Sony’s first State of Play event of 2025 revealed an impressive array of upcoming titles that promise to define the gaming landscape. The presentation, which aired on February 12, delivered a rich tapestry of gaming experiences, with particular emphasis on action-adventure titles and combat-focused gameplay.
Monster Hunter Wilds emerged as one of the presentation’s earliest highlights, showcasing its ambitious open-world design and diverse ecosystem of formidable creatures. The game, scheduled for release on February 28, appears to push the boundaries of the franchise with enhanced graphics and expanded gameplay mechanics that longtime fans and newcomers alike will appreciate.
Sega made a strong showing with the revival of classic properties. The legendary Shinobi franchise is being reimagined in Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, developed by the talented team behind Streets of Rage 4. The game’s striking visual style combines traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern artistic flair, while maintaining the series’ signature fast-paced ninja action. Additionally, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds introduced an innovative dimension-hopping mechanic that allows racers to drive through portals, accessing different realms mid-race.
The presentation featured several notable Japanese titles, including a surprising crossover between Dave the Diver and the Like A Dragon series, bringing the charismatic Ichiban Kasuga into the underwater adventure. The announcement of a new Like A Dragon title set in Hawaii further expanded the beloved franchise’s horizons.
Action game enthusiasts have much to anticipate with Lost Soul Aside, launching March 30. The game showcases ethereal environments and fluid combat mechanics that seem to draw inspiration from classic action titles while forging its own identity. Similarly, Tides of Annihilation and Metal Eden, set for a May 6 release, promise to deliver intense combat experiences with distinct visual styles.
Horror fans weren’t left out, with Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic continuing the franchise’s tradition of animatronic terror. The atmospheric The Midnight Walk, launching May 8, offers a fresh take on first-person horror with VR compatibility, while Directive 8020 channels the tension of classic space horror when it releases on October 2.
Nostalgia played a significant role in the showcase, with the announcement of an ambitious Onimusha 2 remaster arriving May 23, followed by a completely new entry in the series, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, scheduled for 2026. The highly anticipated Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater remake, featuring David Hayter’s iconic voice work, received an August 28 release date.
Looking further ahead, Housemarque’s mysterious new project Saros, starring Rahul Kohli, closed the show with an intriguing teaser that suggests an evolution of the studio’s work on Returnal. The game is slated for a 2026 release and appears to maintain the studio’s reputation for creating visually stunning and mechanically complex games.
The showcase also addressed the growing trend of live service games with Splitgate 2 announcing an alpha demo for February 27, while Borderlands 4, set for September 23, promises to refine the series’ signature gunplay mechanics.
For PlayStation Plus subscribers, the classics catalog expansion brings beloved titles including the original Armored Core trilogy and Patapon 3, offering a nostalgic journey through gaming history.
While some fans might have hoped for news about particular flagship Sony franchises, the presentation demonstrated the platform’s commitment to diverse gaming experiences. From action-packed adventures to horror titles and classic remakes, the showcase painted a promising picture of PlayStation’s gaming future, with releases scheduled throughout 2025 and beyond.
The State of Play event ultimately reinforced Sony’s strategy of balancing new intellectual properties with beloved franchises, while maintaining strong relationships with both western and Japanese developers. This approach suggests an exciting year ahead for PlayStation gamers, with something to offer for virtually every gaming preference.
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