Action-adventure games are a staple of gaming, with these titles encompassing a wide range of mechanics, storylines, and styles. As technology improves, the scope of what the genre can be continues to expand; advancements in console and PC architecture, coupled with the jaw-dropping achievements of game engines like Unreal Engine 5, have laid the foundation for what is possible in the near future. With creativity at its highest, here are the next action-adventure games we’re most looking forward to in 2023!
#12 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake
- Publisher: Ubisoft Montreal
- Developer: Ubisoft
- Platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch and PC
- Release date: 2023
The original Sands of Time was a defining moment of the sixth console generation – a game considered the pinnacle of the action-adventure genre for its time.
We still don’t know how much the gameplay will change, but the trailer shows the adoption of a cell-shaded art style and motion-captured character animations. Many fans didn’t like this new look, but hopes are high nonetheless; in May, news surfaced that Ubisoft Montreal – the team responsible for the original game – had taken the reins. It’s a move that will hopefully pay dividends when it comes to preserving the title’s esteemed status.
#11 Star Wars Jedi: Survivors
- Publisher: EA
- Developer: Respawn Entertainment
- Platform: PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
- Release date: 2023
Picking up five years after Jedi: Fallen Order , Survivors continues the story of protagonist Kal Cestis, and it also takes place simultaneously alongside the newest Star Wars Disney+ shows. It’s likely that Unreal Engine 5 will power the new game, so fans can expect a substantial visual upgrade. Due to graphical constraints, however, Survivors will not be released on Xbox One or PS4 and will be current-gen only.
The Respawn Entertainment team is reportedly taking advantage of the unique graphics capabilities of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S to create new battle sequences. We’re looking forward to this important gameplay reveal to see if they pulled it off!
#10 Marvel’s Spiderman 2
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Developer: Insomniac Games
- Platform: PS5
- Release date: 2023
The previous game wowed us all when it launched in 2018, and the PS5 version took the concept to new heights in a visual sense. Unsurprisingly, the announcement of a sequel got fans excited to no end. We don’t know much yet, but a surprise appearance by series villain Venom in the trailer set the stage for what appears to be a darker narrative. How will the development team change the gameplay this time around? We will have to wait and see. One way or another, however, we imagine it will be another smash hit!
#9 Avatar: Pandora’s Borders
- Publisher: Ubisoft
- Developer: Ubisoft
- Platform: Amazon Luna, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Google Stadia and PlayStation 5
- Release date: March 2023 or before
When Avatar hit theaters in 2009, many of us imagined video game technology would catch up. We may still be a long way from the degree of photorealism seen in the film, but what’s been shown so far in Avatar: Frontiers ‘ Pandora’s rendition tells us we’re pretty close!
The franchise’s beautiful rainforest landscape is the perfect setting for open-world play, and Ubisoft’s portrayal seems set to prioritize detail and diversity. Boasting a new benchmark for in-game AI along with the improved dynamic animations of the Snow Drop Engine, this new title seems like an exciting leap forward.
#8 The Senua Saga: Hellblade II
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
- Developer: Ninja Theory
- Platform: Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Release date: late 2022/early 2023
We’ve yet to see any gameplay from the upcoming Hellblade 2, but considering how wildly successful it was the first game, the reveal trailer was enough to get us properly pumped.
Besides this trailer, the developers have also showcased some absolutely stunning concept art (as you can see above), and in general the game seems to be shaping up as a much larger adventure than the more focused journey of its predecessor. . The developers have hinted at much more varied and in-depth combat than the first game, and with the development team growing significantly, we’re sure Hellblade II will be bigger in every way.
#7 Horizon: The Call of the Mountain
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Developer: Firesprite & Guerrilla Games
- Platform: PS5/PSVR 2
- Release date: 2023
Forbidden West cemented the Horizon series as a mainstay of open-world gaming, and the third game in the series, Call of the Mountain , has fans ready for the sequel. It won’t be a direct sequel, however; the recent State of Play presentation pitched the game as a virtual reality title, and the game is slated for release on the highly anticipated PSVR 2.
