Tyler's Take: State of Play - June 4, 2025
Taking notes as I watch Sony's latest offerings.
Author’s note: Trying out a new format and jotting down my thoughts in real time while I watch the conference. Though not required—I’m always a fan of you doing you—it might make a little more sense if you follow along to the video below. I’ll be retroactively adding titles, information and maybe some reflection to hopefully organize a little better. Okay, let’s go!
Lumines Arise
Enhance • Fall 2025 • PS5, PlayStation VR2
Talk about starting a show off with a trip, I’m instantly getting Tetris Effect vibes.
Noting this immediately, the sad, melting snowman face is the definitive mascot of this showcase.
It’s Lumines!
Boy I remember absolutely sucking at Lumines. This looks rad, though; I’m in.
Back to the snowman—I wonder what his story is? I’m not sure I’d be able to take that internal sadness right in my face with VR, though.
The demo drops later this summer.
I will save Melton John.
Pragmata
Capcom • 2026 • PS5
A paradise made with the help of AI. This is totally going to be a cozy game—100%. I can already tell.
Lots of dream talk.
WHAT?! Something went wrong?! I am flummoxed.
I think I hear Melton crying. Also, I’m starting to wonder if I used “flummoxed” correctly.
Oh, nope, it’s just another sad spaceman. I’m a sucker for good hair tech though.
Capcom has been on a roll, and this looks pretty interesting. I’m digging the action and movement. Jury’s still out on hearing Diana’s voice for any length of time.
Long development! I’m going to keep an eye on this one.
Romeo is a Dead Man
Grasshopper Manufacture • 2026 (maybe?) • PS5
This art style is somehow hurting my head more than Lumines.
That’s his Grandpa?
Well, that took a turn. I might be sick.
WHERE WAS THIS TECH FOR MELTON, GRANDPA?!
Oh, thank goodness, now this art style I can get behind. Very flashy, very gory. If this runs at 60 fps, I’m down.
Super classy move to put a credits slide at the end. Yay, devs!
Either Goichi Suda is a badass, or Romeo Stargazer is a cool name. We can’t have both.
Bounty hunter Dr. Who actually sounds neat.
Suda is a badass. Sorry Romeo.
Silent Hill f
NeoBards Entertainment • September 25, 2025 • PS5
Mean girls?
I wonder if they can discuss hair strand technology with Suda?
Nothing’s scarier than a title with a random lowercase letter.
NOPE! No, thank you. That goes well beyond scoliosis.
Pipe beats knife, but giant mutant tentacle arm beats pipe. Obviously.
Uniform destruction a la Arkham games?
I tend to stay away from horror games, so we’ll see how this one plays out.
Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement
ArtPlay • 2026 • PS5
Starting with “not actual gameplay” is a choice.
The visual differences between the cutscenes and gameplay are pretty stark. I’m not sure the outlined or cell-shaded look captures the same spooky vibes.
Oh! Hello, Resident Evil mommy!
Whatever happened to Castlevania?
I wasn’t sold on the first Bloodstained game; this one probably isn’t for me.
Digimon Story Time Stranger
Media. Vision • October 3, 2025 • PS5
I’m trying to decide if I know less about Digimon or Yu-Gi-Oh!
Okay, it’s a tie.
Eight-year flashback?! Forget the titans! SAVE MELTON!
This is quickly turning into an anime blur for me.
Whatever happened to Blur?
Whoa! Hold up, I can’t read all the names that fast.
Young Tyler has already made his allegiance to the other pocket monsters. I will uphold his decision.
Final Fantasy Tactics - The Invalice Chronicles
Square Enix • September 30, 2025 • PS5, PS4
I’ve never played Tactics before, so this is exciting to me.
Oh. Those are the remastered graphics? I prefer the pixelated look more. At least we get both? I wonder if there’s a toggle for certain parts—like give me the voicework and new UI but without the AI-smeared visuals.
Not sure they needed to bring out two people to rehash what we just saw, but maybe I’m just grumpy about Melton. I’ll give it a pass.
I’m looking forward to playing this one.
Baby Steps
Devolver Digital • September 8, 2025 • PS5
I refuse to believe that you laughed so hard you almost barfed. Her face is hilarious when he says that, though—rewind and watch her. Hah.
Not a fan of these types of games.
I’m just going to watch her face again instead.
Hirogami
Bandai Namco Studios Singapore • September 3, 2025 • PS5
I like the art style of this!
