Besides a few screenshots of the controller and some tech specs, Sony has been pretty hush-hush on the PlayStation 5. When compared to Microsoft and their various livestreams hyping up the Xbox Series X, Sony has chosen to let the hype brew while they wait for the right moment. It seems that moment has finally come, as the PlayStation 5 reveal event is finally upon us. Dubbed the “PlayStation 5 – Future of Gaming Show”, this stream showed us quite a bit about both the PlayStation 5 and the games that we’ll be playing on it. There was a ton of information to gather and process, so if you missed anything during the stream, don’t worry! We’ve made sure to include all the major talking points from today’s PlayStation 5 reveal in this recap. If you don’t have time to watch the entire livestream, or simply prefer reading over watching, here’s everything that Sony announced on the PS5 reveal stream!
PlayStation 5 Reveal Stream
PlayStation 5 Console Reveal
While Sony chose to wait until the very end of the stream to show off the PlayStation 5 console, we thought the design was important enough to earn top billing. Although there was no price or release date shared, we got a very close look at the design of the system, as well as the controller. Reactions to the sleek, sharp-edged design have been mixed, but it’s hard to deny just how eye-catching the PlayStation 5 is. The console will have two individual SKUs, one for a standard PlayStation 5 and another for a Digital Console that foregoes the disc-drive.
There’s sure to be a price difference between the two systems, but we’ll have to wait for a bit to get specifics. Regardless of how you feel about the look of the console, there’s no doubt that the PlayStation 5 will offer some serious gaming later this holiday. We’re excited to see what Microsoft has to offer next month when they have their first-party games livestream, but Sony has pushed ahead in the all-important race of launch window hype
Grand Theft Auto V on PlayStation 5
Sony started off the PlayStation 5 reveal livestream with some news about the massively popular Grand Theft Auto V. This best-selling open-world game will be coming to PlayStation 5 sometime in 2021. To get player excited, Sony is offering millions of bucks in GTA V Online cash every month until its release. PlayStation 5 owners will also receive GTA Online, the MMO portion of GTA V for free on launch.
Spider-Man Miles Morales
When Marvel’s Spider-Man launched in 2018, we were pretty big fans of it. That said, you can count us especially excited for Spider-Man Miles Morales, the next game in this epic superhero franchise. As the title would suggest, this new Spider-Man game focuses on the next man behind the famous spider-mask, Miles Morales. We got to learn a bit about this character in Marvel’s Spider-Man, and he ended up being one of our favorite characters. We can’t wait to see what web-slinging action awaits us in this spidey-sequel.
Gran Turismo 7
This seminal racing franchise has been making huge waves on PlayStation consoles ever since the series debuted in the late 90s. Often considered the most realistic racing experience available in all of video games, the Gran Turismo franchise is due for a comeback. After the latest game, Gran Turismo Sport, released to so-so critical reception, Sony could use a big win. The footage that was shown was incredibly realistic and intense as can be, so we’re confident Gran Turismo 7 will put the series back on track.
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
The Ratchet and Clank series has been synonymous with exciting and colorful PlayStation action for a long time. However, after attempting to make a movie adaptation and a subsequent remake of the original game in 2016, the Ratchet and Clank franchise has been pretty quiet. This new Ratchet and Clank game sees our iconic duo speeding through tons of dimensions, warping through the fabric of space-time itself. At the end of the trailer, we also got a look at a female protagonist, potentially a female Ratchet from an alternate universe!
Project Athia
This exciting third-person action game comes from Square Enix, one of the most prolific publishers of stylish adventures in the past few decades. Although we don’t know too much about the specifics, the gameplay features tons of cool sci-fi powers, awesome creature and environmental designs, and of course, some stylish action and graphics. This title is being “designed exclusively for the PlayStation 5”, but no official release date was shown.
Stray
In Stray, you traverse a futuristic city with cyberpunk aesthetics while playing as a stray cat. In this neon-lit future, humanity has seemingly perished, leaving a wake of emotionless robots behind. Although no gameplay was shown, Stray seems to have a fun yet wistful atmosphere, so we’re excited to see more about the game when more trailers release.
