Home Authors Posts by Mat

Mat

240 POSTS 4 COMMENTS
Founder and chief editor of WePlayGames.net

PlayStation State of Play February 2025: A Deep Dive

Sony PlayStation State of Play 12 February 2025 -Days Gone Remastered Confirmed and be out soon
Sony PlayStation State of Play 12 February 2025 -Days Gone Remastered

Estimated reading time: 16 minutes

The first PlayStation State of Play of 2025 aired on February 12th, 2025, and it was packed with new game reveals, trailers, and release dates. The 40+ minute presentation showcased a diverse lineup of titles coming to PS5 and PSVR 2. Here’s a rundown of everything announced.

Pre-Show Buzz

Leading up to the event, anticipation was high amongst PlayStation fans, with rumors swirling about potential appearances from highly anticipated titles. Many were hoping for updates on upcoming exclusives like Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and Ghost of Yotei, both expected to release in 2025 . A GameStop placeholder page sparked speculation about a new Digimon game called “Digimon Story Time Stranger,” further fueling the excitement . There were even whispers of Hellblade 2, an Xbox exclusive, potentially making its way to the PS5.

Monster Hunter Wilds

Kicking off the show with a roar, Capcom debuted the launch trailer for Monster Hunter Wilds, developed and published by Capcom . The trailer showcased the game’s breathtaking environments and the formidable creatures that inhabit them, emphasizing the thrill of the hunt and the satisfaction of taking down colossal beasts. Players can also look forward to a free update coming this spring, adding even more content to this action-packed RPG .  

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Publisher Sega and developer Lizardcube announced a stylish new 2D action game with a captivating hand-drawn aesthetic, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance . The trailer depicted a quest for vengeance, with fast-paced combat and a unique visual style. The protagonist, a master shinobi, wields a variety of weapons with lethal precision, showcasing the fluidity and depth of the combat system . Mark your calendars for August 29th, 2025, when this intriguing title arrives on PlayStation platforms .  

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

Confirming the rumors that had been circulating online, Sega announced Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega . The trailer showcased vibrant visuals and high-octane racing gameplay, promising a thrilling experience for fans of the blue blur. With races taking place across land, sea, and air, even venturing into different dimensions through “Travel Rings,” this new entry in the Sonic racing series looks to be a wild ride .  

Digimon Story Time Stranger

Those Digimon rumors were true! Bandai Namco officially revealed Digimon Story Time Stranger, a new JRPG adventure coming to PS5, published by Bandai Namco and developed by Media.Vision . The trailer showcased a captivating world where players can collect and raise a diverse array of Digimon, engaging in turn-based battles and exploring a narrative that spans across worlds and time . The story follows Kesa and her Digimon companion as they journey through dimensions, encountering gods, heroes, and monsters of bygone eras .  

Lost Soul Aside

A new gameplay trailer for Lost Soul Aside, developed by UltiZero Games and published by SIE , offered a deeper look at this highly anticipated action RPG. The trailer highlighted the game’s fast-paced combat, drawing comparisons to the stylish action of Devil May Cry . Developed by UltiZero Games, Lost Soul Aside is poised to be a strong contender in the action RPG genre, with its fluid combat and intriguing world. It’s set to release on May 30th, 2025, for PS5 and PC .  

Like a Dragon and Dave the Diver

Fans of the Yakuza series were treated to the announcement of a free demo for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, allowing players to experience the latest entry in the quirky and action-packed franchise. The demo will be available on PS5 this Friday and will allow players to try out two battle styles, including Goro Majima’s new “Sea Dawn” style, as well as engage in naval battles at the Pirates’ Coliseum . In a surprising crossover, it was also revealed that Ichiban Kasuga, the protagonist of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, will be appearing as DLC in the popular indie game Dave the Diver . This DLC, titled “Ichiban’s Holiday,” will see Ichiban and other Yakuza characters team up to thwart a gang of troublemakers in classic beat ’em up style, all while perfecting new recipes at Bancho Sushi .  

