Following on from the day’s Nintendo Direct, Sony released a State of Play focussed on upcoming games from third-party developers – though a few PlayStation Studios titles did slip in as well. We’ve picked out the major highlights from the September State of Play below, including looks at Resident Evil 4’s Separate Ways DLC, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, FF7 Rebirth, and more upcoming games.
Baby Steps
You remember QWOP, right? That infuriating yet compelling 2D flash game about attempting to wrangle the individual limbs of a runner into a semblance of motion where mere meters feel like miles? Well creator Bennet Foddy is back again with a new take on the concept of a walking simulator in which walking itself is the challenge. Foddy has teamed up with Gabe Cuzzillo and Maxi Boch (Ape Out) to produce a game in which you manually put one foot in front of the other and usually end up flat on your face. The latest trailer shows more of Baby Steps’ tongue-in-cheek humor and mockery of video game tropes. It’s due out summer 2024.
Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord
PS VR2 owners were given a couple of reasons to get excited during this State of Play, starting with a first look at Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord. It’s a co-operative ghost-hunting game developed by nDreams. Utilize classic and new ghost-busting gadgets as you cleanse different locations and attempt stop the March of the Malevolent. Cross-play support will be included between PS VR2 and Quest headsets, but you can also play solo with a ghostly AI companion. Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord releases October 26th.
Resident Evil 4 VR and Separate Ways DLC
Next for VR fans was a reminder that Resident Evil 4’s VR mode is still coming and still looks superb. We’re already itching to immerse ourselves even further in Castle Dimitrescu. The VR update will arrive this winter for PS VR2.
Even more exciting was confirmation that the Separate Ways DLC for the original Resident Evil 4 is also coming to the remake. The segment follows Ada Wong’s mission on the island and, much like the main remake, looks to be expanding her role and that of other side characters like Luis Sera. It releases September 21st.
Finally, the Mercenaries mode will also get a free update to add Ada Wong and Wesker on September 21st.
Ghostrunner 2
Fans of fast-paced wall-running and katana-swinging action definitely got a treat during the September 14th State of Play thanks to the announcement of a demo for Ghostrunner 2. The game isn't out until October 26th, but PS5 and PC players can download a slice of the experience right now courtesy of the free demo. We'd recommend getting some finger warmups in first though, unless your reactions are as cybernetically enhanced as the game's protagonist.
Helldivers 2
The spread of Managed Democracy throughout the galaxy now has a release date. Helldivers 2 will let you drop onto bug-infested worlds with your friends from February 8. It’s coming to PC and PS5, and this latest trailer shows off lots of the weaponry you’ll be using to share the values of Super Earth. Eager fans can also preorder the Super Citizen edition which packs in some in-game items including weapons, a cape, and a minigame for your ship.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (or should that be Marvel’s Spider-Men?) only looks better and better the more we see of it. This latest trailer shows how the player can near-seamlessly swap between the game’s two leading stars, Peter and Miles. We also get a look at the expanded map, which includes Queens and Brooklyn.
To help you get about even faster, suits come equipped with webwings which let them glide along air currents between the streets. And speaking of suits, there are absolutely loads of them. Developer Insomniac promises over 65 different outfits drawn from the comics, movies, and original designs. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 releases October 20th.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
The second chapter in Square Enix’s grand retelling of Cloud Strife’s journey finally has a release date. The new trailer shows off plenty of the core cast including Aerith, Tifa, Barret, and Yuffie as they track Sephiroth. We also get a look at several minigames like Chocobo racing and action sequences including a motorbike battle. Oh, and there’s also a shot of Cloud riding a segway – just thought you'd like to know. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth releases February 29th, 2024.
Unicorn Overlord
Finally, an intriguing (if amusingly oddly named) tactical RPG from Atlus and Vanillaware. Unicorn Overlord is a turn-based tactics game in which you traverse an overworld to build up an army and grow your renown in a fantasy land split between five nations. We’d certainly like to see more about how its innovative battle system plays out. Multiple units appear to engage together in smaller battles which take place across a larger map. Unicorn Overlord is due to release March 8th, 2024.
What did you enjoy seeing in the September 14 PlayStation State of Play? Check out our full recap of the day’s Nintendo Direct here. Catch up on the full State of Play below for everything else you've missed.
