State of Play 09/24/2024 write up

copyright: Sony and Sony PlayStation are property of Sony

brevity and ethics: I have no affiliation with Sony, PlayStation or the mentioned products. I'm just a fan and gamer

Reaction: we did a reaction to the event which you can watch below!

What was released!

Astro bot

The September 2024 PlayStation State of Play was a fantastic showcase of gaming excellence, packed with exciting reveals and updates. Astro Bot’s new DLC was a standout, celebrating 30 years of PlayStation history. The DLC references classic titles like Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter, while also hinting at the future with nods to games like Helldivers and Stellar Blade. It’s an incredibly creative tribute to the legacy of PlayStation, and the free content promises to bring even more excitement to the Astro Bot universe.

midnight walk

nother game that caught the spotlight was Midnight Walk, a new release from Hood Owl Studios. This eerie, claymation-style game draws inspiration from the dark atmospheres of titles like A Plague Tale, blending beautiful and macabre elements into a unique world. The trailer was a masterclass in building mystery, hinting at an ominous journey that promises a thrilling and visually stunning experience. With its artistic style and haunting tone, Midnight Walk is shaping up to be a standout in the horror genre.

Hell is us

Hell Is Us the was initially mistaken for another entry in the *Plague Tale* series due to its grim visuals, but it turned out to be a fresh take on the Dark Souls-like formula. Offering atmospheric horror mixed with high-octane action, this game features grotesque monsters and intense combat scenarios. Players will also be joined by a cute drone companion, adding a light-hearted touch to the otherwise dark narrative. Hell Is Us looks poised to challenge players with its difficult enemies and mysterious world, making it a must-watch for fans of challenging action games.

Metro awakening: 

The Metro franchise returns with another chilling post-apocalyptic entry. Set in a haunting post-Chernobyl world, the latest installment retains the series’ signature dread-filled atmosphere while incorporating new features for PSVR. Although the trailer didn’t reveal much about the story, it offered a tantalizing look at what players can expect in terms of gameplay, with tense exploration and dark environments that Metro fans have come to love. The VR integration promises to immerse players even further into this dangerous and desolate world.

Archeage:

The new Archeage game looks like an intense medieval action title, reminiscent of games like Sekiro with its fluid combat and intense battles. The gameplay footage was fast-paced and dynamic, showcasing smooth mechanics and a deep narrative. From the perspective of an omniscient being, the trailer hinted at a story of humanity’s second chance after being nearly wiped out, guided by a mysterious goddess. The game has an epic, almost *Game of Thrones*-inspired feel, making it a highly anticipated title for fans of action RPGs.

Pal world: 

One of the most surprising trailers was for Palworld, a game that’s gained notoriety for its Pokémon-with-guns concept. Despite the legal battle with Nintendo, the trailer shown at State of Play was packed with excitement. The dungeon-crawling gameplay, featuring a heroine and her team of "pals," teased tactical combat and the looming threat of a villain's presence. While the initial shock factor of Palworld has worn off, the game looks fun and offers a unique twist on monster collection, making it one tom keep an eye on.

Lunar 1-2 hd remaster:

JRPG fans were in for a huge surprise with the announcement of the Lunar HD Collection.  After years of dormancy, this beloved series is finally making a return with beautifully remastered versions of *Lunar 1* and *Lunar 2*. The sprite work and fully animated cutscenes looked incredible, bringing new life to these classic titles. The nostalgic charm of Lunar combined with modern visuals makes this a dream come true for long-time fans, while also introducing the series to a new generation of players.

TMNT: shredders revenge:

TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge also made waves with its announcement of a new DLC. This beat-em-up classic is getting fresh characters and a remixed soundtrack, offering even more fun for Ninja Turtle fans. The new content builds on the game’s retro appeal while keeping things fresh with updated gameplay elements. Fans of the series can look forward to more nostalgic action with a modern twist.

