A new era of gaming has begun – marked by groundbreaking technologies and innovative ideas, the gaming industry has never before evolved so rapidly. These next-generation consoles are not just about enhanced graphics and better framerates; they are about redefining what’s possible in games, pushing the boundaries of digital entertainment.
Up until now, we’ve witnessed the launch of some truly exceptional titles that have reimagined the gaming experience and set a new gold standard for future releases. From immersive worlds that blur the lines between reality and fantasy, to innovative gameplay mechanics that challenge the very way we play – join us as we journey into the heart of next-gen evolution and witness the Top 10 Next-Gen Games in 2023.
What does “Next-Gen” mean?
“Next-Gen” is short for “next generation”, and in the context of video games, it refers to the latest generation of gaming consoles and the games developed for these platforms. Right now, next-gen consoles are PlayStation 5, Microsoft Xbox Series X and Series S, and Nintendo Switch.
Next-gen games typically offer more advanced features and graphics due to the superior hardware capabilities of the latest consoles. These features often include faster load times, larger game worlds, more complex AI, and other advancements that enhance the overall gaming experience.
The term “next-gen” continues to evolve as new consoles are released. What is next-gen today will eventually become last-gen, once a newer generation of consoles is introduced. Today’s last-gen consoles, like PS4 and Xbox One, were once referred to as next-gen during their initial release period.
Top 10 Next-Gen Games in 2023
1. God of War: Ragnarök
2018’s God of War is considered by many to be one of the greatest games of all time, and yet somehow God of War: Ragnarök managed to improve on the previous title. Released in 2022 for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, God of War: Ragnarok continues the story of Kratos and his son, Atreus, once again in the world of Norse mythology.
Players can once again experience the familiar combo-based combat system, enhanced and improved with new mechanics. The shield, for example, can now be used both offensively and defensively, and different shields feature different mechanics. The RPG elements of the game have also been expanded, with an expanded crafting system, new perks, and many high-quality side quests that complement the main story. Additional next-gen upgrades like 60 fps mode and ray-tracing were also implemented.
For an average player, God of War: Ragnarok will take about 30 hours to complete. If you’re a completionist, however, and want to achieve 100% completion, you’ll need about 50–60 hours.
When will God of War: Ragnarok come out on PC? While there are no official announcements from Sony regarding Ragnarok’s launch on PC, 2018’s God of War was released on PC in January 2022 – four years after the initial release. Seeing how Sony pushes PC releases of their exclusive PS titles lately, there’s a good chance we won’t have to wait as long for GoW: Ragnarok to release on PC. The fact that the game is very similar to 2018’s GoW can also mean we won’t have to wait as long. On the other hand, Sony might want to delay the PC release to convince more people to buy Sony’s PlayStation 5.
2. Cyberpunk 2077
Developed by CD Projekt Red and first released in December 2020, Cyberpunk 2077 was a highly ambitious game set in a dystopian future landscape of Night City – a sprawling metropolis where power, glamor, and body modifications play a major role. The game boasts an incredibly detailed world, exceptional storytelling, and complex character development – but was also known for its numerous bugs and performance issues at launch, particularly on last-gen consoles like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Thankfully, after several patches, most issues were addressed. The reputation of a broken game, however, stuck with Cyberpunk 2077 – even though, in our opinion, it’s an incredible game with a rich, engaging world and a deep story. The main quest is about 24–25 hours long, but gamers that want to experience all the game has to offer will likely have to spend over 100 hours to obtain 100% completion!
The game’s most important next-gen features include ray tracing support, minimal loading times, 4K resolution support with dynamic scaling, improved shadows, and more. In 2022, a next-gen update was also released that implemented many additional technical and graphical features on PS5 and Xbox Series S/X
3. Forza Horizon 5
The Forza Horizon series has always been highly regarded for its stunning graphics, wide array of vehicles, and gorgeous landscapes. Forza Horizon 5, released on November 9, 2021, is set in an open-world environment, located in Mexico and featuring the largest map in the entire Forza Horizon series – 50% bigger than in the previous installment, Forza Horizon 4!
The weather system received a huge upgrade in Forza Horizon 5, with different weather patterns happening at the same time in different regions of the map, simulating Mexico’s diversity. With the game’s innovative particle effect system, dust storms and other weather patterns look absolutely stunning, which in addition to ray-tracing and deformable terrain gives the game a truly next-gen look.
4. Gran Turismo 7
Released in March 2022, Gran Turismo 7 is the newest installment of the racing simulation series. The game brings back the single-player campaign from previous installments and introduces new and improved dynamic time and weather effects. It’s also the first installment of Gran Turismo that takes advantage of PS5’s next-gen features, such as ray-tracing, fast loading with SSD storage, and additional DualSence controller features, including haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, all running at 4K resolution in 60 frames per second, with support for HDR.
