Sony Interactive Entertainment premiered their PlayStation Showcase 2023 today, focusing on the upcoming Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and many other highly anticipated and surprise releases.
Naturally, most people were expecting Spider-Man 2, and that Alan Wake 2 would be coming at some point. However, the surprising announcement of Phantom Blade Zero turned a lot of heads.
You can check out all the announcements at the PlayStation Showcase 2023 below:
The PlayStation Showcase 2023 Announcements List
Fairgame$
Kicking things off, we got a sneak peek at Haven Studios’ fresh project – a competitive heist game, slated for release on PS5 and PC. The launch date for Fairgame$ remains under wraps for now. The teaser trailer, though lacking detailed gameplay information, hints at a thrilling premise.
Teams compete to break into opulent rooms, aiming to redistribute wealth from the mega-rich. They strive to snatch the loot before their rivals, adding a competitive edge to the game.
You can check out more information on the game here.
Helldivers 2
Excitement is in the air as Arrowhead Game Studios announces a sequel to their well-revered game. Stepping up from the original, Helldivers 2 transitions from its predecessor’s top-down shooter format into a detailed 3rd person perspective. Despite this shift, the trailer reassures fans that the game’s beloved theme and familiar-looking alien adversaries remain intact.
As a galactic peacekeeper, you’re tasked with defending your home planet, propagating democratic values, and liberating hostiles – all by force, if necessary. With a range of superpowered weapons at your disposal and customisable loadouts, the gameplay further spices up with the ability to call in stratagems.
From the recent announcement, this game tops my list of eagerly anticipated titles, as I fondly recall the original Helldivers. Helldivers 2 launches on PS5 and PC this year, and you can view more information on the game here.
Immortals of Aveum
Players will embark on a thrilling journey in the stunning lands of Aveum with Immortals of Aveum, a single-player first-person magic shooter packed with action. This game’s unique prospect provides spell-based combat and compels players to strategically select their spells.
Brace yourself for challenging encounters with powerful bosses, formidable battlemages, and fantastical beasts that will push your skills to their utmost limits. The breathtaking landscapes and meticulous detail of Aveum beckon you to explore its depths and immerse yourself in its enchanting world.
Developed by Ascendant Studio, an independent AAA team led by Bret Robbins. The game launches on PlayStation 5 on July 20, 2023.
Ghostrunner 2
In a surprising revelation, Ghostrunner 2, shrouded in secrecy until now, made an appearance. Set a year after the first game, it returns you to the intriguing world of Ghostrunner. Yet, this time around, expect to explore beyond just Dharma Tower. Luckily, this sequel promises to retain everything from the original while introducing even more exciting features.
Stephen Takowsky, the Ghostrunner Community Manager at 505 Games stated, “Get ready to face off against some of the toughest opponents you’ve ever encountered in a video game.” Yay, we can’t wait…
Ghostrunner 2 is set to launch in 2023 on PlayStation 5.
Phantom Blade Zero
Phantom Blade Zero follows the story of Soul, an elite assassin serving “The Order,” a mysterious and influential organisation. After being framed for the murder of The Order’s leader, Soul is left gravely wounded and faces a dire predicament: a mystical healer saves his life but provides a temporary cure that will last only 66 days. Now, Soul must embark on a perilous journey, battling formidable enemies and unearthly creatures while uncovering the mastermind behind the conspiracy before time runs out.
Phantom Blade Zero offers a semi-open world experience, featuring multiple expansive maps filled with meticulously crafted activities. Within this unforgiving and bleak world, players will face numerous challenges and powerful adversaries, with rewards ranging from weapons and armour to artifacts, skills, and character progression options.
There is currently no release date information on Phantom Blade Zero.
Sword of the Sea
Giant Squid introduced a brand-new game called Sword of the Sea, with a very familiar art style that is loved from previous games Abzu, The Pathless and Journey. We were again presented with stunning visuals and beautiful sounds from this studio.
Sword of the Sea features the Hoversword, which looks like a snowboard, skateboard and hoverboard combined all in the shape of a sword. Set in a desolate world, you are tasked with restoring it to life by exploring submerged ruins and cultures within.
Sword of the Sea will release on PS5, so stay tuned for updates and release dates.
The Talos Principle 2
A sequel to Croteam’s philosophical puzzler will launch later this year in 2023 on PS5. It has been advertised as being “greatly” expanded upon all the things that were loved in the original.
