Gamers around the world were blessed on September 14, 2023. Two of gaming’s juggernauts, Nintendo and Sony decided to showcase some of their biggest games releasing soon. We got updates on games that had already been announced, as well as some brand new games that we hadn’t heard about. However, as a whole, the Sony State of Play really grabbed me with some truly unexpected announcements and updates.
Sony opened program with easily their strangest game, Baby Steps. Think QWOP meets Death Stranding. Developed by Maxi Boch, Bennett Foddy and Gabe Cuzzillo, three of the weirdest minds in the gaming landscape today. The guys behind the weird Ape Out and the even weirder Getting Over It, Baby Steps invites you to go on the most treacherous journey by doing something we all take for granted… walking. The thing is, walking isn’t as easy as just pushing forward on your control stick. it’s a lot sillier than that. You have to manually lift each foot as well as decide where they will land. This turns the simple concept of walking into a complex mindfuck. The control scheme is intentionally ridiculous and hilarious. Baby Steps is a game where every mistake you make is just as important as the successes. By learning the ins and outs of the control scheme, you can find out just what the heck is at the end of this journey. Whatever it is, I am sure it’ll be well worth it.
Next, Sony announces that the absurdly popular game Roblox is coming to PlayStation! The last time I played Roblox was when I was a pre-teen. They CLEARLY don’t need me as Roblox is toting a freakish 66 million daily active users. With a mountain of community created maps, games and experiences, Roblox is sure to maintain its momentum and be a behemoth in the global gaming landscape. Want to play soccer on the moon? Have you ever thought about driving a car inside of a whale? Those are things you can do in Roblox. As long as there are people who are creative and want to share their visions, there will always be new experiences. Roblox will be available on October 10, 2023!
If you’re a fan of VR and classic ‘80s movies, then Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord sounds like it’s for you. Rise of the Ghost Lord is a PS VR2 cooperative experience. Makes sense right? Being a Ghostbuster is all about teamwork and working together. You get to wield all of the iconic equipment and be immersed in the action. Fighting angry ghosts has never been more immersive or in your face than this. Rise of the Ghost Lord also features eye tracking technology. You get to see where exactly your teammates are looking rather than just where they are facing. You can also share a little wink at a friend if the moment calls for it. If you want some nostalgic fun your friends, who ya gonna call? Your local GameStop for PS VR2! Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord haunts your PS VR2 on October 26, 2023.
If you’re down for something a little scarier than Ghostbusters, then maybe Resident Evil 4 VR is more your speed, as this game expands on the unbelievably good Resident Evil 4 with an immersive and exciting first person VR perspective on the PS VR2. You play as Leon S. Kennedy on a ridiculous mission to save the President’s daughter, Ashley. Resident Evil 4 is maybe the most ported video game in history, and they’re not done making it available elsewhere quite yet. Developed by the same team who worked on the VR modes for Resident Evil 7 BioHazard and Resident Evil Village, they have taken what they learned from those two games and put their efforts into making this the quintessential Resident Evil VR experience.
If you’re without a PS VR2 like me, then you can experience the free story DLC, Separate Ways. That’s right, the beloved additional campaign is back. Instead of playing as Leon, this time around you take control of one of gaming’s most iconic characters, Ada Wong. Ada was sent to the same desolate European village as Leon. However, she was there before he even stepped foot on the island. Their missions were different, but their paths are constantly crossing. Ada always seems to be ten steps ahead of Leon. She’s working with the most powerful villain in all of Resident Evil, Albert Wesker. Tasked with stealing the “Amber” from the island’s inhabitants. Like Leon, Ada is also an incredible athlete and martial artist. She gets to use her classic grappling gun to get around the world faster, making it an even more exciting experience. Not only do we get the fan favourite Separate Ways story, but we also get Ada Wong and Albert Wesker in the Mercenaries mode. Separate Ways and the free Mercenaries update launches September 21, 2023. Resident Evil 4 VR launches this winter on the PS VR2.
Next, we get an in depth look at the story trailer for Avatar Frontiers of Pandora. In this first/third person (Na’vi) experience, you play as a Na’vi who was kidnapped by the Resources Development Agency (RDA.) Their plan was to train you in human ways to essentially become a super soldier and fight alongside them. During the Battle of the Hallelujah Mountains from the first film, they put you in cryosleep while they evacuated Pandora. 15 years later, you awake from your slumber to find that you are a stranger in a strange land. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora launches on PS5, December 7, 2023.
