The next 11 months are set up to be a prime year for gaming overall, but the current slate for 2023 suggests it's the year of PlayStation RPGs. PlayStation has partly prided itself on being a home for RPGs, using IPs like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest to build up its role-playing pedigree. However, the genre has evolved alongside console hardware and the emphasis on subgenres.
There's impressive variety elsewhere, including sequels, DLC, and original IPs. Final Fantasy XVI should be a great PS5 blockbuster, blending pulsating combat with dark fantasy, while Diablo IV expands its proven action-looting gameplay loop onto an open world. The diversity on display implies a promising 2023 for PlayStation 4/5 RPGs.
Octopath Traveler II (February 24)
Octopath Traveler was praised as an homage to 16-bit JRPGs. The "HD-2D" art style was beloved for combining old-school graphics with modern aesthetics, and even games outside Octopath Traveler II are adopting it.
Octopath Traveler II will bring about eight new characters, the returning turn-based combat system, as well as new day/night mechanics. Depending on the time of day, certain events may progress differently to affect the story. These mechanics should go a long way in satisfying players' inquisitiveness in how they approach quest objectives and build their party. Octopath Traveler II release on February 24 for both PS4 and PS5.
Final Fantasy XVI (June 22)
Square Enix's Final Fantasy franchise is effectively synonymous with the JRPG subgenre. The last mainline numbered entry had an extremely long development cycle, but XVI is finally on the horizon and carries an exciting degree of potential with it.
There are several excellent Final Fantasy titles from the last few decades, but XVI promises to push the series forward with exhilarating Devil May Cry-like combat, an enticing dark-fantasy setting, political intrigue, and immersive storytelling. The team includes Final Fantasy XIV veterans, which is exciting given its acclaim. The gameplay also shows promise for how it will work with a party of characters. Final Fantasy XVI launches on June 22 for PS5.
Diablo IV (June 6)
It's been nearly 11 years since III, but Diablo IV is will apply the series formula to the open-world format. Diablo is among the most influential franchises of its subgenre, with its combat consistently proving to keep players coming back.
Set during the return of Queen Lilith, players will traverse Sanctuary tackling procedurally-generated dungeons, PVP battles, and side quests with mechanics that longtime fans will appreciate. However, one thing to note is how balanced its single-player vs. multiplayer content will be. Among the most highly-anticipated 2023 gaming sequels, Diablo IV launches on June 6 for both PS4 and PS5.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Winter 2023)
2023 has the potential to be huge for Final Fantasy fans. After XVI, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the next major release. Remake was widely praised for revitalizing the original on modern hardware, as well as expanding the world. Mechanically, its real-time combat was given the highest marks.
Rebirth will delve into the meat of the story, taking Cloud to Nibelheim and beyond. Likewise, it will be thrilling to see how the sequel will build upon its already-solid combat foundations. There hasn't been much seen of the game so far, but its predecessor and teaser both paint an interesting picture of what changes might come to the overall plot. Last year's trailer noted a release of "next winter," which could put Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on track to become one of late 2023's most anticipated video games for PS5.
Hogwarts Legacy (PS5 Feb. 10 & April 4 PS4)
Harry Potter is one of the most lucrative mainstream properties, making it somewhat surprising that it took this long for a role-playing video game like this to come along. Avalanche Software's Hogwarts Legacy is finally set to satisfy that niche, allowing players to create their characters to attend the famous titular school.
Set in the 1890s, players will attend classes, learn magic, choose their house, upgrade their skills, and more in a plot revolving around an ancient and dangerous magic resurfacing to threaten the school. The fact that this is set so far before the books could be a narrative and role-playing strength, as there won't need to be too much tip-toeing around a long-established story. Hogwarts Legacy launches on February 10 for PS5 and April 4 for PS4.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf (TBA 2023)
BioWare has developed some of the best RPGs in its golden era, and the dormancy of its Dragon Age series should be coming to an end soon. Given its subtitle and limited information provided on the upcoming open-world RPG, Dreadwolf will be a direct sequel to 2014's Inquisition.
Dragon Age has always been known for its expansive high-fantasy lore, and while there is little known about Dreadwolf, the expectation is that the character-driven storytelling that Origins so acclaimed will be a focus. Between the hiatus since Inquisition and the powerful potential of modern hardware, the stage is set for a redemption that brings Dragon Age back to meaningful small- and large-scale narratives. There's no firm release window, but per reporter Jeff Grubb in an episode of his GrubbSnax podcast, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf could see a late 2023 release for PS5.
Sea Of Stars (Summer 2023)
Developed and published by Sabotage Studio and taking a page from acclaimed turn-based games like Chrono Trigger, Sea of Stars is another upcoming RPG for those looking into '90s-era nostalgia. Centering around two protagonists that wield the power of the sun and moon, players will embark on a quest to defeat an evil alchemist.
It mixes the 16-bit artistic style and turn-based combat of revered JRPGs while invigorating them with modern flourishes. Gameplay-wise, the combat focuses on rhythmic inputs and exploiting elemental weaknesses to make it more engaging, while its vibrant world aims to reward exploration -- with the latter being crucial to the worldbuilding element of an RPG. With the game seemingly it will be curious to see how it will diversify its six playable characters within this combat system. Sea of Stars will launch for PS4 and PS5 this summer.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (March 3)
Team Ninja has earned goodwill for the Ninja Gaiden series and FromSoftware-inspired Souls-like games, Nioh and Nioh 2. The latter looks to be the end of the series, but Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty has a similarly interesting eastern fantasy premise. Taking place in a dark-fantasy version of the Three Kingdoms period of China, a nameless protagonist must fight against demons and monsters.
With Team Ninja at the helm, the combat will likely be a highlight -- which combines martial arts with a variety of weaponry. The gameplay shown so far suggests that this marriage of mechanics will be fluid and customizable in practice. And looking back on Ninja's backlog, players looking for a challenge might also be satisfied. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty releases for PS4 and PS5 on March 3.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (TBA 2023)
After CD Projekt Red's redeemed Cyberpunk 2077, the upcoming Phantom Liberty DLC expansion is worth keeping an eye on. Cyberpunk 2077 is an immersive sci-fi RPG with its bugs ironed out, and Phantom Liberty looks to flesh that out more. V and Johnny Silverhand will team up with actor Idris Elba's FIA agent Solomon Reed for a spy-thriller tale set within a new area of Night City.
In this inventive new story, V's mission will also feature new weapons and Cyberware upgrades to experiment with. So far, CD Projekt Red has a great track record with DLC expansions. If Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine for The Witcher 3 are anything to go by, then there are clear reasons to be optimistic about this. Phantom Liberty will release for PS5 sometime this year.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (TBA 2023)
Indie developer Rabbit and Bear Studios' Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes looks to be another nostalgia romp, this time as a spiritual successor of the classic Suikoden series. The latter was a praised and distinctive turn-based RPG for its art style and presentation during turn-based combat, all of which Hundred Heroes looks to build upon.
Just as well, its subtitle references the game's feature of having a combination of 100 characters to recruit. On paper, this has the potential for being too ambitious for its good. On the other hand, this could be a great role-playing asset when it comes to customizing party composition and unique character interactions. Developed by the core creative team that worked on the Suikoden series, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes later this year.