WWE 2K25

2K Games unveiled a new trailer for WWE 2K25, developed by Visual Concepts , showcasing “The Island,” a brand-new multiplayer hub where players can immerse themselves in the world of WWE. The Island offers a variety of activities, including quests, challenges, and live events, allowing players to upgrade and customize their MySUPERSTAR through multiple storyline chapters . With support for up to 50 players simultaneously, The Island promises a dynamic and social experience for WWE fans .  

Borderlands 4

In a major announcement, 2K Games and Gearbox Software revealed Borderlands 4 with an explosive trailer. The trailer showcased the signature over-the-top action and humor of the Borderlands series, introducing a new planet called Kairos and a host of new characters and enemies . The game is set to launch on September 23rd, 2025 . Further emphasizing the importance of this release, a dedicated Borderlands 4 State of Play was also announced for this spring, promising a deeper dive into the mayhem and loot that awaits players . This suggests a major focus on Borderlands 4 from both Sony and 2K Games.  

Split Fiction

Hazelight Studios, the developers behind A Way Out and It Takes Two, announced their next co-op adventure, Split Fiction, published by EA . The trailer highlighted the game’s unique splitscreen co-op gameplay, where two players control Mio and Zoe, two protagonists who must overcome their differences and work together to navigate bizarre and imaginative situations . Split Fiction launches on March 6th, 2025, promising another innovative and engaging co-op experience from Hazelight .  

Directive 8020

Supermassive Games, known for their narrative-driven horror games like Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures Anthology, announced a new sci-fi horror title called Directive 8020 . The game promises a tense and atmospheric experience, with players unraveling a mysterious narrative set in a futuristic setting aboard a derelict spaceship . Players will take on the role of an inspector tasked with investigating a series of strange occurrences and uncovering the truth behind a growing sense of dread and paranoia among the crew . Directive 8020 launches on October 2nd, 2025 .  

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic

Steel Wool Studios is bringing another terrifying installment to the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise with Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic . This new entry will be available on PS5 and PSVR 2, offering a chilling horror experience for fans of the series . The game will feature new animatronics, environments, and gameplay mechanics, promising to push the boundaries of fear and immersion in the Five Nights at Freddy’s universe.  

The Midnight Walk

Another horror title for PS5 and PSVR 2, The Midnight Walk, developed by Moonhood , was announced. This atmospheric horror game, created entirely in claymation, will challenge players to navigate a nightmarish highway riddled with terrors . Players must outsmart these creatures and bring back fire to the world with the help of their little lantern creature companion, Hot Boy . The Midnight Walk releases on May 8th, 2025 .  

Darwin’s Paradox

Taking a different approach to the puzzle-platformer genre, Konami announced Darwin’s Paradox , where players take control of Darwin, a clever octopus who finds himself dumped near a suspicious food processing center . This unique title will challenge players to solve puzzles and navigate environments using the octopus’s natural camouflage and inking skills to escape the facility and save the world from aliens . Darwin’s Paradox is coming to PS5, Xbox Series, and PC .  

Warriors: Abyss

Koei Tecmo Games and Omega Force surprised viewers with the announcement of Warriors: Abyss . The game challenges players to descend into hell, call on powerful allies, and experiment with tons of play style combinations to send the enemy hordes flying . Warriors: Abyss launched on PS5 and PS4 on the same day as the State of Play event.  

Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny

Capcom announced a remaster of the classic PS2 title Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny, developed and published by Capcom , coming to PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC on May 23rd, 2025 . The remaster will feature updated visuals, modernized controls, and new features, including a “Hell” mode where a single hit means death . This challenging new mode will put players’ skills to the test, offering a fresh experience for veterans of the series. The remaster will also include enhancements to the “Issen” critical counter attack system, a core combat mechanic in the Onimusha series.  

Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Capcom also revealed a brand new entry in the Onimusha series, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, developed and published by Capcom . The game features intense sword-based combat, a new protagonist named Miyamoto Musashi, and a dark fantasy setting inspired by Edo-period Kyoto . Interestingly, the protagonist is modeled after the legendary Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune, known for his iconic roles in classic samurai films . Onimusha: Way of the Sword is set to release in 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

 

Metal Gear Solid 4: Snake Eater

A new trailer for the highly anticipated Metal Gear Solid 4: Snake Eater remake, developed and published by Konami , was shown, confirming an August 28th, 2025 release date. The trailer showcased updated visuals and gameplay, while retaining the core elements that made the original a classic . The remake will feature enhanced graphics, improved controls, and expanded gameplay mechanics, offering a modernized experience for both newcomers and longtime fans of the series.  

Hell is Us

A new trailer for the atmospheric post-apocalyptic soulslike Hell is Us, developed by Rogue Factor and published by Nacon , was revealed, confirming a September 4th, 2025 release date. The trailer showcased the game’s haunting world and challenging combat, promising a unique and immersive experience for fans of the genre . Players will explore a desolate world ravaged by a mysterious calamity, battling grotesque creatures and uncovering the secrets of a forgotten civilization.  

Lies of P: Overture

Neowiz Games announced Lies of P: Overture, a prequel to the critically acclaimed Lies of P, developed by Round 8 Studio and published by Neowiz Games . This new entry in the dark and twisted Souls-like series takes players to the city of Krat, exploring the events leading up to the Puppet Frenzy massacre . Lies of P: Overture will release in the summer of 2025 .  

Dreams of Another

A unique third-person exploration-action game, Dreams of Another, was revealed. The game features a unique “destruction-as-creation” mechanic, where players use their weapons to rebuild the world around them . Dreams of Another is set to release in 2025 .  

Days Gone: Remastered Confirmed!

Bend Studio is bringing their post-apocalyptic open-world adventure Days Gone to PS5 with a remastered edition. The remaster will feature enhanced visuals and gameplay, taking advantage of the PS5’s capabilities. Days Gone Remastered launches on April 25th, 2025, and PS4 owners can upgrade for $10 .  

Other Games Announcements

  • Splitgate 2: The Alpha for this highly anticipated sequel from 1047 Games begins on February 27th, 2025 .  
  • Stellar Blade x Goddess of Victory – Nikke DLC: A crossover between Stellar Blade and Goddess of Victory: Nikke brings new content to the action-packed adventure, including a new boss battle, collectible dolls and stickers, and a new outfit .  
  • Blue Prince: This atmospheric narrative adventure follows a young prince as he navigates a world filled with mystery and danger .  
  • Abiotic Factor: Previously released on PC, this survival horror game from Deep Field Games challenges players to survive in a harsh and unforgiving environment .  
  • Tides of Annihilation: A soulslike action RPG with stunning visuals and challenging combat, set in a post-apocalyptic world .  
  • Metal Eden: A sci-fi first-person shooter with fast-paced parkour elements, developed by Reikon Games. Releases on May 6th, 2025 .  
  • Mindseye: A mind-bending sci-fi adventure with a focus on narrative and atmosphere, set in the fictional city of Red Rock, where AI and human greed collide to bring Earth to the precipice of collapse , developed by Build a Rocket Boy. Releases in the summer of 2025 .  
  • Saros: A cinematic action game with a focus on intense combat and visual spectacle, developed by Housemarque and building on Returnal’s award-winning third-person action . Releases in 2026 .  

Conclusion the Latest State of Play

The February 2025 PlayStation State of Play delivered a strong and diverse showcase of upcoming games. The event struck a balance between new IPs, sequels to established franchises, and remasters of classic titles, offering something for every type of PlayStation gamer. The inclusion of several PSVR 2 titles suggests a continued commitment to virtual reality gaming from Sony. The showcase also highlighted a trend of revisiting older games, with remasters like Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater and Days Gone Remastered, indicating a desire to preserve and reintroduce classic gaming experiences to a new generation of players . Overall, the February 2025 State of Play generated significant excitement and set a positive tone for the future of PlayStation gaming.

