The year is already set to begin with a bang for gaming, with the likes of Fire Emblem Engage just around the corner. Should no dramatic delays be going forward, then the rest of 2023 will keep up the pace in quality, especially when it comes to sequels.
Sequels, remakes, and remasters are increasingly popular in the gaming industry and many titles that will be released this year are long-awaited continuations of titanic video game franchises. From the spoils of riches that Final Fantasy fans are poised to enjoy to the eagerly anticipated mainline Legend of Zelda title coming this summer, there is a slew of sequels worth looking forward to.
Final Fantasy XVI
Final Fantasy XV was dealt with a brutal development cycle, but Square Enix's iconic JRPG franchise is finally set to return with its next mainline numbered entry with XVI. It's looking to be a proper return to form for the studio, with some of the creatives behind the scenes joining the latter's development from the acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV.
XVI looks to adopt a tantalizing dark-fantasy setting with various medieval factions at play against each other, suggesting some equally gripping political intrigue. Likewise, the game looks to be taking cues from the likes of Devil May Cry 5, as the trailers have depicted some pulse-pounding combat mechanics. Final Fantasy XVI is set to release for PS5 on June 22nd.
Hades II
2020's Hades emphatically proved to be the year's indie smash hit, as well as developer Supergiant Games' crowning achievement -- at least so far. The studio has never developed a sequel and the original game received the highest acclaim of any of their prior games, so it's both surprising and unsurprising that Hades II was officially announced, with Zagreus' sister Melinoë the new star.
The first game was a masterclass in blending compelling storytelling and emotionally investing characters with the rogue-like genre's brand of addicting, high-octane combat. There's no confirmed release date but, like its predecessor, will have an Early Access release for PC before its full launch. And since Hades was eventually ported to every major platform under the sun, fans should reasonably expect console ports afterward as well.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Even after the excitement surrounding the next mainline franchise entry in the form of FFXVI, fans are finally set to experience the next chapter in the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy. Technically qualifying as both a remake and a sequel, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will be getting into the meat of the original story -- along with any potential story twists along the way if Remake was of any indication.
Fans will also surely be hoping that Rebirth builds upon the excellent melee combat system established in its predecessor. The trailer revealed last year noted a release for "next winter," which could put it on track for a November or December 2023 release on PS5. Though, it is admittedly possible that the phrasing is coy enough to suggest an early 2024 launch.
Diablo IV
Back in the '90s, the debut of the Diablo series paved the way for a surge in the action-RPG subgenre. Its ominously stylish dark fantasy aesthetic, fast-paced combat, and addictive gameplay loop turned it into a commanding IP in the industry.
It's been quite some time since Diablo III -- and the mobile game Immortal surely hasn't inspired confidence among some longtime fans -- but Diablo IV is giving reasons for some cautious optimism. The game aims to expand its formula onto an open-world canvas, as well as introduce player-vs-player features. Diablo IV launches on June 6 for PS4, PS5, XBO, XSX|S, and PC.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
It's been one of the gaming industry's most poorly kept secrets, but Respawn Entertainment's Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order sequel is almost upon fans. Dubbed Jedi: Survivor, this sequel once again follows Cal Kestis and BD-1, but five years after the events of the first title. The young Jedi strives for survival against the Galactic Empire hot on his trail, including a sinister Pau'an senator from Coruscant.
Fallen Order did much-needed work when it came to regaining goodwill among fans to bring quality triple-A Star Wars titles back into the mainstream. Its lightsaber combat was solid, and the story did well to justify its existence, with many surely eager to see how Jedi: Survivor builds upon that foundation when it launches on March 17 for PS5, XSX|S, and PC.
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
Even outside of Nintendo, The Legend of Zelda franchise has spawned some acclaimed titles in the gaming industry as a whole. It's celebrated for being consistently high quality, and 2017's Breath of the Wild proved to be a landmark release in the history of the medium. The 2019 announcement of a direct sequel was thrilling, and its slow development cycle was grueling for fans.
Nonetheless, Tears of the Kingdom now has its titles and a firm release date, looking to expand upon the breathtaking sense of depth and verticality its predecessor's iteration of an open-world Hyrule provided. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom finally releases for Nintendo Switch on May 12.
Spider-Man 2
Since the Batman: Arkham series, the superhero genre has seen a welcome resurgence in the video game medium. Genuinely high-quality titles are more commonplace, and among them are Insomniac's Spider-Man games. The original 2018 title was a stunning and heartfelt adaptation of the legendary Wall-Crawler's storied mythos.
Likewise, both it and 2020's Miles Morales captured the exhilarating sense of traversal through web-swinging and suitably acrobatic combat. Now, the full-blown sequel by way of Spider-Man 2 is much more tangible, with the likes of Venom and Kraven the Hunter joining the fray. There's no concrete date yet, but it's set to launch sometime in the fall of this year.
Street Fighter 6
In addition to continuing the success of its premier survival-horror IP, Capcom will look to do the same for its flagship fighting-game series. Street Fighter 5 was initially launched to some underwhelming effect by longtime fans but was gradually improved along the way. Now, the studio is looking to take things to an ambitious new level with Street Fighter 6.
In addition to the new Drive Gauge mechanic to help add more flavor to combat, the game will also feature a story mode with a customizable avatar, navigating 3D environments, and action-adventure gameplay features. Street Fighter 6 looks to be an exciting new milestone for the iconic franchise, and it releases for PS4, PS5, XSX|S, and PC on June 2.
Alan Wake II
It's great for fans of the genre to see survival horror become more prominent in mainstream gaming, though, it will be all the better when more franchises come to succeed in this space. That's what makes Alan Wake II such an eagerly-awaited title in its own right, as Remedy Entertainment's original 2010 game was one of the most inventive in the genre.
And that's partly because it didn't exclusively belong to survival horror, as it mixed in thriller elements akin to a classic Stephen King novel. The reveal trailer for the sequel was met with praise, and it appears that it will lean harder into the terror. Alan Wake II should release sometime in 2023 for PS5, XSX|S, and PC.
Resident Evil 4 (Remake)
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth isn't the only remake/sequel hybrid releasing in 2023, and also like it, it's a highly-anticipated reinvention of an all-time classic for the modern age. Resident Evil 4 is often viewed as the best game in the franchise, as well as one of the most influential of all time.
And considering Capcom has earned massive amounts of goodwill from the fans with its redeeming works on the recent remakes, namely Resident Evil 2. This upcoming remake is primed to continue that renewed atmosphere of foreboding horror, along with the quality-of-life enhancements to survival and combat gameplay mechanics. Resident Evil 4 launches on March 24 for PS4, PS5, XSX|S, and PC.