19 Video Games From 2023 That You Need To Put On Your To-Play List

BRB, I am cancelling my social outings for the entire year.

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1. Diablo IV

Blizzard

Synopsis: Taking place 50 years after the events of Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, players are thrust again into another battle between the angels of High Heavens and the demons of the Burning Hells in Sanctuary. This time, a legendary name resurfaces — Lilith, daughter of Mephisto, the whispered progenitor of humanity.

Why it's worth checking out: Since the release of Diablo IV, Blizzard has reported that it's become the fastest-selling game in its history — and for good reason. The fourth instalment in the Diablo gaming franchise has received rave reviews for its enjoyable gameplay, customisable character classes (which include the Barbarian, Necromancer, Rogue, Sorcerer and Druid), hauntingly beautiful aesthetic and storyline involving Lilith. Diablo IV is a hellishly good time — and that's coming from someone who hasn't touched Diablo since the early 2000s (remember when Diablo II was all the rage?). It's the perfect blend of nostalgic elements from previous releases, while modernising the gameplay to keep the franchise as fresh and addictive as ever.

Platform(s): PC, PlayStation and Xbox.

Watch the trailer here.

2. Planet Of Lana

Thunderful Publishing

Synopsis: A young girl called Lana — who is accompanied by a cat-like creature called Mui — explores a planet that has been invaded by hostile alien machines in order to rescue her sister who has been abducted.

Why it's worth checking out: Visually inspired by films from Studio Ghibli, Planet Of Lana is a soulful story-focused platformer that, despite its short six-hour gameplay, will stay with you for long after. The puzzles are clever, the soundtrack is both soothing and riveting, and the game's colourful design allows you to escape the stresses of real life — if only for a couple of hours.

Platform(s): PC and Xbox.

Watch the trailer here.

3. Hi-Fi Rush

Bethesda Softworks

Synopsis: Self-proclaimed "future rock star" Chai runs into trouble when his music player accidentally gets fused to his heart during experimental cybernetic surgery. Now able to feel the rhythm of battle and attack to the beat, he sets out to take down the directors of Vandelay Technologies who want him recalled.

Why it's worth checking out: A surprise release from developer Tango Gameworks (who are known for their horror games like The Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo), Hi-Fi Rush quickly became a big hit in the gaming community thanks to its stunning animation, nostalgic art style, humourous characters and electric, rhythm-based gameplay. Featuring a soundtrack that boasts songs from The Black Keys and Nine Inch Nails, Hi-Fi Rush is a vibrant and fun reminder that video games don't need ultra-realistic graphics, an open world or a jaw-dropping storyline to be enjoyable.

Platform(s): PC and Xbox.

Watch the trailer here.

4. The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Nintendo

Synopsis: A sequel to The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild, Tears Of The Kingdom begins with Zelda and Link exploring a network of tunnels deep beneath Hyrule Castle. There, they find hieroglyphs depicting a great alliance between Hylians and Zonai, as well as witnessing a mummified Ganondorf's awakening. Ganondorf's powers result in Link's right arm being corrupted, the Master Sword being shattered, Hyrule Castle being sent skywards, as well as Link and Zelda being separated. Now, Link must reunite with Zelda and uncover what happened.

Why it's worth checking out: If you were waiting for a game to convince you to buy a Nintendo Switch (hi, it's me!), then let it be this one. Tears Of The Kingdom is Nintendo's masterclass in reminding us about the simplistic magic of video games and their power to not only transport us into other worlds, but give us complete and utter freedom to explore them. The kingdom of Hyrule and its endless beauty is your playground, as you control Link and explore everything — from the dizzying heights of the sky islands to the vastness of the grounds and caves below. When it comes to gameplay, Tears Of The Kingdom is both creatively empowering and provides immense intellectual satisfaction. Link's weapons and various abilities give you infinite possibilities in progressing through the game at your own pace. There is no "correct" way to play Tears Of The Kingdom — and herein lies the true beauty of it. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro when it comes to the Zelda gaming franchise, this game is bound to give you hours of enjoyable fun.

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch.

Watch the trailer here.

5. Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly

Toge Productions

Synopsis: Taking place in an alternate present-day Seattle where humans, orcs, elves and other races peacefully co-exist, your mission as a barista is to explore the world through the stories told by your customers one cup at a time.

