6 Biggest Announcements From PlayStation’s State Of Play, According To Reddit

It’s been a while now since Sony last had a PlayStation digital event, and the publisher sprung a surprise one on fans this week. This State of Play was brief (~20 minutes), and these presentations typically don’t hold PlayStation’s high-profile releases. The likes of God of War, Spider-Man, and Final Fantasy-level titles are more reserved for their major showcase events, but these are good opportunities for games that would normally go under the radar to get a spotlight.

It was mostly quiet, but fans on Reddit still found some announcements from the event for these smaller titles that could have potential. Capcom is preparing to publish a bombastic co-op dinosaur shooter, Square Enix revealed some smaller budget RPGs, and there is an inventive take on classic director Akira Kurosawa’s filmmaking style.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R

Surely capitalizing on the ongoing 2022 anime season, the PlayStation 3 fighting game JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle is getting a remaster this year in the form of All Star Battle R. Developer CyberConnect2’s original release garnered critical mixed reception, but thanks to Hirohiko Araki’s hit manga and successful anime adaptations, the game developed a fan following. Redditor Gian_V was pleased with the announcement, saying “Finally having a remaster of that super solid fighting game is refreshing. All Star Battle really has a soul and the PS3 release didn’t do justice to it so I’m happy it’s getting the 60fps treatment.”

A remaster with the gaming technology available could be just the modern facelift the game needs, as it’s an excellent avenue to take to breathe new life into an older game without having to develop a new outright remake. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R is set to release in late 2022 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The timing will likely help retain popularity as Stone Ocean wraps up on Netflix.

The DioField Chronicle

Triangle Strategy was one of the most anticipated JRPGs of 2022 and has recently launched on Nintendo Switch, but it looks like Square Enix is doubling down on the tactical-RPG subgenre across all platforms. Square Enix closed Sony’s March State of Play presentation with two new games, and The DioField Chronicle seems like another attempt at scratching that Final Fantasy Tactics itch. Redditor Badgers_Revolt welcomed this new IP, saying “As someone who likes Fire Emblem and tactical RPGs, I honestly am very hopeful for DioField Chronicles.”

Intelligent Systems’ Fire Emblem games and Tomoya Asano’s team at Square Enix — who handled Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy —  have kept themselves to Switch when it comes to consoles, so The DioField Chronicle looks like an aesthetically pleasing tactical RPG to release for a wider audience. The game will release in 2022 for PS4, PS5, XBO, XSX|S, Switch, and PC.

Exoprimal

Though fans were understandably disappointed to see Capcom present a dinosaur game at a PlayStation event, only for it not to be a new Dino Crisis game, the bombastic Exoprimal looks entertaining in its own right to some players. Good dinosaur-themed games are hard to come by in the mainstream gaming space, so it’d be a treat if this action-based endeavor pans out well.

Redditor newier is optimistic about embracing its “B-movie” appeal, saying “I’m getting much more EDF [Earth Defense Force] vibes than anything else. This game looks [like] my kind of amazing jank junk food game.” Exoprimal is a co-op action game where two teams have to take down hordes of invading dinosaurs, with only one left standing by the end. The dinosaurs — especially the T-Rex — looked surprisingly well modeled, so the game could be an unexpected winner if the action-heavy gameplay loop proves engaging enough. The game will release sometime in 2023 for PS4, PS5, XBO, XSX|S, and PC.

Trek To Yomi

Publisher Devolver Digital is known in the gaming scene for teaming up with creative developers in making memorable, smaller-scale experiences. Last year’s Death’s Door (developed by Acid Nerve) was a big indie standout, and Trek to Yomi looks to be one of their most inventive games yet. Developed by game designer Leonard Menchiari and studio Flying Wild Hog, Trek to Yomi is a samurai-themed side-scrolling action game played with a black-and-white filter.

Redditor HodorLikesBranFlakes is looking forward to the game given PlayStation’s recent samurai hit, saying “As someone who loved Ghost of Tsushima, Trek to Yomi looks awesome.” The combat looks gripping and methodical, while the visuals are immediately striking as it’s a clear homage to acclaimed director Akira Kurosawa (of Seven Samurai fame). The player character, Hiroki, embarks on a quest to protect his home village from invaders, but the story and game seem to play with fantastical, reality-bending elements as well. The game launches this spring for PS4, PS5, XBO, XSX|S, and PC, so intrigued players won’t have to wait long at all.

New Look At Ghostwire: Tokyo

Poised to potentially be one of the best games to play this month, Bethesda and Tango Gameworks’ Ghostwire: Tokyo received a new story and gameplay trailer leading up to its release. One of the more large-scaled games showcased at this State of Play, Ghostwire: Tokyo has a lot of potential going for it that prospective fans will hope it takes advantage of. Redditor TayloTayloBookito is intrigued by the game, saying that they’re “Definitely still interested to see what Ghostwire Tokyo has got going on. The enemy designs are super cool. Looking forward to reviews.”

The combination of the game’s setting, premise, and gameplay mechanics are enough to catch players’ eyes, as it’s a first-person action game set in a modern-day Tokyo mysteriously invaded by malicious spirits. Not to mention that the aforementioned monster designs and environments borrow some horror aspects, too. Combat blends karate-inspired melee, ranged combat, and magic-based action, with the player character being granted powers by a possessing spirit. Ghostwire: Tokyo releases on March 25th for PS5 and PC.

Returnal Free DLC Update

PlayStation’s first-party studio Housemarque released the surprise-hit Returnal last year as a PS5 exclusive, giving fans an exciting new IP that explores a ripe subgenre. The game is a sci-fi-themed roguelike third-person shooter, with the protagonist — Selene — finding herself on a hostile planet and stuck in a time loop. Critical praise largely went to its addictive gameplay and nailbiting challenge, as well as its impressive graphics.

Housemarque revealed a free DLC update called Ascension would be coming later this month, much to fan delight. Redditor basedshark expressed their excitement over the reveal, exclaiming “Returnal DLC is all I ever wanted, and it’s free! Housemarque I love you.” The DLC will add a cooperative multiplayer mode along with a new area called “The Tower of Sisyphus.” The Ascension DLC arrives for Returnal on March 22nd.

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