of the movie "Welcome to Zombieland".\

Dead Island 2 has an interesting visual style, nice graphics, and interesting character facial animations. At a minimum, the game will look great on PC and Xbox Series X. Considering the fact that the release is also announced on previous generation consoles, we can safely assume that Dead Island 2 will not be too demanding on hardware.

Diablo 4

• Release Date: June 6
• Xbox Game Pass: If they approve the deal to buy Activision Blizzard

Modern Blizzard is not what it used to be, but this does not prevent millions of players from waiting for the release of Diablo 4. The authors of the third Diablo are making a sequel, promising to return that same gloomy atmosphere from the dilogy and bring to perfection the gameplay loved by millions of players.

The familiar gameplay of Diablo promises to be more spectacular, fancy, and brutal. Randomly generated dungeons will add a seamless open world that you can explore on foot or on your pet. We are waiting for another Elden Ring, only in isometry. Considering how much Miyazaki's latest project (Hidetaka Miyazaki) was to his liking, then there is no doubt about the success of Diablo 4.

At the moment, players from Russia can pre-order Diablo 4, but will not be able to launch it from the launcher on the day of release. Information is circulating on the net that the game can be launched through the executable file in the game folder, but there is no reliable confirmation of this. We advise you to wait for the release of the game, do not rush to buy.

Replaced

• Release date: 1-2 quarter 2023
• Xbox Game Pass: yes

Pixel unfinished The Last Night can no longer wait. Belarusian developers from Sad Cat Studios picked up the visual style of the project of the London studio Odd Tales and assembled Replaced without wasting time. A cinematic platformer in juicy pixel art looks even more interesting and coherent than The Last Night announced in 2017.

Sad Cat Studios promises interesting visuals in the atmosphere of American cyberpunk of the eighties. 2D platforming will alternate with a dynamic, but not the most hardcore combat system. In the game, the developers want to reveal the problems of dystopia and the symbiosis of artificial intelligence with a living creature.

Replaced has been in development since 2018 and will hit stores and Game Pass in 2023.

Vampire: The Masquerade—Bloodlines 2

• Release date: presumably 2023
• Xbox Game Pass: Unknown

The parade of long-term construction does not end, the next step is the continuation of the cult role-playing game - Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines. Initially, the second part was developed by Hardsuit Labs in collaboration with the original screenwriter Brian Mitsoda and notorious game designer Chris Avellone. Shortly before the original release date, publisher Paradox Interactive terminated the contract with the developers and gave Bloodlines 2 for processing by an unknown, but very cool (in their opinion) studio. The fans were furious, without Mitsoda, the upcoming project is of no value. According to recent rumors, The Chinese Room studio, which is known for walking simulators Dear Esther and Everybody's Gone to the Rapture, has become the new developer of the game..

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 is an RPG with immersive sim elements. The action takes place in Seattle. As in the first part, the main character gets involved in a war between vampire clans: in order to survive, he must choose one of the factions. The gameplay videos of the early prototype had a rather crooked combat system, but the world, dialogues, and musical accompaniment corresponded to the spirit of the first part. How the game will change in the hands of new developers is unknown. We can only hope that the studio does not rewrite the plot of Mitsoda and only fix the gameplay part.

In recent announcements, Paradox Interactive assured that development is proceeding at a good pace, and we will know more details with a release date later this year.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

• Release date: 1-2 quarter 2023
• Xbox Game Pass: yes

In six years, the DLC for the cult metroidvania Hollow Knight has managed to grow into a full-fledged second part with the subtitle Silksong. In the sequel, we will play as Hornet, who was a multiple boss in the first part. The developers promise to keep all the key features of the original and significantly complement the gameplay. For example, Silksong will have a quest and crafting system.

Hollow Knight: Silksong will live up to all the standards of the original: high difficulty, intricate locations, and more than a hundred different opponents. Worse than the first part will definitely not be. The release is scheduled for the first half of 2023.

System Shock

• Release Date: Spring 2023
• Xbox Game Pass: no

After seven years, Nightdive has decided not to delay the release any longer and will release a remake of System Shock in March of this year. Over the years of development, the game has changed significantly and now looks like Resident Evil in space, rather than the original 1994 immersive sim. Whether this is good or bad, we will be able to find out soon, if there is not another unplanned transfer.