After Avatar we get a brief look at Ghostrunner 2. I really, really enjoyed the first Ghostrunner and even reviewed it right here on Biff Bam Pop!. I’ve been excited for this one. Sony knew that there were people like me out there and wanted to give us the chance to try it early. They announced that right as the State of Play was over that a Ghostrunner 2 demo would be available. I cannot wait to give it a try. Ghostrunner 2 is a first person nonstop experience. You run, jump, throw shurikens, shoot blasts of energy, grapple all over the place, and have the ability to slow down time. You have to play perfectly as one hit is enough to kill you. The rooms are designed to be your playground. You can basically go into any room and succeed with any plan of attack. Be ready to die an incredible amount of times when Ghostrunner 2 releases October 26, 2023. I can’t wait for this one!
Sony unveiled some new controllers and console covers for the PS5. They are calling it the “Deep Earth” collection. Available in 3 new colours; Volcanic Red, Cobalt Blue, and Sterling Silver. Each colour has a smooth metallic, almost chrome-like, finish. If you’ve been wanting a new look to your console to show off your personality, or maybe you’ve been in the market for a new controller, then here is the answer for you. The exact launch date for these products will vary from region to region. They are set to hit store shelves later this year!
We got an extended look at Helldivers 2, an online cooperative multiplayer game where you and three other players get to shoot aggressive creatures in many large destructive environments, collect alien resources upgrade, and unlock new abilities for you and your ship. If you’re in the mood for some co-op alien killing, then this one is for you. Pre-orders open on September 22, 2023. The game itself launches on February 8th, 2024. There is a bevy of pre-order bonuses for this one. If you were into Helldivers 1, then you should absolutely pre-order the sequel to make sure you get a good headstart.
Out of absolutely nowhere we are given a look at the new DLC for Tales of Arise, which, for me personally, is one of my favourite JRPGs I’ve ever played. I never thought they would add anymore story to this incredible game, but here we are. Personally, I think it’d be a disservice to explain how Tales of Arise concludes, but just know that this game picks up after the first game’s events. This the first story expansion DLC in a Tales Of … game, and they appear to be going all out. Get your butt to a Playstation 5 right now and play this classic before Alphen’s story continues on November 9, 2023.
Foamstars was announced a little while ago and had people giving their screen’s double takes. That’s right, Sony is taking a page out of Splatoon‘s book with their new competitive online shooter, Foamstars. Your team faces off against another in a high-octane foam shooting brawl to see who can cover the majority of the map in your colour. You cse traversal and combat abilities to get the upper hand in battle. You can play as one of many hyper stylized characters just foaming at the mouth with personality (pun very much intended.) Each character has a unique ability and weapon. Find who matches best with your playstyle, or adapt to the characters the enemy team has picked. The open beta starts on the 29th of September and has a few different play periods. It is a network test, not a demo, so connection issues may be there, but that is why they have to test it! Foamstars releases early 2024!
Penultimately, I’d like to cover Spider-Man 2. Sony has been so kind to us to allow Insomniac Games to take another swing (hahaha) at a Spider-Man game. Marvel’s Spider-Man on the PS4 was a total game changer for the superhero game genre. The original story further proved that nobody could write a story like Insomniac. We had a lot of time to spend with Peter Parker, and then were able to jump into the shoes of Miles Morales in his sister game, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Now we get a double helping of Spider-Men. In Spider-Man 2, you are able to swap between both heroes on the fly as they swing through the city and clean up the crime-ridden streets. You will go face to face with some of the most memorable and evil villains in the Spider-Man cannon. Kraven The Hunter, The Lizard, and the one we’ve all been waiting for… Venom. The game will feature a myriad of new combat abilities, as well as the new mode of traversal, the “Web Wings.” They allow you to fly in the air and reach speeds not attainable in the first game. You will want to fly all over the place, as Insomniac has decided to nearly double the map by adding two of New York’s most iconic neighbourhoods; Brooklyn and Queens. There are also 65 suits for Peter and Miles to wear. You read that right. SIXTY-FIVE SUITS! Plus, there’s an additional 10 suits if you pre-order the game ahead of release. Insanity. Swing through the New York skyline and kick some ass when Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 launches October 20, 2023.
Finally, we have been given a proper look at the ridiculously hyped follow up of the most comprehensive and large scale remake of all time. That’s right. Sony closed out the show with the new trailer for Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. Taking place right after the events of Final Fantasy VII Remake, Cloud and company take off to the world outside Midgar. We are shown glimpses of new party members, boss encounters, and events from the original game. Seeing these things from the past completely reimagined and modernized is enough to bring a tear to the eyes of any person who was obsessed with the source material growing up. Now 27 years later, fans will be able to revisit the latter half of the iconic journey all over again in a way they never could have imagined. There is an incredible interview that was conducted by PlayStation with a big chunk of the team who is working on this game. Nomura confirms that you will be able to play as Sephiroth during THAT SCENE. If you know what I am talking about that should be more than enough to warrant the price of admission. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth looks like a truly incredible, once in a lifetime gaming experience. I, for one, cannot wait to play it when it launches February 29, 2024.
