The biggest week in video game conferences has officially come and gone, starting with Summer Game Fest on 9th June and ending with the Capcom Showcase on 13th June.
For those of you not staying up until the wee hours of the morning to catch the news live on the other side of the world, we’ve compiled all of the biggest announcements, date reveals, and trailers you won’t want to miss.
Summer Game Fest 2023
Mortal Kombat 1 (Sept 19, 2023)
Following the first official gameplay debut of Mortal Kombat 1, creative director Ed Boon joined the stage to share more about the new Kameo Fighter system and the trailer’s nods to previous Mortal Kombat games. Boon also revealed that Jean-Claude Van Damme will finally appear in Mortal Kombat 1 as the voice actor for Johnny Cage, with an exclusive Jean-Claude Van Damme skin coming exclusively to Premium and Kollector’s Editions.
Path of Exile 2 (Date TBA)
The long-awaited sequel to Path of Exile is closer than ever. Two teaser trailers dropped this past week, including the Ngamakanui teaser below and the Aggorat teaser premiered during PC Gaming Show. Not only that, Path of Exile confirmed that the official beta launch date will be announched at ExileCon this 28-29 July (PDT).
Sonic Superstars (Fall 2023)
Sonic Superstars is taking classic to a whole new level with completely refreshed 3D design, and gameplay that supports up to 4 players with drop-in and drop-out local co-op. Players can also earn an Amy Rose skin by signing up for the newsletter before 31st January 2024.
Lies of P (Sept 19, 2023)
Lies of P has a launch date, and it shares it with Mortal Kombat 1. Players who can’t wait a moment longer can play the demo for free from 9th to 27th June 2023, or pre-order the Digital Deluxe Edition to get 72 hours early access and exclusive character skins.
Sand Land (Date TBA)
Sand Land is the latest adventure game from Bandai Namco, based on a short manga series of the same name by the creator of Dragon Ball, Akira Toriyama. Set in a world where humans and demons coexist, players will have to use their wits, brawn, and vehicles to search for a Legendary Spring that will save Sand Land!
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (Nov 9, 2023)
The first of the two Yakuza announcements last week, Like a Dragon Gaiden follows Kazuma Kiryu, now operating under the codename “Joryu”, as he is thrust into conflict by a mysterious figure attempting to drive him out of hiding.
Alan Wake II (Oct 17, 2023)
Following Alan Wake II’s announcement during the PlayStation Showcase, creative director Sam Lake took to the stage to share a first look at gameplay footage for the sequel. He also confirmed that the game will feature two playable characters, with players having the freedom to swap between characters at any given time.
Baldur’s Gate 3 (Aug 31, 2023)
Players got their first glimpse of the villain Gortash in the brand new trailer for Baldur’s Gate 3. What’s even better, the new character is voiced by Jason Isaacs a.k.a. Lucius Malfoy from the Harry Potter movies.
Spider-Man 2 (Oct 20, 2023)
Creative director at Insomniac Games, Bryan Intihar, joined the stage to share the final box art for Spider-Man 2 featuring both Peter Parker and Miles Morales front and center. He also confirmed that Eddie Brock will not be Venom, as part of their efforts to tell an original Spider-Man story with the games.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Early 2024)
Players were treated to a first glimpse of the gameplay and story for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth in a brand new trailer. Launching exclusively for the PS5 in early 2024, Rebirth will be the second game in the Final Fantasy VII remake project. Earlier in the conference, the Final Fantasy team also revealed a brand new mobile game, Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis which is now open for pre-registration.
Day of the Devs
Viewfinder (July 18, 2023)
Reminiscent of games like Moncage and Superliminal, Viewfinder is a puzzle game where you use the photographs you take to reshape your reality. The game’s trailer appeals to the creative gamers out there, teasing hours of sandbox-esque fun as you travel through this strange world.
Cocoon (Date TBA)
From the mind of Jeppe Carlsen, the lead gameplay designer of Inside and Limbo, comes a new experience that can only be described as “Inception, but cosmic”. Cocoon is an adventure game where players traverse worlds within worlds to solve puzzles and unravel a greater cosmic mystery.
