Sony didn't let the lack of E3 stop it from delivering a big summer games event. The PlayStation 5 has been on the market for more than three years now, so it was time to see the announcements that will shape the console's future. The most recent PlayStation Showcase had plenty of those to go around, with expected and unexpected game reveals.
Granted, the show was a more subdued than what the rumors suggested. There was nary a whisper of a Bloodborne remake or port during the event, unfortunately. Instead of huge, first-party reveals, we saw more mid-size, multi-platform titles. Games like Ghostrunner 2, Helldivers 2, and Square-Enix’s iffy-looking Splatoon clone Foamstars don’t exactly scratch that new God of War itch. Still, these10 trailers from the 2023 PlayStation Showcase highlight the titles that we can't wait to pop into our PS5s and stream to our PlayStation Q handhelds.
1. Alan Wake 2
In 2010, Remedy Entertainment delivered a moody survival-horror shooter that asked “What if Stephen King had to shoot a lot of guys?” This long-awaited sequel continues not only Alan’s surreal nightmare, but also connects to Remedy’s other trippy shooter, Control. Alan Wake 2 releases Oct. 17.
2. Assassin's Creed Mirage
After nearly a decade of massive, open-world Assassin’s Creed experiences, Mirage looks to pull the franchise back to its tighter, stealthier, more murderous roots. Even the Middle Eastern setting recalls the first game, hopefully implying a return to series form. After a delay, Mirage is set for an Oct. 12 release.
3. Marathon
Before Bungie became famous for Halo and Destiny, the team developed an innovative series of Mac first-person shooters called Marathon. We don’t know how this new Marathon connects to the old Marathon just yet. It seems to draw more from the recent “extraction shooter” genre, but it certainly looks cool.
4. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Sony’s big holiday game for 2023 is Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. A sequel to both the original Spider-Man and the Miles Morales spin-off, this gameplay demo showed how we will switch between the two heroes. In the trailer, we see Peter succumbing to the symbiote suit's dark influence as he tussles with The Lizard and Kraven the Hunter.
5. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
The curtain is pulled, and the much-rumored Metal Gear Solid 3 remake has finally been revealed. But if Hideo Kojima is developing Death Stranding 2, who at Konami is working on this remake? We don’t know, but the PlayStation Showcase confirms the game's existence. Even if revisiting this classic chapter in Snake’s story turns out to be a huge mistake, at least the original games are being rereleased on modern platforms in Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1.
Want more news, reviews, gear, and tricks to level up your game? Sign up for our gaming email newsletter.
6. Neva
The creators of Gris, a beautiful indie game, are back with Neva, another beautiful indie game. The trailer didn’t show much gameplay, but it teased the intense emotional bond that you'll build with a mystical wolf-monster.
7. Phantom Blade Zero
No, this isn’t Ghost of Tsushima 2. Phantom Blade Zero is an original, Wuxia-inspired action game by a company called S-Game. The title promises heavy Souls-style action, but we were especially impressed by the swordplay's speed.
8. Resident Evil 4 VR
The PlayStation VR 2 is a powerful, top pick for virtual reality headsets. Sony showed off several games coming to the device, such as a Beat Saber expansion and a new Crossfire game. However, one VR game clearly stood out. The Resident Evil 4 remake is one of the best games in recent memory, so it’ll probably be pretty cool in VR, too.
9. Revenant Hill
Night in the Woods looked like a cute game about talking animals, and it was. However, it was also a thoughtful, brilliantly written narrative adventure about modern issues affecting individual people and the world at large, so we have high hopes for the team’s next project: Revenant Hill. The cats are back.
10. Sword of the Sea
If you didn’t already know that Sword of the Sea featured talent that created Abzu, Journey, and the Pathless, you could still probably guess that after looking at this trailer. A stylish sand surfing game? Sure! And it looks like a lot of fun.
For more, check out the best PlayStation 5 games you can play right now. For in-depth video game talk, visit PCMag's Pop-Off YouTube channel. Eager to see the new titles on the horizon? Check out The Best Video Games Coming Out in 2023.