Well, folk, the year's first PlayStation State of Play stream has come and gone. But what a showcase it was! While not exactly bursting at the seams with incredible, highly anticipated reveals, there were plenty of interesting and captivating announcements and trailers to keep us excited about the upcoming year for PlayStation.
Below is a recap of the biggest announcements from the PlayStation State of Play February 2025. Beyond that is the live, play-by-play recap of everything that happened as it happened – now preserved for posterity.
Everything Announced at the PlayStation State of Play February 2025
- State of Play's big reveal was Saros, a "new single-player IP that builds on Returnal's award-winning third-person action" from the roguelike maestros at Housemarque
- Borderlands 4 release date set for September, and Gearbox has a dedicated reveal show coming this spring
- Former GTA 5 lead properly shows off his new city-sized action game coming this summer, and yep, it looks like Cyberpunk 2077 meets GTA
- Sony may never give us Days Gone 2, but it did just announce Days Gone Remastered is coming to PS5 with three new modes: Horde, Permadeath, and Speedrun
- Lies of P DLC Overture is coming this summer and almost sounds like a full prequel: "I wonder if we subconsciously aimed to create a 'developers’ cut' of Lies of P"
- Stellar Blade finally hits PC this June alongside the Nikke crossover that's every bit as horny as you'd expect
- Sonic Racing CrossWorlds announcement trailer proves Sega is coming for Mario Kart 9's throne with transforming cars and a closed beta this month
- The studio behind one of 2017's most underrated shooters announced a new sci-fi FPS at State of Play, and it looks like Doom meets Armored Core
- Metal Gear Solid 3 remake release date confirms the PlayStation leak: Snake returns this August
- Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza will soon get a playable demo and an unexpectedly adorable Dave the Diver crossover
- Over a year after Sega revealed its grand IP revival, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is officially coming this August from the devs behind the incredible brawler Streets of Rage 4
- Monster Hunter Wilds has already revealed its first free update, and it's adding one of my all-time favorite monsters this spring
And away we go! We've got many hours to go until the showcase itself, though that gives us plenty of time to get into some predictions and round up some rumors doin' the rounds.
Starting with a game that essentially seems confirmed to show up, it looks like we're finally getting another look at Lost Soul Aside. Fans were quick to notice that the developers retweeted the State of Play announcement, and while that doesn't mean too much, we then got a follow-up that made the tease somewhat more concrete.
The answer is « yes ».February 11, 2025
If you've been out of the loop, Lost Souls Aside was first revealed around nine years ago, though we found out last year that the Final Fantasy and Devil May Cry mash-up is finally due to release this year. It's been a wait, though one that seems to be drawing to a close. Check out the trailer below for the vibe.
Here's hoping that the Lost Souls Aside devs were talking about the big showcase and not, uh, the death of Duolingo mascot that's currently going viral.
One news story you won't see tonight – for the first time, anyway – is that Fromsoftware's Elden Ring spin-off Nightreign now has a release date of May 30. Not only that, but the roguelike take on the Lands Between also has DLC in the works.
Speaking of the Lands Between, we played Elden Ring Nightreign for over 3 hours and came away thinking that it feels like a mod in the best way possible. Can FromSoft pull off the roguelike pivot? We're certainly hopeful.
Back to the good ol' showcase, there's a rumor doing the rounds that we'll see a project from Halo and Destiny veteran Bungie that's currently codenamed 'Gummy Bears.' Outlet Vandal reports that the game is coming to PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch, though we'll need to wait and see if anything comes of it.
Interestingly, we learned last year that a new studio was formed under the Sony umbrella to continue the development of one of Bungie's incubation projects. The news came as Bungie admitted that Destiny 2 and Marathon plans got "overly ambitious," resulting in some developers being laid off or moved elsewhere within Sony.
That's far from confirmation that project 'Gummy Bears' exists, though we do know that something is knockin' about.
Elsewhere, a few whispers are doing the rounds that Hellblade 2 is the next Xbox game to cross the console divide to PlayStation and that it may happen sooner rather than later.
The reports track. Just recently, Xbox boss Phil Spencer said he isn't ruling out exclusives making the jump to other platforms, as blocking them "doesn't work for us." Over the past year, we've seen titles like Hi-Fi Rush and Grounded ported to other consoles, with the likes of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle set to join them soon.
Could Hellblade 2 be next?
We put it to you, dear reader - what Xbox game would you like to see on the PS5? I imagine a certain space-faring Bethesda RPG might be up there.
And now that evening has come for my UK brethren, it is once again time for me – US Managing Editor Rollin Bishop – to take the reins and guide all of you through to the end of today's State of Play.
So sit back, relax, and maybe ponder with me the possibility of a new Digimon game called "Digimon Story Time Stranger" being revealed at some point. That is, if the GameStop placeholder page folks are chattering about online is actually accurate.