There will be many more mind-bending puzzles to solve, a more surreal environment to explore and a much deeper story to become entangled with.
The Talos Principle 2 launches later this year on PlayStation 5.
Neva
Nomada Studio revealed their new game, Neva, with a heartfelt emotional trailer.
It tells the moving tale of a woman and her companion wolf as they adventure through a rapidly dying world. Filled with stunning artwork and music, this looks like a gorgeous game to explore. Players will tackle puzzles and combat challenges while dealing with enemies in this 2D platformer.
Neva is expected to be released on PS5, PC, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch in 2024.
Cat Quest: Pirates of the Purribean
Cat Quest, a well-loved action RPG series renowned for its charming feline-themed world and engaging real-time combat, is expanding with a thrilling new entry, Cat Quest: Pirates of the Purribean. This eagerly-anticipated instalment will come to both PS5 and PS4 next year
A large part of Cat Quest: Pirates of the Purribean is the ability to sail the seas to wherever you want in your own pirate ship. There are also some new improvements such as weapon swapping and also the ability to start ship-to-land combo attacks on an enemy.
Foamstars
Foamstars is an exciting upcoming 4v4 party shooter for PS5 and PS4, produced by Square Enix, that introduces a fresh twist to the genre by utilising foam in combat. As showcased in the newly released announcement trailer, players can engage in dynamic foam battles that are accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
The concept isn’t limited to offensive uses; foam can modify the terrain when shot onto the ground, adding a strategic element to the game. Players can creatively employ foam for various purposes such as constructing foam fortresses for enhanced vantage points, surfing on suds for swift battlefield navigation, or using it defensively against enemy assaults.
The development team is currently hard at work, eagerly preparing for the game’s release, but there is no release date as of yet.
The Plucky Squire
The Plucky Squire is an immersive adventure game set in Mojo, a storybook land of creativity. Players control Jot, a courageous adventurer and best-selling author of his exploits, who’s grappling with his newfound storybook existence while combating a villain aiming to control his narrative.
The game features a colourful cast of characters, including Jot’s friends: the artistic witch-in-training Violet, the drumming mountain Troll Thrash, and Moonbeard, an eccentric sorcerer DJ who guides Jot on his journey.
The Plucky Squire will release on PS5 later this year.
Teardown
Teardown, a voxel-based heist game, is slated for a PlayStation 5 release by the end of 2023, as announced by Tuxedo Labs CEO, Marcus Dawson. The game utilises a custom voxel engine that supports intricate features such as raytracing and physics-based destruction, promising unique haptics for the DualSense wireless controller.
Players will navigate a destructible environment, where the feel of smashing through different materials will be distinct. The game commences with a 40-mission campaign where players run a struggling business, Löckelle Teardown Services, and resort to accepting shady jobs involving demolishing buildings, stealing safes, and committing insurance fraud.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Remake
The long-anticipated remake of the iconic game, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, has been officially confirmed and unveiled under the new name Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. The announcement premiered during the Showcase, featuring a visually stunning trailer for the upcoming release.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is slated to be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X / S, and Windows PC via Steam, according to a Konami press release, although no release date has been specified yet.
Alongside this exciting news, a reissue of the first three Metal Gear Solid games, including Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and Snake Eater, will be released this autumn on PS5 under the collection title Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1.
Towers of Aghasba
Dreamlit Inc. is poised to revolutionise the open-world builder genre with its first game, Towers of Aghasba. As players return to the ancestral land of Aghasba, they are tasked with helping their tribe rebuild a lost civilisation on their fantasy island.
In an innovative twist, you must balance the expansion of their settlements with nurturing the island’s mystical ecosystem, a dynamic that sets Towers of Aghasba apart from other building games. Moreover, players can express their creativity through the construction of structures that celebrate their tribe’s history, with each village offering unique items, tools, and buildings.
Towers of Aghasba is set to release on PlayStation 5 in the summer of 2024. Dreamlit has assured fans to expect more surprises in the months leading up to the release, hinting at exciting developments to come.
Final Fantasy 16
The launch trailer for Final Fantasy 16, “Salvation,” was revealed today and showed off the absolutely stunning world of Valisthea.
The trailer teases a narrative full of intrigue and tension, as it questions whether the legacy of the crystals has manipulated the world’s destiny for too long. Offering a wealth of new information, including formidable adversaries and novel locations, the launch trailer promises an exciting adventure.
Final Fantasy 16 releases on June 22 on PS5 as a timed exclusive.
