13 unmissable games launching in the second half of 2023

Can you believe half of 2023 is over already? Time flies when you’re having this much fun gaming. While 2023 has already been one wild year for PlayStation gamers, the killer lineup for the rest of 2023 is every bit as exciting.

In the words of the wise Samuel Drake: “I always felt that we were destined for something great.” So without further ado, let’s look at some of the most anticipated releases hitting PlayStation in 2023.

Immortals of Aveum

Don’t be a spongy back-row spell-slinger–it’s time to become a frontline battlemage and kick some serious butt in this dynamic fantasy-themed first-person shooter by new developer Ascendant Studios. Take control of Jak, a gifted youth lifted out of the slums to become a Magnus Battlemage warring against the overwhelming armies of the tyrannical Rasharn. Skillfully utilize an arsenal of stunning magic spells–both offensive and utilitarian–to battle foes and explore the various levels. Equipping Magic Rings, Sigils, Totems, and Bracers to augment and transform Jak’s skills to build him into your ideal magical mercenary. Fantastical worldbuilding, dazzling visuals, and loads of secrets to uncover make for a refreshing take on the FPS genre.

Release Date: August 22 | Publisher: Electronic Arts | PS5

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

Time to get down and dirty with From Software’s intense mech combat simulator. Fight for the future of the partially-ruined planet Rubicon with your own customized Armored Core mech, equipping parts to customize attack and mobility to your preferred playstyle. You’ll play through various missions, facing both Armored Core pilots from rival factions and megalithic mecha monstrosities. Complete missions and objectives. Use the new Assault Boost maneuver to get up close and personal with enemies to stagger them in intense, and strategic fights. With multiple endings and endless customization, Armored Core VI will send you on the mission of a lifetime.

Release Date: August 25 | Publisher: Namco Bandai | PS5, PS4

Goodbye Volcano High

Senior year of high school conjures up many images and memories: prom, class rings, old friends, impending extinction… okay, maybe that last one only matters in the hyper-specific case of Goodbye Volcano High. This emotionally charged, narrative-driven indie gem takes us back to the age when dinosaurs ruled Earth. Contrary to what you may have heard, young dinos were filled with just as much teen angst, insecurity, and weird feelings as modern-day humans. Join the band VVorm Drama and their companions as they navigate the ups and downs of an eventful senior year through a branching narrative–and rhythm mini-games–that promises to end with an Earth-shattering bang.

Release Date: August 29 | Publisher: KO_OP | PS5, PS4

Sea of Stars

To those wishing upon heavenly bodies for a majestic classic-style, turn-based RPG: your wish has been granted. Sea of Stars sails to us from Sabotage Studios, the talented team behind indie megahit The Messenger, and even takes place in the same shared universe. Follow the two Children of the Solstice in their quest to master Eclipse Magic and defeat the wicked alchemist Fleshmancer. Enjoy sumptuous sprite-based visuals filled with colorful detail and lively animation–a perfect complement to the tactical turn-based battles with timed hits, multi-character combo attacks, and a unique locks mechanic to interrupt attacks.

Release Date: August 29 | Publisher: Sabotage Studios | PS5, PS4,

Baldur’s Gate 3

It’s been a long time coming, but Larian Studios’s Baldur’s Gate 3 is almost here. The forces of darkness are rising once again, and the fate of the Forgotten Realms is in your hands. But first, you need to find a way to get this disgusting Mind Flayer parasite out of your body, and you’re going to need some help with that. Find traveling companions–CPU-controlled Origin Characters, handmade companions, or online friends–to aid you with your adventure. With a massive world to explore, classic Dungeons & Dragons mechanics, multiple difficulty settings (including an absolutely brutal Tactician setting), extensive character customization, and a truly thrilling narrative that gets downright wild, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a take-no-prisoners fantasy RPG experience.

Release Date: September 6 | Publisher: Larian Studios | PS5

The Crew Motorfest

Who among us does not like to make vehicles go vroom? And what could possibly be better than lots of shiny, speedy cars wheeling freely through the breathtaking tropical vistas of Hawaii? The Crew Motorfest takes players to the sun-kissed island of O’ahu in a freeform open-world driving experience unlike anything else. The new Playlists feature presents you with carefully crafted sets of missions to immerse you in specialized facets of car culture. Cruise the island solo, or cooperate to compete in challenges with other players online in ongoing live events. Collect a mega-garage of old and new cars to ogle and drive as you please. In this paradise, the car world is truly your oyster.

