PlayStation hit the ground running with the first State of Play of 2024, giving a glimpse of some of the titles coming to PS5 this year.
It looks like Sony has finally found their footing with their State of Play showcases, giving a strong look at what the platform has in store for the coming months. With a selection of titles in a range of genres, this was a solid showing of the platform from first-party PlayStation studios and third-party developers.
Not only did PlayStation lift the curtain on some major releases, including Silent Hill 2, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Stellar Blade and beyond, it also finally gave some love to the PSVR 2 that, while impressive hardware, has suffered a bit from the lack of games to show what the headset can really do.
This was one of the most solid State of Plays in a while, and just from the short 40-minute presentation, we got a slew of announcements, first looks and deep dives that should make PlayStation fans very happy for 2024.
Helldivers 2
Starting things off, PlayStation gave a look at the soon-to-release Helldivers 2 from Arrowhead Game Studios. Building on the concepts first shown off in the first installment, this title looks to be using the power of the PlayStation 5 to the fullest, with more complex gameplay, visuals and missions to undertake. Launching February 8th of this year, PlayStation fans won’t need to wait long to get a taste of what Helldivers 2 has to offer.
Stellar Blade
Stellar Blade from Shift Up Studios was the first extended look of the State of Play, and it looks absolutely stunning with jaw-dropping visuals, a deep story, and a range of things waiting to be uncovered. Playing as Eve, part of the 7th Airborne, you are tasked with eliminating the Alpha Naytiba and trying to save what is left of a Post-apocalyptic earth.
Filled with an array of characters, including a duo that will work to help you along your journey (Adam and Lilly), Stellar Blade will have you traveling through a series of missions, traversing a number of locations, along with rebuilding the last vestige of humanity, the underground city of Xion. Launching April 26th of this year, Stellar Blade is looking to be an action-adventure well worth exploring.
Sonic X Shadow Generations
Next on the chopping block is Sonic X Shadow Generations from SEGA, which takes the ideas we first saw with the original Sonic Generations and expands upon them, not only giving you the standard Sonic as a central focus but adding in the enigmatic Shadow the Hedgehog to the mix. Launching Autumn 2024 on both PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, this is a title that feels tailor-made for sonic fans eager for more of the gameplay they love in an all-new adventure.
Zenless Zone Zero
Zenless Zone Zero is the latest from the minds at miHoYo that looks to bring their unique free-to-play gameplay in a wholly new urban fantasy action role-playing game. Launching later in 2024, the game mixes many aspects we have seen before in a new, exciting way.
Foamstars
Launching on February 6th, Foamstars is next in the PlayStation State of Play showcase, giving gamers a glimpse of what to expect when they finally jump in. Having played the game during the Summer Game Fest, the new team-based action game is just right for gamers looking for a new multiplayer experience in the same vein as Splatoon.
Dave the Diver – Godzilla
Who has played Dave the Diver and wished they had a little Godzilla thrown into the mix? Well, fear not, brave diver, the developers at MINTROCKET have you covered with a very strange but exciting crossover. The game looks to mix the tried and true gameplay of the beloved indie game with the famous King of the Monsters. Launching May 2024, this new outing should be one well worth exploring.
V Rising
Launching later in 2024, V Rising takes the classic action RPG elements and brings a little bit of a vampire twist. Developed by Stunlock Studios, the game has you explore a vast open world of horrors, slowly building up your name and legacy and casle. Pillage villagers and traverse the lands of supernatural beats as you drink their blood and steal their knowledge as you work to become the greatest vampire of all time. Looking akin to Diablo meets Dracula, I know I am excited to see what V Rising looks like when it launches later this year.
Silent Hill: The Short Message
Silent Hill: The Short Message was the first Silent Hill announcement at today’s State of Play. We finally got a look at a new Silent Hill IP. What’s even more exciting, though, is that this will not only be a free-to-play title on the PlayStation 5, but players can head to the PlayStation store and download Silent Hill: The Short Message today.