Sonic generations x shadow sonic 3 update:

Sonic fans are still buzzing as 2024 continues to be an incredible year for the blue blur, especially with the reveal of the Sonic x Shadow Preorder Pack.  The pack offers special Sonic 3 skins for playable characters and introduces an entire campaign where Keanu Reeves voices *Shadow the Hedgehog*. Reeves as Shadow is bound to make waves in the gaming community, and the new content seems to blend nostalgia with bold new choices for the franchise. Players can pick up this pack as part of the digital deluxe edition, adding even more value to the already packed year for Sonic.

Fantasian neo dimension:

Fantasian Neo Dimension is another title that sparked excitement. This charming, old-school JRPG is composed by Final Fantasy’s legendary Nobuo Uematsu. While the trailer didn’t give much away, what we did see looked fantastic. Fantasian Neo Dimension promises to bring the best of classic JRPG gameplay to a new audience, with its nostalgic art style and compelling soundtrack offering plenty to look forward to.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard 

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is the next installment in the iconic RPG franchise. The trailer gave us a look at the heart-pounding action of a dragon hunt, complete with spectacular visuals of spell-casting and sword combat. The stakes are high as the crew sets out to slay a massive dragon, delivering an epic experience Dragon Age fans expect. The tension and teamwork showcased in the cutscenes only add to the hype surrounding this new release.

Alan wake 2: The Lake House Dlc:

Fans of psychological horror will be thrilled with the new Alan Wake 2: The Lake House DLC. The trailer for this expansion revealed spine-chilling locales and a haunting narrative revolving around a woman’s ill-fated trip to a mysterious lake house. Alan Wake’s revival has reminded players why this series remains a standout in the horror genre, and the DLC looks set to continue delivering on that eerie experience.

hitman vr

In the world of stealth games, the Hitman VR experience is bound to draw players back to the sandbox assassin series. Known for its creative kills and open-world environments, Hitman VR doesn’t hold back on tactical fun. The new VR mode adds an extra layer of immersion to Agent 47’s escapades, offering fans of the series even more ways to enjoy the zany and thrilling world of assassinations.

Legacy of Kain 1-2 hd remaster: 

Fans of the Legacy of Kain series were in for a treat with the announcement of an HD remake of the beloved franchise. While some hoped for a sequel, the remake serves as a fitting reminder of why this dark fantasy epic deserves a proper comeback. The game’s gothic atmosphere, haunting voice acting, and modernized graphics hit all the right nostalgic notes, leaving fans excited for what could come next in the Legacy of Kain saga.

Fear the spotlight:

Fear the Spotlight, a game from Blumhouse Studios, brings retro PlayStation-style horror into the modern age. The trailer showcased beautifully eerie environments, backed by a haunting soundtrack, that would make any horror fan’s skin crawl. Blumhouse’s entry into the gaming world has already garnered attention, and Fear the Spotlight looks like it could be the next big hit in the horror genre.

Tower of agazba: 

Towers of Agazba introduces a colorful, sprawling world where players can create and explore in a god simulator-like adventure. The game blends world-building mechanics with a rich, story-driven experience, similar to Dark Cloud.  With its vibrant visuals and intriguing premise, Towers of Agazba looks like it will be a fun and immersive experience for players who love creativity and exploration.

Lego fortnite:

Lego Fortnite made a splash at the event, showing off new split-screen functionality and an updated controller. The combination of Lego’s humor and Fortnite’s fast-paced action seems like a perfect match, offering a fun, family-friendly experience. The collaboration continues to add fresh layers to both franchises, giving fans more reasons to dive into the blocky world of Fortnite.

They also shown off the new Lego fortnite controller. A cute PS5 controller that looks like how the world of fortnite feels sometimes. 

Dynasty warrior origins: 

The Dynasty Warriors Origins announcement brought some hack-and-slash excitement to the show. The gameplay footage highlighted the franchise’s trademark chaos as players took on waves of enemies. The fluidity of combat and the sheer scale of battles reminded everyone why Dynasty Warriors remains a pillar of action games. Fans of the series are in for a treat with this new installment.

