Game-Changing Trends: Gaming in 2023 Set to Rewrite History, Surpassing 1998 and 2007
Experience an unrivaled gaming era in 2023, as it emerges as a legendary year in the gaming world With an array of highly anticipated releases, prepare for a gaming revolution like no other
2023 has been a remarkable year for the gaming industry, characterized by a consistent stream of high-profile releases that have not only lived up to the hype but have also left fans eagerly anticipating what's to come in the future. In fact, it wouldn't be surprising if 2023 is eventually hailed as one of the greatest years in the history of the gaming industry.
When discussing the greatest years in gaming history, two years often dominate the conversation: 1998 and 2007. In 1998, iconic titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Tekken 3, Half-Life, Gran Turismo, Metal Gear Solid, Grim Fandango, Banjo-Kazooie, Baldur's Gate, Starcraft, Fallout 2, and many others were released. Similarly, 2007 witnessed the launch of memorable games like Super Mario Galaxy, BioShock, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Halo 3, God of War 2, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, Rock Band, Mass Effect, and more.
Fans eagerly await the end of the year to witness the full scope of new game releases for 2023. Judging by the current trend, it appears that 2023 is poised to rival the monumental years of 1998 and 2007 in terms of gaming excellence. Here, we present the most significant and remarkable video game releases of 2023 thus far. Additionally, we offer a glimpse into the forthcoming games scheduled to launch later this year. Together, these releases have the potential to make 2023 an unforgettable year in the history of gaming.
Best Games of 2023
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - 96
Metroid Prime Remastered - 94
Resident Evil 4 (2023) - 92
Street Fighter 6 - 92
Final Fantasy 16 - 89
Hi-Fi Rush - 89
Dead Space (2023) - 89
Diablo 4 - 88
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line - 86
F1 23 - 85
Octopath Traveler 2 - 85
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor - 84
Hogwarts Legacy - 84
The disappointment of being immensely excited for a game, only to have it fall short of expectations, is a familiar feeling for many gamers. However, the year 2023 appears to be an exception to this trend. The majority of AAA game releases in 2023 have not only met expectations but have even surpassed them. Although there have been a few notable failures such as Redfall and The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, it could be argued that expectations were never particularly high for these games. On the other hand, numerous highly anticipated games have received glowing reviews and achieved impressive sales figures.
Currently, the highest-rated game of the year is The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Serving as a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom presents players with a vast open world to explore across three distinct realms: the sky, the ground, and the Depths. The introduction of Link's new abilities has allowed Zelda enthusiasts to unleash their creativity and devise ingenious strategies to overcome the game's various challenges. Undoubtedly, this game will be remembered as a groundbreaking release in the gaming industry.
But Tears of the Kingdom is just the beginning of the exciting lineup of new game releases in 2023. Three other AAA titles have garnered exceptional review scores, with Metroid Prime Remastered, the remake of Resident Evil 4, and the recently-launched Street Fighter 6 receiving widespread acclaim.
In June 2023, the gaming industry experienced an exceptional wave of new releases. Street Fighter 6 kicked off the month, followed closely by the launches of Diablo 4, Final Fantasy 16, and F1 23, all within a few weeks of each other.
However, it is important to note that 2023 started off on a high note as well. In January, gamers were treated to the highly acclaimed Dead Space remake and the surprise release of Hi-Fi Rush. February brought the highly anticipated Hogwarts Legacy, which garnered rave reviews and achieved record-breaking sales. Additionally, the first half of 2023 saw the releases of Octopath Traveler 2, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line, and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, all of which received praise from both fans and critics.
Besides the high-budget titles mentioned above, the year 2023 has also witnessed the release of several noteworthy independent games. Some of these include Tents and Trees, 8-Bit Adventures 2, Vernal Edge, Cassette Beasts (available on day one through Xbox Game Pass), Humanity (offered as a day one PS Plus Extra game), and many more.
Upcoming 2023 Video Game Releases
Exoprimal - July 14
Pikmin 4 - July 21
Remnant 2 - July 25
Immortals of Aveum - August 22
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon - August 25
Sea of Stars - August 29
Baldur's Gate 3 - August 31
Starfield - September 6
Lies of P - September 19
Mortal Kombat 1 - September 19
Payday 3 - September 21
Detective Pikachu Returns - October 6
Forza Motorsport - October 10
Assassin's Creed Mirage - October 12
Lords of the Fallen - October 13
Alan Wake 2 - August 17
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 - October 20
Super Mario Bros. Wonder - October 20
Cities: Skylines 2 - October 24
Alone in the Dark - October 25
WarioWare: Move It - November 3
The Day Before - November 10
Persona 5 Tactica - November 17
Super Mario RPG - November 17
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince - December 1
2023 has already witnessed several exceptional game releases, making it a noteworthy year in gaming history. However, in order to rival the monumental years of 1998 and 2007, it requires a more extensive lineup. Fortunately, the remainder of the year promises an abundance of highly anticipated video game releases. While there is always the possibility of some of these games falling short of expectations, it is expected that a significant number of them will live up to the hype, allowing 2023 to stand toe-to-toe with the legendary years of 1998 and 2007.
The upcoming games for the remainder of 2023 are not limited to the ones mentioned here, but this selection includes the most highly anticipated titles and noteworthy indie games. During the summer season, fans can eagerly anticipate the releases of Pikmin 4, Immortals of Aveum, Remnant 2, Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, Sea of Stars, and Baldur's Gate 3, all of which boast immense potential.
As we enter the fall season, it feels like the gaming industry is fully bouncing back from the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, with an overwhelming number of major games scheduled to launch between September and November. This includes highly anticipated titles such as Starfield, Mortal Kombat 1, Assassin's Creed Mirage, Alan Wake 2, Spider-Man 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the Super Mario RPG remake, and many others. One particular date that stands out is October 20, which will see the simultaneous release of both Spider-Man 2 and Super Mario Bros. Wonder, both of which have the potential to be Game of the Year contenders.
December 2023 bucks the trend of traditionally lacking notable game releases, as it kicks off with a bang with the highly anticipated launch of Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince. Just a mere week later, fans will be treated to the thrilling open world experience of Ubisoft's Avatar game, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.