Silent Hill 2 Remake
Silent Hill fans finally got another taste of Silent Hill 2. At today’s State of Play, we saw a closer look at the gameplay for the Silent Hill 2 remake. Now remade on Unreal Engine 5 for the PlayStation 5, fans will be able to play as James Sunderland and fight all of their favourite Silent Hill enemies on current-gen PlayStation consoles.
Judas
Coming from the minds behind Bioshock, Judas from Ghost Story Games is a first-person shooter that looks to carry forward many of the ideas first seen in the Bioshock series. Judas is bringing a narrative adventure that will have you build alliances and work to fix the problems you cause. While still light on details, the dark tone and complex narratively driven experience look to scratch that itch left by Bioshock and System Shock 2.
Metro Awakening VR
Sony just dropped a bomb of a VR announcement with Metro Awakening, an atmospheric first-person adventure exclusive to PlayStation VR2. Playing as Serdar, you’ll brave ghosts, lethal radiation and more in the post-apocalyptic Moscow Metro tunnels searching for your missing wife. Blending exploration, stealth and combat, this promises to be the most immersive and terrifying Metro yet. Coming 2024, so PS VR2 fans should mark their calendars now to get ready for the terrifying adventure.
Legendary Tales
Legendary Tales takes dungeon crawling to a new dimension in this PS VR2-focused RPG. This hack ‘n slash lets you blast baddies alone or with three friends in VR. Swing swords, staffs, axes, or anything your heart desires to take down beasties. Magic ’em up with fire, ice, and shadow bolts. Collect epic, randomized loot-like weapons and armour as you explore dark depths—level up, building skills to reflect your play style. Coming February 8th for PSVR 2, Legendary Tales lets your squad adventure through monster-filled ruins in a way only VR can.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
We first saw Dragon’s Dogma back in 2012, and now, here in 2024, we are getting a good look at the action Dragon’s Dogma 2 will bring to the table. Taking on giant bad guys and what looks like ethereal beings will be on the table on March 22, 2024, when Dragon’s Dogma 2 releases on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S and PC. Pre-orders are already available.
Rise of the Ronin
Rise of the Ronin showed of some gameplay captured on the PS5 at today’s PlayStation State of Play. Set in the 19th-century Bakumatsu era, we are introduced to Yokohama, which is filled with Japanese and Western influences. Running, riding, gliding and soaring across the city, we also get to see our protagonist fight various enemies, and the gameplay looks like it is bringing some great melee combat to the table. The Rise of Ronin release date was also revealed, coming March 22, 2024 exclusively on PlayStation 5, available for pre-order now.
Until Dawn
Players of the original 2015 Until Dawn will be happy to see the new trailer for the game “Rebuilt and enhanced for PS5 consoles and PC.” The trailer from today’s PlayStation State of Play has only been live for a short time, and over 280 commenters on YouTube are pumped to get their hands on this remaster on PS5 later this year.
Death Standing 2: On the Beach
We got a proper look at Death Stranding 2: On the Beach at the State of Play, which somehow looks even stranger than the original. The 9-minute dive into the game showed us a bit about Sam and his companions on their mission to save humanity. There are babies spitting up spaceships, characters that resemble Alice Cooper, and so much more to look forward to. The trailer asks the question, “Should we have connected?” We will leave it to the players to find out when Death Stranding 2 is slated for a 2025 release.
PHYSINT
And, of course, to finish up the January 31 PlayStation State of Play, we weren’t quite done with Kojima, who seemed to dominate today’s show. We got to hear from him on PHYSINT, “a next-generation action espionage game.” Did you hear that? “Next-Generation.” We are speculating that we may not see PHYSINT until the PlayStation 5 Pro or later. Kojima mentioned that production will begin after Death Stranding 2, so it is safe to say it will be a while before we see much more from PHYSINT.
“Two years from now, I will celebrate the 40th anniversary of my game production career. I am confident that this title will be the culmination of my work,” said Kojima on PHYSINT.
That closes out today’s PlayStation State of Play for January 31. What are you looking forward to most?