The framerate might be an issue for me, but it looks neat.
Oh, and there’s done with another one! Okay, moving on, I guess!
Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots
Bandai Namco Entertainment • September 5, 2025 • PS5
Well, I know what I’m getting Michael for his birthday.
It’s been a while since I’ve played a golf game. I’m into this!
Biggest roster ever? So naturally, they’ll have our favorite player. Rhymes with Shmelton Shmon.
Why do bells go off in my head when they say “early unlockable character?” So basically, you can get Pac-Man without preordering?
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
Dotemu • July 31, 2025 • PS5, PS4
Honestly, this looks awesome. No notes.
Cairn
The Game Bakers • November 5, 2025 • PS5
Not sure “managing balance and stamina” is up there with my favorite gameplay mechanics.
Looks pretty!
If there are interesting characters or a more engaging story, I might consider checking it out.
Demo is out!
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
Digital Eclipse • 2025 • PS5, PS4
“Nothing can prepare you for this next collection.”
I bet he was so unprepared he almost barfed.
With all this Mortal Kombat font, I’m surprised they haven’t changed all the C’s to K’s.
What does five games plus more mean?
Ahhh, there we go… “Komplete Kollection.” All is right in the world.
Ed Boon taking the Player 1 side seems unsporting.
I’m already prepared! Barf boy gave me a heads up.
Project Defiant
Awe dang it. I don’t need another fight stick.
I’ll be getting another fight stick.
“Always ready for the fight” is a weird thing to trademark.
Project Defiant is just a codename.
Wireless?! Perfect, so now I can blame it instead of my skills. Take that, Nina.
Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater
Konami • August 28, 2025 • PS5, PC
Ready for this game to just be out.
Still a little unclear to me if it’s a remake or a remaster. Looks like the latter.
I think this guy makes a cameo in Death Stranding 2?
And… Ape Escape? Moving on.
Oh! Not moving on. Some camo goodness. That looks neat.
Okay, now moving on.
Nioh 3
Team Ninja • Early 2026 • PS5
I zoned out after “spirit stones.”
This gameplay looks sick, I wish I weren’t terrible at this series.
Yasuke moves way better here than in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows.
It might be worth checking out the demo to compare.
Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow
Maze Theory • 2025 • PlayStation VR2
This opening is giving off Thief vibes.
Man, remember Thief?
There’s no way this is Thief?!
This is totally Thief.
Dang. I might get this. I wonder where my VR headset is.
Tides of Tomorrow
Digixart • February 24, 2026 • PS5
This looks like Rage 2 dialed to eleven. I’m not against the art style.
Does this game fall under the “bridges” genre? (Serious question.)
Look, I have to help Melton first, then you’re next on my list. But these choices better mean something!
Not sure what this game is, but I’m intrigued.
Astro Bot - Bonus Levels
Team ASOBI • July 10, 2025 • PS5
The Astro Bot theme instantly makes me smile.
There were even more new levels than I was aware of!
And now there are more, more levels. 90?! That can’t be right.
What a great game.
Sea of Remnants
Joker Studio • 2026 • PS5
Tyler-ass game?
Trying to understand if this is an action game or an RPG?
Sorry, Melton, that mermaid is the new face of this showcase.
Oh! Her poor face. That’s awkward.
Wishlisted.
Sword of the Sea
Giant Squid • August 19, 2025 • PS5
Purchased.
PS Plus Game Catalog
Maybe I’m biased toward Game Pass, but this seems like a relatively weak lineup?
Twisted Metal 3 and 4? Are 1 and 2 already on there?
The Twisted Metal TV show is so much better than it has any right to be. I’m excited for the second season.
007 First Light
IO Interactive A/S • 2026 • PS5
Very Hitman.
Too Hitman?
I wonder if they considered Tom Holland for the role?
Not sure I love the younger Bond, but I’ll trust IO. Pretty excited to play this.
Ghost of Yōtei
Sucker Punch Productions • October 2, 2025 • PS5
Is she talking to me?! Fourth wall break!
Oh. Nope. She was not.
What a tease. Guess we have to wait until July.
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls
Arc System Works • 2026 • PS5
Dude, WHAT?!
Marvel is killing it right now. This looks dope.
Now I totally have something to play with my new fight stick!
4v4 Tag Team is wild.
I wonder what’s behind the name choice—maybe they saw the “O” in Yōtei and wanted to be just as cool?
I can’t wait to see the full roster.