Eternights (Sept 21, 2023)
Two genres you never thought you’d see together: Hack and Slash & Dating Sim. Well, Eternights is here to change that. This dating action game features five romanceable characters, post-apocalyptic scavenging, dungeon crawling, and fully 2D animated cutscenes.
Devolver Direct
The Talos Principle 2 (2023)
Almost a decade later, The Talos Principle returns for another round of philosophical mysteries and mind-bending metapuzzles, set in a beautiful world where biological humanity is extinct. And yes, there are multiple endings. Why do you ask?
Baby Steps (2024)
From the creators of Ape Out and Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy comes a truly unholy creation. Baby Steps is a literal walking simulator with physics-based gameplay, where you hike the serene mountainside, fall in love with the local fauna, and try to find meaning in a wasted life — one step at a time.
Wholesome Direct 2023
Moonstone Island (Fall 2023)
Moonstone Island is a creature-collecting life-sim with a procedurally generated open world and over 100 islands to explore. There’s no limit to what you can do; from growing your farm and taming spirits, to decorating your home and going on dates. Every possibility is but a stone’s throw away.
Lakeburg Legacies (July 20, 2023)
What if love was your most precious resource? In Lakeburg Legacies, play as a matchmaker and control the success of your kingdom. Your love matches determine everything from production, trade, housing, and the ultimate happiness of your settlement. Each playthrough is procedurally generated, so no two rulers will be alike.
Venba (July 31, 2023)
The debut title from Visai Games, Venba is a narrative-driven puzzle game where you play as an Indian mom who immigrates to Canada with her family in the 1980s. Follow her culinary quest to restore lost recipes, while she navigates a life filled with love, loss, and family.
Everdeep Aurora (Date TBA)
This one’s for the fans of pixel art platformers. Everdeep Aurora is a gorgeous narrative-driven exploration and platform game inspired by 16-bit aesthetics. You play as Shell, a feline child, who will drill downward into the depths to discover a hidden subterranean world.
The Star Named EOS (Date TBA)
The Star Named EOS is a narrative puzzle game about photography and capturing the fleeting moments that shape our lives. Through exploring unique panorama environments, solve puzzles and recreate photos to experience the memories held within them.
Fields of Mistria (2024)
A spiritual successor to farming sims from the late 90s and onward, Fields of Mistria is a nostalgic and charming life sim that promises magic, romance, and adventure in a world brimming with possibilities.
Future Games Show Summer Showcase
Lords of the Fallen (Oct 13, 2023)
Following a lengthy developmental period, this soulslike dark fantasy RPG finally arrives in October — on Friday the 13th, nonetheless. The trailer previews 3 minutes of gameplay footage and stunning graphics, powered by Unreal Engine 5.
Layers of Fear (June 15, 2023)
The Layers of Fear trilogy wraps up with one final masterpiece, and it looks to be its magnum opus. The launch trailer shows off the power of Unreal Engine 5, paired with 4K resolution, Ray Tracing, and HDR for a terrifyingly realistic experience.
Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical (Aug 3, 2023)
Looking to be one of the most highly anticipated indies of the year, Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical released a new trailer showcasing the game’s romanceable characters, namely Khary Payton as Pan, Troy Baker as Apollo, and Mary Elizabeth McGlynn as Persephone.
Pacific Drive (2023)
In this metaphorical successor to Transporter 3 (and nobody can tell me otherwise), you’re travelling through an anomaly-filled Olympic Exclusion Zone with a car as your only lifeline. Scavenge resources from your surroundings, customise your station wagon, and drive like hell to make it through alive.
Xbox Games Showcase
Star Wars Outlaws (2024)
You heard it right — we’re getting our first ever open-world Star Wars game! Set between the events of Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, you play as Kay Vess and her companion Nix as they fight, steal, and outwit their way to becoming the galaxy’s most wanted. A 10-minute gameplay walkthrough was also showcased during the Ubisoft Forward conference.
