PlayStation Showcase - May 24, 2023

[Moonface]

Here's everything that was shown during today's PlayStation Showcase. Sony appears to have not uploaded a video of the actual full showcase, so I can't put that here.

• Fairgame$ | Trailer | PS Blog
  A competitive modern heist game where you team up to break into exotic locations and steal the cargo. The twist? You not only need to outsmart guards and security systems - you also compete against other teams.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
  Release Date: TBA
  
  
• Helldivers 2 | Trailer | PS Blog
  It’s time to take out the alien trash! Join the Helldivers to fight for freedom across a hostile galaxy in third-person co-op shooter operations.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
  Release Date: 2023
  
  
• Immortals of Aveum | Trailer | PS Blog
  Summon your power against a tyrant's army to defeat daunting enemies and towering beasts. Unleash an incredible arsenal of spells to even the odds and save Aveum's future.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
  Release Date: July 20, 2023
  
  
• Ghostrunner 2 | Trailer | PS Blog
  Jack is back and taking on new enemies in the never-before-seen world outside the Dharma Tower. Slice, dodge, and quickly push your way forward in this highly anticipated katana slashing, cyberpunk sequel to restore order and once-again save humanity.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
  Release Date: 2023
  
  
• Phantom Blade Zero | Trailer | PS Blog
  A new Action RPG featuring deep and dark art style, fast paced combat, and a fictitious world blending Chinese martial arts and steampunk. Be the Dark Raider exiled by "The Order", embark on the path of vengeance, and uncover the darkest secrets of Wulin!
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
  Release Date: TBA
  
  
• Sword of the Sea | Trailer | PS Blog
  Surf across the surreal undulating landscapes of the Necropolis on a quest to unveil a lost ocean teeming with life in Sword of the Sea, the next game from the studio behind Abzu, The Pathless, and Journey! Take epic leaps and shred halfpipes on the Hoversword as you explore the remnants of an ancient atmospheric world.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
  Release Date: TBA
  
  
• The Talos Principle II | Trailer | PS Blog
  A thought-provoking first-person puzzle experience that greatly expands on the first game's philosophical themes and stunning environments with increasingly mind-bending challenges.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
  Release Date: 2023
  
  
• Neva | Trailer | PS Blog
  From the team behind the critically acclaimed Gris, experience the moving tale of a young woman and her lifelong bond with a magnificent wolf as they embark on a thrilling adventure through a rapidly dying world.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
  Release Date: 2024
  
  
• Cat Quest: Pirates of the Purribean | Trailer | PS Blog
  Get whiskered away on a hearty catventure as a swashbuckling purrivateer in this open-world action RPG set in the Purribean - a fantastical pirate-themed world swarming with Pi-rats! Alongside your trusty spirit companion, set sail through the Purribean in your very own ship and search for the Northern Star - a long-lost mythical treasure.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
  Release Date: 2024
  
  
• Foamstars | Trailer | PS Blog
  It may look like Square Enix's attempt at a Splatoon clone, but this 4v4 PvP shooter isn't using foam as an ink replacement; instead, the key feature of this title is that the uses of foam are creative and versatile. Shooting foam on the ground will cause it to build up, altering the terrain. For instance, players can build up foam fortresses and shoot enemies from the top, surf on suds to traverse the battlefield, or even use foam to defend from enemy attacks.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
  Release Date: TBA
  
  
• The Plucky Squire | Trailer | PS Blog
  Storybook characters discover a three-dimensional world outside the pages of their book and must jump between 2D & 3D realms to save their friends in this charming action-adventure.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC
  Release Date: 2023
  
  
• Teardown | Trailer | PS Blog
  Prepare the perfect heist in this simulated and fully destructible voxel world as Teardown comes to consoles later this year. Tear down walls with vehicles or explosives to create shortcuts. Stack objects to reach higher. Use the environment to your advantage in the most creative way you can think of.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
  Release Date: 2023
  
  
• Metal Gear Solid 3 Delta: Snake Eater | Trailer
  Discover the origin story of iconic military operative Snake and begin to unravel the plot of the legendary Metal Gear series. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater brings unprecedented new graphics, immersive stealth action gameplay and sounds to its riveting story as players once again return to the world of Metal Gear. What a thrill!
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
  Release Date: TBA
  
  
• Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1
  Metal Gear Solid 1, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater will be arriving on current platforms later this year. All three games will be from the HD collection that was released back in 2011. Konami also specifies this as "the first in a new collection of games from the legendary series", so expect more Metal Gear Solid titles to be ported to current platforms in the future.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, (Xbox Series X/S and PC have not been confirmed yet but are likely considering the MGS3 Remake platforms)
  Release Date: Fall 2023
  
