2023 Game Directory: M – Mature
Aliens: Dark Descent
PUBLISHER: Focus Entertainment
GENRE: Tactics
RELEASE: 06.20.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Xbox One, PS4
MULTIPLAYER: None
ABOUT THE GAME Aliens: Dark Descent is a real-time tactics game in the universe of the sci-fi film series, following the crew of the spaceship Otago after it crash-lands on a planet infested with Xenomorphs and human cultists who worship the aliens. Players command a squad of up to four colonial marines on missions designed to evoke the action of the movies, complete with motion trackers that ping when an alien is approaching on the other side of a wall. While your troops can be leveled up as you progress, soldiers who die in battle are gone forever.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
Anonymous;Code
PUBLISHER: Spike Chunsoft
GENRE: Adventure
RELEASE: 09.08.2023
SYSTEMS: Switch, PS4
MULTIPLAYER: None
ABOUT THE GAME Anonymous;Code tells the story of a world balancing between the devastation of orbital laser attacks and life-changing breakthroughs in technology. Follow young hacker Pollon Takaoka as he gains the power to “save” and “load” points in time to alter both the past and the future. Anonymous;Code focuses on dialog-heavy story scenes and character interactions, where experiencing the overarching narrative is more the focus versus action-oriented gameplay or getting a high score.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
PUBLISHER: Ubisoft
GENRE: Stealth, Action
RELEASE: 10.05.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Xbox One, PS4
MULTIPLAYER: None
ABOUT THE GAME Over the years, Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise has evolved from open-world stealth action games to sprawling action RPGs full of leveling and loot. Mirage returns to the series’ roots. You control a young thief named Basim on the streets of 9th century Baghdad as he joins a group of assassins called the Hidden Ones. Gameplay centers on parkouring around the city and taking down targets. Stealth mechanics and gadgets let cautious players get in and out silently—but there’s always blunt force, too.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Strong Language
Atomic Heart
PUBLISHER: Focus Entertainment
GENRE: Shooter
RELEASE: 02.21.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Xbox One, PS4
MULTIPLAYER: None
ABOUT THE GAME Set in an alternate-history version of the USSR in the mid-1950s, Atomic Heart draws heavily from games like BioShock to deliver an atmospheric first-person shooter in an imaginative setting. Players control World War II veteran Sergey “P-3” Nechayev in a Soviet science facility overrun by homicidal robots, mutants, and other experiments gone wrong. In addition to guns, P-3 has a special “Polymer Glove” granting telekinesis, freezing blasts, and other special abilities that add depth to combat.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
Blasphemous 2
PUBLISHER: Team17
GENRE: Action, Adventure
RELEASE: 09.15.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch
MULTIPLAYER: None
ABOUT THE GAME Like its predecessor, Blasphemous 2 is a tough-as-nails 2D side-scroller with detailed pixel art inspired by gothic horror. As a knight known only as The Penitent One, you must navigate a world filled with traps, platforming challenges, and enemies and boss characters that must be confronted in intense melee combat. While the first game proved popular with fans and critics alike, the sequel seeks to build on that strong start with refined controls, a wider selection of weapons, and an even more engrossing story set in a new world.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Violence
The Caligula Effect: Overdose
PUBLISHER: NIS America
GENRE: RPG
RELEASE: 05.30.2023
SYSTEMS: PS5
MULTIPLAYER: None
ABOUT THE GAME Now on PlayStation 5, The Caligula Effect: Overdose takes inspiration from classic Japanese RPGs as it crafts a tale about the dangers of trying to forget the pain and problems of the real world by escaping to a virtual one. Become a member of the Go-Home Club, and attempt to escape to the real world through interacting with the other residents of Mobius and fighting against those who don’t want you to leave. Overdose is a full remake of the 2016 original, offering much improved visuals, a new protagonist and supporting characters, and additional endings.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
Company of Heroes 3
PUBLISHER: Sega
GENRE: Strategy
RELEASE: 05.30.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5
MULTIPLAYER: Online
ABOUT THE GAME Company of Heroes 3 is the latest entry in a series of strategy games inspired by the battles of World War II. This time, the focus is on the Mediterranean theater, with players leading the Allies into Italy and controlling the Axis forces in North Africa. Gameplay includes both larger strategic decisions away from the frontlines and battles where you issue commands directly to units on the field. While the action usually unfolds in real time, a new “Full Tactical Pause” feature offers more time to think and cue up commands.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
Crime Boss: Rockay City
PUBLISHER: 505 Games
GENRE: Shooter
RELEASE: 06.15.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5
MULTIPLAYER: Online
ABOUT THE GAME This first-person shooter is all about pulling off heists in a setting inspired by 1990s Miami. The story mode casts you as Travis Baker, a crime boss looking to take out his rivals. Individual missions let a crew of up to four players employ stealth and shooting to get the loot and get out alive. The cast is stacked with familiar Hollywood faces, including Michael Madsen, Chuck Norris, Danny Trejo, Danny Glover, Michael Rooker, and Kim Basinger. Plus, for some reason, Vanilla Ice.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs
Dead Island 2
PUBLISHER: Deep Silver
GENRE: Action, RPG
