You know what, it was nice to see an event held in the US being broadcast at an Australia-friendly time, where we could collectively grab some lunch, celebrate the games that were released this year and get our hopes up for the titles being announced for the future. That was my thought going in, but the damn thing ran for three and a half hours. Even with daylight savings in full swing, I was worried that the sun would set before Larian inevitably won Game of the Year. But, with all of the mistakes and fumbles made during this year’s event, it was a pretty packed show, with plenty of surprises and exciting reveals to get pumped for. I don’t want to keep you reading this for another three hours, so let’s get stuck in.
Here is everything that was announced during The Game Awards 2023:
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake
The title that kicked everything off for creator Josef Fares, the game’s remake is being handled by Avantgarden and will be released on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on February 28.
Pony Island 2: Panda Circus
The newest game to come from Daniel Mullins Games, the creators of Inscryption, Pony Island 2 is a sequel to the rather wild 2016 original. Described as a “phantasmagorical voyage through time, myth, divinity, and video games,” this one is all kinds of bizarre, but in the most intriguing way possible. We don’t know a whole lot more, other than it’s coming to PC in 2025…or 2026, we don’t know.
The Rise of the Golden Idol
I’ll level with you, prior to this reveal I had never heard of The Case of the Golden Idol, but it’s a pixel art detective game that I now understand to be quite intriguing. As you might expect, Rise of the Golden Idol is a direct sequel, tasking the player with solving cases in the 1970s. The trailer doesn’t give us much to work with, but it’ll be heading to PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC and mobile via Netflix in 2024.
Usual June
Ooh, I like the look of this one. Usual June is an action-adventure game with some very vibrant visuals and a focus on exploration and combat. The trailer is short and sweet, but it packs in multi-dimensional beasties and a sense of mystery that I’ll be keen to explore when it releases in 2025.
Harmonium: The Musical
Quite a special little game, this one. Harmonium: The Musical is described as a “sign language musical” that sees deaf protagonist Melody Macato create a musical performance that can be felt, as well as heard. An action-adventure game with a strong message that emphasises accessibility, Harmonium looks like it will be a unique and important title for many when it comes to Xbox and Netflix.
Windblown
I reckon it’s safe to say that a few folks were waiting to see what the Dead Cells devs would cook up next, and now we know. There were far too many cinematic trailers on show this year, but Windblown gave us a slice of gameplay on the side, so it gets a pass. A three-player co-op action game with visuals so colourful that they might make your eyes bleed, this looks like it might just live up the the high expectations set by Dead Cells. We shall wait and see when it hits PC early access in 2024.
Thrasher
Thumper was a bit of a surprise hit back in 2016, let’s see if developer Puddle can go two for two. A “mind-melting cosmic racer and essential audiovisual experience,” Thrasher has a similar vibe to its predecessor but looks like it’ll be upping the intensity in every way. We’ll be able to headbang when it comes out on consoles and PC, including VR, in 2024.
Dave the Diver X Dredge Crossover
Huh, this partnership certainly makes a lot of sense. The two wildly popular nautical-themed games from 2023 are teaming up for some free DLC. Dave the Diver will be getting some Dredge-themed DLC across Switch and PC on December 15.
World of Goo 2
I had completely forgotten about World of Goo, but hot damn, it’s getting a sequel. The physics-based puzzle game is back, with all of its trademark goop and abundance of eyeballs. This one is heading to PC in 2024.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
A new trailer for Metaphor: ReFantazio debuted, titled The Royal Tournament. We got lots of drama, heaps of striking style and another look at the game’s slick gameplay. This one is releasing on Xbox Series X|S and PC in 2024.
Exodus
The main show (yes, all of that happened on the preshow) opened with..Matthew McConaughey? Yep, that’s right. You could say it’s alright, alright, alright. I’m sorry. The actor hit the stage to unveil the first game he’s ever been a part of, titled Exodus. A sci-fi action RPG that plays with concepts of time dilation and heartbreaking choices. The reveal trailer was a lengthy one, but we actually got a snippet of gameplay at the end, which looked like a mix of Mass Effect and, dare I say it, Outriders. No release date hints, but we know it’s coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
God Of War: Ragnarök – Valhalla
I put my damn sandwich down of this. Valhalla is free DLC for God of War: Ragnarök that introduces a new roguelike mode to the game, seeing Kratos travel to the Norse afterlife to take on a narrative-driven challenge. Oh, and it’s coming to the game on December 12.
Big Walk
Yew, an Aussie announcement. House House, the team behind Untitled Goose Game unveiled their new project, titled Big Walk. It features cute little bipedal characters exploring an environment that looks far more realistic than they do. It’s going to be a “cooperative online walker-talker” and I have no single idea what that means, but you better believe I’m here for its co-op silliness. It will be walking to us in 2025.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
After a haunting musical performance, we got a new trailer for the highly anticipated sequel to 2017’s amazing Hellblade. As expected, the trailer is thick with atmosphere and tension, which just makes the continued wait all the more painful. We’re promised that the game will launch on Xbox Series X|S and PC in 2024.
