Sony’s ‘State Of Play’ Focused Largely On Other Developers
by Sage Ashford
Sony finally released their long-awaited State of Play, but it wasn’t quite what people hoped for. Rather than focus on all their long-awaited first-party games like Ghost of Yotei, Death Stranding 2, and Wolverine, fans witnessed a string of third-party partnerships. Even there, it wasn’t exactly what anyone would expect, as games like Resident Evil 9 or anything from Square-Enix was nowhere to be found.
Still, through well-respected IP like Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Borderlands 4 and new IP like Metal Eden, Minds’ Eye, and the much-anticipated Lost Soul Aside, the State of Play still contained more than enough to keep the attention of most fans. Especially when the show ended by announcing the next game from famed developer Housemarque, as they return to the roguelike genre with their next game, Saros, due in 2026. Here are some of the biggest titles that appeared at the show.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance – Releases August 29th
The iconic SHINOBI returns in an all-new 2D action platformer with a unique hand-drawn look created by the team behind the hit brawler Streets of Rage 4.
Play as the legendary Shinobi Joe Musashi, master of the ninja arts. After finding your village burned to the ground and your clan turned into stone, you must set off on a quest for vengeance, ready to face an unparalleled evil and avenge your clan.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Race across land, sea, air, space, and time in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds! Warp through Travel Rings into new dimensions where something new awaits around every twist and turn. Speed to victory solo or as a team in a variety of offline and online modes and compete against players from around the world. Build the ultimate machine to match your racing style, unlock gadgets to gain the upper hand, and unleash power-up items for the win!
Lost Soul Aside – Releasing May 30th
Embark on an epic odyssey to save your sister and the whole of humankind from dimensional invaders in Lost Soul Aside – a stylish single player action-adventure RPG. Chain lightning-fast combos, learn new abilities, and upgrade your weapons as you take on formidable enemies and colossal bosses in fast, dynamic combat.
Metal Eden – Releasing May 6th
METAL EDEN is an adrenaline-rush sci-fi FPS. An advanced HYPER UNIT ASKA is sent on a suicide mission to rescue the citizens’ COREs from the vast monolithic city MOEBIUS once a hopeful new home for humanity now turned into a deadly trap. Blast your way through the INTERNAL DEFENCE CORPS in cybernetic warfare, confront the ENGINEERS and uncover the mysteries of the project EDEN.
MindsEye – Releasing Summer 2025
MindsEye is an immersive experience with a mind-bending complex narrative, rich environments, groundbreaking combat, future tech, and high speed chases. Set out on a series of dangerous covert missions to unlock the secrets of your past in a world filled with the persistent threat of artificial intelligence, high-tech experimentation, corporate espionage, political corruption, and an unchecked military.
Borderlands 4 – Releasing September 23rd
Borderlands 4 brings intense action, badass Vault Hunters, and billions of wild and deadly weapons to an all-new planet ruled by a ruthless tyrant. Crash into Kairos as one of four new Vault Hunters seeking wealth and glory. Wield powerful Action Skills, customize your build with deep skill trees, and dominate enemies with dynamic movement abilities.
Note: Borderlands 4 is scheduled to receive its own extended State of Play later in the spring.
Directive 8020 – Releases October 2nd
Earth is dying and humanity is running out of time. 12 light years from home, Tau Cetif offers a small sliver of hope. When the colony ship Cassiopeia crash lands on the planet, its crew soon realize they are far from being alone. Hunted by an alien organism capable of mimicking its prey, the crew of the Cassiopeia must outwit their pursuers to make it home alive. As they battle to survive, they are confronted with the hardest choice of all: to save themselves, they must risk the lives of everyone on Earth.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword – Releasing 2026
Follow the tale of a samurai who wields the Oni Gauntlet, a mystical artifact that grants its bearer the power to slay Genma. Through gritty, blood-soaked brawls, he searches for his reason to fight. What fate awaits at the end of his path?
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater – Releasing August 28th
A remake of the 2004 game METAL GEAR SOLID 3: SNAKE EATER, with the same gripping story and engrossing world, now with all new graphics and 3D audio that enhance the jungle atmosphere. Get ready for the ultimate survival stealth action experience.
Saros – Releasing 2026
Saros is an action game with the haunting story of a lost off-world colony on Carcosa under an ominous eclipse. You play as Arjun Devraj, a powerful Soltari Enforcer who will stop at nothing to find who he is looking for. Our goal is to create an emotional and powerful character study that explores the cost it takes to create a new future.