Alan Wake 2
Building upon the success of its predecessor, Alan Wake 2 promises to deliver a true next-generation gaming experience on the PlayStation 5 (PS5) platform. The game is developed using Remedy’s powerful Northlight engine, ensuring stunning visuals that bring the story, action, and environments to life.
Alan Wake 2 offers players the freedom to choose their path through the intertwined stories of Wake and Anderson. As their journeys overlap and intertwine, players will navigate through unique and meticulously crafted locations, including the small town of Bright Falls, the mysterious Cauldron Lake and its surrounding primordial forest, the dilapidated town of Watery, and the shifting and looping reality known as the Dark Place.
Alan Wake 2 will release on October 17 for PlayStation 5. You can read more about the game here.
Assassins Creed Mirage
During the PlayStation Showcase, Ubisoft revealed that the latest game in the infamous franchise, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, is on its way.
The game follows Basim, a skilled Assassin, as he hunts down targets using stealth and lethal techniques. The trailer showcases the vibrant city of Baghdad, allowing players to utilise Basim’s parkour abilities. Developed by Ubisoft Bordeaux, known for the Wrath of the Druids expansion for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Mirage pays homage to the series and the first Assassin’s Creed. Players will embody Basim Ibn Is’haq, voiced by Lee Madjoub and Eyad Nassar in the Arabic version, in a narrative-driven action-adventure set in ninth-century Baghdad.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage will launch on October 12, 2023, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC via Epic Games Store and Ubisoft Store.
Revenant Hill
Revenant Hill is about chronicling the trials of Twigs, a cat thrust from its barn home into a log near an empty graveyard. In a world undergoing massive shifts, Twigs navigates farming, explores mysterious terrains, and forms bonds with various entities – neighbours, witches, demons, and more – all while aiming to become a licensed witch’s familiar.
Brought to life by The Glory Society, a cooperative game development team committed to fostering egalitarianism, Revenant Hill is a captivating mix of adventure and community-building, currently in development for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink
Cygames brings closer the much-anticipated worldwide release of Granblue Fantasy: Relink on PS5 and PS4, slated for Winter 2023.
Set in the Sky Realm, an enchanting world of floating islands, the protagonist, accompanied by Vyrn, a feisty dragon, and Lyria, a young girl with mystical abilities, embarks on a quest for Estalucia, a legendary island.
The plot unfolds in Zegagrande Skydom, a place where islands are protected by primal beasts and rumours about the Church of Avia echo with the winds. Granblue Fantasy: Relink, an action RPG, offers thrilling co-op mode battles and introduces a dynamic single-player mode with CPU-controlled allies.
Street Fighter 6
To celebrate the near release of Street Fighter 6, Capcom shared a new World Tour-focused trailer highlighting the story mode of the game. Furthermore, Capcom also highlighted upcoming bonuses for those who pre-order the game.
Street Fighter 6 will be released June 2nd on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam.
Ultros
Swedish-based studio Hadoque unveiled their debut game, Ultros, during the PlayStation Showcase.
This exploration-adventure sci-fi game offers deep lore, meta themes, and a captivating mystery. Players will immerse themselves in the game’s vibrant world to uncover the truth. Ultros features a loop-based gameplay mechanic, where each run reveals secrets and unlocks abilities on a branching skill tree. Renowned artist El Huervo’s eccentric art style, with hand-drawn art and dynamic zooming, creates a hypnotic visual experience. The game’s music breaks tradition by using analog instruments and sounds of nature recorded in Peru.
Ultros combines close-combat battles with a “dance of death” and a peaceful aspect of tending to the ecosystem and planting seeds. Launching exclusively on PS5 and PS4, Ultros is set to release in 2024.
Towers of Fantasy
The cyberpunk open-world RPG, Towers of Fantasy, is launching on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 this summer.
The game invites players into a vast realm of exploration and adventure. Here, you can shape your own character, kick off your journey as a Wanderer in Aesperia’s lush wastelands, and then venture into Vera. Players can collaborate with friends or guildmates, explore the amusement park, or unravel the world’s secrets independently.
We expect more details on the game to release in the coming months.
Dragons Dogma 2
The first trailer and details for Dragon’s Dogma 2 were announced. The inaugural title in this series, released in 2012, carved a niche for itself in the action-RPG space. Its distinctive system created a sense of companionship with pawns, enigmatic otherworldly beings, and its sleek action and combat.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 expands on these features, further enhancing the immersive fantasy world that awaits your adventures. The game spins a tale of a hero rising from an underground gaol, called upon by the Dragon to fulfil their destiny.