Kemuri
Ikumi Nakamura might just be the single most endearing person working in the video game space today. Previously working on The Evil Within, her new studio’s first game is titled Kemuri. The trailer depicts various yokai hunters parkouring their way around a metropolitan city, before coming upon their prey. Honestly, we know nothing about the game yet, but its concept is cool and the trailer is awesome, so I’m keen to see more.
No Rest for the Wicked
No Rest for the Wicked is the next game from Moon Studios, the team behind the Ori series. This is another instance where we got to see gameplay, which was a real benefit. An isometric action RPG with a focus on precise combat, No Rest for the Wicked looks visually impressive and quite challenging, so I’ll be checking it out when it hits PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on March 1.
Sega’s Insane “Power Surge” Bombardment
Sega saw that everyone was making a single huge announcement and said hold my beer. In the span of about a minute, the publisher announced that new games are on the way from the Jet Set Radio, Crazy Taxi, Streets of Rage, Golden Axe and Shinobi franchises. Sure, as you do.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
I started writing Budokai Tenkaichi before the title card hit, and apparently, that was for good reason. This new brawler set in the Dragon Ball universe will feature combat reminiscent of the beloved series, as well as a huge roster of characters to choose from. It’s coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, we just don’t know when.
The Casting of Frank Stone
We’ve known about the single-player Dead by Daylight game for a while now, but this was our first proper look. Developed by Supermassive Games, this cinematic experience set in the Dead by Daylight universe will focus on a group of friends exploring the mythos surrounding the titular murder by delving into a steel mill in Oregon. Sounds like a horrible idea to me, but I’m here for it when it drops in 2024.
Visions of Mana
Legend of Mana fans have been waiting a long time for this. A sequel to the 1999 JRPG, this fully 3D adventure will take place in a semi-open world and will take players back to the Tree of Mana for the first time in an age. Coming to PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and PC in 2024.
Rise of the Ronin
The slick-looking action game from Team Ninja that was originally revealed during the State of Play last year finally has a release date. This new trailer gives us a healthy look at the game’s combat and traversal, and it’s looking to be the goods. Rise of the Ronin is coming to PS5 on March 22.
The Outlast Trials
I jumped into Outlast Trials‘ early access earlier this year and had a pretty good time, but wished I could be playing on my console. Developer Red Barrels were clearly listening, as they announced at The Game Awards that the co-op horror title will be coming to PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One on March 5, 2024.
OD
What the fully flavoured fuck is this game going to be? You know what, I don’t care, I’ll be playing it. Hideo Kojima finally pulled back the curtain on the horror title that his team has been working on in collaboration with Xbox. Jordan Peele is involved in some capacity, joining Hideo on stage, and the short trailer that kicked the whole presentation off was brief, cryptic and creepy. Sign me up for OD.
Jurassic Park: Survival
I was convinced that this was a trailer for a new Dead by Daylight expansion, but blow me down, it’s a standalone Jurassic Park game. It will be a single-player action-adventure game set on Isla Nublar, and, by the looks of it, you’ll be attempting to avoid the claws and fangs of the island’s residents. Life will find a way on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC sometime in the future.
Black Myth: Wukong
We’ve seen so many stunningly beautiful trailers for Black Myth: Wukong over the years that it started to feel like it might be becoming another The Day Before scenario. Thankfully, the trailer shown off at The Game Awards confirmed that the game will be hitting PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on August 20, 2024.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
A new trailer for the upcoming co-op action shooter was next up. Nothing too new here, but it keeps the decisive game on the boil. It’s coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on February 2.
Warframe: Whispers in the Walls
I’m not going to pretend to know anything about Warframe, but this trailer was pretty sweet. The newest update, Whispers in the Walls is hitting all platforms on December 13.
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU
Actor Abubakar Salim took to the stage to reveal the newest game to release under the EA Originals banner, which he himself is a part of. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a 2.5D single-player action game that tackles the tricky topic of loss and grief. It looks beautiful and Salim was emotional on stage showing it off for the first time. This one is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch and PC on April 24, 2024.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage
I hate to be reductive, but I definitely thought this was a new Life is Strange game. I wasn’t far off, as this is the newest release from DON’T NOD, which looks to follow a similar formula to the series that launched the studio into stardom. The narrative-driven adventure will be coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC in late 2024.
The First Berserker: Khazan
Wait, this is a spin-off from a well-known action RPG? Well, there you go. I’m not familiar with Dungeon & Fighter, but this action title looks pretty damn solid, and it’s got a cool gothic cartoon aesthetic to boot. Coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC whenever it damn well pleases.
Skull & Bones
Take a seat for this, I think the release date is actually going to stick this time. A pretty sweet new trailer announced that Skull & Bones will be coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on February 16.
Marvel’s Blade
This was a genuine surprise and a welcome one at that. A third-person Blade game is in development over at Arkane Lyon, the team behind Deathloop and Dishonored. I know Arkane Austin was responsible for the…troubled Redfall, but it does feel too soon for Arkane to be jumping into another vampire game. But hey, let’s hope that this one is more like Dishonored and less like Redfall.