A remake of System Shock is a horror shooter with puzzle elements and constant swarming in the inventory. Whether immersiveness will remain in the game is not entirely clear, but the gameplay footage shows that the project is trying to preserve the branded features of the original. Fans of BioShock, Deus Ex, and Arcane games are encouraged to check it out.

Resident Evil 4 Remake

• Release Date: March 24
• Xbox Game Pass: no

The Capcom remake flywheel keeps turning. After successful rethinking of the second and third parts, the Japanese ignored Code: Veronica and swung at a large-scale remake of Resident Evil 4. One of the best games in the series and the main creation of Shinji Mikami will receive a remake on the cool RE Engine. What else can you dream of?

As a remake of Resident Evil 4, there is no doubt. Capcom has proven time and time again that it can modernize classics. The trailers show that the game will have high-quality graphics, a horror component brought to mind, modern action gameplay, and the plot will get rid of the clichéd clichés of American action movies. The release will take place in March.

Alan Wake 2

• Release date: 2023
• Xbox Game Pass: no

The long-awaited continuation of the adventures of writer Alan Wake is due this year, and Remedy has not yet shown any screenshots or gameplay. Apart from the announcement trailer, there is almost no information about the game. Creative director and screenwriter Sam Lake noted in a New Year's greeting that 2023 will be the year of Alan Wake 2. Looking forward to more details soon.

Alan Wake 2 is being developed on the Control engine, the game will be radically different from the original in terms of gameplay. The first part was an action game with elements of horror, and the second part will become a full-fledged survival horror. The third-person view will remain, while the motion capture actor with voice actor Alan Wake will return to their roles in the sequel.

Sam Lake said in an interview that Alan Wake 2 will be a standalone project and players don't need to play the original to understand the story. Don't trust him. Complete the first Alan Wake if you haven't already. You will not regret.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

• Release date: 2023
• Xbox Game Pass: no

Yes, Phantom Liberty is a DLC and not a standalone game, but many players are waiting for it more than the projects listed above. CD Projekt RED is famous for its quality add-ons, which bring game mechanics to the ideal, and the plot surpasses the original stories. The developers have already promised to bring to mind the usual Cyberpunk 2077. The open world will be reworked, the role-playing system will be polished, in-game activities will be systematized, and with the release of the new DLC, there will be motivation to go through the original.

The Phantom Liberty expansion introduces an entirely new area of ​​Night City to players. The plot will be made in the style of a spy thriller, in which the new hero Solomon Reed, played by Idris Elba, will play the role of a secret agent of the New United States of America. The release is scheduled for 2023. This will be the only expansion for Cyberpunk 2077.

Starfield

• Release date: 1-2 quarter 2023
• Xbox Game Pass: yes

The main long-term construction of Bethesda, the most ambitious project of Todd Howard (Todd Howard), the killer of the "financial pyramid" Star Citizen, and the trump card of the Xbox this year. Despite the fact that it will be a symbiosis of No Man's Sky and Fallout 4, not waiting for Starfield is unforgivable.

Todd Howard knows how to make immersive games that keep you hooked for hundreds of hours. In our difficult time, such a game will be a salvation from everyday life. Flying across a huge galaxy, building ships, exploring planets, collecting garbage and resources, clearing outposts, wars against pirates, solving the vicissitudes of galactic alliances and dozens of gameplay mechanics will help take your mind off the languid expectation of the next part of The Elder Scrolls. Phil Spencer (Phil Spencer) promises to release in the first half. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Baldur's Gate 3

• Release date: August
• Xbox Game Pass: no

This year, Baldur's Gate 3 will leave early access and will fully claim the title of the best role-playing game of 2023. Back in 2020, it became clear that Larian Studios was developing a dream game. Incredible scope in character generation, meticulous study of the environment, a variable role-playing system, an extensive network of interaction with the world, and a whole bunch of features that have long been absent in modern role-playing games - this will be Baldur's Gate 3.

We are promised not just a role-playing game, but a platform for experiments with incredible freedom. Every action has consequences. The world reacts to your actions, and it will change from your decisions. Larian Studios did not stint and added beautiful graphics with nice facial animation to their new game. Looking forward to August to enjoy Baldur's Gate 3 in full.

Dead Space Remake

• Release date: January 27
• Xbox Game Pass: no

While Glen Schofield, the author of the original Dead Space, patches and develops content for The Callisto Protocol, developers from EA Motive are finishing their version of the remake of the cult horror. The studio promised not to touch the plot, keep all the key features of the original, redo the graphics and improve the combat system. It sounds promising.

