2023 is here and as is the tradition at the start of a new year, we are looking ahead at what is coming to our PCs and Consoles in the coming months. As always this is based on what we know is coming, not unannounced titles that will surely get released during the year, and don’t hold it against us when some of these titles get delayed into 2024.
Let’s get some stat upgrades and dice rolls going because it is time to look at the RPGs coming this year.
The Most Anticipated RPGs For 2023
Starfield
Undoubtedly one of the biggest titles coming in 2023, Starfield is also carrying a huge amount of expectation from a rabid Todd Howard Fanbase and their parent company Xbox. There is a weight that comes with a Todd Howard game that very few other development studios would receive and add to the fact that Fallout 4 was a slight misfire there are sure to be some nervous folks at Bethesda HQ.
All that said, there is no doubt there is talent behind this game and it has huge potential. People have been quoted as saying this is “just” Skyrim in Space as if that was a bad thing. Honestly, it sounds like a fantastic idea to me, there is a reason that Skyrim has been released on every platform known to man and that is because it is great.
Starfield is scheduled for the first half of the year and is a PC and Xbox Series exclusive on Gamepass.
Octopath Traveler 2
When the original Octopath Traveler landed I don’t think anyone guessed just how good it was going to be. Sure there is a certain level of expectation that comes with this studio, but I think the way it combined the eight different stories is the way it did took more than a few of us by surprise.
So the question remains, with the sequel can it repeat the success or, with people clued in onto the gimmick, will it not quite hit the same high? I am betting that it will and I am sure many others are too. What is perhaps most concerning for any game released on the aging Switch hardware is if performance will suffer because of it. I hope not but it is coming to PC, PS4/5 as well so that might be your best bet if you are concerned like me.
Octopath Traveler 2 is coming on the 24th of Feb so there really isn’t that long to wait.
Baulder's Gate 3
I know it has been in early access but I have been staying away from it for that time because my first step back into the world of Baulder’s Gate needs to be with the finished product. The original two games, Bioware’s big splash into the public consciousness, are watershed moments in CRPG gaming and I just hope that can be replicated in the 3rd game.
This time it is being developed by the masterminds behind the Divinity: Original Sin games, which is fitting considering they are probably the best modern examples of a CRPG out there. The current early access version also has a mountain of praise on Steam so things are looking great.
Baulder’s Gate 3 is hitting full release on PC in August 2023. There is no word on a console release at this point but with both Divinity games hitting on both Xbox and PS we can safely assume one will be announced down the track, probably for early 2024 if I had to guess.
Diablo 4
Can you hear that noise? It is the sound of a million mice clicking all at once. It must be time for a new Diablo game. Diablo IV is coming and it is sure to refire the desire to collect all the loot in millions of fans everywhere. It is also certain to make mouse manufacturers even happier.
This time around however things are a little different. For the first time, console versions are being released at the same time as the PC version and considering how well they did with the console versions of Diablo 3, that is a good thing. In fact, it may actually be my preferred way to play now. There is something cathartic about slaying hordes of demons while relaxing on a sofa.
Diablo 4 needs to be a hit for Blizzard though, it has been a bit of a rough patch considering their usual high standards. Hopefully, it clicks all the right buttons when it releases on Xbox Series/One, PS4/5 and PC on the 6th of June.
Final Fantasy XVI
Some would argue that apart from VII Remake, the Final Fantasy games have run out of steam, well if you don’t count XIV anyways. I don’t 100% agree with that (I really quite enjoyed XV) but certainly, the brand isn’t quite the 100% surefire hit it once was.
That being said I feel like XVI is going to be a winner, I am just not sure I can put my finger on why. It may be the slightly more serious tone, the stunning-looking battles or the fact that VII Remake was so damn good, but I think this has every chance to be a 100% killer game.
Final Fantasy XVI is coming to Playstation 5 with a 6-month exclusivity window, though it is unclear if it will ever land on Xbox (PC should be fine.) So Sony fans can dive in on the 22nd of June.
