Best Console Games in 2023
While gamers typically gear up for juggernaut titles in the fall, 2023 is a month overflowing with games that deserve to have all eyes on them. Here are the best console games to look forward to in 2023.
Tchia wears its Breath of the Wild influence on its sleeve, offering players a transporting adventure. This open-world RPG is a must-have for Nintendo fans.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom finds Link waking from his 100-year slumber to unite the fractured kingdom of Hyrule and defeat Calamity Ganon. It’s a story that’ll have fans speculating about the next generation of console hardware and will silence the critics worried about Nintendo becoming stale.
It’s easy to see why. Tears of the Kingdom is Nintendo’s magnum opus, building upon the seminal foundations of Breath of the Wild in a way that few could have predicted. Sky archipelagos, an underground world, vehicles, weapon fusion, themed dungeons — it has everything a player could want in a sequel.
Metroid Prime 4: Echoes
The Metroid series has had its fair share of ups and downs, but the latest entry into Nintendo’s haunting space-based franchise has given fans reason to hope. Metroid Prime 4: Echoes is a 3D first-person action-adventure game that puts players in the shoes of bounty hunter Samus Aran on the fictitious planet Aether, battling Space Pirates and her doppelganger Dark Samus.
Though Echoes recaptures the magic of the original Prime with its largely discretionary scan-based narrative and memorable boss battles (the Spider Guardian and Quadraxis remain high-water marks for the franchise), it’s not without its flaws.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
After Breath of the Wild, it was always going to be tough for Nintendo to follow up with a slam-dunk. But they have managed it with a game that feels as revolutionary as it is familiar.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is the second installment in a three-part remake of the original PlayStation classic. This one will pick up after the end of Remake Intergrade, focusing on Cloud and his group chasing down Sephiroth’s plans to summon Meteor.
Square Enix has also tweaked the combat, tapping Devil May Cry 5’s Ryota Suzuki to make it more action-oriented. But it still looks to be a true Final Fantasy, with tons of character options and an expansive world to explore.
Alan Wake 2
After a lot of rumors and fan anticipation, Alan Wake 2 has finally been revealed. This survival horror game from Remedy Entertainment promises to keep players on the edge of their seats with gripping gameplay and a thrilling story.
It takes place in Bright Falls, Washington and features FBI profiler Saga Anderson investigating a series of ritualistic murders. However, this case quickly slips into a nightmare when she discovers pages of a horror novel that begin to come true.
As in the previous game, Alan is hunted by his evil doppelganger, Mr. Scratch, and is forced to rewrite reality to escape this Dark Place. The new game is slated to be released in October.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hollow Knight: Silksong is the highly-anticipated sequel to Team Cherry’s critically acclaimed 2D action-adventure game. It builds upon the first title’s legacy by featuring varied lands and introducing new enemies, NPCs, and equipment.
Like the original, the world of Hallownest is a veritable cavern of discovery. Hornet can explore its vast tunnels, finding new items and locations that tell an intriguing story.
The gameplay trailer shows off Hornet’s agile needle-wielding skills and highlights the beauty of this insectoid kingdom. Comparisons to Ori have been drawn, and this indie platformer certainly has a good claim to the ‘Metroidvania’ crown, with its emphasis on item and skill progression.
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam
Professor Layton is a popular puzzle game series with an established fanbase. Developed by Level-5, the games feature engaging storylines and clever puzzle-solving gameplay.
The New World of Steam will mark the first game in the franchise to be released on a console. It will also be the first to be released on a platform other than the Nintendo DS.
The teaser trailer revealed that this latest game in the series takes place one year after the events of Professor Layton and Unwound Future. It follows the pair as they set off to explore a world of steam-powered technology in Steam Bison, America.
Lies of P
A macabre reimagining of Carlo Collodi’s treasured tale, Lies of P is an action Souls-like that puts you in the shoes of a sword-wielding puppet mechanoid seeking his creator. Featuring deep combat, an elegant world and a riveting story, this is one to watch for 2023.
The newest version of Nintendo’s handheld console packs in some serious power for the price, with a fancy new screen and plenty of space for playing older games bought digitally. The system is a great choice for families who want to take Nintendo on the go, or anyone interested in exploring the vast world of its many legendary franchises.