Although, after demonstrating the gameplay footage of the Dead Space remake, it became clear that the developers did not stop at reworking the visuals and gameplay. The appearance of the characters and some plot events have undergone a change, which angered not only fans but also ordinary players. Now many users are cautiously looking toward the game. We are waiting for January 27 to personally see the quality of the work done by EA Motive.

Payday 3

• Release date: 2023
• Xbox Game Pass: Unknown

Rumors around the development of Payday 3 have been around for a long time, but only at the beginning of 2023, there was a full-fledged announcement. The co-op heist shooter has long needed a major upgrade. This year it will finally happen.

Little information about the game. Payday 3 is being developed with Unreal Engine. The main characters will be members of the gang from the second part. The game will take place in New York. The release will take place on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Details, gameplay, and the exact release date will come later.

redfall

• Release date: May
• Xbox Game Pass: yes

Redfall is Arkane Studios' most unusual project. An open-world shooter with a cooperative mode in which players will fight against vampires and monsters. From the presented gameplay at the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2022, many players decided that they were waiting for another Left 4 Dead clone, but the developers flatly refused such a comparison. Redfall will have an open world, not linear locations, and the gameplay is similar to a mixture of Far Cry 2 and STALKER.

The action will unfold in the island town of Redfall. After a failed scientific experiment, vampires filled the streets and isolated the city from the outside world. Players will control four survivors who will have to exterminate evil spirits, save people and find a way to contact the rest of the world. Arkane Studios promises to keep the studio's signature style and focus gameplay on the ingenuity of the players. The release will take place in May this year.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

• Release date: March 17
• Xbox Game Pass: no

This spring, the story of Cal Kestis will continue in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. The second part will be darker and more serious than its predecessor. To survive in the fight against the Empire, the young Jedi will have to explore the untouched galaxy, find new allies, and master new skills. The combat system will be replenished with new styles and weapons. Enemies will become angrier, and in order to defeat them, you will not only have to dodge attacks in time, but also apply tactics in battles.

The last part fell in love with the players and the press. Judging by the gameplay videos, we are waiting for an exemplary sequel. Locations will be more extensive, mounted vehicles will appear, battles will become more intense, and with the ability to use partners. The Russian language on the release is not expected. We are waiting for localization from the fans.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

• Release date: May 26
• Xbox Game Pass: no

Rocksteady Studios is ready to release a new project in the DC universe - Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Behind these guys is the legendary trilogy Batman: Arkham, so you should not worry that the Suicide Squad game will turn out at the level of the disgusting Gotham Knights. Real comic geeks work at Rocksteady, who need to fit in their project good gameplay, rich lore, and juicy graphics.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a third-person open-world co-op action game where Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and King Shark take on the Justice League and Brainiac. According to the gameplay footage, we can assume that we are waiting for a game in the spirit of Deathloop. The open world will be filled with minions that must be constantly destroyed, and members of the Justice League will act as mini-bosses, which must be eliminated in order to get to the final villain. The release of Suicide Squad will take place at the end of May. We are waiting for a ton of humor and witty jokes in the spirit of James Gunn's film.

The Wolf Among Us 2

• Release date: 2023
• Xbox Game Pass: yes

When the Telltale studio closed, many players were not worried about the future of The Walking Dead, but about the continuation of the noir detective The Wolf Among Us. In 2013, the developers managed to successfully adapt the Fables comic into a game format and retain Bill Willingham's trademark features of the plot and visual style. The game received high marks in the press and is considered a classic of interactive cinema. And now, after so many years, Telltale has risen from the ashes and announced The Wolf Among Us 2.

For the plot, cutscenes, and visual style of the sequel are the former employees of Telltale, who at one time had a hand in the original. The same actors and composer were invited to voice acting in order to preserve the spirit and recognizable features of The Wolf Among Us.

You don't have to worry about the fate of The Wolf Among Us 2. The game is made by the founding fathers of the series, which means the plot and narrative must remain at a high level. All episodes are being developed at the same time, and the release will take place this year.

Hogwarts Legacy

• Release date: February 10 (PC, Series S, Series X), April 4 (Xbox One)
• Xbox Game Pass: no

A single-player RPG set in the Harry Potter universe with the ability to explore an open world, take classes, fly broomsticks, fight wizards, study fantastical creatures, and drink Butterbeer with your friends in Hogsmeade. Sounds like the best game in the JK Rowling universe.

