16 of Gayming Magzine’s most anticipated video games releasing in 2023
Video games, aren’t they grand? You think that you’ve played one that solidifies itself as your favourite ever, and then another one comes around and the whole process repeats itself. Again, and again, and again. Can’t you tell we’re excited to jump into 2023 to chase the high that only video games can provide?
2023 already looks as though it’s going to be jam-packed with quality, and while we’re not 100% sure if all of these games will be releasing this year (delays do happen after all) we’ve managed to narrow down just which games we’re eager to play next year.
And while we’re here, the majority of our most anticipated games are LGBTQ+ inclusive, but there are some that are just too good not to talk about.
Romancelvania
Ever wanted to take on the role of Dracula and not only kick major ass of your enemies, but also… go on a dating reality show to find the love of your life by kissing boys, girls, and monsters? If the answer is yes then join us in waiting eagerly for Romancelvania from The Deep End Games.
Side-scrolling action combined with the epic highs and lows of trying to find love with the Grim Reaper as your host? There’s just no way we’re not going to be jumping on this game the moment it releases… Which we hope is sometime in 2023.
Infinite Guitars
We don’t know that we’ve heard a cooler pitch than “fight mechs with rock music,” which is exactly what Infinite Guitars is supposed to be. In this “rhythm RPG,” players will use music to save the planet from vicious war machines. The game has a vibrant anime art style and looks absolutely action-packed. It was delayed from 2022, so we’re really hoping it will land in 2023 to give us some high octane musical action.
Love Shore
Cyberpunk as a genre has only grown more and more popular over time, and while Cyberpunk 2077 did scratch that itch a little, there’s no doubt in our minds that Love Shore from Perfect Garbarge is going to shake up what we know about the genre in new and exciting ways.
That and it’s hard not to get excited about a game that says you can fight gods and fall in love, all while trying to explore who you really are as an S.Human. Colour us intrigued, Love Shore!
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a very special mention because it also made the list of games we were looking forward to play back when its release date was in 2022. Since then Rocksteady’s moved the date a few times, with the game’s release now being May 2023.
Honestly? It doesn’t matter how many times this game gets pushed back because when it follows the infamous Suicide Squad, a team of anti-heroes and straight-up villains that have no choice but to do the dirty work demanded of them from the government? We’re more than willing to wait to enjoy something so different from playing as Batman in the Arkham games.
That being said… Please release in 2023, please, oh please.
Hades II
With the confirmation of Hades II during 2022’s The Game Awards, we can only say one thing: as always, the bisexuals continue to win.
The original Hades continued the age-old tradition of Supergiant Games making a banger of a game with an incredible soundtrack, a thrilling and emotionally devastating story and, more importantly, messy and chaotic bisexuals. With a history like that, we don’t doubt that Hades II will be just as good, if not better, than its predecessor.
ValiDate Vol. 2
The first volume of ValiDate is easily the most realistic and authentic dating simulator we’ve ever had the pleasure of playing. That said, since there’s a huge cast (13 characters) not everyone got to take the spotlight the first time around. Volume 2 is set to highlight some of the other characters we didn’t get to play as or spend much time with in the first volume, which is an exciting prospect. Getting to see more of these struggling singles will never be a bad thing. We can’t wait to see what misadventures they find themselves in.
High Elo Girls
While 2022 did bring us some queer esports action with Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers, we’re definitely still hungry for more. That’s why High Elo Girls is such a highly anticipated title for us. Another visual novel all about folks striving for esports greatness is just what the doctor ordered, as far as we’re concerned. We can’t wait to watch these ladies train, compete, and build relationships as they strive to grow stronger.
They Speak From the Abyss
In this house we love queer horror games!!! They Speak From the Abyss is a dungeon crawler about a young queer woman named Vanessa who is thrown into a world of nightmares by a demonic therapist. Here, she must face off against monstrous creatures and either defeat them or convince them with rhetoric, a la Shin Megami Tensei. With its PS1, pixel-art style, They Speak From the Abyss looks absolutely terrifying, and we can’t wait.