Returnal
This sci-fi, third-person action game heavily features the time-loop concept, putting players in the shoes of a space-explorer stuck in a loop of life and death. Each loop, the unnamed female protagonist explores a deadly and shifting planet, full of deadly alien creatures and traps. The realistic visuals are paired well with psychedelic and appropriately other-worldly images. The mixture of action, science fiction, and horror has us plenty hyped, and we can’t wait for this PlayStation 5 exclusive game to hit store shelves.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Although LittleBigPlanet developers MediaMolecule have been occupied with maintaining the community for Dreams on PlayStation 4, it seems like they’re not ready to leave behind their favorite mascot, Sackboy. In this four-player cooperative adventure, you’ll hop around 3D levels as you defeat enemies, collect orbs, and race to the finish. The game looks very reminiscent of 3D Mario games, as well as the PlayStation-exclusive Astrobot. While it’s not LittleBigPlanet 4, we’re still plenty excited for Sackboy: A Big Adventure.
Destruction Allstars
This quirky arcade-sports title looks to marry Rocket League with the destruction derby concept, while also allowing drivers to run around the arena outside of their cars. It’s a super stylized game with lots of flashy characters and graphics, but the controls and general idea look pretty easy-to-understand. There’s plenty of room in the “weird sports but with cars” genre, so we’re hoping Destruction Allstars is as replayable as some of its competitors.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
This quaint and quiet-looking adventure game is visually reminiscent of Pixar movies, featuring a young girl with a powerful staff. Small forest sprites seem to play a large part in the narrative, as you work your way through the forest defeating enemies. Only time will tell if this indie title has what it takes to differentiate itself from the pack. Regardless, it looks visually appealing with some engaging gameplay, so we’ll definitely give it a whirl.
Goodbye Volcano High
There’s a lot about Goodbye Volcano High that’s incredibly unique. From its animated art-style to its anthropomorphic characters, this coming-of-age tale gives us big Life is Strange vibes, so we’re keeping our eye on this one. The trailer didn’t give us much in the way of gameplay, but the general concept and visual style is enough to keep us intrigued.
Oddworld: Soulstorm
The Oddworld franchise has been painfully underrated since it launched on the original PlayStation in 1997. Although the series has tried its hand at a few different genres, Oddworld: Soulstorm seems to be taking the franchise backs to its roots. We’re hoping Soulstorm will be just as challenging as previous Oddworld games have been, offering a morbid and difficult adventure.
Ghostwire Tokyo
Tango Gameworks is one of the most unique developers of horror games in the industry, and if you’ve played The Evil Within, you know that as a fact. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Ghostwire Tokyo, as the game was first announced at Sony’s E3 2019 conference. The PlayStation 5 reveal stream gave us a first look at the gameplay, which is far more action-packed than we originally expected. In this first-person game, you’ll run through the streets of Tokyo, Japan, eliminating supernatural beasts and other creepy ghost foes. The game should be releasing sometime in 2021.
Jett: The Far Shore
The Super Brothers, developers of the acclaimed indie game Sword & Sorcery, are returning with this space exploration game which launches this holiday on the PlayStation 5. The evocative atmosphere and minimalistic art direction has us exceptionally intrigued. The main objective of Jett looks to revolve around finding a new home for humanity, spread out across hundreds of years of space travel. We’re excited to reach the far depths of space sometime this holiday.
Godfall
Godfall was one of the first PlayStation 5 games announced, and the PlayStation 5 reveal stream game us a better look at the intense, third-person action. Published by Gearbox Games, Godfall pits you against other hugely powerful titans, engaging in fierce battles with a variety of weapons and powers. A surplus of loot awaits you, surely providing extra strength and opportunities in battle. At the very least, Godfall is an exceptionally flashy game that screams “next-generation gameplay”.
Solar Ash
Back in 2016, a game called Hyper Light Drifter wowed fans of indie games with its razor-sharp art design, fast-paced gameplay, and explosive combat. The developers of that game, Heart Machine, announced their next title on the PlayStation 5 reveal stream, called Solar Ash. Like Hyper Light Drifter, Solar Ash has sharp art and character designs, features a lovely use of color, and some impressive use of scale. Based off our first impressions alone, we’re sure that Solar Ash will be a game to watch out for.