  
• Towers of Aghasba | Trailer | PS Blog
  An action-adventure builder game set in a unique fantasy world. Players are challenged to rebuild their civilization and the ecosystem, maintaining a balance between the two.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
  Release Date: 2024
  
  
• Final Fantasy XVI | Trailer & Discussion Thread | PS Blog
  "We don’t need your salvation. We’ll save ourselves. And we’ll do it on our own terms.” Clive Rosfield and his allies fight to take back control of their fate. What salvation can they bring to Valisthea, a land blessed by the light of the Mothercrystals?
  Platforms: PlayStation 5
  Release Date: June 22, 2023
  
  
• Alan Wake II | Trailer | PS Blog
  A string of ritualistic murders and a supernatural darkness begin to corrupt the locals of the quirky, idyllic small town of Bright Falls. Can Agent Saga Anderson and Alan Wake break free from the desolate horror story they're trapped in and be the heroes they need to be?
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
  Release Date: October 17, 2023
  
  
• Assassin's Creed Mirage | Trailer | PS Blog
  In Assassin’s Creed Mirage, you are Basim, a cunning street thief with nightmarish visions, seeking answers and justice. After an act of deadly retribution, Basim flees Baghdad and joins an ancient organization – The Hidden Ones. As he learns their mysterious rituals and powerful tenets, he will hone his unique abilities, discover his true nature, and come to understand a new Creed – one that will change his fate in ways he never could have imagined.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
  Release Date: October 12, 2023
  
  
• Revenant Hill | Trailer | PS Blog
  It’s 1920 and Twigs the cat has a dream. Find a safe place to sleep. Put down roots. Grow some radishes, get a job, eat mice, do dangerous things with new friends, and build something together in a world falling apart.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC
  Release Date: TBA
  
  
• Granblue Fantasy: Relink | Trailer | PS Blog
  The newest trailer for Granblue Fantasy: Relink introduces two new characters to the roster: Zeta and Vaseraga, both from Granblue Fantasy: Versus. Expect more characters and game features to be revealed in the future!
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC
  Release Date: Winter 2023
  
  
• Street Fighter 6 | Trailer
  Stories don't write themselves. Legends do. Step into World Tour with your avatar to meet the legendary characters who will inspire your journey in finding the meaning of true strength.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, PC
  Release Date: June 2, 2023
  
  
• Ultros | Trailer | PS Blog
  Delve into the depths of Ultros, a cosmic sci-fi exploration adventure. In this psychedelic tale from El Huervo, the creative visionary behind Hotline Miami, you wake up stranded on The Sarcophagus - a giant, cosmic uterus holding an ancient demonic being known as Ultros. Trapped in the eternal loop, you will have to explore The Sarcophagus and meet its inhabitants to understand the part you play in this cycle.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC
  Release Date: 2024
  
  
• Tower of Fantasy | Trailer | PS Blog
  Set hundreds of years in the future on the distant planet of Aida, the shared open-world MMORPG, anime-infused sci-fi adventure Tower of Fantasy is coming to consoles this summer! Players will be able to experience an anime-inspired post-apocalyptic sci-fi art style, freeform character development, and exciting combat through thrilling battles and exciting open-world exploration.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
  Release Date: Summer 2023
  
  
• Dragon's Dogma II | Trailer & Discussion Thread | PS Blog
  The first official trailer for Dragon's Dogma II is here, showcasing the  latest in graphics, artificial intelligence (AI) and physics technology to create a truly immersive fantasy world.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
  Release Date: TBA
  
  
• Five Night's at Freddy's: Help Wanted 2 | Trailer | PS Blog
  Find out if you have what it takes to be Employee of the Month in this all-new, fright-filled VR experience.
  Platforms: PlayStation VR2
  Release Date: 2023
  
  
• Resident Evil 4 Remake | VR Trailer | PS Blog
  Experience the ultimate immersion with the free DLC for the PS5 version of Resident Evil 4, with PlayStation VR2.
  Platforms: PlayStation VR2
  Release Date: TBA
  
  
• Arizona Sunshine II | Trailer | PS Blog
  Prepare to partner up with your furry four-legged companion, Buddy, to fight some Freds in the next-gen sequel to the award-winning VR apocalypse, packing in even more gore-geous zombie action!
  Platforms: PlayStation VR2
  Release Date: 2023
  
  
• Crossfire: Sierra Squad | Trailer | PS Blog
  Drop into the world of Crossfire in VR and feel the impact of this arcade shooter, where you are the leader of an elite paramilitary fireteam within the Global Risk organization facing an unexpected skirmish with the rival Black List organization. Battle a variety of crafty enemies in a relentless search for the truth, and prove why you were selected as the intrepid leader of the most feared special unit in existence – Sierra Squad!
  Platforms: PlayStation VR2
  Release Date: TBA
  