Look, maybe it's just my own echo chamber given what I do for a living, but the Bloodborne hopium is extremely strong this time around, it feels like. The recent DMCA business with fan projects is just the latest in a long line of people convincing themselves that some kind of Bloodborne remake or remaster is on the way.
I've no skin in this potential personally as I've never met a FromSoftware game that doesn't feel like it's kicking my shins for funsies, as much as I'd love to love Armored Core, but I'll side with the angels today. Let the record show: I'm with you folks; bring on Bloodborne.
In other news, it sure does look like the official Lies of P website is currently password protected for whatever reason. Now, this could mean nothing at all, or it could mean everything.
If you're not already aware, it's known that there's Lies of P DLC on the way, though we've not really seen or heard much about it. "For the DLC of Lies of P and the sequel, we aim to do better on what we did well and improve in areas we have room to grow," said director Jiwon Choi back in September 2024. "It might sound simple, but I find that sticking to the basics is anything but easy."
Just one hour to go! Any last-minute predictions? Personally, I'm hoping for something that's just absolutely wild and unexpected. Show me a new Valkyria Chronicles, Sony. I dare you.
Just over 30 minutes to go, and now I'm really hoping this one's going to knock our collective socks off after GamesRadar+ EIC Josh West told me that Mission: Impossible 2 is – and this is a direct quote – "the only good one." I can't have this energy permeate the night, I just can't.
Sound the alarm: less than 15 minutes to go! Got your snack? Are you hydrated? Might also be good to use the bathroom one final time, just in case.
And just under 10 minutes to go, the actual State of Play countdown placeholder is live! I'm honestly going into this bad boy with zero expectations, but you know what'd go down real nice right now? A new Killzone. Just sayin'.
And here... we... go...
Are we really starting with Monster Hunter Wilds? Sure looks that way! Showing off some gameplay and beasties and floating and fighting... Looks like Monster Hunter, all right.
Don't get me wrong; I don't mind looking at some Monster Hunter Wilds. But like, the game is out later this month, y'know? But the first title update with include Mizutsune, so there's that.
We've got Mr. Developer here to talk about the free title update this spring, and there's another one set for summer with an additional monster and quests. Looks like that's all for Monster Hunter Wilds at State of Play.
But Sega isn't done yet: there's a new Shinobi coming from the folks behind Streets of Rage 4! This looks slick and well-animated. I dig it.
The art design here really does a lot for the platforming, honestly. It's giving me serious Mark of the Ninja, but with a Streets of Rage twist. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is out August 29, 2025. Nice.
Looks like there's a new Sonic racing title in town. And if the trailer here is anything to go by, seems like the tracks will take rings to different times/dimensions/worlds. Chaos (control) ensues.
I do appreciate leaning into the movie's concept of rings being portals. Sonic Racing CrossWorlds. Closed network test on February 21.
Bandai is here for something extremely anime. Talking about altering destiny and so on. Digimon?
Yup, Digimon. This is probably that Time Stranger game that the GameStop page previously leaked. Hard to say what this actually is? An action RPG of some kind? Digimon Story Time Stranger out 2025 – no major details beyond that.
Lost Soul Aside, which we also suspect would show up, here now to showcase a moody trailer. "My only hope lies with you." Leaping through dimensions, traveling across worlds. You know how it is.
Some strong modern Final Fantasy design here from Lost Soul Aside. If you told me this was Final Fantasy 16 DLC of some kind, I might be inclined to believe you. May 30 release date, PS5 and PC.
You don't have to take my word for it. Here's the Lost Soul Aside trailer for yourself:
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii demo this Friday. Yakuza DLC coming to Dave the Diver in April. Splitgate 2 alpha February 27 on PS5. They're going fast (although not furious) through some third-party announcements here.
And now a look at WWE 2K25 with a mode called "The Island" featuring WWE-themed landmarks, quests, shops, and up to 50 other players. I believe this was previously announced? I'd say we have PlayStation Home at home but that's simply not true.
Borderlands 4 is coming to PS5. "Sup" says both Randys from Gearbox. "Every day we are getting closer to the launch of Borderlands 4," says Pitchford.
Sure looks like Borderlands 4 footage! Running, gunning, jumping, blood and gore. It really feels like everything you might expect from a new Borderlands. "I want more!" says Pitchford. Special State of Play "this spring" to talk combat, Vault Hunters, exploration, and such. "I'll feed you baby bird," says Pitchford.
Borderlands 4 launches September 23, 2025!
And now: Split Fiction! From the folks that made It Takes Two, of course. We're seeing the characters trying to learn to trust each other and.... also jumping around in hoverboards and going underwater(?) and generally telling stories. "We'll face it together; we got this."
