14 Promising Games Remaining in 2023 You Might Have Forgotten Are Coming
In this article, we look beyond the upcoming, triple-A hits, and focus on smaller, but no less promising games that can't afford the huge marketing, yet could be some of the best games this year.
Starfield, Baldur's Gate 3, and Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty will surely dominate the coming months. These titles cannot be ignored, but the video game market is not only games with budgets beyond our imagination. AAA giants cast a large shadow and because of this, overlooking less high-profile productions is quite easy. So, we have prepared a list of 14 games that are also worth paying attention to, and who knows - maybe one of them will be the dark horse of this year?
Robocop: Rogue City
- Genre: FPS
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X & S
- Release date: September 2023
The legendary cyborg cop returns to restore order in the streets of Old Detroit. Retrofuturism pours out from the screen, making the atmosphere of the legendary series visible, audible, and tangible. The police is completely helpless against the growing crime and, of course, only Robocop, who spreads fear among his enemies, will be able to helps.
Rogue City is a first-person shooter that very accurately captures the dystopian universe of the series, as well as the main character himself. The player moves slowly, but at the same time looks unstoppable - like a real machine. Every element of the interface is supposed to make the person who plays really feel that he or she is Robocop, and the developers are on the right track.
Remnant 2
- Genre: TPP / Action RPG
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X & S
- Release date: July 25, 2023
Remnant: From the Ashes was an interesting mix of a third-person shooter, soulslike, and RPG. This, along with an atmosphere and enemies clearly inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft's made it an engaging title. So it's no surprise that the second part of the series, with even more possibilities, will be released soon.
In Remnant 2, the gates will be opened to even more fantastic worlds where people face unimaginable nightmares. Fortunately, you won't have to face them alone, because intense gameplay can't miss the co-op mode, which also returns.
Dark Envoy
- Genre: RPG
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
- Release date: December 2023
Dark Envoy has a chance to become at least partially the spiritual successor of Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura. Not only in terms of genre, but also thematically. Technology and magic are in contrast here, and only one civilization can survive the upcoming confrontation. People represent a new philosophy of progress, which is opposed by old races defending tradition.
Our hero will lead a group that will decide how the future of the world will look. In terms of gameplay, Dark Envoy is a typical representative of the RPG genre, although the active pause works a bit differently here. It doesn't completely stop the gameplay, it only temporarily blocks time. In addition to this, the characters have several classes to choose from, each of which has separate development paths. All this is accompanied by clear visuals and atmospheric music.
Blasphemous 2
- Genre: action RPG
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X & S, Nintendo Switch
- Release date: August 24, 2023
The first Blasphemous couldn't be mistaken for anything else. The developers have created an amazing universe that refers to Christian traditions from the Spanish territories, as is suggested by the specific helmet worn by the main character. As a result, an interesting metroidvania was created, in which dexterity and patience were tested.
The next installment will once again offer vast locations full of all-new enemies and bosses. The Penitent One will face difficulties, using weapons and skills that players haven't seen before. And just like in the first part, the story will be told through the world around us. The Miracle returns and nobody knows its verdict.
Sea of Stars
- Genre: RPG
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
- Release date: August 29, 2023
Inspired by the classic from the fourth generation, Sea of Stars is meant to be the fulfillment of Chrono Trigger fans' dreams. A fairy tale land will open up in front of players, where the fate of the world will be at stake. The amazing pixel art graphics clearly refer to the giants of this genre. And improves that what we could have learned in the past.
Open world doesn't seem to be constrained by anything. Sea of Stars encourages exploration of the world, not only horizontally but also vertically The good news is the lack of random encounters, which can be annoying in the long run. However, developer didn't abandon the turn-based combat system - heroes will face really interesting opponents.
Stray Gods
- Genre: RPG
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
- Release date: August 3, 2023
Just as in The Wolf Among Us fairy tale creatures live among ordinary people, Greek gods function in Stray Gods. As a result of certain events, the main character Grace is granted the power of one of the Greek muses. The adventure turns into one big musical, where you will have to choose who to trust in the face of the upcoming crisis. The developers keep telling that every gameplay is supposed to be unique thanks to various choices.
The graphic design deserves special attention, because is giving us the impression that we are in an interactive comic. We cannot forget about the sound design either, as it stands at the very center of the game. The developers are giving their best, and the trailers already show that Stray Gods could turn out to be one of the most interesting experiences of the second half of 2023
Viewfinder
- Genre: adventure / logic game
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5
- Release date: July 18, 2023
Players who like to exercise their grey cells will have check out the Viewfinder. Fun with the perspective and environment promises to be really immersive. And our camera will help us in all of this. This theoretically simple tool will support the player in the next stages and allow to change the reality of the Viewfinder.
