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If you’re a fan of anime, then you’re no doubt a fan of all that has been going on in the video game world with anime and anime-style titles over the last few years. This style of video game has grown very popular, and in 2023, a lot of these kinds of games will arrive.
#19 Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly
- Developer: Toge Productions
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
- Publishers: Toge Productions, Chorus Worldwide
- Release date: 2023
So…who wants some coffee?
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly is a continuation of the very unique fantasy/relationship title where you are a barista in a world where not all your characters are human. You’ll have to work with them not just in conversation, but in how and what coffee you give them.
Remember, as a barista, your job is to help them and make sure you make them feel at ease and relaxed. A good cup of coffee goes a long way in that regard.
Find out what makes each of them tick, serve them the perfect cup of joe, put some art in it to really make it shine! Then, it’s on to the next customer.
#18 Mon-Yu
- Developer: Experience Inc.
- Publisher: Aksys Games
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
- Release date: 2023
If you’re wanting a more true “game-like” feel, then you’ll want to get Mon-Yu possibly. Here we have a first-person dungeon crawler title (don’t worry, it’s still anime as all get out, just look at that art style!).
After all, you’ll have to go and create your character form scratch, then start building up a team so you can go to war in these dungeons against the seven demon kings that await you! As well as a slew of monsters that’ll try and prevent you from getting there in the first place.
Will you be able to make it through each of the dungeons? You’ll have to get the game and find out!
#17 Eternights
- Release date: 2023
- Developer: Studio Sai
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5
- Publishers: Studio Sai, Adrenal Games, Inc.
Behold, a “dating action game”. If that’s not an anime for you, we don’t really know what is.
Because in Eternights, you’ll have to try and survive the end of the world, and also survive the various dates that you’ll go on in the process. What could possibly go wrong?
A lot, it’s the end of the world, but we digress. You’ll get to follow the path of your main character as you get to know a set of five potential loves, and the story with them will change depending on how you connect with them, including giving you new skills in the process!
Don’t forget, the end of the world is the perfect way to start a conversation!
#16 Palworld
- Release date: 2023
- Developer: Pocket Pair, Inc.
- Publisher: Pocket Pair, Inc.
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
Ok, Palworld is a bit…dark in terms of how they handle the “collect a creature” aesthetic, you’ve been warned.
Because at first, Palworld looks like another take on Pokemon or Digimon. Except here, you have the full power to do just about anything you want with these “pals”. You can just live with them and have a fun life. Do battles with them and see how strong you can get them to be.
You can put them to work to help you out with your daily life. Or…you can basically enslave them, sell them off for cash, or…eat them. Though apparently THAT is where they draw the line in terms of legality.
Oh, and you can give them guns, what is this game?!?!?
#15 Plushie from the Sky
- Developer: fishwind
- Publisher: fishwind
- Release date: 2023
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
What’s an angel to do when they fall from the skies above? Well, try and get back to where they came from, of course!
Plushie from the Sky is indeed that story. You’ll go through a beautifully rendered fantasy world that is just begging to be explored, and along the way, see not only the wonderful scenery, but all the monsters and terrifying bosses that will try and stop you.
The game will have some very tough boss fights for you, so learn from each experience and be ready to dodge roll your way to victory! Or don’t, and die and then face them again. Just saying.
#14 Anonymous; Code
- Release date: July 28, 2022
- Developers: MAGE-X, Chiyo St. Inc.
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation Vita
- Publishers: MAGE-X, Spike Chunsoft
From the creator of Steins: Gate, Anonymous; Code will once again put you in the story of Pollon, who is trying to save the world after the set of events that helped put it in the state that it’s in. The mysterious girl Momo and your encounter with her has led to various things happening, and now, to save the world, you must once again hack reality itself!
Go through the code of the world and find the “ending” to load in order to free the world from the events that are set to befall it.
Can you finally fix things? Or will you make them worse?
#13 ONI: Road to be the Mightiest Oni
- Publisher: Clouded Leopard Entertainment Inc.
- Developers: SHUEISHA GAMES, Kenei Design
- Release date: TBA
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5
ONI: Road to be the Mightiest Oni is a game that features a unique twist on the typical action battle system.
