Blessed year 2023 we have ahead in the matter of video games. If all the release dates are met and we add those that are expected, what awaits us this year will be monumental, worthy of “I wish I could take several months off to play everything.”
At Softonic we are going to stay today in the indie field, that is, in those smaller projects that do not reach the massive budgets of the triple A’s (although some of them are not far away, all said and done). Here are the most anticipated indie video games of 2023.
Hollow Knight Silksong
Without a doubt, the most anticipated indie of this year: Hollow Knight Silksong. This game was originally going to be downloadable content to expand the Hollow Knight experience, but development took so long… that we are in 2023 and we still can’t play it. In other words, they preferred to make a new game when they saw the size of it.
We know very little about Hollow Knight Silksong, although there is one detail that we do know: it will be out before June 30, 2023. When it was shown at the last Summer Game Fest during the Xbox show, the company clarified that it would arrive before that date (also, available on Xbox Game Pass). There are five months left and we still don’t have a specific day. Will it happen?
Nine Sols
It seems that the team at Red Candle Games has taken a significant departure with their latest game, Nine Sols. After releasing a survival horror title like Devotion, the Asian studio is now venturing into the world of side-scrolling action games. It’s interesting to see the studio experimenting with different genres and exploring new creative avenues, it can be exciting to see how Nine Sols turns out, and how it will compare to their previous work.
Nine Sols is a video game that draws inspiration from other successful indie games such as Katana Zero, and features a beautiful art style with vibrant colors. The developers at the studio aim to blend traditional Taoism with a cyberpunk aesthetic. The combination sounds intriguing and it seems like it could be a visually striking game. It’s worth to keep an eye on the game as it develops and nears its release date.
Sea of Stars
Sea of Stars is one of the most highly-anticipated indie games of 2023, and it certainly deserves its own article. Developed by Sabotage Studio, the team behind the critically acclaimed game The Messenger, the title was originally planned for a late 2022 release but has been delayed in order to ensure that all the pieces fit together and the game is polished to perfection. Currently, the game is only set to release in “Summer 2023”.
Sea of Stars is an upcoming turn-based RPG that features pixel art aesthetic. The studio has drawn inspiration from classic games like Chrono Trigger, but also aims to bring it to the present day. From what we can see in the trailers, the game looks visually stunning and it’s already gathering a lot of attention. The turn-based combat system and the pixel art aesthetic bring a retro feel to the game, while the story, characters, and world-building seem to be on par with modern RPG standards. Overall, it looks like it will be a great addition to the RPG genre and a must-play for fans of the genre.
Blasphemous 2
We continue with pixel art by flag, in this case with a national production: Blasphemous 2. After selling more than two million video games with its first installment, the Seville studio is preparing to launch a sequel that improves the existing one in everything seen.
We do not have any details about the work, except for a voice-over and a release date: 2023. This second part was announced in mid-summer 2021, so we’ve been biting our nails for a year and a half (which is soon to say).
Hades II
What a tremendous game Hades was. Released in early access at the end of 2018, its final version did not arrive until 2020. It was right there when it really slipped into the ranking of millions of players around the world for its speed, its action, its original narrative and its playable proposal.
Developed by Supergiant Games with just over 20 people, Hades II was announced relatively recently at The Game Awards. The studio has already confirmed that it will also come out in early access for players during this 2023, with a definitive edition later. Therefore, we will be able to go down to the underworld again in the coming months.
Gunbrella
The people behind the fun Gato Roboto have a very original title in their portfolio that you should pay attention to: Gunbrella. A gentleman with an umbrella that is, in turn, a shotgun. With this he can not only take out enemies, but also jump and much more.
The good thing about Gunbrella is that we’ve already been able to test it thanks to the demo that came out on Steam a few months ago (and it’s still available). And yes, everything that appeared in his presentation trailer… it corresponds without problems with what was played. Can’t wait for it to come out now.
The Plucky Squire
Announced during the past 2022, The Plucky Squire paints to be one of the most original projects of this 2023. Behind this game is All Possible Futures with Devolver Digital as publisher. The idea is as easy as going through the adventure of a children’s story. That’s it.
We control the hero of this story, although here the singularity is that the game does not stop combining 3D environments with others in 2D, in addition to breaking the fourth wall at all times. How much do you want to play it.
Venba
Venba is an upcoming indie game that features a unique and original premise, where a family emigrates to a new country and the player takes on the role of the child in the family. The game explores the theme of cultural identity and the struggles of adjusting to a new country, as the child becomes more acclimated to their new home, their parents decide that cooking is the best way to keep their roots alive.
An adventure where the past and the present go hand in hand, all through mechanics where preparing food plays a very special role.