The visuals of the game are a mix of different styles. From simple black and white to a complete change, after which a given area will look as if it has been painted. The possibilities offered by playing with perspective will make the laws of physics disappear And all this with the help of a camera.
Gord
- Genre: Strategy / RPG
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X & S
- Release date: August 8, 2023
Strategy games with survival elements are slowly becoming more popular. In Gord, the player's task will be to build a settlement, which at first glance may seem simple. However, hostile tribes and creatures straight out of Slavic mythology will stand in their way. External influences won't be the only thing that can cause a problem in the game.
The settlement is also vulnerable to internal conflicts. Residents have their needs and troubles. Their mental condition might also be tested. As the leader of the village, we will have to deal with these difficulties, while simultaneously expanding the settlement and exploring the surrounding lands, otherwise we won't develop our town.
Eternights
- Genre: RPG
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Release date: September 21, 2023
Seemingly, Eternights resembles the games from the Persona series. Our hero also has to lead a social life at the same time as fighting the forces of darkness. In the upcoming game, everything will take place in real time, including battles with enemies. A mysterious force has emerged in the world to take control of living things. The only hope in the hero we control.
In the meantime, you will need to find time for dating characters you meet and building relationships. And everything in between impressive-looking fights. Their animations bring to mind anime, which is especially evident during duels with powerful bosses. The whole is characterized by Persona-style graphic design.
Cocoon
- Genre: Adventure logic game
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
- Release date: September 29, 2023
Another logic game in this compilation, which approaches the genre in an unusual way. As the main character, the player will travel through fantastic worlds, and when he leaves such an area, he can carry it on his back in the form of the titular cocoon. Moving unusual portals to the right places and wandering between different lands it's needed in order to solve more puzzles.
This amazing journey wouldn't be possible without the artistic style used to create the next areas. Each of them will turn out to be completely unique in its own way, which will motivate you to continue playing and cracking more puzzles. However, that's not all, because each world is guarded by a guardian, who will have to be defeated in battles requiring various strategies.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Genre: platformer
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
- Release date: October 20, 2023
The classic Mario returns - look at that style. Nothing changes, we go all the way to the right, avoid difficulties and look for our way to the castle However, this is not just a regular remaster and the subtitle Wonder has been added here for a reason. During the game, you can encounter Wonder Flower, which significantly modifies the game platforms. And as if that wasn't enough, Mario can now turn into an elephant.
The fairytale-like visuals freshes up the long-established gameplay, which has been waiting more than 10 years for a comeback. Super Mario Bros. Wonder visually beats everything offered by New Super Mario Bros. Well, but nobody is really surprised by this. Nintendo is finally releasing their new 2D platformer and everything suggests that it's really worth the wait.
Sonic Superstars
- Genre: platformer
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
- Premiere date: autumn 2023
Sonic's return to 2D is probably even more unexpected than Mario's return. The blue hedgehog draws from the source that made him SEGA's mascot 30 years ago, allowing this publisher to compete with Nintendo in the console market. The main character will again reach huge speeds to overcome numerous obstacles, loops, and enemies as quickly as possible.
Sonic Superstars new visuals may attract those who were previously unconvinced to play original trilogy. In the new game, the series has received a real refresh. What's more, it allows four players to play simultaneously. Unfortunately, at the moment it seems that this will be only a local collaboration, but still it will give us many hours of fun anyway.
For the King 2
- Genre: Roguelike strategy
- Platform: PC
- Release date: 2023
The For the King series returns in a sequel, in which we’ll have to face dark forces again. This time, however, the queen once loved by the people will begin to terrorize her folks. Because of such Queen's behavior, the population creates a resistance movement. The player or players will control the rebels, as For the King 2 also offers a multiplayer mode.
As one might guess, the beginnings won't be easy. The local peasant or blacksmith will need to first gain battle experience and better equipment to stand a chance against the henchmen and servants of the evil queen. The core of the gameplay will be turn-based combats, during which even a small mistake can lead to the early end of the session. Such battles are even more exciting if you share them with a group of friends and together make your way through Fahrul.
Broken Roads
- Genre: RPG
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
- Release date: 2023
Australian post-apocalyptic world is waiting for the brave in Broken Roads. The game's graphical style is similar to Disco Elysium, and even the developers themselves consider their work to be a combination of the mentioned production with Baldur's Gate and Fallout. There are fights in the game, but there will always be an opportunity to avoid duels. You will just have to appropriately balance your words and use a specific ethical system.
Many interactions can take a completely different direction. Everything depends on the player and their moral compass: whether they are a humanist, utilitarian, machiavellian, or nihilist. Each response will change the worldview of the main character, which can both unlock new and block previous dialogue options. This will make the world seem more real, as well as our hero, who is constantly developing.