It’s only natural that Unreal Engine 5 is the talk of the town these days. Perhaps games are on the verge of making the most significant technological leap in history. Consequently, everyone is eager to play these visually stunning games. Fortunately, numerous games have already confirmed they utilise UE5. The number of those hitting the market in 2023 is somewhat limited, though. Let’s have a gander at the best Unreal Engine 5 games set to arrive this year.
Of course, it’s essential to give praise to Fortnite, which already makes use of Unreal Engine 5. Particularly disregarded by those who favour single-player games, Fortnite is a fantastic game underpinned by a cutting-edge technology. Upon receiving the UE5.1 update, it has emerged as one of the top games in the market concerning graphics. Granted, it maintains a cartoonish aesthetic rather than realism, but that doesn’t hinder it from putting on a remarkable display in terms of lighting.
Also read: New Steam Beta: How to Get, New Features and More
Layers of Fear
It might be a tad surprising to find Layers of Fear on this list. The game bearing the same name was released in 2016, and back then, discussing Unreal Engine 5 was out of the question. Even the subsequent DLC and Layers of Fear 2, which added a different story, were developed. So, what is Layers of Fear using Unreal Engine 5? Is it a remake, or have the creators been a bit daft with their game naming?
Layers of Fear is a new game developed with Unreal Engine 5 and set for release in June 2023. More precisely, it’s a package that comprises all the games released thus far and a new story in addition to them. Here’s the complete content of this new game:
- Layers of Fear (2016) – A full remake
- The Final Note DLC – A full remake
- Layers of Fear 2 (2019) – A full remake
- The Lighthose Chapter DLC – Entirely new content
In summary, we will play one brand new DLC with a fresh story, alongside the remakes of the three existing games, all utilising Unreal Engine 5. The naming may be peculiar, but that doesn’t dampen our enthusiasm. This series, pushing the boundaries of psychological terror, will undoubtedly look stunning with UE5. One of the game genres where the “Realistic graphics” brought by this technology can be best employed is surely horror thrillers.
Layers of Fear is under development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Also read: 10 Best New Games of May 2023
The Day Before
We all surmised that the initial gameplay video released was too good to be genuine. Set in post-apocalyptic America, the survival game appeared to have everything we had desired thus far. It seemed like a fusion of The Division and the best aspects of DayZ. After a period of silence, a series of crises erupted, and The Day Before was removed from Steam.
Events such as postponing the game one after another, the next videos being unrelated to the first one, and the emergence of the ready-made assets used suddenly made TDB an undesirable game. The developers are hard at work and claim the game will be released in 2023. As it’s developed with Unreal Engine 5, there’s a chance it may still look fantastic. But whether it will be as good as we initially imagined remains a conundrum.
The Day Before might well become one of the most significant debacles of 2023, along with Redfall. Alternatively, it could transform into that open-world shooter MMORPG we all crave. The date to see which eventuality will transpire is not too far off: 10th November 2023.
The Day Before – for the time being – is being developed exclusively for PC.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
Without a doubt, Hellblade 2 has captured the gaming community’s attention and is set to be one of the standout releases this year. Originally slated for the PlayStation 4 but circumstances have changed. Microsoft acquired the Ninja Theory back in 2018 – and make the game an Xbox exclusive. Consequently, it seems rather unlikely that fans will see Senua’s story continue on PS5 or PS4 anytime soon.
As an Xbox exclusive crafted with the cutting-edge Unreal Engine 5, Hellblade 2 has drawn a substantial following, eagerly awaiting its release. Details about the game are scarce, but we know a few things. The sequel continues the story of the first game and the game’s setting will take inspiration from the dramatic landscapes of Iceland. So we can expect to see visually stunning experience filled with expansive vistas and rolling hills.
One of the most exciting aspects of Hellblade 2 is its immediate inclusion in the Xbox Game Pass. By subscribing to Game Pass, players can enjoy this game at no extra cost – from day one. The library already has hundreds of games and Game Pass will continue to expand with top-tier titles like Redfall and Starfield in the pipeline.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is currently under development for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. And it will be one of the best Unreal Engine 5 games coming this year.
Update: Hellblade 2 will release in 2024.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
If the previous three games didn’t catch your fancy, fear not, as Stalker 2 brings a hype that potentially surpasses the others combined. At least, that’s how we feel. When the inaugural game in the series was released in 2007, it rapidly earned its place as one of the most iconic games of all time. Over the years, the Metro series managed to capture a similar atmosphere, but now the original master is poised to make a triumphant return.
Stalker 2, or rather, its iconic spelling, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, is being developed entirely using Unreal Engine 5. The stunning visuals are evident from the footage available, showcasing a dark and eerie atmosphere that has become more powerful than ever. Though the game faced delays due to the conflict in Ukraine, it’s now just a few months from release.
Set in the aftermath of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant explosion, the game possesses two key features. First, resources are limited – unlike other shooters, you won’t find yourself with a never-ending supply of ammunition. You’ll need to carefully consider each shot, especially when playing in hard mode. The second feature is the expansive 64-square-kilometre open world, which eschews linear storytelling in favour of player freedom. If executed well (Similar to Elden Ring), Stalker 2 could potentially clinch the title of the best game of the year.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is currently in development for PC and Xbox Series X|S. Unfortunately for PlayStation enthusiasts, they may feel a bit left out this time around.
That’s the rundown of the best Unreal Engine 5 games in 2023. There are many more games using UE5 but they either don’t have a release date or will be released in 2024 and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Unreal Engine 5 Only for PS5?
Unreal Engine 5 isn’t solely for the PlayStation 5; In fact, it boasts technology that supports previous-generation consoles, including PC and Xbox Series X|S. However, the graphics engine’s full potential is unleashed on next-gen consoles and PCs. It’s worth noting that Epic Games developed UE5, making it more PC-centric rather than PS5-exclusive. That’s why Fortnite is among the first games to utilise this engine.
Is Unreal Engine Easy to Learn?
Modern game engines are generally easy to learn but can take time to master – and Unreal Engine 5 is no exception. By following numerous online guides, you can quickly dive into UE5. It’s free to use for creating your own games, with Epic Games only taking a share after $1M in revenue. Thus, if you’re keen on game development, Unreal Engine 5 is a fantastic alternative to Unity.
Will GTA VI Use Unreal Engine 5?
Grand Theft Auto VI will not use Unreal Engine 5. Rockstar Games already employs its own game engine, known as RAGE (Rockstar Advanced Game Engine). According to GTA VI leaks, the RAGE9 engine is being used. While there are numerous fan-made GTA VI videos on YouTube featuring Unreal Engine 5, they may appear impressive, but Rockstar’s priority is ensuring seamless gameplay.
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