Speaking recently with Japanese outlet Young Jump, creative director and series mastermind Tetsuya Nomura explained that Kingdom Hearts 4 (as well as mobile title Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link) is being designed as a “reset” that will be easier for new players to get into.

“I do think of Missing Link and 4 as a reset,” Nomura said (via GamesRadar). “I wanted to end it with 3, or rather reset it, so I appointed new writers and even made a new logo to make it easier for new people to get into it.”

Nomura went on to say that the action RPG will still serve as a follow-up to Kingdom Hearts 3, but though existing fans will find the connective tissue, he says the hope is that more new players will be able to hop in this time.

“For those who know how Kingdom Hearts 3 ends, the reason why Sora ends up like that in the ending is because we wanted to reset the story in a way,” Nomura said (via @aitaikimochi on Twitter). “This should make it even easier for newcomers to join the story starting from Kingdom Hearts 4. Fans of the Kingdom Hearts series will also be able to feel like, ‘oh so it’s THIS’, but we’re making this game with the hopes that new players can enjoy it as well.”

Kingdom Hearts 4 was announced in 2022, though details on it have been scarce since then. Leaks have previously claimed that it is targeting a 2025 release.

That’s as per Felipe Lima, editor-in-chief at Brazilian outlet Universo Nintendo, who recently claimed on Twitter that new information on Kingdom Hearts 4 will be shared at Disney’s annual D23 expo later this year. Prominent leaker Midori says she believes the same, but has been unable to concretely verify that information thus far.

D23 is set for August 9-11 in Anaheim, so if this information is indeed accurate, it’ll only be a couple of months until Square Enix and Disney finally share new details on Kingdom Hearts 4. A leak earlier in the year claimed that the game was targeting a 2025 release, so perhaps we could hear more about that as well.

I believe that we’ll see KH4 news in D23 later this year

— ‘Necro’ Felipe #UnivNintendo (@necrolipe) June 4, 2024

I think so too.
But I don’t have confirmed information right now.

— みどり (@MbKKssTBhz5) June 4, 2024

That’s as per Summer Game Fest creator, producer, and host Geoff Keighley himself. During a recent live Q&A session on Twitch, when prompted about the possibility of a Kingdom Hearts 4 showing at the upcoming event on June 7, Keighley quickly doused water on those hopes, saying that those who’re expecting to see the long-awaited action RPG at the event are “setting themselves up for failure.”

Some leaks have claimed that Kingdom Hearts 4, which was announced in 2022, is targeting a 2025 release, so speculation about an upcoming showing hasn’t been complete unfounded- though it doesn’t look at the game is going to get a showing at the upcoming Summer Game Fest, at the very least.

The showcase is shaping up to be a packed one nonetheless, with a number of major games having been confirmed for the event, including the likes of Metaphor: ReFantzio, Monster Hunter Wilds, and a major new game by 2K. Leaks have claimed that PlayStation will also be making further first-party announcements.

Silent Hill 2 Remake Release Date

Whether it’s posters allegedly showing up in GameStop, the ESRB rating the title or Giant Bomb’s Jeff Grubb reporting an appearance at the rumored PlayStation Showcase and The Snitch seemingly corroborating, Silent Hill 2’s time is nigh. Bloober Team’s remake could get new gameplay and a release date, with CEO Piotr Babieno outright saying last month that the latter is happening “soon”. Based on all the evidence, launching this Fall or Winter wouldn’t be surprising. Perhaps in time for the constantly rumored…

PS5 Pro Reveal

With nearly everything about it leaked save for the design and price, it’s almost a given that Sony could finally unveil the PS5 Pro. The release window is still a bit iffy – Grubb reported a September 2024 release, while Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson indicated a Holiday launch, potentially slipping due to the lack of big first-party titles before claiming a Fall release window. Either way, with an alleged 28 percent more memory bandwidth, 33.5 TFLOPs GPU and support for Sony’s new supersampling tech, it could make a splash if Silent Hill 2 remake is a showcase title. As for when it could be announced, the PlayStation Showcase makes sense, but it could very well be at the Sony Corporate Group Meeting occurring soon.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater Release Date and New Gameplay

Along with the Silent Hill 2 remake, PlayStation did this wonderful thing in January, where it outright said Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is coming in 2024. There’s been no denial from Konami nor acceptance, only the assurance last March that development is going well, thank you for asking, etc. However, it also promised an upcoming video presentation with “bigger announcements.” What better time than this Summer to provide an updated gameplay reveal and release date?