In this case, you will play as two main characters. One of which can only attack the physical body, the other of whom can suck the soul out of a being and then allow you to attack that. You’ll have to work with these two in order to defeat bigger and badder enemies.
Or, you can go about leveling up another way. Including collecting items, running away from monsters, and more.
Explore the island and its areas, and see if you are good enough to survive the trials to come!
#12 Planet of Lana
- Release date: 2023
- Developer: Wishfully
- Platforms: Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
- Publishers: Thunderful Group, Thunderful Publishing
Many anime have tried to explore the environments they are in as much as the characters. Planet of Lana is a great example of that in game form.
In the game, you’ll be in a world where balance was once a vibrant and everlasting thing. But now? Not so much, and a “faceless army” is now all around you. You must go on a journey not to fight for the world, but just to try and save it.
You’ll need to solve puzzles, overcome challenges, make unique companions and use instinct and wit at times to survive versus just fighting everything in sight. This odyssey can end with the world being where it needs to be if you let it.
#11 Project Apax
- Release date: 2023
- Developer: Boreal Mist Studio
- Publisher: Boreal Mist Studio
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
Welcome to Project Apax, a game that is meant to honor certain old-school classics and put its own take on it.
You will find yourself on the world of Iberis. A place that has finally known peace after a long war. Things went to a good place, until certain groups try to unbalance it once again. Now, with darkness on the brink of breaking forth once again, a prophecy will be fulfilled as two heroes will rise up to try and stop the evil once and for all.
With anime-style graphics, and an interactive battle system, you’ll find that Project Apax has a lot to offer those who enjoy RPGs.
#10 Persona 3 Portable
- Developer: Atlus
- Publisher: Atlus USA
- Platforms: PSP, PSV, PS4, PS5, NS, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
- Release Date: 2023 Modern Platforms
The first Persona game to truly start going into its own direction in terms of style and combat, Persona 3 Portable is actually the PSP version of the game, and not the original. There are some key differences between the two, but the game and story feel pretty much the same so it’s a worthy one to play when it comes to other systems next year.
In it, a terrible “accident” has changed the world completely, including creating an extra hour in the day where monsters roam free. A group of high schoolers must rise up to stop it and try to restore the world to its previous state.
…good luck with that.
#9 Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society
- Developer: Nippon Ichi Software
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 5
- Release date: 2023
- Publishers: NIS America, Nippon Ichi Software
Want another dungeon crawler? Because we have that for you with Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society.
In it, you are a spirit who is charged with going into a mysterious underground to find a piece of art. Sounds easy, right? Except, naturally, there are monsters in this underground who will try to stop you. Thankfully for you, you have not only your own abilities, but your own army of “soul-infused puppets” to pick and choose from to fight beside you.
Explore the dungeons, learn how to use the puppets and other techniques to overcome challenges, and learn the true mystery of the labyrinth that you’re in.
#8 Season: A Letter to the Future
- Developer: Scavengers Studio
- Publisher: Scavengers Studio
- Release date: TBA
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5
Oh look! Another “do something big at the end of the world” game! This time, we’re talking about Season: A Letter to the Future, where you will take the role of a young man on a trip to learn as much as he can before the season the world is in literally ends everything.
As you travel on your bike, you’ll meet a lot of unique people, and you’ll get to record their memories and lives in a variety of ways. Each one helping you explore and learn more along the way.
But the real quest is to see what this world truly is, why the “season” you’re in will get rid of everything, and what it all really means.
#7 Demonschool
- Developer: Necrosoft Games
- Publisher: Ysbryd Games
- Release date: 2023
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5
We’re honestly surprised that there isn’t an anime named Demonschool, it totally fits the aesthetic.
Anyway, in the video game Demonschool, you’ll play as a group of friends who happen to go to a university on a mysterious island, and end up fighting a whole lot of monsters. The game’s world is one that is full of wonders and mysteries that’ll slowly unravel every single day.
In combat, you’ll need to use a variety of techniques and mechanics to string together combos, learn about your enemies, and get the victory. All the while going to school, building up your friends and your relationships with them, and then taking on the next day.
You know, just like school.
