The PlayStation Showcase on May 24, 2023 highlighted a lengthy lineup of upcoming PS5 and PSVR2 games that will be released in mere weeks, later this year, and/or the distant future. The hour-plus stream provided some exciting reveals including the long-rumored Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake, Dragon’s Dogma II, Alan Wake 2. as well as deep dives into the upcoming Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the exciting indie The Plucky Squire, a Destiny 2 surprise, and so much more.
Unfortunately, due to all of the hype, rumors, and too good to be true “leaks” of games that didn’t appear at the event, the Showcase that was supposed to “blow our balls off” didn’t quite live up to its lofty expectations. With my Grant “Testas” still fully intact, let’s take a look at all of the reveals and trailers that should have been presented at May’s PlayStation Showcase.
Astro Bot Sequel
Team Asobi’s Astro Bot games have been some of the most impressive PlayStation exclusives of both the current and previous generations with 2018’s VR standout Astro Bot Rescue Mission and the free PS5 launch platformer Astro’s Playroom. Unfortunately, PlayStation’s de facto mascot was nowhere to be found at Wednesday’s Showcase. We currently don’t know much about the next game in the Astro Bot franchise, but hopefully Team Asobi will shed some light on their next series entry in the coming months.
Bloodborne Remaster/Remake or Bloodborne 2
It seems that prior to every PlayStation Showcase, Bloodborne fans (myself included) put on the clown makeup and convince each other that “this will be the day” when Sony will finally reveal a remaster, remake, and/or PC version of the genre-defining PS4 exclusive. The biggest dreamers even delude themselves into thinking a Bloodborne sequel will be unveiled. Once again, another showcase came and went without a Bloodborne appearance, and my fellow clowns and I will remain disappointed until the next state of play, when the cycle of false hope begins again.
Related: 8 Reasons Why We Need a Bloodborne Remaster or Remake
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Although Final Fantasy did make a showing at the PlayStation Showcase in the form of Final Fantasy XVI, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the second act of the three-part Final Fantasy VII project, was nowhere to be found. It is seeming increasingly questionable whether Rebirth will release during its current winter 2023 window, as there has been very little revealed about the upcoming Final Fantasy title outside of the its first look trailer that arrived nearly a year ago back in June 2022.
Ghost of Tsushima 2
2020’s Ghost of Tsushima was a smash hit exclusive for PlayStation, garnering accolades and becoming a fan favorite IP, leaving gamers eagerly awaiting Sucker Punch’s follow-up. While the showcase highlighted other iterations of feudal Japan, Ghost of Tsushima 2 (if that’s even what it will be called), was not included in the Showcase, which feels like a missed opportunity.
Half-Life Alyx
Half-Life Alyx, the virtual reality first-person shooter that originally released in 2020 for Windows and Linux has been a rumored PSVR2 game, and many were convinced that the latest entry in the acclaimed Half-Life series would be present at the PlayStation Showcase. Unfortunately, the Half-Life hopeful ended the PlayStation Showcase fully disappointed when the game was not included in Wednesday’s roster.
Kingdom Hearts 4
It has been over four years since the launch of Kingdom Hearts III back in January 2019, the long-awaited follow-up to 2006’s Kingdom Hearts II (not including the numerous, bizarrely named series games and spinoffs between). While there were some whispers of a potential Kingdom Hearts 4 reveal, it ultimately did not come to pass at the showcase. Hopefully players don’t have to wait another thirteen years for the next numbered Kingdom Hearts game like they did last time.
The Last of Us: Factions or The Last of Us Part III
Despite the poorly received PC port of The Last of Us Part I, the franchise is still riding high thanks to the excellent HBO Max (I refuse to call it Max!) television series starring Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal. You might think that Sony would use this newfound momentum to reveal the multiplayer spinoff The Last of Us: Factions, or better yet The Last of Us Part III, but ultimately Naughty Dog’s flagship title was noticeably absent from the showcase.
Related: The Last of Us Episodes Ranked
Little Devil Inside
Little Devil Inside is a highly intriguing indie RPG with a long, confusing history. After appearing in the grand finale of the 2021 State of Play, there has been no new information on the timed PS5 exclusive. With yet another absence from PlayStation’s marketing/promotion, it seems that Neostream Interactive will have to exorcise its demons if Little Devil Inside is ever going to see the light of day.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic had not been available previously on PlayStation consoles, but the upcoming remake will launch as a timed PS5 exclusive. Unfortunately, Knights of the Old Republic’s development process has been riddled with turmoil and has reportedly been delayed until as late as 2025. Nevertheless, an appearance from the beloved Star Wars title would have been a welcome addition at the PlayStation Showcase, but it seems that KOTOR is M.I.A. for now.
Uncharted Sequel or Spinoff
Admittedly the least realistic possibility of any game on this list, the Uncharted series has been placed on Naughty Dog’s backburner, as creator Neil Druckmann has stated that there are no current plans for any new games in the series. However, I find it very hard to believe that PlayStation won’t eventually return to one of its most successful exclusives, whether in the form of a remake, reboot or spinoff, and May’s showcase would have been the perfect moment to bring back the action adventure classic.
Marvel’s Wolverine
Maybe PlayStation didn’t want two Marvel games featured at the same showcase (even though they had done so previously), but it has been nearly two years since we’ve heard anything about Marvel’s Wolverine. Insomniac’s next foray into Marvel lore will be centered around the iconic, adamantium-clawed X-Men hero, and was revealed with a teaser trailer at the 2021 PlayStation Showcase. It will likely still be quite a while until we finally experience the PlayStation exclusive vision of “Weapon X,” but another trailer could have been a great appetizer prior to the incredible Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 gameplay demonstration.
