Background: The summer showcase was dominated by a wave of announcements that rolled in during back-to-back events. Sony kicked off a slate of Summer Game Fest happenings on the evenings of June 2 and 3, launching with a lineup that excited PC players as well. If you didn’t catch the broadcast, this article compiles every highlight from the State of Play for a clear, all-in-one recap.
Resident Evil 4: The Return of a Legend
For years, speculation has circled about a remake of Resident Evil 4, a title that reshaped the series when Shinji Mikami introduced bold ideas in 2005. Diehard fans still remember the shift toward action and quick-time events, even as they marvel at the atmosphere, staging, and gameplay that defined the original release.
Today, the fourth entry remains compelling. A 2019 playthrough underscored how the game continues to delight, even as older textures, model quality, and design choices like aiming while moving coexist with the memory of a more streamlined experience. The gap between the original look and a potential full remake stays on players’ minds.
The trailer for the remake echoes a colder, village-centric mood. Rustic interiors and familiar architectural flourishes nod to earlier installments. Performance appears to vary in textures, suggesting areas a remake could refine. Elements borrowed from late-generation re-releases seem to influence the current vision. Fans hope the final product will smooth out rough edges.
Beyond upgraded visuals, Capcom pledged a tighter narrative and refined gameplay mechanics. The plan is to wrap up the story while making Ashley less burdensome and streamlining combat. The release window pointed to early 2023 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, inviting a new generation to experience a classic from a fresh angle.
What is your opinion of the original Resident Evil 4?
Spider-Man: Now on PC
Sony continues expanding its PC catalog beyond console exclusives. After successful PC debuts for God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Days Gone, Spider-Man joins the lineup. On August 12, PC players will swing through New York, confront Electro and Octavius, and help Mary Jane in peril.
While the State of Play window didn’t reveal full details, Spider-Man: Miles Morales is also slated for PC later in the fall, broadening the web-slinger’s reach beyond consoles.
Strayed: A Fluffy Cat in a Futuristic World
Strayed follows a feline protagonist who has lost its family and finds itself in a dangerous, neon-lit city of the future where robots roam the streets and cyber mice haunt the sewers. The core question is how the cat can navigate home through a perilous urban maze.
The game emphasizes stealth, requiring the cat to stay out of sight, hide in containers, and traverse precarious platforms. A tempting bowl of milk can briefly distract and refresh the player. The visual design stands out as a bold, artistic portrayal of a futuristic metropolis, making the cat’s journey especially appealing. The release is set for July 19, with PS Plus subscribers on Deluxe and Premium tiers able to try the project at no extra cost.
The Kunickis of art direction crafted a city that invites admiration, positioning Strayed as a highly anticipated project for fans of cute protagonists and stealth gameplay alike.
The Callisto Protocol: A Worthy Replacement for Dead Space
The Callisto Protocol carries the Dead Space tradition forward, created by Glen Schofield, the designer behind the original series. The latest trailer reinforced a brutal, atmospheric experience that aims to deliver the same visceral punch as Isaac Clarke’s nightmares. The setup places a prisoner aboard a disaster-struck spaceship facing a nightmarish landscape filled with threats and horrific encounters.
Visuals, tense animation, horror mood, and claustrophobic tension anchor the experience. It remains one of the year’s most anticipated projects. The game promises a robust horror experience on multiple platforms, with final quality checks expected around the December release window.
The main character must navigate a ship that has crashed into a planet overrun by unknown creatures, scavenging for weapons and cutting down monsters with precision. The design emphasizes nightmarish encounters and relentless suspense, marking it as a standout entry for horror fans.
With its signature atmosphere, The Callisto Protocol continues to attract attention for its potential to redefine modern survival horror.
Roller dream: Rollerblade Shooter
Roll7, famed for its high-velocity gameplay, ventures into full 3D with a fast-paced mix of skating and combat. The new format places a stronger emphasis on platforming and weaponized action, while preserving the studio’s distinctive energy and style.
In Rollerdrome, players speed through arenas, perform daring tricks, and dive into dynamic skirmishes. Enemies return fire, shields rise, bombs erupt, and the rider’s life hangs in the balance. The concept feels fresh with combat mechanics, and players will discover how the game feels in practice on August 16.