Release Date: September 14  | Publisher: Ubisoft | PS5, PS4

Mortal Kombat 1

Sometimes you need a good old-fashioned timeline refresh to keep things in order. At least, that’s what the recently anointed Fire God Liu Kang decided. The latest in NetherRealm Studios’ storied fighting game saga brings both beloved and brand-new characters back to the tournament stage with a new timeline and plenty of new tricks. Along with the long-awaited return and revamp of the Air Kombat combo system, players will be able to utilize the new Kameo feature to call in fighters from different MK timelines to aid them in battle briefly. And, of course, you’ve got buttery-smooth online versus play and plenty of the elaborate fatalities that define the MK franchise.

Release Date: September 19 | Publisher: WB Games | PS5

Eternights

Who says love can’t bloom on the battlefield? Studio Sai’s Eternights offers a unique fusion of romance simulation and adrenaline-pumping action. Faced with an encroaching disaster of apocalyptic proportions, some teenagers in Seoul are still trying to live as normally as possible inside an underground bunker, which means youthful hormones are in full swing. Use in-game apps to meet, talk to, and bond with potential partners, each with their own unique personalities, and remember that the dialogue choices you make have far-reaching repercussions. Use the power of the connections you’ve made to augment your combat abilities and conquer the mutated monsters lurking within the dangerous Wall.

Release Date: September 21 | Publisher: Studio Sai | PS5, PS4

Assassin’s Creed Mirage

The latest in the storied Assassin’s Creed saga puts us in the robes of Basim, a young thief eking out a living on the streets of 9th-century Baghdad. But Basim has potential, and he soon comes under the tutelage of master assassin Roshan and becomes a Hidden One, learning the art of careful killing. Revamped character animations and the widest range of movement yet seen in an Assassin’s Creed game make sprinting across rooftops and prowling the city streets feel more fluid and engaging than ever before. Utilize your arsenal of tools, your feathered companion Enkidu, and the new Assassination Focus skill to tactfully take down multiple targets in a row while remaining undetected.

Release Date: October 12 | Publisher: Ubisoft | PS5, PS4

Alan Wake 2

It’s been 13 years since famed horror author Alan Wake vanished while investigating in the town of Bright Falls, Washington. Now, accomplished FBI agent Saga Anderson arrives in the quaint northwestern hamlet to investigate a potential string of serial murders. But when she finds Alan Wake’s lost novel drafts, the world starts to get very weird around her. Are the words changing reality? And where is Alan Wake? Immerse yourself in Remedy Entertainment’s captivating survival horror adventure, where fiction and reality twist in the scenic Pacific Northwest. You’ll need to take control of both Saga and Alan to unravel the mystery behind the game’s winding narrative.

Release Date: October 17 | Publisher: Epic Games | PS5

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Two Spider-Men star in this stunning web-slinging epic exclusively on the PlayStation 5. Taking control of beloved heroes Peter Parker and Miles Morales, you’ll web-sling, cling, and use the new Web Wings to traverse the dizzying heights of the Big Apple, now including the Brooklyn and Queens areas. Here you’ll encounter some of the comics’ most fearsome villains, like Kraven the Hunter and the iconic arch-rival Venom. Use unique character skills, like Black Suit Peter Parker’s long-reaching tendrils and Miles Morales’ bioelectricity, in intense enemy showdowns that are more bombastic than ever before. Don’t ignore your Spider-Senses: be sure to mark October 20th down as a date not to be missed.

Release Date: October 20 | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | PS5

Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name

Kiryu Kazuma may have attempted to leave the limelight in Yakuza 6, but it seems like no matter what happens, the life of a yakuza always follows him. As an undercover agent, Kiryu–excuse me, Joryu– keeps tabs on the seedy underbelly of Osaka’s Sotenbori and Yokohama’s Isezaki Ijincho districts… along with the mysterious Castle. The action-driven brawls of Kiryu’s original outings return, allowing you to swap between two equally punishing fighting styles, Yakuza and Agent. When you’re done with your missions, you’ll enjoy a variety of fan-favorite minigames like a fighting arena, Pocket Racing, and the always-captivating Hostess Club management sim. Discover the new scheme consuming Japan’s underworld… when you’re not managing the best club in town.

Release Date: November 9 | Publisher: Sega  | PS5, PS4

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

Step again into Pandora’s lush, wondrous world in this follow-up to the theatrical megahit Avatar: The Way of Water. As a Na’vi kidnapped as a youth and raised by the RDA, you’ve managed to escape their clutches and return home — but 15 years away from your homeland has made your own birthplace seem strange and hostile. You’ll need to re-learn the ways of the Na’vi as you aid them in their struggle against the RDA’s encroachment. As you explore the never-before-seen Western Frontier of Pandora, you’ll use various Na’vi and human-made tools to navigate and fight against both Pandora’s natural dangers and the destructive forces of the RDA.

Release Date: December 7 | Publisher: Ubisoft | PS5