This year has been off to a strong start for gamers. From Monster Hunter Rise to One Piece Odyssey, top-tier games have already hit the shelves. And the gift will seemingly keep on giving as the upcoming months look full of epic triple-A titles and intriguing indie productions. Open-world adventures are coming back in full force after a respite in 2022. Huge reboots like Resident Evil 4 and Dead Space are hyping long-time fans.Â
But while ambitious new entries and bold remakes are rolling out in 2023, the most exciting games of the year might just be sequels. With returning characters that have already grown on players and established lore only left to expand, follow-ups to popular franchises are hits in the making. So, let’s check out some of the most-anticipated sequels slated for release in 2023.Â
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
We start out with perhaps the most eventful release of 2023. Funnily enough, the next Legend of Zelda installment has already nailed an award for most anticipated game long before its worldwide release on May 12. After six painfully long years, gamers can finally punch their return ticket to Hyrule. And the twentieth installation in the legendary franchise sets out to pick up right where its critically-acclaimed predecessor left off.Â
In a never-before-seen twist on the Zelda formula, Tears of the Kingdom will act as a direct sequel to Breath of the Wild. The game will bring back the expansive open world that left so many die-hard Zelda fans in awe when the Nintendo Switch first came out. Developers have also disclosed footage of some exciting new mechanics, such as the ability to explore the skies above.Â

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
The MCU is arguably going through a rough patch in the movies. But Marvel is as strong as ever in the gaming medium. Marvel’s Spider-Man was a smashing hit in 2018, spawning a franchise that sold over 33 million copies worldwide. The subsequent Spider-Man: Miles Morales took Insomniac Games’ spin on the friendly neighborhood hero to the next level, rejuvenating the experience with new abilities while staying true to the series’ core open-world gameplay elements and complex combat mechanics.Â
With such resounding success, both titles did all the heavy lifting for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 to be one of the greatest Marvel games, if not a stepping stone for gaming across the board. And while little is known about the next big thing for superhero fans, Peter Parker voice actor Yuri Lowenthal has recently updated gamers with optimistic news on a late 2023 release date.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hollow Knight took the world by storm with its metroidvania-esque style, atmospheric soundtrack, and gorgeous artistry – not to mention its ruthless difficulty. It was only fair for a sequel to this sleeper hit to be greenlighted, yet it took six years for developers to craft an epic follow-up to its award-winning predecessor.Â
Largely similar to the studio’s first effort gameplay-wise, Hollow Knight: Silksong is set to introduce a new quest system. The game also switches focus for princess-protector Hornet to play center stage in a brand-new adventure across an unfamiliar kingdom ruled by silk and song. Yet while the wait is over at last in 2023, a release date remains to be announced.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
Assassin’s Creed is reviving its original Middle Eastern roots in 2023 by immersing players in 9th-century Baghdad, only on a much smaller scale. Unlike recent entries like Odyssey and Valhalla, Mirage will comprise a handful of districts in place of a massive open world. Developers additionally announced a stealth-centric approach akin to early AC games. New mechanics might also give way to improvements on the old formula.Â
Contrary to lingering rumors, Mirage won’t introduce actual gambling either. Gamers wishing to scratch that itch may therefore skim through the web instead. And casino sites in Qatar have plenty of games to try for that Middle-Eastern vibe. Top platforms boast all the classics like Blackjack and pokies. Live games even allow gamblers to interact with fellow Arabic players. Plus, websites provide an extra layer of security for users wishing to remain anonymous.
There you have the sequels we are most eager to get our hands on in 2023. Of course, we could have mentioned many more, like Street Fighter 6 and Star Wars: Jedi Survivor. But one thing’s for sure: franchises are up to a bright future in 2023.Â