Hogwarts Legacy looks like every Potter fan's dream come true. Fans of books and films no longer have to wait for an owl with a letter. Hogwarts is now available to everyone. Each gameplay video surprises with the amount of details and possibilities. I can’t even believe that this game was developed by the Avalanche Software studio, which has 25 to Life and Disney Infinity behind it. It will be a shame if on the release we get something completely different from what we were shown.

Modern console and PC users will be able to experience Hogwarts Legacy in February. Pastgen owners will have to wait until April for the game to be optimized for older hardware.

Assassin's Creed Mirage

• Release date: 2023
• Xbox Game Pass: yes

Another Assassin's Creed, which, according to Ubisoft's promises, will return to its roots and abandon the open world, multi-colored loot, side quests, and the role-playing system. Mirage is a linear adventure game set in 9th-century Baghdad. The three main pillars of the series - stealth, parkour, and assassination - will again be at the center of the gameplay.

The developers promised to rework outdated parkour animations, improve and diversify the combat system, and redo the stealth component. The locations will be lively and colorful, and the locals will learn to respond to the player's actions. Ubisoft wants to focus on the single-player adventure, and we think that's the right decision.

Street Fighter 6

• Release Date: June 2
• Xbox Game Pass: no

After the fourth part, the Street Fighter series sank heavily in popularity among fighting game fans. The fifth part was a stub with a small number of characters and a minimum of content. For several years, Capcom sold the characters in separate sets, as if it were The Sims 4. And then there was the announcement of the sixth part, which completely changed the visual style, turning the characters into unprecedented creatures. Fans were horrified by the metamorphosis of Street Fighter and are looking at the next numbered part with apprehension.

If you can still find fault with the visual part of Street Fighter 6, then there are no questions at all about the gameplay. Capcom has always come up with a perfectly balanced and polished fighting game. Reviews after the beta tests conducted among the players in most cases are positive.

It is still not entirely clear whether Street Fighter 6 will be monetized as a fifth or become a solid product. So far, 18 playable characters, a story campaign, several modes, and an avatar creation feature have been announced.

Forza Motorsport 8

• Release date: 1-2 quarter 2023
• Xbox Game Pass: yes

The new Forza Motorsport will be a complete reboot of the series. The developers promise to change not only the graphics but the entire gameplay. Turn 10 Studios aims to create a revolutionary racing game that will set the bar for all simulation and competitive games.

There are six months left before the release, and we still remain in the dark about what game will come out. No details or gameplay footage yet.

Lies of P

• Release date: 2023
• Xbox Game Pass: yes

PC version of Bloodborne with Steelrising gameplay and setting inserts. The player will control the puppet mechanoid Pinocchio and kill the evil puppets in order to find Geppetto. Despite the visual and game design similarities to Bloodborne, Lies of P in the gameplay trailers looks more like last year's Steelrising. And that's not bad. The latter lacked expressive design, while the gameplay proved to be quite fun. If NEOWIZ manages the setting and polishes the balance of its soul like, then a worthy competitor to Star Wars Jedi: Survivor awaits us.

The feature of the project is interrelated procedural quests that will be played out depending on whether you are lying in dialogues or telling the truth. Pinocchio will be able to combine weapons to find something really special. In addition, he can change body parts, thereby gaining new skills and an advantage in battle. Release this year.

Skull & Bones

• Release Date: March 9
• Xbox Game Pass: Unknown

Skull & Bones is a pirate-themed MMO, third-person adventure game in an open world. As befits a pirate, the game robbed Ubisoft and the Singapore government of $120 million and didn't want to dock by the release date for a long time. And since 2023 is considered the year when all long-term construction must get to the release, then Skull & Bones does not have the right to change the release date again.

Despite the fact that Skull and Bones has become a walking meme, it should not be written off. There are few games about pirates with sea battles in the modern gaming industry, and therefore the long-term construction of Ubisoft can still surprise. The project looks interesting. The latest release date has been set for March 9th. Don't take your eyes off her.

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We talked about the brightest and most iconic projects on PC and Xbox, which by no means can be ignored. This year, Microsoft has every chance to overtake Sony in the number of cool exclusives. Unless all the listed games from this top are once again transferred to the next year. What are you looking forward to the most?