How many cars are there in Gran Turismo 7? The game features over 470 high-quality cars, with the number continuing to increase as new updates keep coming out, introducing new vehicles at the suggestion of the GT7 community.
5. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, released in November 2020 on PS4 and PS5 and in November 2022 on PC, serves as a worthy spin-off sequel to the critically acclaimed “Spider-Man” released in 2018. It introduces a new hero – the titular Miles Morales – who takes up the mantle of Spider-Man in a gorgeously rendered city of New York.
The game enhances the signature swinging mechanics and action-packed combat that made its predecessor so popular, while also introducing unique abilities that make Miles stand out as a Spider-Man of his own, including bio-electric abilities and invisibility.
On the PS5, the game showcases many of the console’s next-gen capabilities, leveraging the faster SSD, which results in virtually non-existent load times. Ray tracing makes the game’s visuals strikingly realistic, and advanced reflections in windows and puddles show a real-time mirror of the city, enhancing the game’s graphics impressively.
While shorter than the 2018’s Spider-Man, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is an excellent adventure that delivers a heartfelt narrative and builds on the character’s relationships and personal growth.
6. Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy was one of the most anticipated releases of 2023 – an open-world action RPG in the world of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter. Announced in September 2020, the game is set in the late 1800s in the iconic Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and its neighboring areas, including the village of Hogsmeade and the sprawling Scottish Highlands.
The game employs a range of next-gen features to improve both graphics and playability. Experience the gorgeous open-world of Hogwarts Legacy in stunning 4K graphics with wonderful sound and music, boosted on PS 5 by Tempest 3D AudioTech. In addition to ray tracing and fast load times, Hogwarts Legacy on PS5 makes use of the DualSense technology by displaying your house colors when idle and reacting to spells you cast.
7. Resident Evil 4 Remake
Released on March 23, 2023, Resident Evil 4 Remake is, well, a remake of the 2005 classic, Resident Evil 4. The first thing you’ll notice when playing is how the overall controls and mechanics of the game have been modernized – the game plays like a 2023 title, not a 2005 one. Aiming, shooting, and moving have been vastly improved and smoothed out, and old clunky QTE sequences have been fully revamped and redone.
The graphics in Resident Evil 4 Remake are absolutely stunning and make full use of next-gen technology, introducing ray-tracing and high-resolution textures that make the gameplay incredibly immersive. If you liked the 2005 classic, you’re gonna love this one.
8. Elden Ring
Elden Ring was one of the most anticipated releases of the recent years – a new Soulslike from the makers of Dark Souls and Demon’s Souls, introducing an entirely new IP. The game was released on February 25, 2022, on last-gen and next-gen consoles and PC, and immediately became a massive success – selling more than 13 million copies in the first week!
In Elden Ring, you play as the Tarnished – banished from the Lands Between, now returning once again to brandish the Elden Ring and become the next Elden Lord. On your way, you’ll defeat countless bosses, discover new items, upgrade your equipment, learn spells, and explore the gorgeous open world of the Lands Between.
Even though the game didn’t support ray tracing on release, the patch 1.09 added ray tracing support for next-gen consoles and PC, further improving the already amazing graphics.
9. Demon’s Souls Remake
If you liked the classic RPG Demon’s Souls from 2009, you’re going to love its 2020 remake. Demon’s Souls Remake, originally made by FromSoftware and remade by Bluepoint Games (the creators of the Shadow of the Colossus remake), is a hard-core action RPG where every fight could easily end in your death with a single mistake. The highlight of the game, however, are its epic boss fights, where players need to carefully learn the opponents’ moveset and discover their weaknesses first.
The game is a complete remake of the original Demon’s Souls, offering high-fidelity graphics and a 4K mode, as well as increased frame rate. On PS5, the game also received Tempest 3D support and haptic feedback with the DualSense controller.
10. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
Last but not least, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart was the first next-gen system seller, first released exclusively on PlayStation 5 in June 2021, with PC release scheduled for July 26, 2023. The game introduces a huge graphical upgrade into the series, still being one of the best-looking PS 5 games up to date.
The game features a surprisingly deep story, delving into the topic of mental health with grace and gusto. Every planet you’ll visit is unique and features a rich story and characters, as well as tons of engaging puzzles that’ll get your cogs turning. Fighting mechanics and the whole weapon system have also been vastly upgraded, paired with some of the best platforming gameplay you’ll ever experience.
From the streets of Cyberpunk 2077’s Night City to the snow-covered Manhattan in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, next-gen consoles’ impressive capabilities have opened up a world of possibilities – and we can’t wait to see where the next developers will take us.
The last few years have seen many major breakthroughs in the world of gaming – and who knows, perhaps we’ll see a new next-gen series announced soon?
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