RELEASE: 04.21.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Xbox One, PS4
MULTIPLAYER: Online
ABOUT THE GAME Dead Island 2 may feature zombies, but it leans much more into action than horror. As one of six playable characters with different skills and abilities, you must survive and complete quests in an apocalyptic version of Los Angeles full of brain-dead zombies. (Save your jokes.) A wide selection of weapons—mostly melee—and a card-based power-up system allow for lots of combat experimentation. The game plays out from a first-person perspective, so the gory action is always up close and personal.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs
Dead Space
PUBLISHER: EA
GENRE: Action, Horror
RELEASE: 01.27.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5
MULTIPLAYER: None
ABOUT THE GAME A remake of one of the pioneers of the horror genre, Dead Space drops players into a sci-fi nightmare as Isaac Clarke and the rest of his team end up stranded aboard a massive spacecraft infested with hostile aliens. Isaac must complete tasks across the ship, first in an attempt to call for help, and then simply to survive. This remake not only brings a massive jump in visual and audio quality over the original Dead Space, but also much improved controls and various new story moments not seen previously.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
Diablo IV
PUBLISHER: Blizzard
GENRE: Action, RPG
RELEASE: 06.05.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Xbox One, PS4
MULTIPLAYER: Local, Online
ABOUT THE GAME Diablo IV is the latest in the most popular action-RPG franchises of all times. First you create a character, choosing between five character classes with different specialities, like the Barbarian or Sorcerer. Then you head into the horror-steeped fantasy world of Sanctuary to battle demons and monsters in an effort to stop the villain Lilith, with the entire game unfolding from a zoomed-out overhead perspective. Much of Diablo’s appeal comes from its simple combat and nearly endless supply of randomized loot that can be used to power up your character.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
Exoprimal
PUBLISHER: Capcom
GENRE: Action, Shooter
RELEASE: 07.14.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Xbox One, PS4
MULTIPLAYER: Online
ABOUT THE GAME A video game about soldiers in exosuits fighting thousands of dinosaurs in a near future world might sound like a plot an 8-year-old would come up with, but it also sounds like a totally awesome idea for a third-person shooter from acclaimed developer Capcom if you ask us. In this online, team-based action game, save a future being overrun by endless waves of beasts from the past while also trying to take down a malevolent AI and other teams of players at the same time. It’s time to make the dinosaurs extinct once again.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood, Strong Language, Violence
Final Fantasy XVI
PUBLISHER: Square Enix
GENRE: RPG
RELEASE: 06.22.2023
SYSTEMS: PS5
MULTIPLAYER: None
ABOUT THE GAME In the latest epic chapter of the long-running franchise, help young prince Clive Rosfield fight back against those that abuse the power of the Mothercrystals and the elemental beings known as Eikons. Gorgeous graphics, gripping story, and endearing characters blend together seamlessly with action-packed battles and exploration across the varied lands of Valisthea. Final Fantasy XVI features plenty of epic moments, including the giant monster fights unleashed as Clive comes to harness his own inner Eikon.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
Forspoken
PUBLISHER: Square Enix
GENRE: Action, RPG
RELEASE: 01.24.2023
SYSTEMS: PS5
MULTIPLAYER: None
ABOUT THE GAME In Forspoken, you control Frey, a young woman who finds herself transported from New York City to the fantasy realm of Athia by a magical talking bracelet. As is wont to happen in video games, Frey soon discovers she must save Athia from evil oppressors called the Tanta and a corrupting force known as the Break. In combat, Frey has access to a wide variety of spells and magical parkour abilities, the latter of which also come in handy for exploring the vast open world to gather collectibles and complete side challenges.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Strong Language, Violence
Immortals of Aveum
PUBLISHER: EA
GENRE: Shooter
RELEASE: 08.22.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5
MULTIPLAYER: None
ABOUT THE GAME Immortals of Aveum recreates the fast-paced shooter gameplay of titles like Call of Duty with one major difference: There aren’t any guns. Instead, hero Jak relies on a variety of spells and other magical abilities befitting the fantasy setting of Aveum. Core combat involves balancing three different styles of magic: red for close quarters, blue for long range, and green for rapid-fire attacks. In addition, you’ll learn to use other, less directly damaging spells to manipulate the environment, move around, and affect enemies as you progress through a story-driven campaign.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood, Strong Language, Violence
Lies of P
PUBLISHER: Neowiz Games
GENRE: Action, RPG
RELEASE: 09.19.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Xbox One, PS4
MULTIPLAYER: None
ABOUT THE GAME Lies of P is built upon an unexpected premise: an extremely dark and challenging gothic action RPG inspired by the original 1883 novel The Adventures of Pinocchio. And yet, that serves as the perfect setting for a journey filled with peculiar humans, terrifying puppet monsters, narrative twists, and an artificial boy tasked with taking back the city of Krat. Pinocchio has a variety of weapons, robot arms, and other skills to work with, but he—and you—will need all that and more to defeat the rogue puppets and make Krat safe for humans again.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood, Violence
Like a Dragon: Ishin!
