What is State of Play?
State of Play is essentially Sony’s way of getting the gaming community excited about upcoming releases:
“State of Play is our video program, showcasing all the latest updates, announcements, and new trailers from the world of Playstation.”
You can watch State of Play on various streaming platforms, including Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook. Depending on the platform, you can typically see a recording later if you miss the live stream. The latest State of Play was held on September 13, 2022.
We haven’t had a State of Play for about half a year, so anticipation has been pretty high. Check out all the games that were announced in the September 2022 State of Play!
Tekken 8 – PS5 – TBD
The September State of Play launched with a bang, with a new port in the Tekken series! The trailer highlighted beautiful visuals which take advantage of the powerful PS5 hardware.
Background details are extraordinary in this trailer. The wind and rain have a satisfying look and it’s tough not to be distracted by the artwork.
Tekken 8 is in development and doesn’t have a release date planned, but we’ll keep you posted when we hear more!
Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge – PSVR 2 – 2023
VR is still a growing space, but the realm of Star Wars has great potential for this technology. In Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge Enhanced Edition – that’s a mouthful – you’ll blast your way through virtual baddies and become a hero!
The trailer shows some of your favorite characters, like C-3PO, and the ability to wield common Star Wars weapons. Graphics look great for a VR title, but the experience really comes down to how effective and precise the motion controls are.
Look out for more Star Wars news next year as we get closer to launch!
Demeo – PSVR 2 – 2023
This State of Play had a second VR game to showcase. Demeo is a deck-building strategy game with a strong tactical component to the gameplay.
This tabletop dungeon crawling game features cross-play, eye tracking support, and a promise of “deep immersion”. Developer Resolution Games has a 2023 release planned, so we should be able to get our hands on this one soon.
Like a Dragon: Ishin! – PS4 and PS5 – February 2023
The State of Play announcer said this game is being rebuilt from the ground up, which means we should see even tighter gameplay in this Yakuza spinoff. Our protagonist, Sakamoto Ryoma, is looking for revenge and will take out anyone in his way.
There’s hacking, shooting, bullet-slicing, plenty of gore, and an intense soundtrack. We’re only a few months away from getting to experience this story on the PS4 and PS5!
Hogwarts Legacy – PS4 and PS5 – February 10, 2023
This is one of the highly-anticipated games for 2023 that have received a ton of attention. Hogwarts Legacy is an action RPG set in the wizarding world of your favorite Potter.
Interestingly, Playstation fans are getting an exclusive quest in this version of the game. It includes an additional dungeon, shopkeeper’s cosmetic set, and in-game Hogsmeade shop.
You can pick up a physical or digital copy of Legacy on PS4 and PS5 starting February 10.
Pacific Drive – PS5 – 2023
The trailer for Pacific Drive got my heart rate up. It’s the type of zombie apocalypse scenario that you’ve probably talked about with your friends.
The short clip shows you driving across broken streets, with undead walkers and other creatures to navigate around. Pacific Drive is described as a “first-person driving survival game”, but it’s unclear what else is in store for you.
Look for this title on the PS5 next year!
PlayStation Stars
This isn’t a game, but it was highlighted in the September State of Play. It’s a reward system that grants you digital collectibles. They remind me of the trophies that you collect in the Super Smash bros series.
It’s free to join and will begin to roll out in Asia in late September. It’ll launch in the Americas and Europe sometime before the end of the year.
Synduality – PS5 – 2023
In Synduality, you and an AI partner explore a post-apocalyptic world. You’ll mine resources, battle intense beasts, and make new discoveries.
This game feels like No Man’s Sky meets Mech Warrior meets Final Fantasy. Synduality is sure to appeal to JRPG fans, with an emotional soundtrack and dazzling effects. Look out for this title next year (it’ll also launch on Xbox Series X|S and PC).
Stellar Blade – PS5 Exclusive – 2023
In Stellar Blade, previously Project EVE, you’re on a quest to save the Earth. This is one of two PS5 exclusives announced at the September State of Play.
I know I’ve made a bunch of comparisons already, but this game looks like Bayonetta meets Dark Souls. The fighting animations are complex and there seem to be a bunch of different weapon types.
Test your skills next year when Stellar Blade launches exclusively on the PS5!
Rise of the Ronin – PS5 Exclusive – 2024
Team Ninja, the developer of Ninja Gaiden and Nioh, is bringing us an action game set in Bakumatsu-era Japan. It’ll be difficult not to compare this to Ghost of Tsushima, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
In this second PS5 exclusive, we see glimpses of melee combat, horseback exploration, and potential beheadings. We’re still a couple of years away from launch, so stay tuned for more details next year.
God of War Ragnarok Controller – PS5 – November 9, 2022
Of course they saved the best for almost last in this State of Play: we’re getting a new God of War limited edition controller! Fans of the series will be drawn to the thematic colors and the iconic symbol on the PS button. This could make for a great holiday gift for the God of War enthusiast in your life!
God of War Ragnarok – PS4 and PS5 – November 9, 2022
The real closer is the actual God of War game on the horizon. The last game earned a slew of awards, and this new entrant is poised to do the same. It’s likely that this will be one of the best titles on the PS5.
We get more epic combos, interactions with ‘boy’, and some of the most violent monsters out there. You can pre-order God of War Ragnarok now and jump into the new story in less than two months!
September State of Play Grade: B+
As expected, Sony showed a solid combination of indie titles and AAA games in the September State of Play. The new God of War game was the showstopper, but I’m still anxiously awaiting news of the new multiplayer mode in The Last of Us Part 2.
Overall, the roadmap is looking pretty good for Sony’s next-gen console. You can watch the entire presentation below if you’ve got about 20-minutes free!
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1590183425
What games are you most excited about? Is there anything that you wish PlayStation had covered in this month’s State of Play? Join the conversation in the comments section!
