PlayStation State of Play September 2023
Here are all the announcements and updates from PlayStation’s September 2023 State of Play, featuring new indie titles and fan-favourite franchises.
Today's "double header" of video direct shows was capped off with a PlayStation State of Play. Sony's presentation focused on “indie and third-party titles from around the world.” The event was chock full of major gameplay reveals and updates to previously announced titles. Some of the biggest announcements include Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth update, a deeper look at Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Resident Evil 4 remake DLC, Tales of Arise: Beyond the Dawn, Helldivers 2, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Baby Steps and more.
Here is a comprehensive list of all the games and their trailers shared during the event:
Baby Steps
Release Date: TBD 2024
What if you had a power that could change your life, but it was something as simple as walking? That’s the premise of Baby Steps, a new game from the creators of Ape Out and Getting Over It. You play as Nate, a man who has nothing to live for, until he discovers that he can explore a mysterious world by placing each footstep manually. Using unique physics-based gameplay, you will hike through beautiful landscapes, encounter odd inhabitants, and maybe even find some purpose in your existence.
Baby Steps is more than just a walking simulator, it’s a journey of self-discovery and redemption.
Roblox is coming to PlayStation
Release Date: October 2023
Roblox is coming to PlayStation in October! the smash hot game allows users to build, explore, and play with friends in user created spaces. With millions of users and creators from all over the world, there’s always something to see and do. You can create your own world, go on an adventure and soon, you can do all that on your PlayStation console.
Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord
Release Date: Coming to PS VR2 October 26th, 2023
San Francisco is under attack by the Ghost Lord, and only you and your friends can stop him. Join forces with other players in this cooperative multiplayer adventure, where you’ll use Ghostbustin’ gadgets to fight off the paranormal threat. You’ll face different challenges in each mission, from collecting dark PKE to closing inter-dimensional portals. You’ll also have to solve puzzles, trap ghosts, and stop the March of the Malevolent.
Extended look at Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord
Find out how the developers of Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord leveraged the features of the PlayStation VR2 to create the latest ghoulish adventure. The roundtable interview below offer a deeper look at the game with developers – filmed on location at the iconic Ghostbusters headquarters.
Resident Evil 4 – PS VR2 Support and new DLC announced
Release Date: Coming to PS VR2 Winter 2023
If you’re a fan of Resident Evil 4, Capcom has plenty to share during the State of Play. They not only announced some exciting DLC for the game, and announced when RE 4's PS VR2 support will arrive. Here’s what you can expect from the upcoming content:
Separate Ways: This DLC will let you play as spy Ada Wong, who has her own mission that runs parallel to Leon’s. You’ll get to see how Ada influenced the events of Resident Evil 4, and witness some new scenes and gameplay features. Separate Ways will be available on September 21st, 2023 for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation.
The Mercenaries: This DLC is already available, but it will receive an additional content update on September 21st, 2023. The Mercenaries is a mode where you have to survive against waves of enemies and earn points. You can choose from different characters, such as Leon, Ada, and Wesker, and use various weapons and items.
Resident Evil 4 VR Mode: This DLC will be a free update for the PS5 version of Resident Evil 4, and it will allow you to experience the game in virtual reality with PS VR2. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the world of Resident Evil 4, and use motion controls to wield Leon’s knife, aim your guns, and interact with the environment. Resident Evil 4 VR Mode will be coming this winter.
These DLCs will add more depth and replay value to Resident Evil 4, which is already one of the best games of the year.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Release Date: December 7th, 2023
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is a new game that lets you experience the world of Pandora as a Na’vi. Explore the Western Frontier, a region of Pandora that has never been seen before. You will encounter new Na’vi clans, learn their culture, and help them fight against the RDA’s invasion. This latest look at the State of Play offered a deeper look at the beauty and danger of Pandora.
Ghostrunner 2
Release Date: October 26, 2023
If you loved the cyberpunk action of Ghostrunner, you’ll be happy to know that the sequel is coming soon, and you can try it out now with the Ghostrunner 2 Demo. You’ll play as Jack, the ultimate cyber ninja, who has been enhanced with new weapons and abilities. You’ll slash your way through enemies with your katana, and ride your motorbike across the neon-lit city. The demo, which is available now, will give you a taste of the fast-paced gameplay and stunning graphics of Ghostrunner 2.
PS5 Deep Earth Collection
Release Date: Volcanic Red and Cobalt Blue coming November 3rd, 2023 and the Sterling Silver accessories - January 26th, 2024.
Sony announced a new line of PS5 console shells and matching controllers that will let you customize your hardware with stunning metallic colours. The "Deep Earth Collection" is inspired by the elemental beauty of Earth, and features three different colours for both the PS5 console covers and the DualSense wireless controllers. You can choose from the fiery Volcanic Red, the cool Cobalt Blue, or my personal favourite the elegant Sterling Silver, and mix and match them to suit your style.
