Even though it seems like more and more high-quality games are coming out in the spring and summer, fall continues to be one of the most crucial seasons for the gaming industry. It consistently ranks among the busiest selling times of the year due to its proximity to holidays and special occasions like Black Friday, and 2023 will be no exception. There are many high-quality games coming out this Fall, from the PlayStation-exclusive Spider-Man 2 to the Xbox console-exclusive Starfield.
There is, in fact, something for everyone. Whatever one's personal gaming preferences, fall 2023 appears to be a home run. There will be massive RPGs, epic fighting games, new action-adventure games, horror games, platformers, and more. While it's still unclear how the rest of this year will pan out, many already rank 2023 alongside the best gaming years of 1998 and 2007, and the games listed below (arranged alphabetically) may be able to back up that claim, barring any unforeseen delays.
August 2023's Most Anticipated Games
Although August is regarded as a summer month, we would be remiss if we failed to mention the upcoming launches of Baldur's Gate 3 and Armored Core 6. Both titles are anticipated to wrap up the summer. A CRPG with in-depth character creation, a rich and branching plot, and distinctive character companions is Baldur's Gate 3. The fact that this game effectively transforms the D&D 5E rules into a full-fledged video game is a major plus. As it has serious Game of the Year potential and is a significant rival to Starfield (especially since the PS5 version releases in September), fans of tabletop or RPGs in general are probably already keeping a close eye on this.
Since the franchise is ingrained in FromSoftware's core DNA, Armored Core 6 is the first AC game to be released in almost a decade. Players will be able to alter their mechs, engage in thrilling and highly technical combat situations, and ultimately decide how the game will end. Indeed, even those who are not fans of mecha should keep an eye on this because it prominently displays FromSoftware's talent and expertise.
On August 3 for the PC and September 6 for the PS5, Baldur's Gate 3 is available. On August 25, Armored Core 6 will be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
Assassin's Creed Mirage (October 12)
The action-adventure game Assassin's Creed Mirage gives fans a more traditional experience by stripping away the complex RPG mechanics of AC Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla. Players will probably notice a difference even though its gameplay may be more akin to the Ezio trilogy because it uses the same engine as the most recent AC RPGs. But thematically, this muddle of the past and future fits in well with the main idea of the game.
Players assume the role of Basim in this game and explore his past in Baghdad, revealing how he joined the Hidden Ones and dealt with his demons. Basim was first introduced in AC Valhalla. Both the recreation and sandbox of Baghdad and the brief, straightforward gameplay presentation and style are extremely promising.
The October 12 release date for Assassin's Creed Mirage is for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Alan Wake 2 (October 17)
The eagerly anticipated Alan Wake 2 shifts the series from an action-adventure game into the survival horror depths, allowing players to experience two narratives: that of Alan Wake and that of Saga Anderson, an FBI agent Wake created who is a "fictional" character. It's obvious that Alan Wake 2 is more than capable of living up to the incredibly high anticipation with this distinct storytelling approach, the survival-based gameplay, detective elements, the Mind Place mechanic, the dialogue tree system, and more. But for this one, gamers might just want to leave the light on.
On October 17, Alan Wake 2 will be available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (October 20)
The Webslinger rose to mascot status for Sony and PlayStation thanks to Insomniac's debut Spider-Man game, joining characters like Kratos and Aloy in this regard. It was a must-have PS4 release thanks to the enjoyable web-slinging, interactive sandbox, and compelling narrative, and Spider-Man: Miles Morales, the sequel, confirmed Insomniac's franchise potential. With the help of the PS5, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 hopes to accomplish all of that once more and better. Despite hardware and technological advancements, that is a big ask, but Insomniac is possibly the best developer for the job. Spider-Man 2 more than merits its spot on this list due to antagonists like Kraven the Hunter and Venom, Peter Parker's corruption by the symbiote suit, and the excellent character development and storytelling so far.
The recent Spider-Man 2 PS5 plates quickly sold out, which came as no surprise to anyone. Not that it needs any more proof, but the game will sell out if the plates did.
On October 20, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 becomes available for the PlayStation 5.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder (October 20)
Although side-scrolling platformers aren't the most well-liked genre out there, Mario is always the exception, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder will be the first one in the franchise in almost ten years. However, players won't only be able to play as Mario; they'll also be able to take on the roles of Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Toad, and Yoshi in a fresh adventure filled with time-honored foes, fresh power-ups, and friendly local competition. Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which debuted at number one on this list with just a single trailer, rewards those who invested and believed the 2D Mario platformer was coming.
On October 20, Super Mario Bros. Wonder will be released for the Nintendo Switch.
Alone in the Dark (October 25)
Alone in the Dark, billed as a remake and reimagining, updates every aspect of the 1992 game. The Derceto Manor, a sort of asylum located in 1920s New Orleans, is where players will go again. As Emily Hartwood looks for her uncle, players take on the roles of her and PI Edward Carnby. Alone in the Dark, which draws inspiration from the most recent Resident Evil remakes, promises exploration, combat, and puzzles that are all appropriate for the typical horror survival experience. In other words, with the release of Alan Wake 2 and Alone in the Dark this October, horror fans are well-fed.
On October 25, Alone in the Dark will be released for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.
Like a Dragon Gaiden (November 9)
Fans were left in the dark by Kiryu's appearance in Yakuza: Like a Dragon following the events of Yakuza 6; the latter game had appeared to be Kiryu's exit. However, it is evident that RGG Studio is still working with Kiryu now that he has been confirmed for Like a Dragon 8. Luckily, when Like a Dragon Gaiden debuts later this year, fans will have some of their inquiries addressed.