List of Games Announced on State of Play

GameDeveloperPublisherRelease DatePlatformsGenre
Monster Hunter WildsCapcomCapcomFebruary 28, 2025PC, PS5, Xbox SeriesAction RPG
Shinobi: Art of VengeanceLizardcubeSegaAugust 29, 2025PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox SeriesAction
Sonic Racing: CrossWorldsSonic TeamSega2025PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox SeriesRacing
Digimon Story Time StrangerMedia.VisionBandai Namco2025PS5JRPG
Lost Soul AsideUltiZero GamesSIEMay 30, 2025PC, PS5Action RPG
WWE 2K25Visual Concepts2K Games2025PS5, Xbox SeriesSports
Borderlands 4Gearbox Software2K GamesSeptember 23, 2025PC, PS5, Xbox SeriesLooter Shooter
Split FictionHazelight StudiosEAMarch 6, 2025PC, PS5, Xbox SeriesAction Adventure
Directive 8020Supermassive GamesOctober 2, 2025PS5Sci-fi Horror
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the MimicSteel Wool Studios2025PS5, PSVR 2Horror
The Midnight WalkMoonhoodMay 8, 2025PS5, PSVR 2Horror
Darwin’s ParadoxKonami2025PC, PS5, Xbox SeriesPuzzle Platformer
Warriors: AbyssOmega ForceKoei Tecmo GamesFebruary 12, 2025PS4, PS5Action
Onimusha 2: Samurai’s DestinyCapcomCapcomMay 23, 2025PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox OneAction Adventure
Onimusha: Way of the SwordCapcomCapcom2026PC, PS5, Xbox Series X\S
Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake EaterKonamiAugust 28, 2025PC, PS5, Xbox SeriesAction Adventure
Hell is UsRogue FactorNaconSeptember 4, 2025PC, PS5, Xbox SeriesSoulslike
Lies of P: OvertureRound 8 StudioNeowiz GamesSummer 2025PC, PS5, Xbox SeriesAction RPG
Dreams of Another2025PS5, PSVR 2Exploration Action
Days Gone RemasteredBend StudioApril 25, 2025PS5Action Adventure

Civilization Goes VR! Can It Save Civ VII From Critical Fire?

Sid Meier's Civilization 7 in VR
Sid Meier's Civilization 7 in VR

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Firaxis has announced Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 is coming VR, launching Spring 2025 exclusively on Meta Quest 3 and 3S. Developed by PlaySide Studios, the VR version brings the world of Civilization to life on a Command Table, allowing players to interact from a new perspective. The game offers both immersive VR and mixed reality experiences. While initially exclusive to Meta Quest, it’s a significant step for strategy games in VR.

Sid Meier's Civilization 7 only 51 percent on Steam as of 10th February
Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 only 51 percent on Steam as of 10th February

This announcement comes as the PC and console release of Civilization 7, launching February 11th, 2025, faces critical reviews on Steam. These reviews, primarily from $99 Deluxe ot $129 Founders Edition players with early access, are concerning, citing UI issues and missing features. Whether the VR version can revitalize the sequel remains to be seen. Firaxis has promised to address the PC version’s issues. And we will monitor it.

Civilization 7 Isometric gameplay}
Civilization 7 Isometric gameplay

PlayStation Network Suffers Prolonged Outage, Raising Concerns About Digital-Only Future

PlayStation Network Critical Outage on 8th February 2025
PlayStation Network Critical Outage on 8th February 2025

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

PlayStation Network Suffers Prolonged Outage, Raising Concerns About Digital-Only FuturePlayStation Network (PSN) experienced a major outage that began Friday night and continued well into Saturday, impacting players on PS5, PS4, and PS Portal devices.

The outage, first reported around midnight, peaked early Saturday morning, and persisted through Saturday afternoon, though some users reported intermittent service restoration later in the day.The outage affected core PSN services, including account management (sign-in, account creation, settings), online multiplayer gaming, cloud game streaming, and the PlayStation Store. The disruption prevented players from accessing online features and purchasing digital content.