Hitman 3
When the Hitman series first started way back in 2000 with Hitman: Codename 47, stealth fans immediately gravitated towards this stylish and sleek franchise. It wasn’t until the recent Hitman reboot in 2016 that the allure really started to set in for me, as I quickly found myself devouring every bit of episodic content. Hitman 2 impressed me even more in 2018, cementing itself as one of my favorite open-world games. With the level of creativity that the Hitman franchise allows, I’m certain that Hitman 3 will continue to raise the bar. The trailer promises a darker and more intimate story for Agent 47, and we can’t wait to see what exciting locations his next adventure takes him.
Astro’s Playroom
The 2018 PlayStation VR title, Astrobot: Rescue Mission, has earned incredible critical acclaim, with many citing it as the PlayStation equivalent to the Super Mario franchise. Astro’s Playroom seems to be a smaller follow-up to that title, featuring the same colorful and lighthearted platforming gameplay that fans enjoy. Astrobot: Rescue Mission had some really great mechanics that helped it stand out and we’re hoping that Astro’s Playroom does the same.
Little Devil Inside
Little Devil Inside is one of the most striking games from the PlayStation 5 reveal stream, with an abundance of interesting set-pieces and environmental designs. The game follows a college professor who investigates paranormal mysteries, while you tag along as his sidekick. There’s a great variety in visual style, an aloof sense of humor, and an undeniably foreboding atmosphere. We’ve put Little Devil Inside on our short list of anticipated upcoming games and you should too.
NBA 2K21
To fill in the “sports games announcement” spot on your “summer games conference” BINGO card, NBA 2K21 is here to save the day. Although the trailer we got was pretty brief, it accurately showed off the heightened realism we can expect from the visuals in NBA 2K21. If the above screenshot isn’t proof enough, it looks like 2K21 is going to be a sweaty, sweaty time.
Bugsnax
Created by the wholly original developers of Octodad, Bugsnax is another exceptionally weird adventure that will force you to think in unexpected ways. In the game, you run around eating various food which bestows new powers upon your character. You’ll use these newfound powers to solve puzzles, defeat enemies, and reach new areas. The game has a quirky sense of humor that’s sure to make us giggle when it launches this holiday season.
Demon’s Souls Remake
FromSoftware fans, now’s the time to get amped. The game that put the “Souls” in the “Souls-like” genre is getting a modern remake. Originally released in 2009, this stunningly tough action-adventure game has caused countless of Dualshock controllers to be chucked across the room. With incredibly tough bosses, a magnificent and morbid world to explore, and plenty of secrets along the way, we’re sure this remake of Demon’s Souls will be one of the best PlayStation 5 games available.
Deathloop
We also got a great look at Deathloop, the upcoming first-person action game developed by Arkane Studios, creators of the Dishonored franchise. In Deathloop, you must survive for as long as possible in a futuristic city where everyone is dead-set on killing you. Every time you die, you’ll learn a bit more about the world around you, while likely upgrading your character. It seems like big-budget roguelite games might be the next big thing, and Deathloop is the one we’re watching out for the most.
Resident Evil VIII: Village
Resident Evil is back again, and like Resident Evil VII, RE8 looks to embrace rural folklore and creepy urban legends. Judging from the trailer, the game will likely play from a first-person perspective, offering a change from the past two Resident Evil titles, which were remakes of RE2 and RE3. It also appears like the undead won’t be your only opposition, as the end of the trailer seemed to feature a werewolf-like enemy. Simply put, there’s a lot of mystery behind Resident Evil VIII, and we can’t wait to uncover the truth of it all.
Pragmata
Pragmata is weird… very weird. The trailer we saw on the PlayStation 5 reveal stream didn’t show us much in the way of gameplay, but it definitely has us interested. The teaser trailer featured a character in futuristic space gear, searching through empty city streets. Upon finding a young girl, a tangle of black webs seems to invade the world, sucking both the astronaut and the girl into space. Landing on the moon, the pair stare at a the Earth. We have no clue what you’ll do in Pragmata, but we’re certaintly intrigued.
Horizon II: Forbidden West
We absolutely loved Horizon: Zero Dawn when we reviewed it in 2017. After watching the trailer for the sequel, Horizon II: Forbidden West, we can barely contain our excitement. Not only does Horizon II look to feature a better variety in environments, but it looks to further expand the exciting sci-fi world of the franchise in some really cool ways. The mixture of nature and machinery that Horizon provides has always been cool, but Horizon II looks to improve that aesthetic in more ways than one.
