Though the PS5 remains difficult to find in certain regions, game developers aren’t shy about all the games they’re developing for it. There are dozens of AAA titles on their way to the console in 2023. Of particular note are the many sequels that are being developed right at this moment.
From long-awaited remakes of classic titles to unexpected revivals of franchises thought dead, the sequels of next year promise to be better than their predecessors. Although not all are exclusive to the PS5, they are all developed with the console’s impressive graphical fidelity in mind.
Kerbal Space Program 2
Kerbal Space Program was revealed at Gamescom 2019 and will be released in early 2023. The game will be available to play on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. KSP2 puts the user in control of the Kerbals’ fledgling space program as they begin to explore the planets and moons surrounding Kerbin, much like its predecessor.
Multiplayer, expanded colonization mechanisms, and even galactic travel are among the new features of KSP2. With all the unique creations stemming from the first game, one can only imagine how gorgeous the failures players will have on the graphical fidelity of a PS5.
Payday 3
PAYDAY 3 is the sequel to PAYDAY 2, a co-operative first-person heist shooter game developed by Starbreeze Studios and released by Koch Media. PAYDAY 3 will be released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2023. At the moment, very little has been revealed about the game itself.
However, it has been in full development for a while now. The Valhalla Game engine, PAYDAY’s workhorse for the past two games, has now been dropped in favor of the Unreal Engine 4. That may be the reason for the game’s 5-year dev cycle, compared to the much shorter 2-year gap between the first two games.
Layers of Fears
Layers of Fears, announced just recently at Summer Game Fest, is the unexpected third entry to Bloober Teams’ Layers of Fear franchise. The first game focused on an artist, the DLC on his distant daughter, and the sequel on an actor aboard a stormy ship.
All the games thus far had been limited to the POV of a single character. Layers of Fears takes things a step further and now focuses on different generations of characters. It is unknown at this time if it is a remake, a reboot, or a direct sequel. Still, fans can expect the same scary moments they loved from Layers of Fear.
Alan Wake II
Alan Wake 2 was one of the biggest surprises from the 2021 Game Awards. Announced 11 years after the original game’s release, the trailer showed little actual gameplay and went for a live-action teaser instead. Alan Wake, at this point, seems to have grown much older and ragged than before. Alan Wake 2 is expected to release in 2023 on PS5, Xbox Series X and S, as well as PC.
Once again, it is developed by Remedy Entertainment and published by Epic. From what little information is being gathered by fans, the game seems to be a lot more introspective and psychological. Interestingly, the game was an Xbox exclusive for the first few years, until the Remaster ported it to all other relevant consoles.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor follows the story of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order five years later. Cal must remain in constant vigilance of the Empire’s relentless pursuit. Cal bears the burden of being one of the galaxy’s few remaining Jedi. Developed once more by Respawn Entertainment, expands the lore of Jedi: Fallen Order with its best characters.
When Star Wars Jedi: Survivor releases in 2023, it gets to take advantage of the PS5’s incredibly graphical capabilities. Its timeline also puts it in a very interesting place in the lore, very close to the Rebels’ timeline. That means there is a lot of potential for crossover, should the story choose to.
The Wolf Among Us 2
The Wolf Among Us is a Telltale point-and-click adventure mystery game based on the DC Comics series Fables. The player returns to the brutal detective noir world as Bigby. Here, there are no fairy tale endings. Season 2 of The Wolf Among Us is set six months after the chaotic events of the first game.
Bigby’s latest case threatens to blur the fragile boundaries between Fabletown and the NYPD this winter in New York City. A shocking announcement, The Wolf Among Us 2 was thought to have been dead in the water after Telltale Games’ bankruptcy, but when it was acquired by another party, this game was the first to be put back in development.
Resident Evil 4 Remake
Resident Evil 4 Remake is the long-awaited remake of Resident Evil 4 for modern audiences. Leon Kennedy, years after the events of Raccoon City, is now a secret agent of the United States military. He is personally tasked with rescuing the President’s daughter, who was lost in a remote area of Spain. Upon entry, Leon relives the nightmare that he had escaped so long ago.
Resident Evil 4 Remake promises to be a more horror-oriented version of the legendary title. Many fans were adamant that RE4 was in no need of a remake, but many others are excited by the prospect of an RE4 without its few flaws and in current-day graphics. Whatever the case may be, all eyes are on Capcom to see if they do their franchise justice.
Final Fantasy XVI
Square Enix’s planned action role-playing game Final Fantasy XVI is the sixteenth mainline Final Fantasy game and will be released on the PlayStation 5 exclusively. The game is set in Valisthea, a continent with six factions on the verge of war due to a spreading disease known as the Blight. The player controls Clive Rosenfield, the first-born son of the Rosarian Archduke, and uncovers secrets that could threaten the entire continent.
Final Fantasy XVI takes on a far more action-packed gameplay style compared to previous games in the series. The combat is now more reminiscent of Capcom character action games such as Devil May Cry V and Monster Hunter: World. After 17 mainline games, some shakeups were inevitable, and this is one shakeup fans are excited for.
Street Fighter 6
Street Fighter 6 is the long-awaited sixth entry in the legendary Street Fighter franchise. The first game to be set after Street Fighter III in the timeline, Street Fighter 6 follows new characters as well as some veterans in a stylized, hip-hop-influenced entry that goes back to Third Strike roots in both aesthetic and music.
Street Fighter 6 has been long-awaited due to the polarizing reception of Street Fighter V. Now that Capcom is on a roll of great games in the past few years, they’re looking to apply some of that magic to one of their longest-running franchises. Best of all, it escapes console exclusivity, meaning even Xbox players get to enjoy the game.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is once again being developed by Insomniac Games and is set for release in 2023. In the teaser trailer, it’s shown that the players will take control of both Peter Parker and Miles Morales as they face off against this universe’s version of Venom, as well as the reveal of a rambling Kraven.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 hasn’t revealed any full gameplay trailers as of yet, but there is no denying that people are hyped for the title. Tony Todd being cast as Venom is currently the most exciting bit of news for horror fans, at least. Seen by many people as the best solo superhero game since Batman: Arkham Asylum, the sequel has some big shoes to fill.