Twisted Metal Season Two
Anthony Mackie hit the stage to present the award for Best Ongoing Game, but not before revealing that Twisted Metal will be getting a second season. Great to hear the news, but lord above this was an awkward segment. Mackie is great though, so he gets half a pass.
Last Sentinal
The first game from the new studio Lightspeed LA, Last Sentinal is an open-world action game set in a dystopian Tokyo. We’ll need to take the description at its word because the trailer was fully CG and didn’t really give us any indication of what the game actually is. It did look cool though.
The First Descendant
From last to first, we got a new trailer for The Last Descendant. Announced earlier this year, The Last Descendant is a looter shooter, which doesn’t exactly set my jorts ablaze, but it’s got a cool visual identity, so we’ll just wait and see. It’s coming to PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC in winter of 2024.
Zenless Zone Zero
The name Zenless Zone Zero is pretty badarse, I can’t deny. The latest game from Hoyoverse, this one is a free-to-play action RPG that looks very similar to the other Hoyo titles, but they certainly have an audience, so I’m happy for those folks. This one is hitting in 2024.
Mecha BREAK
If you were left wanting more mechs after playing Armored Core VI, then I’ve got some good news for you. Mecha BREAK is an upcoming multiplayer mech fighting game that has all of the bells and whistles you expect from the genre. We don’t know when you can expect to play it on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, but a closed alpha is coming soon.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
It’s. About. Time. The trailer is short and sweet, but the news here is that Space Marine 2 finally got a release date. We can stomp through swarms of Tyranid on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on September 9, 2024.
GTFO
The hard-as-hell co-op shooter GTFO is getting its final chapter. Rundown 8.0 Duality is the last content update that will see the game’s story come to a close.
Den of Wolves
Developer 10 Chambers had back-to-back announcements. The GTFO devs also announced their next game, Den of Wolves. A co-op heist game, akin to the dev’s original runaway success Payday, this title has a distinct techno twist, but that’s about all we know at this stage.
Exoborne
If you told me that this game was already out, I would believe you. Exborne is, you guessed it, a sci-fi extraction shooter set in an open world. It’s a jumble of buzzwords all thrown together and the trailer for it was…fine.
Asgard’s Wrath 2
The wonderful Matt Mercer was on stage to show off the newest trailer for Asgard’s Wrath 2, a fantasy action RPG that’s coming to Meta Quest on December 15. This game looks incredibly ambitious and pretty beefy, so get keen if you’re a VR fan.
Light No Fires
I know, I know, the first time we got drawn into Sean Murray’s pre-release hype it was a bit of a bummer, but No Man’s Sky grew to be an incredible game. The man himself was on stage with Geoff to announce that Hello Games will be bringing even more content to the space exploration title, but that’s not the headline here. The studio’s next title, Light No Fires, was revealed. A fantasy open-world game that focuses on the world part of open world. The game will feature a fully explorable, complete world. Building, surviving and exploring look to be the primary concepts here, and I’m keen.
Stormgate
Developed by Frost Giant Studios, Stormgate is a sci-fi RTS that’s coming to early access in 2024. Simu Liu introduced a new trailer that showed off a character that he’s voicing.
Guilty Gear -Strive- DLC
A new trailer was shown off, revealing the second character coming to Strive from season pass two, Elphelt, who is available now. Additionally, a three-versus-three mode is also coming to the game in 2024.
Final Fantasy XVI Echoes of the Fallen | The Rising Tide
An exciting double-header for Final Fantasy XVI fans came next. Two DLC expansions were revealed, the first being Echoes of the Fallen, which shadow-dropped and is available right now. The second DLC, titled The Rising Tide, will be coming to PS5 in 2024.
The Finals
The 3v3v3 multiplayer shooter developed by Embark has been on my radar for some time now, with its destructible environment and solid-looking gunplay being quite attractive. This latest trailer gave us another look at the frantic gameplay and gave us a release date of right bloody now. Go download it on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC and see if it’s as cool as it looks.
Monster Hunter Wilds
Closing out the announcements with a bang was Capcom revealing Monster Hunter Wilds. The trailer didn’t give us too much to chew on, outside of a dessert biome and a mount that could seemingly do it all, but it certainly looks to be moving in the Monster Hunter World direction. This one is a way out, coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC in 2025.
That show was long as hell, but there were a few cracker reveals to keep everyone fairly happy. The event is, of course, about celebrating the tremendous games of 2023, so be sure to head over to the list of winners from The Game Awards 2023.
What was your standout announcement from this year’s Game Awards? Let us know in the comments or on our social media.
Adam's undying love for all things PlayStation can only be rivalled by his obsession with vacuuming. Whether it's a Dyson or a DualShock in hand you can guarantee he has a passion for it. PSN: TheVacuumVandal XBL: VacuumVandal Steam: TheVacuumVandal
