This is going to be an outrageous year for video games. Looking at the lineup of already confirmed new games for 2023, it looks as if the industry is starting to settle after a tumultuous few years. Whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster exclusives, new ways to stay connected with friends and family, or new independent releases that will break your heart into little pieces – it really does look like there is something for everybody coming in 2023.
With Big in 2023, 12DOVE will guide you through the year in video games. We'll be exploring the most anticipated upcoming games of the year, and the development studios behind them. Here you'll find exclusive interviews, hands-on reports, and analysis of all the titles we believe should be on your radar. We'll be dropping new articles all throughout January, so don't forget to bookmark this page and check in for more later.
If you're looking for a broader view of the year, you may want to check out our larger breakdowns of the upcoming PS5 games, upcoming Xbox Series X games, upcoming Switch games, and upcoming PC games that we have spotted so far. We're also keeping track of every one of the video game release dates, should you be looking for something specific.
This is Big in 2023: Your guide to the new games that can't be ignored.
Big in 2023
Big in 2023: Avatar Frontiers of Pandora
Developer: Massive Entertainment | Publisher: Ubisoft
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is set to be one of Ubisoft's biggest games for 2023. It's an entirely new adventure, one which takes place on an unexplored part of Pandora – and far from the events of the first two films. We have no information on the game following our exclusive interview with creative director Magnus Jansén.
Big in 2023: Atomic Heart
Developer: Mundfish | Publisher: Focus Entertainment
Atomic Heart could be the first breakout success of the year. This mysterious FPS has intrigued players for years, thanks to its heady sci-fi concept and combat which appears to have Big BioShock Energy. Learn more about Atomic Heart's alternate Soviet-era timeline in our exclusive interview with game director Robert Bagratuni.
Big in 2023: Forspoken
Developer: Luminous Productions | Publisher: Square Enix
Forspoken is the first PS5 exclusive from Square Enix to launch in 2023 and we've played it! It's a new action-RPG from the development team that brought Final Fantasy 15 to life, which is something Luminous Productions explores with us in-depth in this exclusive interview ahead of the game's release.
Big in 2023: Aliens: Dark Descent
Developer: Tindolas Interactive | Publisher: Focus Entertainment
Aliens: Dark Descent is looking to deliver an original story in the Alien universe in an RTS that won't shy away from high stakes scenarios. The franchise is certainly no stranger to the strategy genre, but with Dark Descent putting you in command of a group of soldiers whose lives hinge on the choices you make, Xenomorph encounters have the potential to be all the more intense.
Big in 2023: Baldur's Gate 3
Developer: In-house | Publisher: Larian Studios
After a couple of years experimenting in early access, Larian Studios is finally ready to bring the magic of D&D back to gaming with Baldur's Gate 3. We spoke with Larian founder Swen Vincke to learn more about one of the biggest RPGs of 2023, and the tricky process of bringing Dungeons and Dragons to life.
Big in 2023: Company of Heroes 3
Developer: Relic Entertainment | Publisher: SEGA
Following a short delay, Company of Heroes 3 is now one of our most anticipated strategy games of 2023. Relic Entertainment is working to bring the legendary series to PS5 and Xbox Series X, but it will debut for PC on February 23. We played this excellent RTS, and spoke with the development team to learn more.
Big in 2023: Dead Space remake
Developer: Motive Studio | Publisher: EA
Going on 15 years since its source material, the Dead Space remake is downright terrifying. And that's a sentiment shared by the very people responsible for creating its ramshackle hellscape – the game's technical director, David Robillard, reckons he isn't as comfortable playing the game after dark as he is during daylight hours.
Big in 2023: EA Sports PGA Tour
Developer: EA Sports | Publisher: EA
It's been a long time since we last received a golf game from EA, and the studio is going all out for EA Sports PGA Tour. Set to launch later this year, we spoke with members of the development team to learn more about its attempt to capture all four majors and create proper RPG golf systems.
Big in 2023: Fire Emblem Engage
Developer: Intelligent Systems | Publisher: Nintendo
It's been over three years since the release of the ever-popular Fire Emblem: Three Houses. In that time, developer Intelligent Systems has been hard at work on a new turn-based strategy for Nintendo Switch, one which harkens back to the combat-focused roots of the long-running franchise. Here you can read our full gameplay impressions of the first eight chapters of Fire Emblem Engage, ahead of the game's release on January 20.
Big in 2023: Hollow Knight Silksong
Developer: Team Cherry | Publisher: Team Cherry
Hollow Knight: Silksong began life as proposed DLC for Team Cherry's breakout Metroidvania-meets- ARPG hit of 2017. Now, it's one of the most anticipated video games of recent years. Here, we explore why Silksong can't seem to stop generating hype, and dig into what we hope to see when it launches later in 2023.
Big in 2023: Horizon: Call of the Mountain
Developer: Guerrilla Games | Publisher: PlayStation Studios
Horizon: Call of the Mountain was always going to be the system seller of the upcoming PSVR 2 games lineup, but there was a question around how well it would sit alongside Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West. After a hands-on preview, we recon Call of the Mountain is going to be Disneyland for Aloy fans.
Big in 2023: Company of Heroes 3
Developer: Relic Entertainment | Publisher: SEGA
Following a short delay, Company of Heroes 3 is now one of our most anticipated strategy games of 2023. Relic Entertainment is working to bring the legendary series to PS5 and Xbox Series X, but it will debut for PC on February 23. We have played this excellent RTS, and spoken with the development team to learn how a "player council" helped shape the game and improve its core feature-set ahead of release.