Eternights: A Japanese Action RPG About Monsters and Love
Eternights unfolds in a post-apocalyptic setting where a mysterious illness mutates people into threats. The hero fights to avoid transformation, loses an arm, and wields an energy sword as the tool to save the world. The game blends action with quieter moments, hinting at a Persona-like rhythm where the hero experiences everyday life and forms relationships.
The narrative weaves between urgent battles and peaceful interludes, inviting exploration of a world where survival and connection intersect. The release window pointed to 2023, with fans eager to see how combat and character moments balance out.
Street Fighter 6: The Iconic Fighting Game Returns
Street Fighter 6 marks the long-awaited return of a beloved fighting franchise. After a five-year gap from Street Fighter 5, Capcom teased the new entry and offered a glimpse of fresh modes, including the World Tour story and the multiplayer Battle Hub. The game is slated for 2023 with a roster featuring classic icons such as Ryu and Chun-Li returning to the arena.
Tunic: The Little Fox Comes to PlayStation
Tunic arrived on PC and Xbox first, delivering a Zelda-inspired, Dark Souls-influenced adventure that earned praise for its world design and combat. PlayStation owners gain access as of September 27, expanding the fox-centric quest to new audiences. The journey focuses on exploration, challenging battles, and an enchanting atmosphere that deepens every encounter.
Tunic is celebrated for its lush world, tight combat, and memorable boss encounters. A detailed review can highlight the game’s many strengths for curious players.
Season: A Letter to the Future — A Meditative Adventure
Season offers a contemplative journey through a post-apocalyptic landscape. The world once thrived, then disaster struck, and people forgot what life once looked like. The core goal is to explore the world, collect memories, and preserve a fragile legacy. The game emphasizes exploration and dialogue over action, inviting players to reflect on humanity and nature.
This title invites comparisons to journey-driven games, balancing exploration with thoughtful conversations and serene landscapes. The release date was aimed at 2022, inviting players who seek a reflective, nonviolent experience to immerse themselves.
Final Fantasy 16: A Square Enix Return
Final Fantasy 16 arrived with mixed early reactions, yet developers maintained confidence in the project. While some textures and effects drew scrutiny early, expectations remain high as the game aims to deliver a rich narrative and exhilarating combat. The team behind the action includes veterans with deep pedigree in the series, fueling anticipation for a bold, cinematic RPG experience.
Early impressions point to a combat system with a broad spectrum of effects, though questions linger about balance and pacing. The developers have earned trust through prior successes, suggesting a promising summer reveal for ardent fans and new players alike.
Resident Evil Village: VR Edition
The prospect of Resident Evil Village entering virtual reality follows the trend set by prior VR adaptations. The trailer hints at a more immersive experience, with realistic environments and new mechanics suitable for VR hardware. The exact release window remains to be confirmed, but the potential for enhanced immersion is evident.
VR players can expect a heightened sense of presence as Ethan encounters familiar threats in a reimagined format. Platform compatibility and dates are still being discussed, but the excitement around VR updates continues to grow.
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Chapter 2 Retaliation — A VR Zombie Killer
The Walking Dead spin-off in virtual reality promises more adrenaline-pumping zombie action. The original Saints & Sinners set a high bar with its tactile, immersive combat and story-driven moments. Chapter 2 Retaliation aims to extend that experience for players craving intense, hands-on encounters with walkers in a VR setting.
No Man’s Sky in VR: 16 Trillion Planets
No Man’s Sky has transformed since its rocky launch into a vast, evolving universe. The next leap explores space exploration and distant worlds through virtual reality, offering players a chance to visit countless planets in an entirely immersive way. The exact release date will be announced later, but the addition of VR support is eagerly awaited by space exploration enthusiasts.
Horizon: Call of the Mountain — A PS VR2 Heavyweight
Horizon Call of the Mountain presents a strong case for PS VR2 as a premier virtual reality experience. The trailer shows climbers scaling towering cliffs, ziplining down ropes, battling scavengers, and braving thunderstorms. A long-neck creature makes an appearance that hints at the scale and wonder the game aims to deliver. The visuals are striking, positioning Horizon as a potential benchmark for VR storytelling.
The development team crafted a visually impressive adventure that underscores the potential of VR on modern hardware. The release date remains to be announced, but many expect it to be a flagship title for the platform.
The summer presentations have only begun, yet the trailers already impressed with bold, cinematic energy. Fans hope for more reveals as the Summer Game Fest continues. What are your thoughts on State of Play and the upcoming summer lineup? Share your impressions in the comments.
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