  
• Synapse | Trailer | PS Blog
  From the award-winning team behind Fracked, Phantom: Covert Ops and Far Cry VR: Dive into Insanity comes the next generation of immersive VR action. Unleash your inner anti-hero with deadly weaponry in one hand and expressive telekinetic abilities in the other in a VR action-shooter experience created exclusively for PlayStation VR2. In this latest trailer, the team reveal the launch window and exciting talent behind the game.
  Platforms: PlayStation VR2
  Release Date: July 4, 2023
  
  
• Beat Saber | Trailer | PS Blog
  Beat Saber launches on PS VR2 today with new Queen Music Pack, and owners can upgrade the base game from PS VR to PS VR2 for free.
  Platforms: PlayStation VR2
  Release Date: May 24, 2023
  
  
• Marathon | Trailer | PS Blog
  Bungie has announced its first completely new project in more than a decade: Marathon. A sci-fi PvP extraction shooter, Marathon will find players engaging one another as cybernetic mercenaries known as Runners, exploring a lost colony on the planet of Tau Ceti IV in search of riches, fame, and infamy. Marathon is currently in development for PlayStation 5 and PC with full cross-play and cross-save.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
  Release Date: TBA
  
  
• Destiny 2: The Final Shape | Trailer
  The final chapter of the Light & Darkness Saga is coming. For more, tune in to Bungie’s Destiny Showcase event, arriving on August 22.
  
  
• Concord | Trailer | PS Blog
  A new PVP multiplayer FPS from Firewalk Studios, not that this teaser trailer would ever clue you in on what the heck this game is going to be at all.
  Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
  Release Date: 2024
  
  
• Gran Turismo: The Movie | Trailer
  Trailers for this movie actually came out weeks ago, but I guess Sony wanted to make everyone aware by showing a trailer again for the upcoming Gran Turismo movie, based on a true story.
  Platforms: Movie theaters
  Release Date: August 11, 2023
  
  
• Project Q + PlayStation Earbuds | Sneak Peek & Discussion Thread | 
  Take a sneak peek at two upcoming accessories for PlayStation 5; Project Q, a dedicated handheld streaming device, and the PlayStation Earbuds, offering next generation audio immersion to PS5 and PC, with lossless audio and low latency.
  
  
• Marvel's Spider-Man 2 | Trailer & Discussion Thread | PS Blog
  Closing out the show was an extended first look at gameplay footage from Marvel's Spider-Man 2, involving a chase sequence along the East River involving Kraven the Hunter, Dr. Curt Connors a.k.a. The Lizard, and both of the Spider-Men Peter Parker and Miles Morales. Furthermore, both Spider-Men will be playable in this game and feature new powers, including Parker's new Venom abilities!
  Platforms: PlayStation 5
  Release Date: Fall 2023
  

[ShiraNoMai]

Watching it back again, I'm noticing a trend: there's HUGE focus on describing to you a thing, but when it comes to actually explaining what it actually is, it is on screen for not even 2 seconds before it's gone and onto the next thing. It gives the viewer no time to even absorb whatever they just watched--like a real fucked up take on social media marketing.  Like seriously, pay attention to any screen where the logo or release window is announced and count how many seconds it's on screen for before it's gone. That is a horrible way to present new material to someone, unless you were attempting to focus test (which seems like a horrific idea for mass marketing).

This tweet actually sums up a huge problem with the absence of a true E3:

[Moonface]

Yeah, while writing the OP for this thread after the showcase was done there were a few games where I had no idea what was being shown to me until I read either a video description on YouTube or a post on the PS Blog. Of the stuff shown, these were the ones where I was questioning what was being shown off:

• Foamstars - You could have convinced me this was just a Splatoon ripoff because the uses for foam were poorly illustrated by the trailer to reflect what it actually does. I think a lot of first impressions of this game will have been hurt by the assumption it's just Splatoon.
  
• Granblue Fantasy: Relink - I guess if you're already a fan of this series the trailer worked, but as an outsider I had no idea this was showing off two new characters coming to the game.
  
• Tower of Fantasy - Zero indication it was a port of a game and that it was coming to both PS4 and PS5, nor that it was coming in Summer 2023. Why leave all of that out, especially the date?
  
• Concord - Easily the worst offender of the whole show. An utterly worthless trailer that teased absolutely fuck-all about what the game is going to be.
  

As @ShiraNoMai said, the manner in how the trailers are just one after the other in a sizzle reel that gives no time to digest anything nor better explain any particular game explains why there is no video of the entire showcase on YouTube, because you may as well just slap every trailer in a playlist and watch that if you want to relive the experience. I sometimes really detest the explanations in Nintendo Direct's but at least I know what's being shown to me at practically all times. If I had to go find information about a selection of the games via a blog post then don't bother with the showcase in the first place.