33 Immortals (Date TBA)
From the creators of Spiritfarer comes an action-roguelite that no one saw coming. 33 immortals is an online co-op made for 33 players to play at once. No, seriously. Through a “pick-up and raid” matchmaking system, get paired with 32 other players and face the wrath of God in the ultimate fight for eternal life.
Persona 3 Reload (Early 2024)
A remaster of the PlayStation 2 game, Persona 3 Reload will feature a revamped battle system, enhanced audio and gameplay, and all-new English voice acting among other upgrades. The game will also be available Day 1 on Xbox Game Pass.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (2024)
The sequel to Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is arriving next year, and Ninja Theory had a sneak peek for us. The short cinematic trailer shows Senua exploring a cave while voices continue to assault her mind. The game will also be available Day 1 on Xbox Game Pass.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Early 2024)
A direct sequel to Yakuza: Like A Dragon, Kasuga Ichiban and Kazuma Kiryu are the dual playable protagonists of Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Little else is known about the game so far, although the teaser trailer was pretty, um, revealing.
Persona 5 Tactica (Nov 17, 2023)
Persona 5 Tactica, a spin-off to Persona 5, will be hitting our shores late this year. With grid-based gameplay similar to XCOM, players will be able to adventure with familiar characters in a completely new way. The game will also be available Day 1 on Xbox Game Pass.
Starfield (Sept 6, 2023)
Starfield is a next-generation open world game set amongst the stars, and also the first new IP from Bethesda Softworks in over 25 years. Players were treated to their first in-depth look at this highly anticipated RPG, including a comprehensive 45-minute deep dive into the game and its mechanics. The game will also be available Day 1 on Xbox Game Pass.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (Sept 26, 2023)
Phantom Liberty is the long-awaited DLC to the base Cyberpunk 2077 game, and it’s looking to add more than just new story and locations to the mix. There will also be massive overhauls to the base game including a reworked cyberware system, new skill trees, and even a new police system to name a few. And if you can’t get enough of Keanu Reeves like the rest of us, make sure to check out this post-show interview.
Metaphor: ReFantazio (2024)
From the creative minds behind Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5 comes a brand new adventure. The short trailer showcases what seems to be an alternate fantasy world, hinting at a larger quest where the fate of the kingdom — and its throne — hangs in balance.
PC Gaming Show
Citizen Sleeper 2 Starward Vector (Date TBA)
It’s been awhile, but Citizen Sleeper returns for a second outing in the dark, corporate-controlled world where the present is bleak and the future is even bleaker. Step into the declining body of a new Sleeper android, explore a new location, and keep your ship and crew going for as long as possible.
Bloomtown: A Different Story (Date TBA)
Bloomtown seems like your typical farming slash life sim, but this cozy village quickly turns dark as children go missing and villagers begin to glitch out. Through turn-based combat and fusing with frightening creatures, you can solve the mystery and save Bloomtown!
Ubisoft Forward
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (Dec 7, 2023)
Set after the events of the first Avatar film, this first-person open-world action adventure game allows you to explore the continent of Pandora and join Na’vi clans as they protect Pandora from the formidable forces of the RDA. Ubisoft also premiered a game overview trailer with more information.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage (Oct 12, 2023)
Inspired by the nostalgia of the first Assassin’s Creed games, Assassin’s Creed Mirage puts you in the shoes of Basim, a cunning street thief who flees everything he’s ever known to join an ancient organisation, The Hidden Ones. Players also got a glimpse at gameplay footage from the upcoming title.
Capcom Showcase
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess (Date TBA)
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess combines traditional Japanese aesthetics with unique gameplay mechanics to create an incredible world where both spirits and mortals exist. You play as the guide for the Spirit Stone Maiden, clearing the path of foul creatures called the Seethe so she can perform a rite of cleansing.
Which of these games are you adding to your wishlist? Did we miss any of your picks? Let us know in the comments below!