Ghost of Tsushima 2 Announcement

There have been some rumors about Ghost of Tsushima 2, though nothing as of late as we approach Sony’s alleged PlayStation Showcase this month. Nevertheless, the time feels ripe, with Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut available on PC and the movie (directed by Chad Stahelski of John Wick fame) coming up. If it happens, expect limited to no gameplay and a potential release window in 2025.

Next Astro Bot Reveal

Of course, the other possible reveal is the next Astro Bot game. Team Asobi has been quiet since announcing work on its “most ambitious game yet”, and Giant Bomb’s Jeff Grubb reports that the new title could finally release this year (though he clubbed it in with Sony’s “smaller first-party titles”). The Snitch would seemingly corroborate its appearance at the next PlayStation Showcase, whenever it may be, so it could very well be Astro’s big break, especially with Sony not releasing any new titles for its bigger first-party franchises until April 2025 onwards.

God of War Ragnarok PC Announcement

Another seemingly inevitable announcement is God of War Ragnarok coming to PC. The rumor comes from none other than Dealabs’ billbil-kun, who has an impeccable record with leaks. They outright said an announcement is coming this month, adding more fire to rumors of a PlayStation Showcase this month. Regardless, given Sony’s habit of launching first-party titles on PC a few years after their PlayStation debuts, it would be surprising to see it out in 2024. Fingers crossed and whatnot.

Gears 6 Announcement

Speaking of “right timing,” Microsoft announcing the next Gears of War at its Xbox Games Showcase would be ideal in many ways. Fortunately, Grubb reported something happening this Summer with Gears 6. The Verge’s Tom Warren agreed and then outright said in a later report that there would be an announcement at the show. If that’s not enough, the voice of JD Fenix, actor Liam McIntyre, said on Twitter that Microsoft and The Coalition will “tell us all in June” regarding certain story spoilers.

Perfect Dark Gameplay Reveal

The Xbox Games Showcase could also mark an appearance for Perfect Dark. Announced in 2020 with nary a bit of gameplay or details since and plenty of concerning rumors and reports, insider Nate the Hate “fully expects” it to appear at the showcase (with Grubb also hearing that it could show up). That would fit with Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty being “cautiously confident” in June 2023 about a gameplay deep dive arriving by late 2024.

State of Decay 3 Gameplay Reveal

The other title potentially getting a deep dive is State of Decay 3, Undead Labs’ next chapter in the survival sandbox zombie series. Also announced in 2020 with little to no updates in terms of gameplay since, its developer saw allegations of negligence in 2022, which reportedly affected development. Nevertheless, Jez Corden of Windows Central remarked recently that it’s coming along quite well, so perhaps we’ll finally see an update at the Xbox showcase.

Game Pass Price Hike Announcement

Another more unfortunate rumor doing the rounds is that of Game Pass getting a price hike. The Verge’s Tom Warren reported on it. Xbox president Sarah Bond would then confirm Activision’s titles coming to the service on day one. Even more rumors surfaced afterwards, with insider NateDrake claiming that new tiers are coming. There will also allegedly be changes in “the form of pricing and a tier change.” Regardless of those plans, a Game Pass price increase seems inevitable, especially given how subscriber counts haven’t been soaring lately.

Hollow Knight: Silksong Release Date Announcement

The best part about so many upcoming events is that Hollow Knight: Silksong could appear at almost anyone. That ups the chances of a potential new trailer and maybe a release date announcement. Does that mean multiple chances to be disappointed as well? Sure, but with the title rated in South Korea, Australia and the US, it would be weird to get nothing in return. Either way, it’s been over five years since the announcement trailer, Team Cherry. Just…please, anything.