Helldivers 2
Release Date: February 8, 2024
The developers from Arrowhead Game Studios showed a gameplay video of a mission where they had to face a giant creature called the Bile Titan. The massive creature is one of the new enemies that Helldivers 2 will introduce, and it requires teamwork and strategy to defeat. Various weapons and gadgets, such as turrets, grenades, and jetpacks were showcased. The game will offer a fast-paced and frantic co-op shooter experience, where players will join the Helldivers and fight for freedom against the enemies of Managed Democracy across a hostile galaxy.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Release Date: October 20th, 2023
Bryan Intihar, the Senior Creative Director at Insomniac Games, gave us a new look at gameplay elements and enhancements that Spider-Man 2 will offer. We got a look at how fast it is to switch between Peter Parker and Miles Morales, and use their different abilities and gadgets to traverse the city and fight enemies. Web-swinging has been improved, with more realistic physics and animations, and the addition of web wings that let you glide through the air. We also got a sneak peek at some of the new locations in the game such as Peter’s old high school and Miles’ Visions Academy.
Spider-Man 2's Suit Style System
The latest look also showed off the "Suit Style system," which lets you customize your Spider-Man with over 65 suits from the comics, movies, and original designs. Spider-Man 2 will offer you a bigger and better Marvel’s New York to explore, with more challenges, secrets, and surprises.
Tales of Arise – Beyond the Dawn
Release Date: November 9th, 2023
The saga of Tales of Arise continues with a new expansion that will take you beyond the dawn of a new era. In this expansion, you will follow a new story that takes place after the events of the main game, where the worlds of Dahna and Rena have been united. You will meet a new character, Nazamil, who is the daughter of a former lord and has both Dahnan and Renan blood. You will also reunite with Alphen, Shionne, and the rest of the party, and face new challenges and enemies. The expansion will feature new quests, dungeons, boss fights, and more.
Honkai: Star Rail
Release Date: October 11th, 2023
The free-to-play turn-based space fantasy RPG is coming to PS5 on October 11, 2023. The game also showed a new trailer that featured the voice of Kafka, a Stellaron Hunter who will guide the players through the game’s story and gameplay.
FOAMSTARS – Open Beta Announced
The FOAMSTARS Open Beta Party is set to begin on September 29, 2023 at 6:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) and will end on October 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM PDT 12. The beta is available for free to all PlayStation 5 owners, including those without a PlayStation Plus subscription.
The beta version of the game can be downloaded from the PlayStation Store.
The open beta will feature two game modes: Smash the Star and Happy Bath Survival. There will be eight characters to choose from, each with unique weapons, skills, and a Super Star Skill. Players must master the game’s foam traversal and construction mechanics to build, block, and overpower their competitors to achieve victory. If you participate in the open beta, you will receive a bonus skin once the game launches 3.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Release Date: February 29th, 2024
The most exciting announcement from the PlayStation State of Play was the new trailer for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. The game will be a standalone story that will follow the adventures of Cloud and his friends after they escape from the city of Midgar and explore the world outside. The trailer showed some of the new features and improvements that the game will offer, such as: New locations, such as the Gold Saucer amusement park, the Cosmo Canyon village, and the Temple of the Ancients. New characters, enemies and gameplay systems were shown such as synergy moves that let you combine your attacks with your allies.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will be released exclusively for PlayStation 5 on February 29th, 2024. The game will have enhanced graphics and performance, thanks to the power of the PS5 console. The game will also support cross-save functionality with Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, the upgraded version of the first game that was released in 2021. If you want to experience the Final Fantasy VII remake project so far, you can pre-order the Twin Pack, which includes both games and some exclusive bonuses. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a game that promises to deliver an epic and immersive adventure.
Final thoughts on the PlayStation State of Play for September 2023
The PlayStation State of Play September 2023 was an excellent showcase of the upcoming games and features for the PlayStation 4, PS5 and PSVR 2. We got to see new trailers and gameplay footage for some of the most anticipated titles, such as Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Spider-Man 2, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and Resident Evil 4 VR Mode. We also learned about some new and exciting games, such as Baby Steps, Ghostrunner 2, Foamstars, and Helldivers 2. Additionally, the new Deep Earth Collection, a metallic colorway for PS5 accessories was a neat surprise. It was a great event that highlighted the diversity and creativity of the PlayStation platform and its developers going into the winter. What were your thoughts on the latest State of Play? Let me know in the comments below!
About the Author - Matthew "Dapper Tux" Rondina
Matthew has been involved in all things gaming since the 8-bit era. He is a veteran of the video game and tech industry who has been passionate about technology and gaming for over 20 years. Along with being the Managing Editor of dappertux.com, he has bylines with Best Buy, Cineplex Entertainment, Mobile Syrup and Walmart. Follow Matthew’s gaming + tech adventures on twitter, Instagram and join in on the fun!
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