Why it's worth checking out: Honestly, I'm livid that I only discovered Coffee Talk this year because it has all the hallmarks of a brilliantly executed narrative-driven cosy game. Engaging characters, stunning retro, pixel-style visuals, a soothing lo-fi soundtrack that can double as focus music and the chance to whip up the perfect brew. I mean, what's not to love? Hibiscus & Butterfly is a continuation of everything that made the first instalment so brilliant and endearing. So if you're in need of something that soothes your soul and mind, get brewing.

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation and Xbox.

Watch the trailer here.

6. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Electronic Arts

Synopsis: Picking up five years after Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Cal Kestis — who is one of the last remaining Jedi in the galaxy — works with his friends to continue the fight against the Galactic Empire.

Why it's worth checking out: With visually spectacular animation, immersive sound design and an epic storyline to boot, Survivor is everything you could ever want from a Star Wars game. Building upon the previous instalment, Survivor introduces several new lightsaber combat styles, a more expansive open world to explore, a higher degree of player customisation and several Jedi Meditation Chambers featuring puzzles and challenges to complete. It's worth mentioning that players reported performance PC issues early on in the game's release, but since then EA has released patches to help with this.

Platform(s): PC, PlayStation and Xbox.

Watch the trailer here.

7. Ghostwire: Tokyo

Bethesda Softworks

Synopsis: Tokyo's population has mysteriously vanished, with deadly paranormal spirits from Japanese folklore appearing to take over the city. Using an arsenal of elemental abilities, you must unravel the truth behind the city's disappearance and save Tokyo.

Why it's worth checking out: Personally, the premise of Ghostwire: Tokyo is what immediately grabbed my attention. The trailer boasts stunning visuals of the neon-lit streets of Japan, including an eerily empty Shibuya crossing — which, if you've watched Alice In Borderland, spells major trouble. This, combined with the horror Japanese folklore elements (think headless schoolgirls and horrifying spider-like human mutations charging at you), makes for an entertaining action-adventure gameplay that can be wrapped up in 20–30 hours (which, honestly, is a vibe to me because it's not something I have to pour endless time and energy into). Plus, did I mention that you're able to pet and feed the various cats and dogs remaining in Tokyo (and even read their minds for hints)?

Platform(s): PC, PlayStation and Xbox.

Watch the trailer here.

8. Dead Space

Electronic Arts

Synopsis: Set in the 26th century, engineer Isaac Clarke is tasked with repairing the USG Ishimura, a massive deep-space mining ship that went dark during a routine mission. He soon discovers that the ship's crew has been slaughtered and infected by nightmarish creatures. Armed with only his engineering tools and skills, Isaac faces a battle for survival.

Why it's worth checking out: Technically, this isn't a completely new title. Rather, it's a remake of the 2008 sci-fi horror survival game of the same name, which won a slew of awards and was considered by many to be one of the greatest video games ever made — so if you've not played it yet, now is the perfect time to dive in. Players have reported that the remake enhances the original in almost every way — from the detailed graphics that make the spaceship and necromorphs that much more spine-chilling, to the updates in the script and gameplay exploration to discover more over the course of Isaac's journey.

Platform(s): PC, PlayStation and Xbox.

Watch the trailer here.

9. A Space For The Unbound

Toge Productions

Synopsis: Set in a small town inspired by rural Indonesia in the late 1990s, high school sweethearts Atma and Raya must explore and investigate their town to uncover hidden secrets and help their friends face their inner demons in order to stop the end of the world.

Why it's worth checking out: This slice-of-life adventure game features a distinct pixel art style, which — alongside its beautiful soundtrack and the ability to pet and name a number of cats — adds to the general cosiness of A Space For The Unbound. What makes this game special though are the personal experiences embedded within the story by developer Dimas Novan Delfiano who wanted to highlight the same passage of time he experienced while growing up in 1990s Indonesia. Another thing that I love is that the official synopsis describes A Space For The Unbound as "high school is ending and the world is ending with it" — and for me, that's an incredibly relatable feeling because, at that stage of your life, there is so much change (both exciting and scary) that's happening. It did kind of feel like the end of the world, right?

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation and Xbox.

Watch the trailer here.

10. The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom

Bethesda Softworks

Synopsis: As an agent of Hermaeus Mora, the Daedric Prince of Knowledge and Memory, you will help defend his secrets and reality itself which are being threatened by unknown forces.