Monster Hunter wilds: 

Finally, Monster Hunter Wilds from Capcom gave us a stunning trailer packed with action and lore. Set in the vibrant RE Engine, the game showed off beautifully rendered monsters and environments, as well as new ways for hunters to track and take down their prey. The addition of the mysterious White Wraith monster adds even more intrigue to this already rich world. Monster Hunter fans have plenty to look forward to with this latest installment.

Horizon zero Dawn remaster:

The remaster of Horizon Zero Dawn was a bit of a surprise, offering 4K visuals and re-recorded dialogue for a more polished experience. While some may question the need for a remaster so soon, the improvements are undeniably impressive, and fans who missed the original will now have a chance to experience it in all its glory. Players who already own the PS4 version can upgrade to the PS5 edition for a small fee, making it an easy choice for newcomers and veterans alike.

On the other hand, the trailer for Lego Horizon Zero Dawn was met with mixed reactions. While the game itself looks like a fun twist on the Horizon world, the trailer’s jabs at Sony’s past franchises like Sackboy and Jak left some fans feeling sour. Despite the humor missing the mark, the combination of Lego’s creativity and Horizon’s vast world still holds potential for a fun gaming experience.

Stellerblade: 

Stellar Blade was a game that launched 10,000 ships for a reason. With its mix of open-world exploration and high-intensity, sword-swinging action, it captured the hearts of fans worldwide. The gameplay, reminiscent of titles like *Nier: Automata* and *2B's* fast-paced combat, made it an instant hit. It wasn't a surprise to anyone that Stellar Blade quickly rose in popularity. Fans adored the fluidity of combat, the vibrant yet dark world, and the captivating story that pushed players to explore every corner of its universe.

And with great popularity comes quality-of-life improvements. **Stellar Blade** continues to deliver with its newest update, which adds a photo mode—perfect for capturing those breathtaking in-game moments. The update announcement also thrilled fans with news that the game's original soundtrack will soon be available on Spotify. Whether you're reliving the adrenaline-pumping battles or getting lost in the game's rich musical atmosphere, Stellar Blade's update shows its dedication to keeping the experience fresh and engaging for its loyal player base.

Speaking of the Nier franchise, the Stellar Blade segment concluded with a collaboration announcement that left fans buzzing with excitement. In a move that shocked both Nier and Stellar Blade communities alike, it was revealed that the two beloved franchises are joining forces. The crossover brings a unique blend of these two action-packed worlds, offering fans of both games something truly special to look forward to.

The highlight of the announcement was a stunning visual of what 2B would look like in the Stellar Blade universe. The iconic protagonist seamlessly fits into the gritty and intense atmosphere of Stellar Blade, her sleek design reimagined to match the game’s aesthetic while maintaining her distinct Nier identity. This collaboration is set to bring fresh gameplay opportunities, and fans are eager to see how these two worlds collide in what promises to be an unforgettable crossover.. 

Ghost of yotei:

losing out the event was the highly anticipated reveal of a Ghost of Tsushima sequel, set to continue exploring feudal Japan in breathtaking detail. The trailer introduced us to a new female samurai protagonist who finds herself hunted by ronin. With stunning visuals and intense combat, this sequel looks poised to capture the same magic that made the original game a hit. Fans can’t wait to explore more of Japan’s beautiful landscapes and unravel the mysteries of the story. The sequel to Ghost of Tsushima is expected to push the boundaries of open-world exploration, with dynamic weather systems and new stealth mechanics that will add even more depth to the gameplay. The announcement was met with roaring applause, and fans are eager to see how the new protagonist’s journey will differ from Jin Sakai’s in the original game.

A the September 2024 State of Play came to a close, it left the audience buzzing with excitement. From the nostalgic returns of beloved franchises like Luna and Legacy of Kain to the fresh and innovative titles like Midnight Walk and Hell Is Us, the event delivered a diverse lineup that promises something for every type of gamer. With a mix of indie hits, major AAA releases, and unexpected surprises, PlayStation has set the stage for an incredible year ahead in gaming. Fans left the event with plenty to look forward to, as the future of gaming on PlayStation looks brighter than ever.