Borderlands 4 Reveal

2K Games confirmed that Borderlands 4 was in active development after Gearbox’s acquisition by Take-Two but rumors were already claiming that it saw a shake-up in leadership. The publishing label confirmed a reveal for the “next iteration” in one of its “biggest and most beloved franchises” at Summer Game Fest. Potential Borderlands 4 announcement and gameplay? It would be the safe bet, for sure.

Mafia 4 Announcement

However, there’s also a chance it could be Hanger 13’s long-rumored Mafia 4. Leaker Kurakasis claimed last month that Take-Two had begun “preparations for an announcement regarding the Mafia series.” Allegedly developed on Unreal Engine 5 and serving as a prequel to the series with Don Salieri as the protagonist, it could be the big reveal for Summer Game Fest.

Sonic X Shadow Generations Announcement

Sega is confirmed as a partner for Summer Game Fest, and while there’s plenty it could discuss, news on Sonic X Shadow Generations seems likely. The remaster, features a new campaign starring Shadow the Hedgehog. A new trailer and release date seems likely.

Sonic Heroes Remake Announcement

While Sonic X Shadow Generations may be the main attraction, Sega could announce another remake in the series. According to Nintendo Universe, it’s Sonic Heroes, allegedly developed on Unreal Engine 5 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Whether Summer Game Fest is the place or not, it would garner the most attention.

Metro 4 Reveal

While a prequel to Metro 2033 sounds great, some fans were doubtless disappointed that Metro Awakening is a VR-exclusive title. Perhaps to quell some of that, publisher Deep Silver confirmed that “development continues separately at 4A Games on the next mainline installment of the Metro series.” Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson reported last year in February that it was “well into development” and “fully playable.” Even if Deep Silver reveals the release date for Awakening at Summer Game Fest (where it’s a partner), it wouldn’t be odd to see Metro 4 get a short teaser.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gameplay Reveal

The developer has confirmed updates on its major releases for this year, including Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Star Wars Outlaws. With pre-orders and various details for the former out in the wild, it seems a given that there will be a gameplay showcase. If coincidence isn’t enough, Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson outright reported this would be the case, with hands-on impressions going live on June 12th.

Valve’s Deadlock

Between all the leaked screenshots, gameplay and details, it feels like Valve is gearing up to announce Deadlock. The alleged 6v6 hero shooter is in the alpha stage and features 19 characters, with the usual MOBA roles of tanks, healers and damage dealers. While no release windows have circulated, there’s every possibility that Valve drops the announcement out of nowhere and opens up registrations for a closed alpha.

Monster Hunter Wilds – New Gameplay and Release Window

When discussing predictions, Monster Hunter Wilds getting some gameplay and a possible release window is probably the safest bet. The developer already confirmed new details this Summer, and as a partner at Summer Game Fest, it only makes sense to at least provide a trailer. It could then tout more information at the next Showcase or a Monster Hunter Wilds Digital Event later in June. It makes too much sense not to happen.

Kingdom Hearts 4 New Trailer

As odd as it seems, Kingdom Hearts 4 could appear in the upcoming Summer showcases, though which one is the question. Leaker Daniel Richtman recently revealed that it would launch sometime next year. If that’s the case, an upcoming reveal doesn’t sound too far fetched, especially with the Kingdom Hearts series recently becoming available on Steam.

Wonder Woman Update

Among the many publishers confirmed for the Summer Game Fest is WB Games. We haven’t heard anything about Monolith Productions’ Wonder Woman since December 2021 – outside of the publisher denying it’s a live-service title and a job listing for WB Games Montreal revealing that it’s supporting development. Perhaps this year’s showcase could finally be the time, especially if Warner Bros. Discovery wants a big release for the fiscal year.

Starfield: Shattered Space Reveal and Release Date

Starfield’s first paid expansion, Shattered Space, was already confirmed to launch this year and receive new details. However, The Verge’s Tom Warren reported that it would not only appear at the Xbox Games Showcase but receive a release date (allegedly for September). Redditors also spotted references in its May update video to House Var’uun, a faction that didn’t appear in the base game but whom one of your companions follows. Whatever its nature, expect it to appear all the same.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Release Date

Likewise, there’s Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Microsoft’s next big first-party title coming this year. MachineGames’ action-adventure is reportedly launching in December, per The Verge, so some new gameplay and an announcement at the Xbox Games Showcase seems a given.

