The most interesting games of 2023 with budgets lower than AAA projects. These titles may surprise us

There is a lot of talk about the upcoming release of Final Fantasy XVI, Starfield or Forza Motorsport. With such big names with huge marketing, it’s easy to forget about other projects with smaller budgets. In our ranking, we look at the most interesting “AA” propositions, games whose creators have less funds at their disposal. Which does not mean that they will be less valuable titles than Bethesda or Square Enix.

10. Scars Above

If we are talking about the dark horses of 2023, Scars Above cannot be missing from this list. This is a very promising action game with a TPP camera, which is still quite quiet about it. It’s a pity, because the title, which will hit the market on February 28, 2023, not only looks surprisingly good visually (almost like an AAA production), but also intrigues with interesting gameplay, a vision of exploring a mysterious, alien world. The premiere will take place simultaneously on PS5, PS4, XOne, XSX and PC.

Release date: February 28, 2023

9. Kerbal Space Program 2

One of the most interesting games of recent years will soon see a sequel. Kerbal Space Program 2 will enter Early Access on PC and the Epic Games Store on February 24. A great hit is coming for fans of space exploration, astronautics and rocket flights. Unfortunately, for now, the developers are not saying anything about the possibility of releasing the title on consoles – only a PC edition is planned.

Release Date: February 24, 2023 (Early Access)

8. Sons of the Forest

Survival without holding on will start in February 2023. The Endnight Games team will again offer us clashes with the tribe of cannibals – with even better graphics than before and with more extensive horror threads and a better crafting system. The title should be nice, especially in the cooperative play option.

Release date: February 2023

7. Amnesia: The Bunker

Considering the very high quality of the first “Amnesia”, which in fact was a breakthrough in the survival horror genre, and the extremely interesting plot of SOMA, we can expect that the Frictional Games team will not disappoint again. In Amnesia: The Bunker we will traverse the terrifying military infrastructure of the First World War. The authors boast of many ways to solve the problems they encounter. The premiere will take place in March 2023.

Release date: March 2023

6. Homeworld 3

The iconic Homeworld strategy series will return to the market in the first half of 2023. Managing huge, star fleets promises to be excellent and the graphics in the revealed gameplay are at a high level. Everything indicates that Blackbird Interactive will be a worthy continuation of the legend of the science fiction RTS market. According to the announcement from Gamescom 2022, the game will hit the market in the first half of 2023.

Release date: H1 2023

5. Sea of ​​Stars

The developers’ commitment to developing Sea of ​​Stars so that the game recreates the genius of Chrono Trigger is impressive. If you still remember this SNES classic fondly, then Sea of ​​Stars can fulfill your dreams of similar gameplay, neatly combining elements of tactical, turn-based combat, with some elements requiring dexterity. In this pin, the creators focus on platform elements during exploration (rope jumping, swimming, etc.) with a sophisticated battle mechanism. This could be the dark horse of 2023. The premiere will take place on PS4, PS5, Switch and PC.

Release date: 2023

4. Baldur’s Gate 3

After years of waiting, Baldur’s Gate 3 is almost ready for full release (previously the RPG was only available in Early Access) – first on PC and then probably also on consoles. The feedback from Steam users participating in Early Access has been very positive. We can therefore expect that in August we will play a very sophisticated roleplay with a great team combat system. We have been waiting for a similar title for a long time, created in the style of BioWare classics!

Release date: August 2023

3. Forever Skies

Forever Skies is another Polish accent in our ranking, which is getting ready for the premiere in the coming months. In the game, we play the role of a scientist operating from an airship floating above the Earth covered with extremely toxic clouds. Our goal is to find a cure for a mysterious disease that threatens all of humanity. During the adventure prepared by the Far From Home team, we will expand our airship and, by the way, go lower and lower, to the surface of an extremely dangerous planet.

Release date: 2023

2. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

This year will be wonderful for Suikoden fans. Not only has Konami announced remasters of extremely hard-to-find Suikoden 1 and 2 box editions, but soon the spiritual heir of this series in the form of Eiyuden Chronicle will fall into our tentacles. Many of the most important developers from Suiko 1 and 2 are responsible for its creation, including Yoshitaka Murayama, who returns here as a game designer and screenwriter. It will be a great treat for fans of Japanese roleplaying, with beautiful “2.5D” graphics and a soundtrack by the famous Motoi Sakuraba (Tales of and Star Rating series). A feast available immediately at launch on Xbox Game Pass.

Release date: 2023

1. The Invincible

Each project based on the brilliant fiction of Stanisław Lem arouses great interest. Although the news about The Invincible is rather quiet (the news about this project is overshadowed by the louder Starfield), there is already a lot of potential in this project by the Polish team of Starward Industries. The game, inspired by the excellent book “The Invincible” by Stanisław Lem, looks beautiful on the first videos and screens. If Poles recreate the mysterious mood of this sci-fi story, we will be dealing with one of the best games of 2023. As a side note, let’s say that the plot of “Invincible” should have become a canvas for a strong Hollywood science fiction movie a long time ago. Maybe after the premiere of the game it will get louder about this work!

Release date: 2023