The 25 most anticipated games of 2013 (pictures)

Developer: Ninja Theory

The reboot of the Devil May Cry series is in the very capable hands of developer Ninja Theory (Heavenly Sword, Enslaved). This alternate reality for the franchise puts the game's hero, Dante, in a city overrun by demons. A demo of DMC is available for download on Xbox 360 and PS3 now.

Released: January 15 (360, PS3)

Read the GameSpot review

Developer: Visceral Games

The chilling sci-fi third-person shooter is back and promises to be more terrifying than ever. Dead Space 3 introduces co-op play and brand-new environments like frozen planets.

Released: February 5 (360, PS3, PC)

Read the CNET review

Developer: Sanzaru Games

One of the PlayStation 2's most popular platforming franchises returned to consoles in 2013 with a brand-new tale featuring the game's quirky and lovable characters.

Released: February 5 (PS3, Vita)

Read the CNET review

Developer: Crytek

Crysis 3 will take place in the year 2047 and will put players in control of a character named Prophet. High-intensity shootouts and over-the-top superpowers will return to the series famous for its graphical chops.

Release date: February 19 (360, PS3, PC)

Developer: PlatinumGames

Is "revengeance" even a word? We doubt it, but the Metal Gear universe will live on in this spinoff that features Raiden as the star character. Players will wield his sword and dice their way through this highly anticipated action title.

Release date: February 19 (360, PS3, PC)

Developer: Crystal Dynamics

Tomb Raider will relaunch the venerable franchise and retell the story of Lara Croft's origins. This vision of Tomb Raider features a grittier and darker tone than previous titles had.

Release date: March 5 (360, PS3, PC)

Developer: Maxis

The quintessential city-building simulator will be back and better than ever with a brand-new engine and fresh gameplay mechanics.

Release date: March 5 (PC, Mac)

Developer: SCE Santa Monica Studios

God of War: Ascension will take things back before the events of the trilogy and provide the ultimate origin story of Kratos.

Release date: March 12 (PS3)

Developer: Epic Games

Gears of War: Judgment will also be an origin story, depicting the events that took place before the trilogy.

Release date: March 19 (360)

Developer: Terminal Reality

With one fantastic "Walking Dead" video game in the books, this first-person shooter based on the AMC TV series has a lot to live up to.

Release date: March 19 (360, PS3, PC)

Developer: Irrational Games

Seen this game on the list before? That's because BioShock Infinite was originally scheduled for release in 2012, but the necromancers over at Irrational Games pushed this highly ambitious title into this year.

Release date: March 26 (360, PS3, PC, plus Vita version)

Developer: TT Games

Call it GTA Lego style. Lego City Undercover will offer Wii U owners a unique and lighthearted take on the open-world action adventure game.

Release date: Q1 2013 (Wii U, 3DS)

Developer: 4A Games

Last Light is the follow-up to Metro 2033, the story of post-apocalyptic Russia.

Release date: Q1 2013 (360, PS3, Wii U, PC)

Developer: Next Level Games

Dark Moon is the successor to the original Luigi's Mansion that launched with the Nintendo GameCube. Luigi will battle ghosts and solve puzzles this time, exclusively on the 3DS.

Release date: Q2 2013 (3DS)

Developer: NetherRealm Studios

Heroes and villains from the DC Comics universe do battle in this fighter from the team that brought us Mortal Kombat.

Release date: April 16 (360, PS3, Wii U)

Developer: Techland

Riptide is the sequel to Dead Island that picks up right after the original left off. The game looks like it'll provide a lot of what we loved about the original, perhaps save for that unforgettable first trailer!

Release date: April 23 (360, PS3, PC)

Developer: Naughty Dog

The same studio that brought PlayStation 3 owners the Uncharted series takes a dark turn in The Last of Us, the story of a man hired to protect a girl during a devastating plague. Don't expect the lighthearted tone of Uncharted in this one.

Release date: May 7 (PS3)

Developer: Nintendo

Pikmin 3 is the long-awaited third game in the strategy game series that won over crowds when it first debuted on the GameCube.

Release date: Q2 2013 (Wii U)

Developer: Ubisoft Toronto

Sam Fisher is back again beating up terrorists and making it look easy.

Release date: August 20 (360, PS3, PC)

Developer: Rockstar Games

GTA V will be the first game in the series that allows players to assume the role of three different main characters. Judging from its latest trailer, GTA V is starting to give off the feel of a buddy action film.

Release date: September 17 (360, PS3)

Developer: High Moon Studios

One of the Marvel Universe's funniest characters with a massive cult following is finally getting his own video game.

Release date: TBA (360, PS3)

Developer: Obsidian Entertainment

Everything we've seen from The Stick of Truth looks like it will trump every other South Park game to date. The cartoon's creators have provided tons of content for the game, treating it almost like a movie event.

Release date: TBA (360, PS3, PC)

Developer: Quantic Dream

We're hoping Beyond: Two Souls will make it out in 2013, because after what we saw at E3 2012, we can't wait to get our hands on the psychological thriller starring actress Ellen Page.

Release date: TBA (PS3)

Developer: From Software

The sequel to one of the toughest games ever made will hopefully hit sometime in 2013. Thought Dark Souls was too hard? Word is, Dark Souls II might offer an easier play mode.

Release date: TBA (360, PS3, PC)

Developer: PlatinumGames

Nintendo has secured the sequel to 2010's off-the-wall beat-'em-up action title Bayonetta exclusively for the Wii U.

Release date: TBA (Wii U)

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal

Watch Dogs was one of the games to actually make a splash at E3 2012. Set in the future, the game focuses heavily on the "big brother" elements of surveillance and hacking. We hadn't originally included Watch Dogs in our most anticipated list, but we've since confirmed with Ubisoft that the game is planned for a 2013 release.

Release date: TBA (360, PS3, PC)