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra Trailer

This one’s a bit of a wildcard, not only because Skydance New Media showcased in-game scenes during the State of Unreal at GDC in March, but also because it has a 2025 release window. The developer isn’t listed for Summer Game Fest, though the next round of partners could contain its name. If so, perhaps there will be gameplay and the announcement of platforms.

New Xbox Hardware Announcement

Other first-party games allegedly coming to PS5, potential Game Pass price hikes – Microsoft has a lot on its plate, rumors-wise. However, one confirmed bit is that it will unveil “some exciting stuff coming out in hardware.” It’s unlikely to be the next Xbox, which Microsoft touts as delivering “the largest technical leap” in a generation, but maybe it’s the rumored mid-gen refresh leaked in documents during its FTC trial. Perhaps it’s the new all-digital white Xbox Series X, whose images have been circulating. Whatever it may be, an announcement at the Xbox Games Showcase would make sense.

Crimson Desert New Trailer and Release Window

Remember Crimson Desert, Black Desert developer Pearl Abyss’s ambitious single-player action RPG? It seems that development is complete, and marketing reportedly will kick off in the coming months, per leaker Lunatic Ignus. Targeting a Q1 2025 release, there’s every chance it could appear at Summer Game Fest, especially since its first trailer was at The Game Awards 2020.

Resident Evil 9 Announcement

Pragmata may be in limbo, but it could be gearing up to reveal the next mainline Resident Evil. Reportedly launching in January 2025 per leaker Dusk Golem, it allegedly has the series’ largest development time frame and budget. None of that will stop it from being a monster success, and though it could be unveiled at Summer Game Fest, it wouldn’t be remiss to see it appear during Sony’s rumored PlayStation Showcase.

Dragon Age: Dreadwolf Gameplay and Release Date

BioWare and Electronic Arts confirmed a full reveal for Dragon Age: Dreadwolf in Summer 2024, and based on reports by Giant Bomb’s Jeff Grubb, a new trailer could drop around Summer Game Fest. Even more interestingly, it’s seemingly launching this year. The publisher revealed recently that it has two “unannounced” titles releasing this fiscal year, with Grubb noting that Dreadwolf is one of them. Whether it arrives this year remains to be seen. For now, we just want to see some extended gameplay.

Splinter Cell Remake Update

Announced in 2021, Splinter Cell remake could be due for…something at Forward. There’s not much to go on, save for the developer changing its Facebook page header and profile picture to Sam Fisher’s signature NV goggles, but you never know. As for the nature of the reveal, your guess is as good as ours.

New Ghost Recon Reveal

Then there’s the next Ghost Recon, rumored way back in 2022 and allegedly launching in 2025 or 2026. Codenamed Project Over, it’s reportedly a first-person shooter, per Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson. If the Splinter Cell remake could get an update at Forward, the next Ghost Recon seems just as possible.

Interestingly enough, however, Kingdom Hearts 4 might actually be closer to launch than some may have expected. That’s as per known leaker Daniel Richtman, who recently claimed in an update published on his Patreon page that the action RPG is set to come out sometime next year. Richtman provided no further details.

So far, Square Enix itself has said little about Kingdom Hearts 4, when it will release, or even what platforms it will be available on.

We do know that the game is set in the world of Quadratum, and will also feature the return of a fan-favourite combat feature in Reaction Commands. It is being developed on Unreal Engine 5, which, according to its developers, will allow its visual quality to be “several levels higher” than past instalments.

Though Kingdom Hearts 4’s 2022 announcement trailer was built in Unreal Engine 4, at the time, director Tetsuya Nomura said its next trailer would showcase Unreal Engine 5 footage.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

GSC Game World is bringing the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series back with S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, and the sequel is looking like an excellent modernization of this highly revered post-apocalyptic franchise. The team is using Unreal Engine 5 to bring the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone to life, and the textures and cutting-edge lighting techniques help create a really convincing look to this desolate landscape which in turn, should make for some really immersive gameplay.