My major gripe with the presentational approach aside, it was at least a decently packed showing. I think the VR segment was the weakest part, not because I don't care for VR but because after RE4 a lot of the games just felt like shovelware or just not really at a level of quality on par to everything non-VR that was shown.

There was quite a few games that got my interest in all of this for me too:

• Phantom Blade Zero - Looks interesting, but I'm not convinced the parrying is going to be like it is in the trailer or if it is, I won't be surprised if it's just hold a button. It's far too rapid to be like Sekiro where you block each individual strike. I also don't get why the enemy just outright misses at 1:46 when the player did nothing but stand there. Seems overall like a trailer with a lot of style going on that makes me wonder how much substance there's going to be.
  
• Sword of the Sea - I was excited at first thinking it was by the studio behind Journey, Flow, and Flower, only to learn afterwards that the company working on this are a developer who split off from thatgamecompany after Journey, and apparently the games they've made haven't been anything on par to how good Journey was, so I'm probably going to make this game a wait and see for how good the final game turns out to be exactly.
  
• The Plucky Squire - Really interested in this one. I love the concept and will definitely grab it if it turns out well on release.
  
• Teardown - Shocked to see this one show up, and amusing to me too because I had only just recently discovered the game through a YouTube video a few weeks ago. Doubt I'd get the game but if I did I'd get it on PC anyway due to the workshop content and custom levels that the console release is going to lack.
  
• Metal Gear Solid 3 Delta: Snake Eater - I hadn't really cared to put any faith in the rumours of MGS3 getting a remake, and up until Snake was revealed I had no idea what this trailer was going to be for. I just hope Konami doesn't fuck it up.
  
• Revenant Hill - I never played Night in the Woods but I've always liked the aesthetic that game has, so I was happy to see another game in that same style.
  
• Dragon's Dogma 2 - Probably the most unexpected new game to show up for me, just because it was only last year Capcom announced the game was happening at all and I was under the impression it wouldn't be until next year before we saw even a CG trailer, let alone a trailer filled with gameplay.
  
• Spider-Man 2 - I forgot about this game entirely by the end of the showcase and was expecting that Last of Us multiplayer game to close the show instead. It wasn't until New York got mentioned that I realised it was Spider-Man because I have no idea who Kraven the Hunter is. 
  

[Dragon Lord]

Not a whole lot of value in this one, as expected.

New trailer + confirmed release window for Granblue Fantasy Re:Link was probably one of the highest points of it. Been very excited for this game for a long while now, and I can't wait to sink my teeth into it at long last. The multiple delays have not killed any of my hype for the game what-so-ever.

Final Fantasy XVI trailer was nice. Game is looking wonderful and it's nice to actually have hope for a mainline FF game for the first time since X. If the game ends up being as good as it looks, then they need to hand the series over to Yoshida full-time, because the guy will have proven himself a god.

Dragon's Dogma 2 trailer was nice.

lmao @ Tower of Fantasy PS4 and PS5 ports. I'm surprised they can even do ports for it since the game is absolutely dead on PC. They failed to be the Genshin Killer they advertised themselves to be on PC, so maybe they think they can do it on PS4/PS5? Maybe they should wait to release these ports at the same time as the 4.0 update for Genshin so they can absolutely fall flat on their face again. KEKW

Square Enix absolutely embarrassing themselves with Foamstars (didn't even think that was possible after all of the NFT bullshit). They better hope FFXVI is able to carry their asses for the next few years (along with FFXIV), because yikes.

In the end though, despite being happy about the GF:RL and DD2 stuff, this was an insta-flop. Wake me up when you're ready to announce something Bloodborne related or Ghost of Tsushima 2, Sony.

[Mr EliteL]

Like I mentioned in the DD2 topic, I completely missed the showcase but looked mostly a waste of time. I would've gotten hyped at watching the DD2 trailer live, Phantom Blade Zero has piqued my interest and possibly Lord of the Fallen which wasn't a part of the showcase, but between the three Action RPGs because that's too many for me, I'll likely lose my interest in the latter. Other than those though, nothing much else. Oh wait, surprised at the MGS 3 Delta: Snake Eater remake. Yeah, hope it doesn't get screwed.

[Moonface]

Square Enix absolutely embarrassing themselves with Foamstars (didn't even think that was possible after all of the NFT bullshit). They better hope FFXVI is able to carry their asses for the next few years (along with FFXIV), because yikes.

Hasn't SE been basically getting carried pretty hard by FF for a while now? It seems to be the only IP they have that consistently brings in a large amount of profit for them.


I did see that the MGS3 remake isn't going to record new lines and as such will use all the original voice actors, so that's good although I hope that doesn't mean Konami won't pay them for the work under the idea that they were already paid for it back when they did the original game. Maybe the VA's get royalties or something from sales of MGS3 in general given the re-releases it's had and will continue to get.