Big in 2023: Lies of P
Developer: In-house | Publisher: Neowiz
Lies of P emerged as one of the biggest breakout video games of 2022. This intriguing Soulslike from developer Neowiz puts you into the role of Pinocchio, a puppet mechanoid who embarks on a horrifying journey to become human and locate his creator Mr. Geppetto. The upcoming Game Pass is, as we learned when we sat down to play Lies of P, is shaping up to be worthy of the hype.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Developer: Insomniac Games | Publisher: Sony
Insomniac's follow-up to the wonderful Marvel's Spider-Man of 2018 is one of this year's most anticipated games. Currently boasting a vague "Fall 2023" release window, we're expecting something even bigger and more ambitious than its forerunner, this time with Venom in tow as one of Peter Parker and Miles Morales' arch enemies. Our question is: given how good Insomniac's first bite at the Spider-Man cherry was a few years back, is it even possible for number 2 to raise the bar higher still? We hope so, but time will tell in any event.
Big in 2023: Minecraft Legends
Developer: Blackbird Interactive | Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Minecraft Legends has been a curiosity ever since it was announced, with its pairing of the blocky sandbox and an approachable real-time strategy framework. But a new look at the game has revealed a surprising amount of depth to its action, and a collaboratively competitive PvP mode that will ruin our friendship groups.
Big in 2023: Sons of the Forest
Developer: Endnight Games | Publisher: Newnight
Sons of the Forest is the horror survival sequel to The Forest – the game that launched on Steam's Early Access initiative way back in 2014, before working its way to full release on PS4 and PC four years later. As it stands, Sons of the Forest is a PC exclusive, but promises to be bigger, bolder and more involved than its predecessor in myriad ways. We caught up with the team at Endnight Games in an exclusive interview to learn what's in store.
Big in 2023: Starfield
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios | Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Starfield is taking us to an ambitious new universe that looks set to let us craft our own story, steer our own ship, and be whoever we want to be in the expanses of space. The upcoming RPG is an exciting prospect, not only because it will be the first new IP from Bethesda in 25 years. Alongside the promise of discovery and exploration, the level of choice and freedom Starfiled teases may well make for one very memorable adventure.
Big in 2023: System Shock Remake
Developer: Nightdive Studios | Publisher: Prime Matter
There's no shortage of video game remakes coming this year, and System Shock remains one of the most anticipated. Nightdive Studios has been hard at work on its revitalization of the legendary LookingGlass immersive sim for years now, and our chance to play a build of the game game reveals a remake that knows when to push the envelope and when to show restraint.
Big in 2023: Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Developer: Rocksteady Studios | Publisher: WB Interactive
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League marks Rocksteady Studios' first superhero action role-player since the conclusion of the stellar Batman: Arkham series. Unlike its indirect predecessor, however, players will fill the shoes of the bad guys in this equally off-the-wall, but decidedly less dark and serious venture. Here, we explore why it's already looking like Game of the Year material.
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Developer: GSC Game World | Publisher: GSC Game World
GSC Game World's Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is another game we can't wait to play. Following up from the original Stalker trilogy (whose last entry landed in 2009), we'll return to the Chernobyl exclusion zone where things are worse and more terrifying than ever before. GSC Game World is headquartered in Ukraine, and has relocated to neighboring country the Czech Republic amid the ongoing conflict. As such, the development of Stalker 2 has endured some unprecedented circumstances. Whenever it's ready, we expect it to be special – just like its action survival horror lineage.
Big in 2023: Tchia
Developer: In-house | Publisher: Awaceb
Tchia is an utter delight. At least, that was our impression of the upcoming indie after sitting down to play it for 30 minutes. With a stunning visual design, beautiful open world, and set of movement mechanics that prioritize locomotion, we found Tchia to be a breath of fresh air. From exploring the world as a seagull to sitting on a clifftop to learn ukulele, this is one adventure with boundless potential.
Big in 2023: Under the Waves
Developer: Parallel Studio | Publisher: Quantic Dream
While Quantic Dream made a name for itself through dizzying narrative-adventure games like Heavy Rain and Detroit: Become Human, the studio is taking on a different role in 2023. Quantic Dream is working with Parallel Studio on its debut game, titled Under the Waves. It's a hauntingly beautiful underwater adventure where you work to survive the dangers of the North Sea and an unraveling mind.
Big in 2023: Wo Long Fallen Dynasty
Developer: Team Ninja | Publisher: Koei Tecmo Games
Team Ninja used to be known for Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden. But the studio has reinvented itself in recent years, following the massive success of the punishing Nioh series. In 2023 Team Ninja is spreading its wings even further with Wo Long Fallen Dynasty, a stunning action-RPG that has pulled its bastard-hard boss battles straight from the pages of history.
Big in 2023: Wanted: Dead
Developer: Soleil | Publisher: 110 Industries
We go hands-on with Wanted: Dead, the outrageously gory game from former Ninja Gaiden developer. We found Wanted: Dead to be a chaotic throwback to a different era of action experiences, recalling fond memories of the sort of AA experiences we used to be inundated with during the PS2 and original Xbox era.
Big in 2023: Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Developer: Nintendo | Publisher: Nintendo
Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has a tough act to follow after the colossal success of Breath of the Wild. But with the chance to return to the creative sandbox world of Hyrule, Tears of the Kingdom is already aiming for new heights by setting its sights on the skies above. By opening up the world further, Link's return to the Switch could very well deliver an adventure that reignites the sense of discovery that made its predecessor so special.
Big in 2023 is GamesRadar's preview of the year to come, covering the most anticipated video games of 2023. This coverage hub will be updated daily throughout January with exclusive interviews, hands-on previews, industry analysis, and more.