Black Myth Wukong

The Soulslike genre is brimming with plenty of new and exciting releases looming over the horizon, but few are as popular and highly anticipated as Black Myth Wukong. While a lot of what makes the game such a looker is the fast and frenetic combat, equal praise needs to be attributed to the astounding world design. Black Myth Wukong’s fantasy world is highly imaginative and is peppered with fierce beasts to fight and wondrous realms to explore. Developer Game Science has made great use of Epic’s Unreal Engine 5 with its project, and it serves as a great example of how UE5 enables small teams to craft experiences that are capable of competing neck to neck against AAA blockbusters.

The First Descendant

Currently in development at NEXON, The First Descendant is an upcoming looter shooter that puts you in the shoes of a Descendant – warriors that are the last hope of humanity against the invading forces. Players can either jump in solo or with friends, and the gameplay revolves around fending against enemy waves all while juggling between your weapons and special abilities. Suffice it to say, The First Descendant looks absolutely gorgeous with high-quality textures and creative creature designs among a slew of other impressive graphical features.

Unrecord

One might be forgiven to think of Unrecord’s gameplay as real-life footage, and that alone speaks volumes about its amazing visual presentation. Everything from the subtle camera shakes to realistic movement mechanics and photogrammetry-based textures come together to create a very convincing illusion of real life, and we can’t wait to step into the shoes of these covert operatives and take on high-stakes missions when Unrecord releases for PC sometime in the near future.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 was one of the first UE5 games to be publicly showcased, and developer Ninja Theory has done a fabulous job of utilizing the engine’s toolset in a wise manner, which can be easily seen in every aspect of the game right from how the cloth physics work to how accurately the actors’ emotions have been mapped to the models and how realistic the lighting is. And that’s just scratching the surface of Hellblade 2’s amazing visual quality, which easily stands tall as one of the best-looking Xbox games to be released in the near future.

Post Trauma

Developed by RED SOUL Games, Post Trauma is as much a glorious throwback to the past as it is a technical achievement in modern game rendering. It borrows gameplay ideas and an isometric perspective from survival horror classics like Resident Evil 2 but presents it all with high levels of fidelity which should make for a great time. Post Trauma will be released for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC sometime in the near future.

Phantom Blade Zero

Phantom Blade Zero thrusts players into a dark and twisted world brimming with masked warriors and demonic abominations waiting to slaughter you on the path of revenge. The game features some slick combat with fast-moving animations along with great environment design, which has been brought to life through smart usage of Unreal Engine 5’s assortment of visual features. It sounds pretty exciting, and we will be checking it out when it comes out for PS5 sometime in the near future.

Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater

After a long line of rumors and speculations, we finally have confirmation that Metal Gear Solid is indeed coming back albeit in the form of a remake. But thankfully, Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater is a complete reimagination of the original with updated gameplay mechanics and visuals recreated with Unreal Engine 5 – and it looks absolutely amazing. The gameplay also looks promising with just the right modern touch, and we can’t wait to experience this remake when it comes out for current-gen consoles and PCs sometime this year.

ILL

Clout Games’ ILL is an upcoming hardcore survival horror game where players will be facing all sorts of gnarly undead monsters as they explore desolated mansions and abandoned countryside settlements all while trying to get to the bottom of an overarching mystery. Like any promising survival horror game, ILL features some thick atmosphere that’s wonderfully brought to life through the use of Epic’s Unreal Engine 5 with quality indirect lighting and high poly textures evident in every frame of the action.

Paranormal Tales

Paranormal Tales will tell mini stories of different survivors as they experience all kinds of paranormal activities from varying perspectives like a VHS camera or a fish eye lens or even a digital smartphone camera. Much like ILL that we discussed previously, one of the game’s biggest strengths are the visuals which are amazingly detailed and that coupled with a minimalist soundtrack should make it a bone-chilling horror experience.