Players step back into Kiryu's shoes in Like a Dragon Gaiden as he poses as "secret agent Joryu" and travels to Osaka and Yokohama. In this game, traditional combat is back, and Kiryu can select between traditional Yakuza combat and cutting-edge Agent combat. Overall, it's a "side story" in the true gaiden sense, but hopefully one with lots of solutions.
The Man Who Erased His Name: Like a Dragon Gaiden will debut on November 9 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Persona 5 Tactica (November 17)
Although Atlus is working diligently on Persona 6, this does not imply that it has completed Persona 5 and the Phantom Thieves. Persona 5, by far the most well-liked installment in the franchise to date, propelled Atlus to new heights and appears to be garnering more attention, spin-offs, and other developments than earlier franchise entries. One of these spin-offs is Persona 5 Tactica, a tactical role-playing game set during the main game's events. It is a true tactical role-playing game with turn-based combat, grid-based movement, and intricate gameplay mechanics for the use of weapons, Persona summoning, fusion, and other things. Persona 5 Tactica may help to accelerate the recent trend toward more tactical role-playing games.
On November 17, Persona 5 Tactica will be made available for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Super Mario RPG (Switch) - November 17
There are other Mario games coming out this year besides Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Fans will be able to play a legitimate remake of Super Mario RPG a month from now. The beloved core gameplay and plot from the original Mario RPG games are still present. It will be interesting to see how everything is handled in this remake, but fans had hoped for more adorable 3D graphics, improved gameplay, and a new soundtrack, among other changes.
Release date for Super Mario RPG on the Nintendo Switch is November 17.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (December 7)
Ubisoft will be attempting to emulate the success of Avatar: The Way of Water with the upcoming open-world Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Notably, after seeing Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Disney decided to trust Ubisoft Massive to create an open-world Star Wars game, which was later identified as Star Wars Outlaws. Players in this game assume the role of a Na'vi orphan raised by the RDA, causing a cultural split analogous to that in the movies (but in reverse). The setting of the game is the Western Frontier, which franchise fans haven't seen in any way before.
Release dates for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S are December 7, 2023.
Call of Duty 2023
The next Call of Duty game hasn't been officially announced by Activision, but that hasn't stopped rumors and leaks from creating a lot of hype. Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 appears to be the title, but fans won't know for sure until very soon. Activision recently announced that Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone Season 5 will feature a reveal event for the game (though it is unclear when this event will be).
But it's obvious that the hype train will be going full speed by that point, especially in light of the news about Microsoft's acquisition of ABK and recent developments with older Call of Duty games. As soon as the full reveal takes place, this section will be updated to include the new information.
In 2023, a new Call of Duty game will be released.
Starfield (September 6)
If September is considered the first month of Fall, then the long-awaited release of Starfield qualifies as the first significant title (and the first official entry here). The creators of Skyrim and Fallout take to the stars in Starfield, their first new IP in decades, in an effort to learn "what's out there." Starfield tells the tale of a galaxy where space exploration has largely come to an end with the help of intense character creation, a comprehensive skill system, and numerous Bethesda-style factions. The player character enters the scene at a time when the Constellation faction is still looking for answers to many problems left unsolved by the stars. Of course, in typical Bethesda fashion, players will probably be able to ignore this main quest and instead get happily lost in this intricate, stunning universe.
On September 6, Starfield will be available for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
Mortal Kombat 1 (19 September)
Fire God Liu Kang created a universe for Mortal Kombat 1 that is a lot more tranquil than earlier timelines. The events of this new fighting game begin, however, when a threat materializes that Liu Kang could not have anticipated. The core innovations and improvements to its fighting game mechanics may be the biggest seller at the moment, but it will be interesting to see what happens.
As an illustration, it offers players a secondary list of characters to pair with their primary fighter in order to create more dynamic gameplay systems. It also helps that Mortal Kombat 1 is carrying on the crossover tradition, with the first Kombat Pack of DLC characters confirmed to include Omni-Man, Homelander, and Peacemaker.
On September 19, Mortal Kombat 1 will be available on PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.
Lies of P (September 19)
Few games, even those that are Soulslike, are able to evoke comparisons to Bloodborne, one of the best PS4 games of that time period, but Lies of P has been doing that since day one. The game leans in that direction thanks to its various crafting and weaponry systems, unique Belle Epoque setting, and general vibes, but it also has its own identity. Players assume control of Pinocchio as he explores Krat and looks for his creator Geppetto in an effort to grow up and become a man. Like a true Pinocchio, Lies of P also featured a lying system that required players to make decisions that were obviously based on truth and lies. These decisions had a direct impact on the game's various endings.
On September 19, Lies of P will be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (September 26)
Cyberpunk 2077 has become much more enjoyable to play thanks to regular updates and patches, but its Phantom Liberty DLC will propel it forward. Along with a brand-new narrative centered on a formerly inaccessible location, the leader of the New United States, and the Solomon Reed character played by Idris Elba, the game's core mechanics are also getting a complete makeover. All aspects of the game, including how cybernetics function, skill trees, the police system, NPCs, and much more, have been completely redesigned. As a result, anyone who played the game before but continues with this DLC will have in essence played two different games.
On September 26, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty will be available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Forza Motorsport (October 10)
Because Forza Motorsport has been around for so long, many fans are familiar with what to expect from the series, but this one stands out for the amount of content it has included and improved upon. This includes, but is not limited to, more than 500 vehicles, more than 800 upgrades, real-time ray-tracing, enhanced damage and dirt buildup models, and unambiguous track life and weather effects. One of the most beautiful games scheduled for release this year, without a doubt.
On October 10, Forza Motorsport becomes available for PC and Xbox Series X/S.