Players take control of a new character called Ryas who faces an undisclosed new threat, and from the comprehensive and mind-blowing locomotion content that has been shown so far, the title is shaping up to be a killer app. for the new platform.
#6 The prophesied
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Developer: Luminous Productions
- Platform: PS5, PC
- Release date: January 24, 2023
The prophesied strikes us as one of those games that will have it all: an intriguing story, a lush open world, and a deep assortment of badass fantasy superpowers. Spells in The Prophesied – in addition to featuring incredible visual effects – would be fully customizable, opening up the game to be as tactical as it is breathtaking.
The story is set in the parallel country of Athia and follows New York protagonist Frey and her struggle to return home. Her new powers come from a set of sentient bracelets – a new concept for sure, and we can’t wait to hear more.
#5 Dark Myth: Wu Kong
- Publisher: Game Science Interactive Technology
- Developer: Game Science
- Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 5
- Release date: May 30, 2023
Taking advantage of the best features of Unreal Engine 5, Dark Myth: Wu Kong is, of course, visually stunning, but it’s the unique mythology and world-building that caught our attention.
The game bills itself as a new RPG inspired by the Monkey King mythos, and its reveal took the internet by storm when it racked up nearly ten million views. Whether it’s the dazzling implementation of ray tracing and DLSS, the satisfying aspect of combat, or Souls-esque mythical beasts with an ancient Chinese twist, the game certainly struck a chord. We look forward to hearing more.
#4 Singing
- Publisher: Prime Matter, Koch Media
- Developer: Brass Token
- Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5
- Release date: late 2022/early 2023
Many of the best horror movies center on a “spiritual retreat” gone wrong, but we don’t think we’ve ever played a game like this. The song intends to fill that gap in the market: it mixes themes of something like Midsummer or The Wicker Man with cosmic horror for a survival-action-horror feel, and the game will seemingly emphasize hand-to-hand combat and puzzle solving while telling a complex, intertwined narrative. We haven’t seen much of it yet, but it will likely be an exciting adventure for any horror lover.
#3 Resident Evil 4
- Publisher: Capcom
- Developer: Capcom
- Platform: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC
- Release date: March 24, 2023
Many consider Resident Evil 4 to be the best title in the series, so it was only a matter of time before Capcom embarked on a remake.
Players once again assume the role of Leon Kennedy as he fights to save the President’s daughter. With the huge success that was the Resident Evil 2 remake, and the widely considered weaker rework of Resident Evil 3 , hopes are high for Capcom to take what they’ve learned and knock it out of the park with this entry. The trailer shows off a gorgeous cinematic intro to whet your appetite for the horrors to come.
#2 System Shock Rework
- Publisher: PrimeMatter
- Developer: Nightdive Studios
- Platform: Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, Mac OS
- Release date: late 2022/early 2023
Any immersive sim fan will fondly remember System Crash 1 and 2 , but while the latter is still modern enough for new players to get started, the former is considered too outdated for many. Enter the System Shock Overhaul : A total overhaul in every way.
Featuring the original Nemesis Shodan series voice actor, players will experience stunning new graphics and music as well as a complete overhaul of the user interface. Despite numerous setbacks and speculation that the game had been cancelled, the most recent trailer shows that the project is alive and well. It will be exciting to see how Nightdive tackles such a big departure from the original game.
#1 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Developer: Nintendo
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
- Release date: 2023
Unsurprisingly, the sequel to Nintendo’s open-world masterpiece The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild topped our list. After an agonizing wait since its announcement, Nintendo finally showed off a more in-depth trailer last year that showcased the game’s new emphasis on verticality. We don’t know much beyond these very short gameplay segments, but given Breath of the Wild ‘s foundation, we know the sequel is in good hands. Even though it hasn’t been that long since our last adventure as Link, we’re totally ready for the new game to redefine the genre once again.