Tekken 8

After a long and arduous wait spanning almost 9 years, fans have finally got a new entry in the beloved fighting franchise – and we are happy to report that it’s a significant step up from what came before in almost every conceivable way. Tekken 8 not only makes big changes to its brawling gameplay but also bumps up the game engine to Unreal Engine 5 and delivers some truly stunning visuals. While it doesn’t utilize the complete breadth of the engine’s features to prioritize performance, the stages and character models do look breathtaking nevertheless.

Silent Hill 2 Remake

Bloober Team is hard at work on a full-fledged remake of Silent Hill 2, and it is looking like a very competent modernization of this excellent survival horror classic. Animation issues aside, the team seems to have nailed the ominous atmosphere of Silent Hill, and Unreal Engine 5’s suite of visual features like dense volumetric fog and reactive lighting do a lot of heavy lifting in bringing that creative vision to life. It comes out for PS5 sometime this year.

Kingdom Hearts 4

The adventures of Sora and friends are primed to continue with Kingdom Hearts 4, which sees our protagonist trapped in the real-life world of Quadratum as his friends try to save him from dark monsters hellbent on destroying anything and everything in their path. Kingdom Hearts 4 flaunts a weird but beautiful mixture of realistic and cartoony visuals, and Unreal Engine 5’s impressive feature set of realistic lighting models and a wide array of texture assets help in accurately mapping that mishmash of contrasting art styles into a cohesive visual presentation.

Hell Is Us

Hell Is Us describes itself as a third-person action-adventure game in its description, but it’s pretty hard to decipher just by looking at the cryptic visuals showcased in the teaser trailer. There are giant swords, companion drones, a post-apocalyptic world, and whatnot – and while that does make it hard to keep track of what’s going on, it’s also what makes it so intriguing in the first place. Of course, the visuals are also a big factor in nailing that ominous presentation, and suffice to say – Hell is Us uses UE 5’s toolkit to great effect for its purposes.

Ark 2

The original Ark turned out to be a big hit thanks to an addictive gameplay loop and its community-driven nature, and developer Studio Wildcard seems to be doubling down on these elements with Ark 2 along with a greater focus on the narrative side of things. Much like the original, Ark 2 flaunts some impressive visuals and realistic textures on the many creatures that populate the world.

Grand Theft Auto 6

The biggest game on this list, which is not even out until 2025, is Grand Theft Auto 6. Rockstar Games’ highly anticipated sequel already hit 150 million views on YouTube with its first trailer with no signs of slowing down. The prospect of a modern Vice City setting, that too built for current-gen platforms, with new protagonists and the sheer insanity of the brand is already enticing off the bat. Rockstar touts this as the “biggest, most immersive evolution” of the series yet, and we’re inclined to believe them. It’s coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S first, with a PC version yet to be announced.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

When you think of Skyrim-like titles, Dragon’s Dogma from Capcom probably isn’t the first to come to mind. The action RPG debuted in 2012, and despite lacking the detail of Bethesda’s world, made up for it with incredible combat, Pawns and an insane story. Dragon’s Dogma 2 looks to build on that in every possible way, introducing new locations, Vocations, tactics and more while polishing the combat and Pawn mechanics. With a world that’s four times larger and impressive fidelity courtesy of RE Engine, it should make a bigger impression than the original after launching on March 22nd for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Examining the concept of infinity isn’t a particularly new endeavor, but from the lens of Like a Dragon, it results in the series’ longest game yet. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth starts with Ichiban Kasuga, the protagonist from Yakuza: Like a Dragon, venturing to Honolulu City to find his birth mother. Through some rather bizarre circumstances (like waking up on a beach in a compromising way), he teams up with Kazuma Kiryu and runs afoul of the local mafia (led by new antagonist Dwight Mendez, voiced by Danny Trejo). The stakes are higher than ever, but Infinite Wealth still promises plenty of over-the-top fun, from delivering meals in Crazy Taxi-like fashion to interacting with mascots while building up Dondoko Island.

