The Summer Game Fest online show took place on June 8, and it has largely become the stand-in for the canceled E3. This year’s event highlighted several new games and showcased gameplay trailers for the most anticipated releases of 2023. The following overview covers the highlights in detail.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
An all-new installment in the Prince of Persia series was revealed. It isn’t tied to the sand trilogy or the 2008 title. The game adopts a colorful, cartoon-inspired art style and delivers platforming acrobatics, a refined combat system, and memorable boss battles. A January 18, 2024, launch date was announced.
Is this the Prince of Persia you’ve waited for all these years?
Mortal Kombat 1
The gameplay trailer for Mortal Kombat 1 brought back familiar faces like Liu Kang, Raiden, Mileena, and Kitana. They exchange brutal x-ray attacks and lethal finishing moves. The combat system appears to have evolved only modestly. The title is set for release on September 19. A separate article provides more details.
Some characters have changed significantly, while others remain nearly the same as before.
Path of Exile 2
The conference included a trailer for Path of Exile 2, a free-to-play title that could become a strong competitor to Diablo 4. The games share a dark, hack-and-slash vibe and a similar atmosphere. New details are promised for July 28, with no exact release date announced yet.
Witchfire
Witchfire’s gameplay trailer offered a clear glimpse into The Astronauts’ upcoming project, known for Painkiller and Bulletstorm. It’s a traditional, dark fantasy first-person shooter blending gunplay with magic. The game will launch exclusively on the Epic Games Store on September 20.
Crossfire: Sierra Squad
This multiplayer team shooter targets virtual reality platforms, including SteamVR and PlayStation VR2. The experience promises a fresh, immersive take on competitive action. A release is planned for August this year.
Remnants 2
The sequel to the third-person action game invites players into more locations, new weapons, and broader boss battles. It supports cooperative play for those who want to team up. Remnants 2 is scheduled for July 25.
The original received strong reviews and built a loyal fan base. Fans of Dark Souls-type titles may want to give it a try.
Sonic Superstars
Sonic Superstars was announced by SEGA as a bright, classic platformer. The blue hedgehog speeds through levels with new mechanics, including the ability to clone the character. A fall release is planned.
Sandland
A game adaptation of Akira Toriyama’s manga Sand Land was announced. Players can expect an adventure set in desert environments, off-road races, and gunfights, with a visual style reminiscent of Borderlands. A precise release date has not been announced.
Throne and Freedom
A new MMORPG from Amazon and NCSoft, tied to the Lineage universe. Rather than presenting full gameplay, a CGI trailer was shown. There is no information yet on when the game will launch.
Party Beasts
A playful multiplayer title where tiny toy figures fight in a lively arena setting. The game features a unique physics model, making it a good party pick. Release is planned for September 20.
Crash Team Rumble
A team-based multiplayer title featuring Crash Bandicoot characters. Arena battles will arrive on June 20.
Yes, Your Grace: Snowfall
A follow-up to Yes Your Grace, this pixel-art management game aims to expand the kingdom-building experience with more variety and beauty. A 2024 release is anticipated.
Lies of P
The Lies of P trailer showcases a creative take on Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio, blending soulful steampunk and Victorian aesthetics with a flavor reminiscent of The Order: 1886. A demo is available on all major platforms, with a September 19 release date.
Warhaven
The Warhaven trailer introduces a multiplayer action-RPG with a combat system that evokes Chivalry 2 and For Honor, while also hinting at a Demon’s Souls-like atmosphere. Warhaven will be free on Steam from June 19 to June 26, with a final release date yet to be announced.
Alan Wake 2
The Alan Wake 2 gameplay trailer hints at the series’ signature monster encounters, where light and pistol shots work together to prevail. The Remedy title is planned for an October 17 launch.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marines 2
Footage for the sequel to Space Marines showcases Titus and relentless tyrants in a high-quality third-person shooter. A cooperative mode was announced, with a winter 2023 target window.
John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando
The co-op zombie shooter Toxic Commandos involves John Carpenter as a creative force. It channels Left 4 Dead vibes with a mix of heavy action and horror. A 2024 release was indicated.
Baldur’s Gate 3
The latest Baldur’s Gate 3 trailer highlighted work by Jason Isaacs, known for his role as Lucius Malfoy. The game remains in Early Access and is slated for August 31.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
The trailer for the second Spider-Man game shows Venom in action, with the core swinging and combat feeling familiar to fans of Peter Parker. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 releases exclusively on PlayStation 5 on October 20 this year.
Palworld
A multiplayer action title where players tame diverse creatures, Palworld blends Pokémon-like collection with open-world combat. The game is planned for January 2024.
The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria
This survival title follows the dwarves as they reclaim Moria. The game’s visuals mix cartoon-like charm with a gloomy atmosphere, inviting comparisons to Valheim. A fall release is expected.
Under the Waves
Set underwater, the game follows a diver facing a personal and dangerous mission. August 23 marks the planned release date.
Fae Farm
A farming sim reminiscent of Stardew Valley, with a strong emphasis on online co-op. The release is planned for September 8.
King Arthur: Legends Rise
This shareware RPG features turn-based combat in an Arthurian setting. It is headed to mobile devices and PC, with a release date yet to be confirmed.
Signpost
A vibrant MMORPG that nods to World of Warcraft and Arcane, with Warframe-like gameplay. Early access is planned for this summer.
Lysfanga
The game blends hack-and-slash with strategy. Players rewind time to create an army of clones. A release date has not been announced yet.
Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis
Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis is a mobile remake collection, retelling Crisis Core and other prequels. New episodes roll out monthly. The game is free to start, with loot boxes planned for real money. A concrete release date is still pending.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
From Dontnod, makers of Remember Me and Life is Strange, comes an action title about ghost hunting. The period setting blends magic and firearms, with a planned end-of-2023 release.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
SEGA unveiled a new entry in the Yakuza series, titled Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. The story follows Kazuma Kiryu between the mainline games, with gameplay echoing earlier Yakuza titles. A November 9 release is planned.
Immortals of Aveum
The Immortals of Aveum gameplay preview showcased a magic-focused, first-person shooter influenced by classic titles like Hexen and Heretic. The game is due July 20.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Rebirth is the second part of the planned three-part remake of Final Fantasy 7. The Summer Game Fest gave viewers a three-minute glimpse of the battle system and scenes with familiar characters. It will launch exclusively on PlayStation 5 in early 2024.
Did Summer Game Fest 2023 meet expectations?
All information gathered here reflects the event’s press coverage and official announcements. The showcase demonstrated a wide array of titles spanning action, role-playing, strategy, and co-op experiences in development for various platforms across the Americas.