Are you eagerly awaiting the new video game releases for 2023? Or are you more focused on the upcoming Elden Ring DLC, causing you to forget that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is also set to release this year? Either way, Apprente’s Gamers has been keeping busy, and there’s no shortage of exciting games to look forward to.
The trend of game remakes continues, and Dead Space received a great update that we love. We’ve also noticed an abundance of frog-based games hitting the market, including Time on Frog Island, Shoulders of Giants, and A Frog’s Tale. If a game allows me to play as a frog, I’m sold! Other games that have been taking up our time and money include Metroid Prime: Remastered, Horizon Call of the Mountain, and Fire Emblem: Engage, all of which have been causing us to lose countless hours of sleep.
Despite our busy schedules, we made sure to find the best skill tree paths and uncover our favorite games of the year so far. So, fellow gamers, sit back, relax, and enjoy!
Dead Space
Where to play: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Steam
The gaming industry is currently obsessed with remakes and remasters. If you’re a fan of classic video games from the 2000s and want to see them revitalized in stunning 4k resolution, then look no further than this thrilling space game from EA. But this isn’t just your typical remaster where the graphics get a facelift. This revisit to the USG Kellion has been fully restored from the ground up, making it a sight to behold.
Fire Emblem: Engage
Where to play: Nintendo Switch
For over three decades, the Fire Emblem franchise has consistently delivered exceptional tactical role-playing games. Among all of the entries, Three Houses stands out as the one that I’ve poured the most time into since my childhood days of raising Chao in Sonic Adventure 2: Battle. With Engage, the classic battle mechanics and heartwarming ways to strengthen bonds with fellow warriors make for another highly satisfying strategy game.
But that’s not all – for the gamers who enjoy a real challenge, Engage offers a “maddening” difficulty level that demands careful planning and a bit more time spent on upgrading characters than I personally did. Overall, Fire Emblem: Engage is an excellent addition to the franchise and is sure to provide countless hours of entertainment for strategy game enthusiasts.
Hi-Fi Rush
Where to play: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Steam
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if Baby Driver was turned into a video game? And what if that game had the same vibrant and unique visual style as a Scott Pilgrim comic book? Hi-Fi Rush manages to tick off so many nostalgia boxes that I’m tempted to grow out my emo bangs and dust off my old iPod Nano.
This game is a perfect blend of beat-em-up and rhythm games, providing a satisfying and exciting gameplay experience. It’s hard to imagine that we’ll reach the end of 2023 without Hi-Fi Rush being near the top of my list of favorite games of the year. With its engaging gameplay and stunning visuals, it’s sure to become a beloved addition to any gamer’s collection.
Metroid Prime Remastered
Where to play: Nintendo Switch
They finally did it. After years of rumors, Nintendo has finally released this beautiful throwback to the classic 3D platformer/shooter from the GameCube era. And. It. Rocks. The Switch now has a 3D Metroid game to go with the 2D side-scrolling Metroid Dread that was released in 2021. We hope that they keep releasing Metroid titles. At this rate, we might get Metroid Prime 4 before ‘s run on the Switch.
Shoulders of Giants
Where to play: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Steam
In Shoulders of Giants, you are a Frog. Who is on top of the robot? The robot is armed with a huge sword. The frog is armed with a laser. The perspective changes when you switch between the frog and the robot. It goes from a wide-open hack-and-slash to an over-the-shoulder shooter. When you play this game for the first time, it’s hard to believe that this setup has never happened before. It’s a novel concept that is both simple and brilliant at the same time. My only complaint is? It’s hard to choose between the frog and the robot.
Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Where to play: Nintendo Switch
Every year, there should be a Kirby game (or an old one, in this case). Like the Twin Peaks saying. Kirby, a gift for the human race, is something we should all enjoy. It’s about time this game got a second run. This original version was released on the Nintendo Wii. It feels like it belongs on the Switch. It reminds me that I need to play more of Kirby and the Forgotten Land soon. I think that would be a great present to give today.
Blanc
Where to play: Nintendo Switch, PC, Steam
Some games can take weeks or even months to finish. However, Blanc is a game that takes only a few minutes to complete and looks stunning. This hand-drawn, indie cooperative game about a wolf and a small fawn trying to navigate the wilderness is beautiful, simple, and unlike anything you’ve seen before in video games. The Blanc journey may not be the hardest, but it is worth your time – especially if you have a friend to play with.
Pizza Tower
Where to play: PC
Finally, developers are creating video games inspired by Wario Land. NOT Mario. Wario. That’s right. Pizza Tower feels like a return to the Wario games of the past (specifically, the Game Boy Advanced). One thing: it needs more garlic.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Where to play: PC
Why has it taken me so long to play Age of Empires again? One, I didn’t have the proper PC setup, and it always seemed shady to download Steam onto my laptop at work. You can also crucify my choice, but I prefer consoles. I only want to play games by sitting on my couch, playing on my television. This is my preferred way to play, even though it is much more difficult without a keyboard and mouse. The release of Age of Empires IV and its scheduled release on consoles later this year is for me and my army of console gamers.
Sea of Stars
Where to play: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC, macOS, Steam
ChronoTrigger was a big hit when it launched in 1995. We’re still seeing the impact of Chrono Trigger almost 30 years after its debut. Sea of Stars is an affectionate send-up of the Square JRPG, and like many other games of this genre, it wears its inspiration proudly on its sleeves. Sea of Stars has a distinct beauty. The 2D pixels are stunning and some of the most beautiful imagery in this genre we’ve ever seen.
Season: A Letter to the Future
Where to play: PlayStation 5, PC, Steam
Scavenger Studio’s indie title is a poignant and tragic tale about a world that is ending, told by a young woman riding a bicycle. Its art style is a cross between watercolor and the Spider-Verse– with a hint of the Last of Us. We are here to support it.
Horizon Call of the Mountain
Where to play: PlayStation VR2
You must treat Horizon Call of the Mountain as if you were watching Avatar. You won’t get the best story. After 10 minutes, you might dislike the main character! On the other hand, it’s going to look great. You may even drool or utter wow over and over, like Owen Wilson, who is in desperate need of a new battery. The much-hyped PlayStation VR2 was a success on launch day. Can we get more games now? Please?
Forspoken
Where to play: PlayStation 5, PC, Steam
Forspoken was met initially with some derision by critics and gamers, but it deserves praise for how ambitious Square Enix’s developers were in terms of the size and scope of the world. We don’t get many new franchises because everything in today’s pop culture is IP-driven. When we do get new franchises, they are often overlooked because they lack the presence of Tony Stark or Luke Skywalker. It’s not perfect, but it has its merits. The combat is a lot of fun.
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