New advancements in graphics, AI, and physics technology further enrich this fantastical world. Whether you’re wielding swords, chanting magick, or encountering beast-like creatures, Dragon’s Dogma 2 promises a captivating journey.
Marathon
In their first new game announcement in a decade, Bungie has unveiled Marathon, a sci-fi PvP extraction shooter set on the lost colony of Tau Ceti IV, where players assume the roles of cybernetic mercenaries called Runners.
Seeking wealth, fame, and infamy, players will engage in intense multiplayer battles. Marathon aims to blend elements of the original Marathon games with a fresh vision, offering a thrilling experience for both new players and longtime fans. Bungie plans to incorporate player-driven storytelling and persistent, evolving zones, where actions have a lasting impact on the world.
The game is currently being developed for PlayStation 5 and PC, with full cross-play and cross-save functionalities. Although further details are yet to be revealed, Bungie is actively recruiting and eagerly preparing to showcase gameplay soon.
Destiny 2 – The Final Shape
Bungie revealed a sneak peek into its upcoming expansion, Destiny 2: The Final Shape, set to wrap up the decade-long Light and Darkness Saga. In a brief teaser trailer, fans witnessed a surprise cameo from the much-loved character, Cayde-6. Cayde, the Hunter Vanguard who met a tragic end in Destiny 2: Forsaken, returns with Nathan Fillion once again voicing the role.
The next opportunity for Destiny fans to delve deeper into The Final Shape expansion arises during the Destiny 2 Showcase. Scheduled for August 22, this live-streamed event will unfold on Bungie channels.
Concord
Firewalk Studios, recently acquired by PlayStation Studios, has announced the title of their upcoming game: Concord.
Revealed at the PlayStation Showcase, Concord is a PvP multiplayer first-person shooter scheduled for release on PS5 and PC in 2024. Firewalk Studios aims to create connections and foster social play through the power of games, seeking to deliver exciting and shared experiences. Concord will feature a vibrant universe, diverse characters, and the promise of new adventures and stories with each login. More details about Concord will be unveiled leading up to its launch next year.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Sony left the best till last with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 finally receiving gameplay footage after it was teased in 2021.
Kraven the Hunter makes his debut, and he’s on the hunt for an equal. With a rogue’s gallery of villains and the Spider-Men, Peter Parker and Miles Morales, in his sights, trouble looms over Marvel’s New York.
The gameplay reveal showcases Peter in the highly coveted Black Suit, showcasing his powerful Symbiote abilities and slightly aggressive Venom-esque attitude. Meanwhile, Miles joins the action with his blue bioelectric powers. Players can seamlessly switch between both Spider-Men and explore new playable areas.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is set to release in Fall 2023, with more updates on editions and pre-orders coming soon.
PS VR 2 Announcements
The PlayStation Showcase also introduced a number of upcoming games for the PSVR2. Here is everything you can expect:
- Beat Saber is out today on PSVR2 with a new Queen Music Pack
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2 claims to get the heart pumping higher than ever and is coming to PlayStation VR2 in the future.
- Synapse, an immersive action-shooter is coming on July 4, 2023.
- Arizona Sunshine 2 debuted and is set to launch on PSVR2 sometime this year.
- Co-op campaign shooter, Crossfire: Sierra Squad, is coming to PSVR2 this Summer
- Resident Evil 4 is getting even scarier by coming to virtual reality on PlayStation
PlayStation Handheld and Earbuds
During the PlayStation Showcase, Sony revealed a game streaming device and wireless earbuds designed for gaming. However, it’s important to note that this device is not a direct competitor to the Nintendo Switch.
This is a streaming device that allows users to stream games from their PS5 to an 8-inch handheld screen with controller attachments on the sides. It offers a portable gaming experience similar to the Razer Edge rather than the native gaming capabilities of the Steam Deck.
Sony also introduced gaming earbuds compatible with the PS5 and PC, likely to be usable with their streaming device once both products are officially launched. Currently, there is not a lot of information surrounding these products, but we look forward to Sony’s announcement in the future.
That is all the announcements from the PlayStation Showcase 2023. Is there anything that you wish was in the event that you didn’t see? Let us know in the comments below! If you want to watch the showcase yourself, you can check it out here.