PUBLISHER: Sega
GENRE: Action, Adventure
RELEASE: 02.21.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Xbox One, PS4
MULTIPLAYER: None
ABOUT THE GAME Like a Dragon: Inshin! takes many of the themes and characters from the series formerly known as Yakuza, and reworks them into a side story set in Japan’s Edo period. Play as Sakamoto Ryoma, a masterless samurai seeking revenge for the murder of his mentor. Travel around talking to people, completing side quests, and solving mysteries, now with combat that focuses heavily on swordplay, and a setting that allows for stories not possible in the other Like a Dragon games.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
Lords of the Fallen
PUBLISHER: CI Games
GENRE: Action, RPG
RELEASE: 10.13.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5
MULTIPLAYER: Online
ABOUT THE GAME A reboot of the 2014 game of the same name, Lords of the Fallen is a third-person action RPG that drops you into a brutal world filled with horrific creatures, where only your skills and your sword can keep you alive. Battle through the vast, interconnected world of Axiom on a quest to kill the demon god Adyr, and then, should you fail, fight your way through the horrific underworld of Umbral in order to make it back to the land of the living for a second chance at success.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Violence
Master Detective Archives: Rain Code
PUBLISHER: Spike Chunsoft
GENRE: Adventure
RELEASE: 06.30.2023
SYSTEMS: Switch
MULTIPLAYER: None
ABOUT THE GAME Master Detective Archives: Rain Code is a new “lucid-noir” detective adventure from some of the minds behind Danganronpa. As the amnesia-stricken detective in training Yuma Kokohead, roam the streets of a rain-soaked Japanese city, investigating crime scenes and gathering evidence together with a strange being known as Shinigami. Then, head into the Mystery Labyrinth, a bizarre realm where the truth behind those incidents in the real world awaits—but only if you’ve got both brains and brawn.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1
PUBLISHER: Konami
GENRE: Action, Stealth
RELEASE: 10.24.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PS4
MULTIPLAYER: None
ABOUT THE GAME Three of the most groundbreaking video games of all time return in Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1. Throughout all three—Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater—control characters such as Solid Snake, Raiden, and Big Boss as they make their way across enemy territory, where being sneaky and avoiding encounters is often the best course of action. While the gameplay in all three is intense, so too are the dramatic storylines and larger-than-life characters.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence
Mortal Kombat 1
PUBLISHER: Warner Bros. Games
GENRE: Fighting
RELEASE: 09.19.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch
MULTIPLAYER: Local, Online
ABOUT THE GAME The Mortal Kombat fighting games became infamous for their over-the-top violence, exemplified by comically gory “Fatality” finishing moves. While this latest entry (sort of) reboots the story, its core identity remains intact, with a roster of characters with fantastical powers dishing out painful attacks in head-to-head combat in a story campaign, online or local multiplayer, and alternate modes. The biggest gameplay addition is the ability to pick a secondary “Kameo” fighter you can call in to assist during fights.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
Payday 3
PUBLISHER: Deep Silver
GENRE: Shooter
RELEASE: 09.21.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5
MULTIPLAYER: Online
ABOUT THE GAME Payday is all about pulling off big heists, with a heavy emphasis on its online four-person co-op. Across a variety of New York City locales, like banks, nightclubs, and penthouses, you plan and execute sophisticated robberies using high tech gear. While stealth is the safest approach, just like in heist movies, it’s easy for the situation to spiral out of control, at which point you can expect to shoot your way out or—in a new twist—trade some hostages to the first responders for extra leverage.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Strong Language
Redfall
PUBLISHER: Bethesda Softworks
GENRE: RPG, Shooter
RELEASE: 05.02.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S
MULTIPLAYER: Online
ABOUT THE GAME Redfall is an open-world shooter with RPG elements set in a Massachusetts town overrun by vampires. Players pick one of four playable characters with different technological or supernatural powers and fight to liberate the city one area at a time by completing story missions and side activities. As in similar games, much of the focus is on becoming stronger by leveling up, unlocking new skills, and finding more powerful weaponry. Online co-op play allows up to four vampire hunters to team up.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood, Drug Reference, Strong Language, Violence
Remnant II
PUBLISHER: Gearbox Publishing
GENRE: RPG, Shooter
RELEASE: 07.25.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5
MULTIPLAYER: Online
