While there’s no ‘official’ video game release season, it’s a well known fact that every year the months between September and January are absolutely packed with new titles hitting the market. With hundreds of releases from gaming giants like Bethesda to even more hidden gems from indie studios, there’s a lot to choose from this year. To save you some scrolling (and maybe even some cash!) we’ve compiled this list of the 2023/2024 release season’s most anticipated games.
(bethesda.net)
Starfield (September 6, 2023)
Hold onto your warp drives, folks: Bethesda is promising to take us on an interstellar joyride. Their much-anticipated upcoming game, Starfield, drops on Windows and Xbox in just a few days, and the previews so far have been stellar.
It’s fair to say most players and even Bethesda superfans might be holding their breath with this one, especially after Bethesda's recent rollercoaster of releases (we’re trying to forget Fallout 76). But with its expansive narrative universe and fully interactive environment, Starfield is set to be Bethesda’s phoenix, rising from the ashes of controversies past.
Starfield propels players into an immersive galactic odyssey where they can embark on an interstellar journey of their own making, accompanied by a vast array of NPCs. With Bethesda's signature attention to detail, witty dialogue and expansive world-building, Starfield rolls out a sprawling universe replete with mysterious planets, enigmatic alien species, and advanced technology.
As players command their own customizable starships and navigate the uncharted depths of space, they’ll unravel a rich narrative woven with choice and consequence, as well as run into a few classic at-each-other’s-throats factions that shape the course of their voyage. Along the way, it seems likely that players are liable to experience a little bit of that early-Fallout nostalgia as this game pays homage to its studio’s beautiful narrative roots.
The promises of a brand-new universe to explore could afford Bethesda the chance to leave their past few blunders in a wormhole. We’re cautiously excited – and you should be too. Finger-crossed for a smooth launch!
Alan Wake 2 (October 27, 2023)
Remedy Entertainment is inviting players to venture back into the shadowy unknown with Alan Wake 2, just in time for Halloween. Remedy is famous for their narrative heavy gameplay, and the critics agree that this game certainly delivers.
Set in the eerie town of Bright Falls once again, players step into the shoes of Alan Wake, a novelist grappling with the demons within his own mind. Armed with a trusty flashlight, players must navigate the shadowy landscape, piecing together fragments of truth while confronting their deepest fears. Heart pounding suspense and classic horror vibes abound in this release, promising the totally immersive experience we’ve come to expect from Wake.
If you've been keeping tabs on Remedy, you'll remember the heart-racing brilliance of the original Alan Wake and the, well, slightly divisive Quantum Break. With whispers of a more refined narrative experience and a fully interactive environment complete with bolstered mechanics, Alan Wake 2 might just shine a light on what Remedy has been doing best all this time.
With Remedy's penchant for captivating storytelling and a newfound focus on refining their gameplay mechanics, Alan Wake 2 seems to be a tale of redemption for those brave enough to play it. Dust off those flashlights and enter the abyss of one man’s twisted mind… if you dare!
The Wolf Among Us 2 (2024)
Telltale will be back early next year with a sequel to their 2014 hit, The Wolf Among Us, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated games of the last five years, mostly because its release is continuously getting pushed back. Both games are based around the DC graphic novel series, Fables. Despite positive buzz around this sequel, Wolf 2’s development was delayed to 2024 a few months ago in order to avoid developer burnout. Another reported reason for this setback was a switch from Telltale’s notoriously buggy in-house engine to Unreal, an engine used to develop beloved titles like Fortnite and the Bioshock series.
Despite its delays, what we do know about this game is that, like its predecessor and other titles like The Walking Dead, Wolf 2 will be an episodic journey. It’ll draw on material from the first game, taking place 6 months after the Bigby Wolf plotline, but the sequel will be mostly standalone and fully understandable for folks who haven’t played the original.
Players will encounter a disgruntled Bigby, fired from his position as a ‘gritty detective’ in the snowy depths of winter in New York City. As Bigby, players will investigate a new case that threatens to disrupt and destroy far more than just the reach of the NYPD.
Overall, the delays in Wolf 2’s development are generally for good reason and promise a tighter game than the mix of hits and glitches Telltale has delivered in the past.
Forza Motorsport 8 (October 10, 2023)
Gearheads, start your engines: Forza Motorsport 8 is tearing onto the scene and it's looking like an absolute joyride. Forza has been a mainstay of racing games for nearly two decades, so odds are good you've probably already heard the buzz around this latest drop from Playground Games.
Playground has a history of crafting some seriously drool-worthy racing experiences, from the stunningly immersive landscapes of Forza Horizon to the high-octane action of Forza Motorsport. Forza Motorsport 8 promises to be the absolute peak of everything Forza does best. Players are treated to hyper-realistic graphics that'll have you questioning if you accidentally teleported into a Formula 1 broadcast, a garage of meticulously true-to-life detailed cars, and heart-pounding races set on totally breathtaking landscapes.
It appears Playground Games has been listening to the racing community's feedback, working to deliver a game that's more immersive, more dynamic, and more customizable than ever. They've been burning rubber to perfect the physics, nail the handling, and even throw in a dash of weather variability that might just have you cursing an unexpected rainstorm.
With a gorgeous lineup of vehicles and a completely new set of tracks that push your driving skills to the limit, it's safe to say that Forza Motorsport 8 is shaping up to be a true adrenaline-fueled masterpiece.
Baldur’s Gate 3
You didn’t think we would forget Baldur’s Gate, did you? This game has been dominating gaming news feeds for weeks, and for good reason. Developed by Larian Studios, the masterminds behind the critically acclaimed "Divinity: Original Sin" series, this game has been a labor of love. Baldur’s Gate 3 shines brightest when it combines Larian's knack for deep storytelling with the rich lore of the Dungeons & Dragons universe.
In Baldur’s Gate, players can assemble a diverse party of heroes, each with their own quirks and abilities, as they journey through a world teeming with magic, mystery, and monstrous foes. The best part? Your choices really matter here, impacting everything from your companions' allegiances to the fate of the realm itself. This means hundreds if not thousands of possible storylines, and near infinite replayability. Character customization has also been taken to a higher level- players can go way beyond appearance and tweak the very personality and character of their PC.
Now, let's talk development – because this hasn't been a walk in the park. Larian Studios has taken the challenge of adapting the beloved "Baldur's Gate" series and has been meticulously crafting a game that respects its roots while embracing the capabilities of modern technology. The result is a visually stunning, turn-based RPG that oozes nostalgia while bringing fresh mechanics to the table. The early access phase alone had players raving about the intricate character creation, immersive dialogue, and that trademark Larian humor.
It's evident that the developers are pulling out all the stops, driven by their passion for creating a game that's not just a sequel, but a worthy successor to a legendary franchise. So, whether you're a long-time fan of the series or a newcomer to the world of Baldur's Gate, get ready to embark on a grand quest that'll challenge your wits, tug at your heartstrings, and remind you how good RPGs can be.