Why it's worth checking out: The Necrom expansion, which is the seventh chapter of The Elder Scrolls Online, continues the Shadow Over Morrowind story arc by introducing a tonne of new content for players. Set on the Telvanni Peninsula, you'll be able to explore the ancient Dark Elf city of Necrom, as well as Hermaeus Mora's realm of Apocrypha. There's also the addition of the new Arcanist class, who is capable of destructive, restorative or defensive magic by channelling arcane energies, ancient runes and lost tomes of power. Creative Director Rich Lambert described Necrom as Elder Scrolls meets cosmic horror, which — personally — really sells it for me.

Platform(s): PC, PlayStation and Xbox.

Watch the trailer here.

11. Street Fighter 6

Capcom

Synopsis: Representing the next evolution in the Street Fighter series, players will travel the world and fight against legendary masters and new fan favourites across three distinct game modes (World Tour, Fighting Ground and Battle Hub).

Why it's worth checking out: Street Fighter 6 is a spectacularly feature-rich game that can easily be enjoyed by both newbies and longtime fans of the franchise. Thanks to its new control modes, newcomers can opt for the simplified "Modern" or "Dynamic" battle system that'll enable players to pull off special moves and combos without the usual struggle. Or, if you're a pro, there's still the "Classic" control mode that'll allow you to show off your moves. Alongside the killer art style, entertaining single-player adventure mode and online Battle Hub, Street Fighter 6 is definitely worth the play.

Platform(s): PC, PlayStation and Xbox.

Watch the trailer here.

12. Final Fantasy XVI

Square Enix

Synopsis: Valisthea is a world split into six nations that each maintain their independence through access to magical crystals and the existence of Dominants, who are humans that have the ability to call on the dread power of Eikons. As the spread of blight threatens Valisthea, tension rises between the nations and we are plunged into the story of Clive Rosfield, the firstborn son of the Archduke of Rosaria.

Why it's worth checking out: If you haven't watched any of the trailers for Final Fantasy XVI, I encourage you to do so immediately. I can't remember the last time I played Final Fantasy, but the dark medieval fantasy aesthetic within XVI combined with the incredible gameplay featured has my attention. I'm also a huge nerd for video game soundtracks, so learning that there were over 200 songs composed by Masayoshi Soken for Final Fantasy XVI just makes me respect and want to play this game even more. You can tell that the team behind it have put an immense amount of work and effort into making the best possible Final Fantasy game for fans.

Platform(s): PlayStation 5.

Watch the trailer here.

13. Story Of Seasons: A Wonderful Life

Marvelous Games

Synopsis: Your father and his friend Takakura once dreamed of running a farm in the peaceful town of Forgotten Valley — and now, you are finally honouring their legacy by doing just that. You'll forge your own precious memories and weave a generation-spanning tale of friendship, family and farming.

Why it's worth checking out: Formerly known as Harvest Moon, Story Of Seasons oozes comfort, warmth and simplicity (which is not always a bad thing). You'll spend your time cultivating crops, raising animals, befriending the charming residents of Forgotten Valley and building your own family legacy. If you've never played Harvest Moon, consider this to be a farming version of The Sims. You're in charge of your own story — and I love how the developers have given you the option to play as a male, female or non-binary character. I have fond memories of playing Harvest Moon on my PS1 as a kid and I cannot wait to play it again in this latest instalment.

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation and Xbox.

Watch the trailer here.

BuzzFeed / Getty Images

14. Venba

Visai Games

Synopsis: An Indian mum immigrates to Canada with her family in the 1980s. Her recipe book gets damaged in the movie and she cooks mouth-watering South Indian dishes to kickstart conversations about family, love, loss and connecting with one's culture.

Why it's worth checking out: For many South Asian families, including my own, food is its own love language — so I couldn't think of a more perfect game to represent Indian culture than Venba. The visuals are beautiful and illustrate the vibrancy and flavour of South Indian dishes like idlis, dosa and biryani, while the soundtrack (inspired by Indian musicals) reminds me of when my mum would watch Bollywood movies while cooking lunch in the kitchen. God, this game is going to make me cry, isn't it?

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation and Xbox.

Release date: July 31.

Watch the trailer here.

15. Bomb Rush Cyberfunk

Team Reptile

Synopsis: In a futuristic version of New Amsterdam, graffiti crews battle each other for control of the streets. Red, a graffiti writer whose head has been replaced with an AI robohead, is searching for his true identity and the person responsible for getting his head cut off. Along the way, he joins the Bomb Rush Crew, and embarks on a journey of collecting beats, painting graffiti, facing off cops and earning a rep in the big city.

