With its origins dating all the way back to 1972, the horror genre has been one of the most popular in all of gaming for the last 50 years, evolving with the times to keep fans on their toes. This year, a whole slew of new horror games is about to be unleashed on the gaming public, and many fans can't wait for the onslaught. From remakes of some of the best horror games of all time to sequels that take classic formulas in a new direction, 2023 is shaping up to be quite the year for horror gaming fans.
Unlike a few other gaming genres, horror has been consistently popular, learning and adapting with each new gaming generation. The horror genre has come a long way in the last five decades, and now 2023's line-up is set to terrify gamers with some of the most immersive horror gameplay they've ever experienced, pushing next-gen technology to the max to deliver the scares.
The Dead Space Remake Kicks Off a Frightening 2023
Kicking off the year in gruesome style, the Dead Space Remake is set to launch on January 27, 2023. Developed by EA Motive, this remake sees the 2008 classic reimagined for a new generation, with outstanding graphics, buttery-smooth framerates, and plenty of new quality-of-life improvements. With Dead Space Remake only being a few days out from release, there are tons of trailers for fans to dive into, including a whole host of behind-the-scenes developer commentary videos, where EA Motive lays out its process in a refreshingly honest and transparent way. Dead Space Remake looks like it'll be faithful to the original title, which is one of the most beloved horror games of the modern generation, with hopefully plenty of new bits sprinkled in.
Sons of the Forest Is a Terrifying Sequel
One of the most terrifying games of 2018, The Forest dropped players in the middle of a cannibalistic island and tasked them with crafting weapons and outposts in an attempt to survive long enough to find their missing son. On February 23, 2023, Sons of the Forest is set to throw even more horrors at the player. A direct sequel, Sons of the Forest builds on the groundwork laid by The Forest, retaining the same core gameplay loop of crafting, cooking, and surviving, but making each component more complex. Combat, in particular, is getting a big update for the sequel, with more weapon types, and a more satisfying melee system in place.
Sons of the Forest continues on from one of The Forest's two endings, where an older Timmy is sent to another island in search of a billionaire. In a truly innovative move, Sons of the Forest's AI enemies will react differently depending on their own mental state, determined by hunger, mood, thirst, and even the time of year. There's no doubt that Sons of the Forest will be one of the scariest horror games of the year, even if it's played in co-op.
The Resident Evil 4 Remake Revives a Classic
One of the most anticipated games of the year, Resident Evil 4 Remake is set to bring back one of the most beloved survival horror games of all time. Following on from the immense success of the Resident Evil 2 and 3 Remake, Resident Evil 4 will once again take a classic entry in the iconic survival horror franchise and update it for the modern day. Fans should expect new character models in Resident Evil 4 Remake, new environmental textures, and high framerates. Along with that, Resident Evil 4 Remake is updating its gameplay as well, with Leon now being able to move while shooting. Set to release on March 24 2023, Resident Evil 4 Remake will likely do another excellent job of retaining the charm and thrill of the original, while making it more accessible to modern audiences.
The Outlast Trials Brings Horror to the Co-Op Genre
The Outlast series has been one of the most talked about horror gaming franchises of the last 10 years, and for good reason. Outlast's unique camera perspective and its willingness to push the boundaries of gore and unrelenting foes have made it one of the most genuinely horrifying gaming series in recent memory, and The Outlast Trials is set to continue the trend in 2023, but this time friends are allowed. The Outlast Trials sees a group of up to four players explore an underground facility, where they're forced to participate in a grim Cold War experiment. While co-op is heavily encouraged, players can take on The Outlast Trials solo when the game releases in early 2023.
Other Horror Games Slated for a 2023 Release
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While those listed above are the only games that have clear release windows, that's far from the end of 2023's horror slate. Konami's Silent Hill 2 Remake is currently slated for a general 2023 release. Wanting some of Resident Evil's remake pie, the Silent Hill 2 Remake is following the same general formula, updating the game's visuals and potentially some of its gameplay, while retaining its structure, atmosphere, and story. A Silent Hill remake has been rumored for years, so hopefully, Silent Hill 2 Remake developer Bloober Team, the studio behind Layers of Fear, can deliver.
A game hit with real-life horror, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl is also tentatively set for a 2023 release. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has been in development since 2010, and after a ton of delays, and the Russian invasion affecting the Ukrainian developer massively, the game may finally be nearing completion. The game will see players explore the irradiated grounds of Pripyat, scavenging whatever supplies they can find while fending off mutant monsters and raiders.
Remedy's long-awaited sequel, Alan Wake 2, could also be dropping this year. Coming hot off the heels of Control, Remedy Entertainment has turned its attention to Alan Wake, a 2010 action game with horror elements that saw players assume the role of the titular protagonist, a writer struggling with a severe case of writer's block. According to Remedy, Alan Wake 2 will be a full survival horror game, switching up the gameplay style presumably quite a bit from its predecessor.