PlayStation acknowledged the issue on Friday evening via X (formerly Twitter) but has offered minimal updates since, leading to frustration among users. The cause of the extensive downtime remains unclear. The official PSN status page continued to report widespread issues throughout much of Saturday.The outage has created problems, for some special events. A beta version of the anticipated game Monster Hunter Wild is avaiable, and Call of Duty Black Ops 6 is offering a double XP weekend.

The incident has also fueled discussion about the potential downsides of a fully digital gaming future. With physical disc-based games, players can typically still access single-player content even during network outages. The PSN downtime, however, completely locked players out of online-dependent titles and digital-only purchases, sparking speculation on how such incidents might affect a market gradually shifting away from physical media.The most impacted online games are Fortnite, Call of Duty, Roblox and Marvel Rivals.

Beyond Blue and HUMANKIND – Epic’s Latest Free Offerings

Humankind Free Epic Game in February 2025
Humankind Free Epic Game in February 2025

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Beyond Blue, available free until February 13, 2025, is an underwater narrative adventure that puts you in the role of a deep-sea explorer and scientist. The game was made in collaboration with BBC’s Blue Planet II team, offering an educational yet engaging experience as you discover the mysteries of our oceans. You’ll scan and catalog marine life, use advanced technology to track sea creatures and uncover a thoughtful story about ocean conservation and scientific discovery.

However, the real heavyweight of this week’s offerings is HUMANKIND, also free until February 13, 2025. This grand strategy game presents a fresh take on the 4X genre (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate) by allowing players to combine different historical cultures as their civilization evolves through the ages. Instead of picking one civilization and sticking with it, you can shift between cultures at key moments, creating unique combinations like beginning as the Ancient Egyptians and evolving into the Medieval Japanese.

The timing of HUMANKIND‘s free release is particularly interesting with Civilization 7’s announcement. This is an excellent opportunity for strategy fans waiting for the next Civilization entry to try a different approach to historical strategy gaming. HUMANKIND differentiates itself through:

  • A unique combat system with tactical terrain-based battles
  • A fame-based victory condition rather than traditional victory types
  • The ability to mix and match historical cultures as you progress
  • A more flexible city-building system that adapts to terrain
  • An innovative approach to diplomacy and cultural influence

Whether you’re a seasoned strategy player or new to the genre, claiming HUMANKIND while it’s free is highly recommended, especially as it can serve as excellent practice for understanding complex strategy mechanics before Civilization 7’s release. The game typically requires a fairly powerful PC to run smoothly, but since it’s free, there’s no risk in adding it to your library to try later.

War Thunder: F-5A(G) in Freedom Fighter Event

War Thunder F-5A(G) - Picture 1
War Thunder F-5A(G) - Picture 1

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

The F-5A(G) is a Royal Norwegian Air Force multi-role fighter jet. This modification is equipped with a new sighting system, all-aspect AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, and the Penguin guided anti-ship missile with a thermal imaging homing head, which will prove itself in battles against tanks. The F-5A(G) is the first Norwegian aircraft in War Thunder and also has a unique “tiger” camouflage.

War Thunder F-5A(G) - Picture 1
War Thunder F-5A(G) – 336 Sqadron Tigers

The event will run from February 6th (11:00 GMT) until February 24th (11:00 GMT).

Event Structure and Prices

The “Freedom Fighter” event consists of nine progression stages, each demanding 45,000 mission points for completion. Points accumulate through Air Battles, with bonuses varying by game mode and vehicle rank. Rewards come with each stage completion, with the F-5A(G) unlocking at stage eight. The initial coupon remains untradeable, but collecting 750,000 mission points throughout the event grants an “Upgrade for coupon,” enabling Market sales after six days. Stage nine delivers exclusive camouflage and four random modifications, provided the F-5A(G) exists in your collection. Players pressed for time may purchase stages using Golden Eagles, with costs reducing significantly near completion. When reaching 95% progress, the price drops to one-fifth of the original.