We have well and truly crossed the halfway stage of the year and what a year it has been for gamers already. We had some great remasters in the form of Dead Space and Resident Evil 4. We had the very well-received Hogwarts Legacy and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (review). But amazingly, the rest of the year looks even more promising. Here’s a look at some of the top games PlayStation gamers can look forward to in the second half of 2023.
Immortal of Aveum (PS5)
Release date: August 22
In this fantasy-themed first-person shooter, players take control of Jak and ascend to the rank of Magnus Battlemage. Players will have to use their arsenal to defeat the Rasharn. This includes offensive and utilitarian magic spells to not only defeat enemies but also explore levels. Players can also equip themselves with magic rings, sigils, totems, and bracers to augment their abilities,
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon (PS4, PS5)
Release date: August 25
The classic Armored Core series is back with this title. This intense mech combat simulator sees the player fighting on the partially ruined planet of Rubicon. As always, players will get a chance to completely customise their Armored Core mech to fine-tune attack and mobility based on their play style. The game features the new Assault Boost mechanic that lets them get up close with enemies for more intense battles.
Goodbye Volcano High (PS4, PS5)
Release date: August 29
This indie title is a bit more laid-back as compared to other titles on this list. It puts you in the shoes of high school dinosaurs facing the same issues as their contemporary counterparts. This includes proms, classes, old friends, and their impending extinction (they are dinosaurs after all). The game is narrative-driven and features rhythm-based mini-games for added flair.
Sea of Stars (PS4, PS5)
Release date: August 29
Another indie title releasing on the 29th, Sea of Stars is a turn-based RPG. The game follows two Children of the Solstice on their path to mastering the Eclipse Magic and defeating the wicket alchemist, Fleshmancer. The game features a sprite-based aesthetic, that adds a dash of retro charm to everything.
Baldur’s Gate 3 (PS5)
Release date: September 6
After over 20 years, gamers will finally get a mainline sequel to the legendary Baldur’s Gate series. This fantasy RPG will offer extensive character customisation, as well as multiple difficulties setting the worth of its classic Dungeons & Dragons mechanic. Players will also get to join forces with traveling companions. This includes CPU-controlled characters, custom companions, or online friends.
The Crew Motorfest (PS4, PS5)
Release date: September 14
The Crew series is a great option for PS fans looking for an open-world racer. The Crew Motorfest, the game moves away from its focus on the continental United States and finds itself in the islands of Hawaii. The game takes its focus on car culture to a whole new level and gives players the chance to build their own mega-garage and fill it with their favourite rides.
Mortal Kombat 1 (PS5)
Release date: September 19
If fighting games are more your thing, then Mortal Kombat 1 is definitely a title that’s going to be on your radar. This particular title is another refresh of the Mortal Kombat timeline and sees new and familiar faces back for ‘kombat’. The new ‘Kameo’ feature will allow players to call in fighters from different Mortal Kombat timelines to help aid in battle. The game will also see a return and revamp of the Air Kombat combo system.
Eternights (PS4, PS5)
Release Date: September 21
Eternights is a love story set in the midst of impending doom. Set in Seoul, the game sees a group of teenagers trying to live a normal life inside a bunker. The narrative-driven game lets you meet, talk, and bond with potential partners, each with unique personalities. Using the power of connections, players will get to augment their combat abilities to take on the monsters lurking around.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage (PS4, PS5)
Release date: October 12
Assassin’s Creed is back and this time, it is set in the streets of 9th-century Baghdad. Players take on the role of Basin, a young thief trying to eke out a living. However, under the tutelage of master assassin, Roshan, he will hone his skills to be the deadliest assassin ever. As is the case with the series, expect a lot of parkouring and stealth kills.
Alan Wake 2 (PS5)
Release date: October 17
Remedy Entertainment (creators of Max Payne) are back with a new instalment of the seminal Alan Wake series. The game is a survival horror adventure and is set in the town of Bright Falls, Washington. This time around, players will get to play as either FBI agent, Saga Anderson or the titular Alan Wake as they try and make sense of what’s going on around them.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (PS5)
Release date: October 20
This is the big one. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is a PlayStation exclusive that will carry the torch from the well-received Marvel’s Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Miles Morales. In this game, players will get to play as both protagonists while also dealing with some iconic comic book villains such as Kraven the Hunter and Venom.
Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (PS4, PS5)
Release date: November 9
Fans of the Yakuza series will be happy to know that long-time protagonist, Kiryu Kazuma is back. In Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Kiryu will become an undercover agent to keep tabs on the seedy underbelly of Osaka’s Sotenboru and Yokohama’s Isesaki Ijincho districts. Aside from the main mission, players will also get to partake in a number of side activities such as arena fighting, club management, pocket racing, and more.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Release date: December 7
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora gives players the chance to explore the lush planet of Pandora. The player steps into the shoes of a Na’vi youth kidnapped by the RDA, who has managed to escape and make their way back home. Players will have to re-learn the ways of the Na’vi and explore their homeworld.
That was a look at some of the best games that will make their way to the PlayStation by the end of the year. If you are an Xbox user, don’t fret. Xbox too has a long list of games headed its way, including Starfield.