ABOUT THE GAME Remnant II is a third-person shooter inspired by the Dark Souls series, which means you can expect challenging difficulty and memorable boss fights. Players select an “archetype,” like the firearm-focused Gunslinger or the Handler, who has a dog companion, to take on evil plant monsters known as the Root. But the story is less of a draw than the action, which supports three-player co-op and emphasizes replayability with procedurally generated levels, branching questlines, and lots of loot.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Violence
Resident Evil 4
PUBLISHER: Capcom
GENRE: Horror, Shooter
RELEASE: 03.24.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PS4
MULTIPLAYER: None
ABOUT THE GAME A ground-up remake of one of the most beloved survival horror games of all time, Resident Evil 4 modernizes Leon S. Kennedy’s quest to rescue the president’s daughter from a mysterious cult in rural Spain. Rather than zombies, this chapter centers on a new parasitic threat called Las Plagas that turns the local population into rageful—but still very human-seeming—monsters. The third person-shooter gameplay emphasizes careful resource management, as ammo and healing items are scarce.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
Shadow Warrior 3
PUBLISHER: Devolver Digital
GENRE: Shooter
RELEASE: 02.16.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5
MULTIPLAYER: None
ABOUT THE GAME Shadow Warrior 3 is what’s known as a “boomer shooter,” a first-person shooter that tries to capture the fast-paced feel of the genre in the 1990s. Players control Lo Wang as he fights to defeat a dragon that threatens humanity’s survival. Combat is all about using guns and swords in conjunction with hyperkinetic movement abilities like wall-running and double-jumping to string together attacks against yokai—Japanese-inspired demon enemies. The over-the-top tone means lots of gore and crude humor.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mild Sexual Themes, Strong Language
Starfield
PUBLISHER: Bethesda Softworks
GENRE: RPG, Shooter
RELEASE: 09.06.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S
MULTIPLAYER: None
ABOUT THE GAME Starfield is a sprawling sci-fi RPG from the creators of Skyrim and Fallout 4. You create your own character and embark on a quest to uncover the truth behind a mysterious, seemingly alien artifact, traveling between over 1,000 procedurally generated planets in your own customizable spaceship. While combat—both on-foot gunfights and dogfights in your spaceship—plays a big role, developer Bethesda has also included alternate approaches for those who prefer to roleplay using stealth or persuasion.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs, Violence
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
PUBLISHER: Gun Interactive
GENRE: Horror
RELEASE: 08.18.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Xbox One, PS4
MULTIPLAYER: Online
ABOUT THE GAME The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is the latest game to adapt a horror movie classic into an online multiplayer experience. The big twist this time around is that, rather than pitting one killer against a group of survivors who need to escape and can’t fight back, this game shifts to a 3v4 approach. One team controls three members of the murderous Slaughter family, while the other team plays as four survivors trying to get away. Each character on both sides has a unique ability, adding strategic depth.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
UFC 5
PUBLISHER: EA Sports
GENRE: Fighting, Sports
RELEASE: 10.27.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5
MULTIPLAYER: Local, Online
ABOUT THE GAME The long-awaited next chapter in EA Sports’ mixed martial arts franchise has arrived with UFC 5. The jump to the newest generation of consoles means the visuals sport far more oomph, with the roster of real-world fighters approaching photorealism. An improved damage system means you’ll be able to see the effect of every hard hit on your opponent, and just like in real matches, a doctor will now stop the fight if the injuries become too severe. New animations and gameplay mechanics enable truer-to-life strikes and submissions, too.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Violence, Blood, Strong Language
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
PUBLISHER: Koei Tecmo
GENRE: Action, RPG
RELEASE: 03.03.2023
SYSTEMS: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Xbox One, PS4
MULTIPLAYER: Online
ABOUT THE GAME While we’ve received a number of Dark Souls–inspired action RPGs rooted in historical Japan such as Sekiro and Nioh, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty offers a new twist by moving the location of its demonic breakout to China. Create your own hero, pick their fighting style, then battle alongside legendary warriors through a dark fantasy set in the Later Han Dynasty of the Three Kingdoms. Survival will require perfecting both offensive and defensive skills, calling upon the power of Divine Beasts, and claiming areas of each map to increase your potential.
ESRB CONTENT DESCRIPTORS Blood and Gore, Violence