#6 The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure
- Release date: 2023 Modern Platforms
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita
- Developers: Nihon Falcom, PH3 GmbH, Artdink
- Publishers: NIS America, Nippon Ichi Software, Clouded Leopard Entertainment Inc.
The finale of the Crossbell arc is here for all to see in The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure!
In the game, the peace you have fought so hard for in the previous games has come, but at a cost. Because with the peace that has now been won, other parties are trying to use the situation to stir things up and seize power for themselves!
You must rally the new and older members of the Special Support Section to help defend you home, its people, and the peace itself!
With new combat functions, and more story if you have save data from the previous game, there’s a lot to dive into with The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure!
#5 Granblue Fantasy: Relink
- Release date: 2023
- Publisher: Cygames
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5
- Developers: Cygames, PlatinumGames
If you’re a fan of the Granblue series, then you’re definitely going to like Granblue Fantasy: Relink. Why? Because the game is making its transition into 3D at last, but still maintaining the feeling of the 2D games. The 3D models of the characters as well as the world itself has been crafted to be a true work of art that will make you appreciate it more as you send the characters through it.
Speaking of which, Granblue Fantasy: Relink will have wide array of characters for you to have in your party, and as you journey across various lands and empires you’ll go forth and try to save it from incredible threats. As well as solve some key mysteries along the way.
#4 Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
- Release date: 2023
- Publisher: 505 Games
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 5
- Developers: Rabbit and Bear Studios, Rabbit&Bear Studios Inc.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is set in a world of both might and magic where a single empire seems poised to control everything once they find a certain artifact.
But fate has other plans in mind, and brings together a soldier and a young boy together to help start a quest that will change everything.
But fear not, they won’t have to do everything alone, as the title implies, they’ll get to be amongst 100 heroes of which you can pick and choose from to do battle in this grand-scale RPG. One that you know people are going to play for no other reason than it was a successful Kickstarter project!
Thus, the backers are hungry to see what the game becomes, and so should you.
#3 SacriFire
- Release date: 2023
- Developer: Pixelated Milk
- Publisher: Pixelated Milk
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 5
When you’re passionate about something, you want to try and make your footprint in it, right? SacriFire is that for the game dev team behind it. They took the 90s RPGs of old and tried to push them in the best directions possible.
Such as making an art style that has a mix of both 2D and 3D graphics to allow a grander scale of beauty. Also, a combat system that mixes turn-based strategy and real-time elements!
All the while bringing forth a story that tries to break the tropes of RPG storytelling and give you loveable characters that you’ll want to see through to the end of their tale.
Passion can make beautiful things, and SacriFire might be one example of that.
#2 Sea of Stars
- Release date: 2023
- Developer: Sabotage Studio
- Publisher: Sabotage Studio
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5
Sea of Stars is meant to be both a tribute to the old-school RPGs that helped make the genre great, but also, reinventing it in a variety of ways. Including how you do the combat, how you go about adventuring, and more!
The game will focus on two characters with two different power sets. The games’ combat system is unique in how you can do more damage, do combos, and overcome threats.
Add to that, the world is expansive and is full of quests and sidequests to do that all have a purpose. Even if it’s just to make you laugh.
The art style is done by hand and is meant to push what pixel games look like. So try out Sea of Stars when it arrives, you likely won’t regret it.
#1 Persona 4 Golden
- Release date: 2023 Modern Platforms
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
- Developers: Atlus, P Studio, iXIT Corporation, PREAPP PARTNERS
- Publishers: Atlus, Sega, Atlus USA, SEGA of America
Don’t get us wrong, if Persona 5 had come out to other systems in 2023, we probably would’ve put that at the top of this as it’s the new “gold standard” for the franchise. But also don’t get us wrong, Persona 4 Golden was what really helped make the franchise great before Persona 5, and if you’ve never enjoyed Persona outside of that title, Persona 4 Golden is one you’ll need to get.
It focuses on a group of friends in a small town that is being beset by some random killings. These friends will unlock incredible powers to try and stop certain things, all the while growing closer together through a beautifully detailed “coming of age story”.
Don’t worry, you’ll still be doing plenty of fighting, but it’s the characters you’ll connect to the most here.