Summer Game Fest 2023: The Biggest Games Announcements
While it seems like the season of game announcements and developer showcases now has no end, the summer’s biggest showcase–Summer Game Fest–has officially wrapped up. During the showcase, several new titles and in depth looks at previously announced were revealed, sufficiently hyping us up for the next year. Here are some of the games we are most excited for, as well as a bit more information on the upcoming titles and some release dates.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
After more than a decade, a new entry in the Prince of Persia series is on the way. The Lost Crown is a side-scrolling, action adventure game that looks like it will appeal to fans of the metroidvania genre. The gameplay shown highlighted a more modern looking protagonist, melee-focused combat, a whole lot of platforming, and plenty of supernatural elements and mythical monsters. The game is slated to release on January 18, 2024.
Mortal Kombat 1
Summer Game Fest brought us our first in-depth look at Mortal Kombat 1, the next entry in the Mortal Kombat series and the start of a new Mortal Kombat universe. Following Liu Kang’s ascent to godhood in Mortal Kombat 11, the iconic character apparently created a new universe filled with familiar faces, including Raiden, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Katana, and Jax. The latest mechanic to be added to the series is the Kameo function, which allows players to select two characters from the roster–a primary fighter and a Kameo fighter–and summon in the cameo to execute special attacks. Naturally, all the series’ iconic fatalities remain intact, though several characters throughout the trailer did not. The game is scheduled to release September 19, 2023.
Sonic Superstars
2D Sonic is back, but with a sleek and stylish 3D art style. Players can choose between Sonic, Knuckles, Tails, and Amy as they race through classic-feeling stages with updated mechanics and fun new ways to play. The game will feature four-player co-op as well as new abilities, like a grapple hook. Sonic Superstars is coming Fall 2023.
Lies of P
Summer Game Fest brought us another look at Lies of P, an upcoming Soulsborne-style game that follows Pinocchio as he navigates the plague-ridden city of Krat. The footage shown highlights grotesque enemies, the game’s umbrella-parry system, and a whale submarine–yes, you read that right. Lies of P is scheduled to release on August 1, 2023.
Alan Wake II
After more than a decade in development, Alan Wake is back. Alan Wake II is billed as Remedy’s first survival-horror title, and based on the Resident Evil-style gameplay shared during Summer Game Fest, we can totally see why. The footage shown follows new character Saga Anderson as she explores an abandoned general store and stumbles across a supernatural entity in a deer mask that takes several bullets to knock down. According to Remedy Studio’s creative director Sam Lake, the upcoming game will follow both Alan and Saga, with each character receiving about 50% of the game’s playtime. Alan Wake II will release on October 17, 2022.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Miles Morales and Peter Parker are back in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. On top of featuring two versions of the iconic hero, the game also boasts a map twice the size of Spider-Man (2018)’s, new villains, and a new mechanic in which gameplay will be impacted by Venom’s symbiote. Summer Game Fest not only gave us a closer look at Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, but a peek at the game’s impressive-looking box art and a release date as well. Spider-Man 2 will hit PlayStation 5 on October 20, 2023.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Dontnod, the studio behind the Life is Strange series, is mixing things up with its next title, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden. Set in a fantasy land inhabited by spectres and supernatural beings, Banishers follows Antea Duarte and Red mac Raith, two lovers who also hunt ghosts together. However, after one of their missions goes terribly wrong, Antea is fatally wounded and turned into a spirit herself, causing the two to have to work through some complex feelings and issues. Keeping in line with Dontnod’s previous games, Banishers will give players the power to make their own choices as they navigate this heartfelt story.
Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is another spin-off title from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the developers behind the Like a Dragon/Yakuza series. Set between Yakuza 6 and Yakuza 8, the game follows Kiryu while he is hiding under the codename Joryu at Daidoji Temple. The gameplay shows a bit more of the game’s plot and beat-em-up combat.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Cloud’s journey continues in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the second entry in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy. Set just after the party leaves Midgar, Rebirth will see the party explore the world map and visit iconic locations from the original game, such as Kalm, Junon, and Cosmo Canyon. While Square Enix is not yet ready to announce the game’s release date, the studio did give us a slighter narrower window. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is headed to PlayStation 5 in early 2024.
