What To Expect From Xbox In 2023

Easily the most anticipated title on this list, Starfield is notable for two reasons: It’s gaming’s next big sci-fi RPG epic and its the next evolution in Bethesda’s open-world formula. Bethesda is no stranger to science fiction, having a number of Fallout games under its belt. But from everything we know about Starfield right now, it’s aiming for an unprecedented scale, featuring over 1,000 worlds for you to explore.

Though we haven’t seen a whole lot of Starfield gameplay, the reveal last summer showed a bit of what we can expect. Here’s your hype fuel for Starfield before its expected release this year:

• “Hard science fiction” setting with 1,000 explorable planets
• A mix of “handcrafted content” and procedurally-generated environments
• More than 250,000 lines of dialogue in classic “Bethesda-style,” and a “persuasion system”
• Complex character creation system with various backgrounds and traits that let you tailor your aesthetics and stats
• Simplified survival mechanics
• The classic Bethesda mix of first-person combat, exploration, and roleplaying

It’s hard not to get excited about a game like this. While the commonly voiced concern that such a high number of planets may mean we’re in for some serious “quantity over quality” is a fair one, I’d argue that’s always been the case with Bethesda games: Unprecedented scale, unprecedented jank. Despite all of that, Bethesda games of this sort usually cohere to form a unified experience that’s hard to get anywhere else. The question for Starfield will be: Do enough aspects of this epic space sim work well enough to create an intense level of immersion for, oh I dunno, hundreds of hours? I mean, I still don’t feel like I saw everything in Fallout 3 and 4.

I know you were skeptical about Redfall; I was too. But let’s get real: The latest gameplay was pretty sick. Arkane has long been known for its alluring immersive sims like Dishonored and 2017’s Prey, so a vampire-slaying-themed take on Left 4 Dead from the studio feels a little out of left field. The most recent footage, however, makes this look like the co-op immersive sim experience that maybe we didn’t know we wanted.

Redfall is expected to land on May 2. Here’s some of what we can look forward to in Arkane’s next title:

• Playable as single-player or co-op
• Playable “Heroes,” each with unique powers
• Large open-world setting with multiple quests and para-dimensional travel
• Immersive sim-style gameplay with encounters that aspire to offer multiple ways to play and unpredictable scenarios

With lovely, bright, and vibrant colors, Minecraft Legends is taking the classic sandbox experience into the strategy genre. Those darn piglins are up to no good and it falls on you to build and strategize in all the clever and creative ways that Minecraft is known for to stop ‘em.

A joint effort between Mojang and Blackbird Interactive, Legends features some interesting multiplayer twists as well. You can look forward to the following when Minecraft Legends arrives on April 18:

• Story-based campaign with co-op
• Competitive PvP mode with bases, resource-based challenges, and procedurally-generated environments

During Microsoft’s last event, we got a nice look at Turn 10’s next entry in the very pretty Forza series of racing sims. With Forza Motorsport, the series is aiming for a whole new level of fidelity and realism.

As Forza Horizon 5 was a gorgeous game, pretty car graphics ought to be expected. But here’s some more of what Motorsport will feature when it launches sometime early this year.

• 500 cars with 800 unique upgrades available at launch
• Ray-tracing and highly detailed models for car exteriors and photogrammetry-created environments
• “Contextually aware” dirt and damage
• Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos spatial sound design
• Dynamic time of day and weather with procedurally-generated clouds

This one’s a long time coming, but S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is expected to finally arrive this year as a timed Xbox console exclusive, with a Steam release as well for those of us who try to use the Xbox gaming app as little as possible. Though the war in Ukraine has complicated the production of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. for developer GSC Game World, with the studio needing to relocate to the Czech Republic, the game is expected to release this year.

Read More: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Devs Open Up About Life During the Russian Invasion

A first-person, science fiction horror game, it looks primed to deliver big Fallout-meets-Metro vibes. That means post-apocalyptic horrors and dangers for everyone! Maybe it’s time I finally get around to playing the original.

It’s that dinosaur survival game, now with Vin Diesel! Ark II is expected on Xbox and Windows sometime this year.

A Windows-exclusive, Ara features turn-based strategy played out over the course of human civilization. Players will build up a nation and guide it through a variety of challenges on a historic scale.

A delightfully colorful, and playful-looking, hack ‘n slash, Ravenlok is expected to arrive on Xbox consoles and PC (as well as Game Pass) this year.

Featuring robots, stealth gameplay, and wonderfully colorful graphics, Ereban is expected on Xbox, PC, and Game Pass this year.

A Windows and Xbox exclusive, The Last Case of Benedict Fox is a mystery-unraveling side-scroller where you take on the role of detective Benedict Fox, accompanied by a demon companion that totally gives off The Darkness vibes—just maybe less depressing.

Gameplay designer Jeppe Carlsen (Limbo and Inside) returns with Cocoon, an alluring isometric game that’ll have you hopping between worlds through magical orbs, exploring the remnants of ancient alien civilizations. This one will also appear on the Switch.

As you likely have heard, Microsoft is hoping to acquire Activision Blizzard, placing titles like Call of Duty, Overwatch, Diablo, and much, much more under its growing empire. It hasn’t been a smooth ride for Microsoft, however. With Sony and Microsoft fighting over whether this would shift the gaming landscape too far in Microsoft’s favor, scrutiny from the FTC, and a lawsuit from Gamers™, this whole deal has made for some spicy industry theater.

Read More: Activision Blizzard Exec Has The Most Unhinged Last of Us TV Show Take Yet 

The deal hasn’t been finalized, so we’ve got a ways to go and hopefully more amusing quotes and capitalist gymnastics while the world burns down.

Whether you’re into Xbox for the exclusives or not, Game Pass is one hell of a deal, especially if you’re somewhat of a games tourist and enjoy checking out multiple titles at once.

Read More: The 25 Best Games On Xbox Game Pass

With tons of third-party titles on the surface, alongside Microsoft’s exclusives, 2023 will likely be another great year for active subscribers.