Here's that Borderlands 4 release date trailer if you didn't believe me before:
And now, something from the folks behind Until Dawn and The Quarry (Supermassive Games.) Spooky spaceship. Alien?
"This ship is infected with an alien organism," you don't say.
It can change its cellular structure, mimic the human form, replacing them.... This is some wild-looking stuff. Directive 8020, a Dark Pictures game. October 2 on PS5.
Of everything, the Directive 8020 trailer is by far the most interesting. 100% worth a watch:
Five Nights at Freddy's: Secret of the Mimic is out June 13, 2025. I don't know, man.
OK, this is more like it. An environmental, spooky game. The Midnight Walk looks right up my alley -- coming May 8 for PS5 and PSVR 2. Nice.
Darwin's Paradox from Konami where you play as an octopus trying to escape a processing facility and save the world from aliens. PS5 in 2025. All right then.
Warriors: Abyss up now! A roguelike musou. OK, you have my attention. The perspective doesn't really do much for me, but it launching today doesn't hurt.
Onimusha 2 looks just about as good as it ever did. PS4 on May 23, 2025. No PS5?
But here's a new trailer for the 2026 title Onimusha: Way of the Sword. We start off with a man poking the player(?) with a stick. Now we're climbing steps... Everyone loves a big bell, don't we folks?
"Let's see your best then, aye?" Weird-looking monsters with swords that look a bit like samurai crustaceans aren't exactly friendly.
The swordplay looks pretty solid, if perhaps a bit stilted. That could be down to trying to stream this thing with a million tabs open on my part, though. Also, there's apparently a spirit or something in his hand? Sure.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword trailer a pretty solid showing, though!
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater footage now showing that this really just looks like a much-nicer version of the original. Which, I mean, that's not a bad thing. August 28, 2025 release date. And a tease that yes, the weird Ape Escape thing is coming too.
Moody, dark imagery and exploration here... Dark, gooey critters. Not Death Stranding, but Hell Is Us. September 4 release date.
And here's our boy, Lies of P! Looks like there password-protected website really had something to hide. Was that Neil Newbon's voice?
Lot of talk about being an unexpected puppet, whatever that means. The Pinocchio-themed Soulslike combat here is exactly what I expected. Lies of P: Overture is out Summer 2025.
I have no idea what I'm looking at here from the PixelJunk folks. Creation? Destruction? Lots of blocks becoming thing and then unbecoming things. Dreams of Another is coming 2025. Apparently for PS5 and PSVR2?
Days Gone Remastered is coming with new content like permadeath modes. There's even an upgrade from PS4 to PS5 for $10. April 25 for PC and PS5.
Nikke DLC is coming to Stellar Blade in June 2025 with a Nikke-inspired boss battle. Cool. Great.
And now PlayStation Plus game catalog updates. A good time to grab a new drink, maybe.
Blue Prince, Lost Records also coming to game catalog. Blue Prince is day one, which is nice enough.
Abiotic Factor also coming to game catalog when it launches this summer. OK.
Three Armored Core games are coming to the Classics Catalog, which is nice. Same for Patapon 3!
And now for something apparently starring the voice behind Shadowheart in Baldur's Gate 3? Extremely Dark Souls vibe here with a mix of Forspoken/Nier. Elemental magic, bloody, fast-paced combat... You have my attention.
"What if Bayonetta were Forspoken?" the thought comes to me. Tides of Annihilation is the name, apparently.
And now, some kind of mecha thing? Lots of talk about being rebuilt and fast-paced gunplay.
Metal Eden, May 6 2025. Looks good!
And now some kind of futuristic shooter. Rockets. Drones. Sleek cars, tech in your head. "This thing has ruined my life!" Mild Cyberpunk 2077 vibes.
"AI and human greed collide to bring Earth to the precipice of collapse." OK, but tell us about the game, am I right folks? I'll be here all night. Anyway, MindsEye looks solid.
There's a real GTA Meets Cyberpunk energy to the actual gameplay here that's hard to ignore. I think that's probably fine.
And now, something from PlayStation Studios. We've got a guy on a beach looking tussled.
"Every time the sun dies, madness reigns. Then everything begins again." Sounds bad.
"I know that you are here, and I will find you." Housemarque! Did seem kind of Returnal in concept, maybe? 2026. Name's Saros.
"Saros is the ultimate evolution" of Housemarque's style of gameplay-first creative direction. First look at gameplay coming later this year, Returnal explicitly mentioned as a direct reference.
...and that's it, huh? Wow. No Death Stranding 2 feels like a bit of a shocker, but maybe they're saving that for Kojima's SXSW event? Well, another day, another lack of a new Valkyria Chronicles being announced. So it goes.