TOUCHSTARVED
TOUCHSTARVED is a gothic horror visual novel where the player character is a person whose hands are cursed. Any person they touch has their mind twisted irrevocably, making them dangerous to be around. They arrive in a city called Eridia desperately looking for a cure, and end up encountering five monstrous strangers. Each of these people can provide salvation, or lead you further into damnation. As we said, we love queer horror in this house, and we absolutely can’t wait to see what these veteran developers can come together to create with these (hopefully) sexy beasts.
Call Me Under
Call Me Under has some of the most seductive vibes we’ve ever seen, and we’re not just speaking about the fact the cast is made up of some seriously hot people. You’ve got an underwater city, a world full of otherworldly creatures and mystery after mystery, just begging to be solved.
With such a premise, this 1950’s noir and narrative-driven visual novel from Lunaris Games leaves us no choice but to be called down under into the city of Styx. Hell, why not kiss some cuties while we’re there too?
Thirsty Suitors
Have you ever seen a game that you know is going to emotionally wreck you at the same time as making sure you’re going to bust a gut? That’s definitely the vibe we’re getting from Outerloop Games’ Thirsty Suitors and you know what? We can’t wait to feel the pain!
We thoroughly enjoyed our time with the game when we had the chance to preview it earlier in 2022 and while we’ve not yet had the opportunity to sit down and play it ourselves, what we’ve seen so far conveys a game with a lot of heart, wit, and some super sweet skateboard moves. What more could you ask for?
Baldur’s Gate 3
If Baldur’s Gate 3 was a book, it’d be the most tattered, bent, out-of-shape thing that you ever did see because by Selune, we’ve played this game religiously ever since early access. It’s not hard to see why when it’s a game from Larian Studios, the absolute champions of creating a compelling, narrative-focused CRPG, set in the world of Dungeons and Dragons. What, is there any chance this game is going to actually be awful? Not bloody likely. (If the previous statement ages poorly, you are free to come back and laugh.)
In all seriousness, we’ve been waiting for this game for years now and considering the level of brilliance that follows Larian Studios, and how open they are to being more inclusive, we’re certain that Baldur’s Gate 3 is going to be nothing short of a masterpiece when it comes to PC on August 2023.
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
Team Reptile’s Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is set in a world where self-styled dance and graffiti crews are equipped with jetpacks and other fun tech. In this game, you get to dance, trick, paint, and even take on the cops, all while listening to killer funky music. This game looks like an absolute blast in terms of both creativity and gameplay, and we’re so excited to check it out.
Oxenfree II: Lost Signals
The first Oxenfree game brought us a spooky and intricate tale about family, friendship, and the importance of reckoning with the past before it consumes you. In Oxenfree II, we follow Riley as she returns to her hometown of Camena to investigate mysterious radio signals (sounds familiar from our time with Alex, huh?).
What she ends up with is much more than she bargained for, and we can’t wait to see what that entails.
Skate Story
Skate Story has players take the journey from beginner to hardened skater as you ollie and kickflip your way through the Underworld. The player character is a demon made of glass and pain who has been offered a deal by the Devil: skateboard to the moon and swallow it and you’ll be set free. Along the way, you’ll need to skate fast to destroy other vicious demons, and save other tortured souls you encounter as you master the art of skateboarding in the Emptylands.
The concept alone is metal as hell, and who doesn’t love a skating game? Hades II definitely isn’t the only Underworld escape game we’re looking forward to next year.
Venba
Venba follows an Indian mother who immigrates to Canada with her family in the 1980’s. You cook various dishes and work to restore lost recipes. You also have branching conversations with your loved ones and other characters to fully explore this story of love, family, loss, and more.
Cooking games hold a special place in our hearts, and so we’re extremely excited to see all of the delicious recipes and heartwarming moments Venba has in store.
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