Why it's worth checking out: If the concept of players skating around in a futuristic world tagging walls with graffiti sounds familiar, that's because Bomb Rush Cyberpunk is a spiritual successor to the iconic Jet Star Radio. While there have been rumblings about a new Jet Star Radio game for years, Team Reptile decided to riff off everything that made the original Jet Star Radio so great and package it up in a new adventure for fans. Featuring a similar cel-shaded art style and music production by Hideki Naganuma (who helped compose the original Jet Set Radio), I am beyond excited to see one of the best games from my childhood be remade like this.

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch and PC.

Release date: August 19.

Watch the trailer here.

16. Starfield

Bethesda Softworks

Synopsis: In the year 2330, humanity has ventured beyond our solar system, settling on new planets and living as a space-faring people. It's here, in an area called The Settled Systems, that Starfield takes place. You will join Constellation — an organisation of space explorers — and embark on an epic journey set amongst the stars.

Why it's worth checking out: Starfield is Bethesda's first new universe in over two decades — and that alone makes it incredibly exciting to dig into. From what's been shared by the game's development team, it seems like players will be able to curate their own destiny by deciding who they'll be, where they'll go, who they'll side with and what stories they'll uncover along the way. You'll be able to customise everything — from your character's appearance, background and traits, to the look and feel of the ship of your dreams, as well as several different weapon types geared towards complementing your specific playstyle. Plus, there's even the option to build outposts and farm different resources from new planets to craft medicine, food, equipment and weapons. Considering the entire breadth and scope of Starfield, this feels like a generation-defining game from Bethesda that will enthral players for hours on end.

Platform(s): PC and Xbox.

Release date: September 6.

Watch the trailer here.

17. Mortal Kombat 1

Warner Bros. Games

Synopsis: Witness a brand-new beginning for Mortal Kombat, with fan-favourite characters being reintroduced in their new roles and relationships with each other. The Mortal Kombat universe as you know it will be reborn by the Fire God Liu Kang.

Why it's worth checking out: Featuring a new timeline, Mortal Kombat 1 is a fresh beginning for the popular video game series — and that's exciting. While Scorpion and Sub-Zero have almost always taken centre stage, this time Liu Kang is the one being featured in the key art. The game's developers have also teased a new fighting system (which includes "Kameo Fighters", a unique roster of partner characters to assist during matches) and game modes. And, of course, since it's Mortal Kombat, there'll be plenty of violence, gore and fatalities.

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation and Xbox.

Release date: September 19.

Watch the trailer here.

18. Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Sony Interactive Entertainment

Synopsis: Peter Parker and Miles Morales return to New York City to battle against Kraven the Hunter, while also encountering the symbiote Venom, which bonds itself to Peter.

Why it's worth checking out: Going off the recently released gameplay trailer for Marvel's Spider-Man 2, it seems like the team at Insomniac Games have truly raised the bar for superhero gaming. Fans wanted bigger and better — and it's looking like they've delivered on all aspects. There are new areas of New York City to explore in the game's open world; a new suite of skills, abilities and Spidey suits to acquire; and the option to quickly switch between Peter and Miles to experience different stories and gameplay — which, personally, is one of my favourite features. Not to mention, Peter will also be playable when bonded to the Venom symbiote, meaning access to unique web-based abilities like tendrils. October can't come soon enough.

Platform(s): PlayStation.

Release date: October 20.

Watch the trailer here.

19. And lastly, Spirittea

Cheesemaster Games

Synopsis: A writer has escaped to a small town in the countryside in search of some inspiration to finish writing their novel. However, after accidentally drinking from an ancient teapot, they gain the ability to see into the spirit world and discover that the town is haunted by angry spirits. The only solution is to re-open the old bath house on the mountain and convince the spirits to soak their stresses away.

Why it's worth checking out: Sound like a scenario straight out of Spirited Away? You'd be right in thinking that. When crafting this whimsical life sim and management game, the developer was inspired by Studio Ghibli films and other cosy games like Stardew Valley and Harvest Moon — and honestly, just shut up and take my money already because this is everything I've ever wanted in a game. If that hasn't convinced you enough, players will be able to take part in a range of day-to-day activities ranging from bug catching to karaoke, bath house management, fishing, gathering tea and befriending the locals.

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation and Xbox.

Release date: 2023.

Watch the trailer here.

Need more TV show, movie, anime, and gaming recommendations? Check out Press Play, a new column dedicated to reviewing the latest releases, uncovering hidden gems and solving the age-old question of "What do I stream?" (before your food gets cold).