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Sure, we’ve already taken time to tell you what games the DualShockers crew will be thrilling themselves with this Halloween. But as 2023’s gaming itinerary takes shape, it’s difficult to avoid noticing how many promising horror titles are being served up. So difficult, in fact, that some of us are already wondering what we might be sinking our teeth into next time the spooky season rolls around.
It definitely seems to be something of a “throwback year,” what with the deluge of remakes and sequels springing off the backs of iconic horror classics. Hey, you know what they say: if it ain’t broke, upgrade it with next-gen visuals and modernized gameplay elements anyway. Jokes aside, the year is definitely not going without a few brand-new properties making their way onto the horror scene. But from the entire lot of horror goodness slated for 2023 so far, what’s our steel-nerved team of horror aficionados looking forward to most?
Atomic Heart
By CJ Kuzdal
After a very tumultuous development, it looks like Atomic Heart will release in 2023. It doesn’t take much for me to be interested in an alternate history game, but one that focuses on a dystopian world with killer robots sounds right up my alley.
The game seems to have some pretty solid combat mechanics, and with a strong enough story, it could be up there as one of my most anticipated games of 2023 overall. The enemy variation and beautiful environments are sure to make this game stand out in the horror genre.
Silent Hill (All Of It — Something Has To Be Great)
By Raphael Bennett
Opening up on a hot take:
P.T. —the demo that revealed the existence of a new Silent Hill game, which was summarily pulled from the PlayStation store alongside Konami’s split from its game director — was among the most important video games of its decade, alongside the likes of Skyrim, Dark Souls, and Minecraft. Not only did it revitalize the horror game genre, spurring Capcom to create Resident Evil 7 in its mold, but it changed the way horror games are consumed on video platforms. And most importantly, it captured the imagination of players everywhere and has continued to do it to this day. P.T., or Silent Hills, feels like a rumor, a myth, a legend. Like something you might find in a dingy corner of the video store and then — oh oops, you watched The Ring and you’re cursed. The game being ‘deleted’ from existence (for all intents and purposes) has given it a fascinating history and lore.
So anyway, Konami is going to try and capitalize on that magic with five (!?) new projects. It’s a shotgun approach if there ever was one, but I’m hoping that P.T. has inspired enough creators that at least one of these will hit the mark. After years of rumors and wishful thinking this is what Konami has in store for 2023 and beyond:
- Silent Hill F – Video Game
- Silent Hill: Townfall – Video Game
- Silent Hill 2 (2022) – Video Game
- Silent Hill: Ascension – Interactive TV?
- Return to Silent Hill – Movie
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl
By Robert Zak
Having your most anticipated horror game of 2023 torn from your hands because it’s actually coming out in 2022 (The Callisto Protocol) and any mention of upcoming Silent Hill games batch-blocked off by Raph really causes some serious introspection on what lies ahead. Luckily, there is S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.
I’ve always been a sucker for systems-based games and am willing to wade through a fair bit of jank for that emergent open-world experience. The original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games were great at shifting between the horror of an open world where a couple of bullets could whiz across the bleak landscape straight to your skull, and the horror of irradiated indoor spaces where mutated horrors lurked in the shadows, waiting to be revealed by the waning glow of a torch.
The game’s been much delayed, but I have faith. This series really is unique, and arguably kickstarted the survival game genre. I can’t wait to see how it evolves it.
Alan Wake 2
By Jamie McNiel
It’s been 12 long years since the first Alan Wake game, and it still stands up as one of the best horror games of its time. Alan Wake 2 is finally on its way in 2023, returning as a survival horror game this time. The survival horror game genre has gained popularity since the original Alan Wake game, so I am interested to see how the change in genre will evolve the series as a whole.
There isn’t a ton of information about Alan Wake 2 out as of now, but the reveal trailer shows a much more grizzled and stalwart version of the Alan we all might remember from the original game. I’m most excited to learn more about the storyline and how the survival element will play into the gaming experience. Whatever is next for Alan Wake, it’s sure to be chilling.
Killer Klowns From Outer Space The Game
By Matthew Schomer
Maybe it’s the ’80s baby coming out in me, but I am thoroughly excited to try to survive the Killer Klown invasion. This game, by Psychoactive Studios, is based on a 1988 horror movie that I once watched on TV late at night after sneaking out of bed, and I simultaneously remember nothing about it and can picture it perfectly. All I know is that I want these extraterrestrial circus freaks to zap me with their cotton candy guns and turn me into a skeleton to power their circus-tent-shaped UFO, because I think that might have been the terrible plot.
I could be a good little journalist and check my sources, but I want to experience this freak show along with the rest of you when it comes out early next year. And if that description isn’t enough to get you to take the ride with me, have you heard the theme song?
By Shivam Gulati
There’s nothing scarier than some creepy alien clowns hunting you down with bizarre yet deadly weapons. The upcoming game from Teravision Games is based on the legendary 1988 American horror comedy film Killer Klowns from Outer Space. I discovered the film a few years back and was fascinated by the genius idea of combining the horrors of Clowns and Aliens for a movie.
Honestly, I am disappointed that we didn’t get any TV or movie sequel to the 1988 film, but I am also excited to experience the same horrors with the upcoming game. Hopefully, the video game will do justice to the original movie by giving the story a modern touch, setting up a standard for other Killer Klowns from Outer Space projects that are under development.
Resident Evil 4 Remake
By Damien Lykins
It took me an awfully long time to warm up to the Resident Evil franchise. I mean yes, I knew the basics: “Jill Sandwich,” haha, funny meme. But I’ll be blunt, it’s only within the past couple of years that it found its hook for me — a particularly hilarious co-op playthrough of Resident Evil 6 all but sealed the deal. Now I really have no excuse to find myself in a “gaming slump” considering how much I’ve got left to catch up on.
That said, the original Resident Evil 4’s staying completely off the books for me. Yes, I know any hardcore RE fan would label it an absolute “must-play,” but I’m committing myself to the egregious sin of experiencing it for the first time via the forthcoming remake. Look, if I’m going to experience my boy Leon Kennedy’s abrupt evolution from pants-wetting rookie cop to heart-throb ladies’ man and certified badass, I want it to be in the prettiest way possible. Sue me.