OD

Kojima Productions finally revealed its newest IP recently – OD, a horror game, also the same title that Xbox Game Studios is publishing. Aside from utilizing the company’s cloud-native technology and featuring the likes of Jordan Peele as a collaborator (among others), there isn’t much known about the title. Some trademarks for Social Stealth and Social Scream System offer hints at the multiplayer elements, though it may end up like Death Stranding and retain a single-player focus. Nevertheless, it may be a while before gameplay debuts, so sit tight.

Rise of the Ronin

The Bakumatsu is a focal point of Japanese history, with the Tokugawa Shogunate falling and the Meiji Restoration underway. Team Ninja’s upcoming action RPG casts the player as a ronin who can choose their side and develop bonds with characters like Sakamoto Ryoma and Shoin Yoshida. Depending on those decisions, the story changes, and certain factions may oppose you.

From a gameplay standpoint, Rise of the Ronin offers a massive open world with a grappling hook, glider and horseback used for traversal. While you can rely on a katana to fight (and even dual-wield them), there are also spears and firearms like rifles and pistols to take down enemies. Of course, this is from the team behind Nioh, so deflecting a fire arrow back at an enemy and setting your sword ablaze for elemental attacks is a thing. Rise of the Ronin launches on March 22nd for PS5.

The Wolf Among Us 2

Bigby Wolf has had a rough one, with the last gameplay reveal for The Wolf Among Us 2 showcasing his anger issues. Then again, that rings true for the sequel’s development, especially with recent reports that most of the development team was laid off. We’re still looking forward to the narrative adventure, especially with its development shifting to Unreal Engine 5 and all episodes developed together. It’s planned for launch in 2024 on Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and PC.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Years of rumors later, Konami finally announced its first Metal Gear Solid remake – Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Co-developed with Virtuous on Unreal Engine 5 and promising a “faithful recreation” with “evolved gameplay,” it’s coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. It’s reportedly coming out this year so we can’t wait to see how it pans out.

Silent Hill 2

Among its remakes of beloved IP, Konami announced one for Silent Hill 2, developed by Bloober Team on Unreal Engine 5. With composer Akira Yamaoka and art director/creature designer Masahiro Ito involved, there’s plenty of hype, but the past year hasn’t seen too many updates. The developer said things are “progressing smoothly and in accordance with our schedule”, but it’s up to Konami to share more information. With no loading screens on PS5, rebuilt combat and set pieces, and the “best facial expressions” in the franchise’s history, Silent Hill 2 could be the long-awaited revival that the series needs. The game is reportedly coming out this year.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Over 100 hours of gameplay, 150 GB of installation space needed, side content double that of the main quest, a “vast and expansive” world map and even some new episodes for characters like Rufus – Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth isn’t messing around. The scary thing is that this isn’t even scratching the surface of what the remake offers. While many are doubtless excited about the story and its potential directions or the ability to play as Sephiroth (in certain situations), we’re keen on getting lost in Rebirth’s world when it launches on February 29th for PS5.

Marvel’s Blade

Perhaps the most surprising announcement to close out 2023 is Marvel’s Blade, developed by Arkane Lyon. Though it’s “just begun” development and hasn’t revealed any gameplay, it’s hyped as a third-person action adventure with the famous hunter battling vampires in a quarantine zone in Paris. It may be a while before we learn more, but Bethesda has interestingly refused to comment on its Xbox Series X/S exclusivity.

Marvel’s Wolverine

Insomniac Games has delved into darker territory with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, but Marvel’s Wolverine aims for an even more mature tone. Helmed by creative director Brian Horton and game director Cameron Christian of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales fame, it’s rumored to launch in 2025 for PS5, with semi-open world elements and Madripoor as a location. If nothing else, the fact that Walt D. Williams, writer of Spec Ops: The Line, is penning the narrative should make this an even better proposition.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

As the long-awaited follow-up to Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Hellblade 2 sees Senua venturing to Viking Iceland to presumably fight the Northmen. Based on the latest trailer, combat looks as hard-hitting and visceral as ever, while the brutality (and gorgeous visuals) is on another level. Between overwhelming threats and the Furies’ voices, Senua has her work cut out. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 launches in 2024 for Xbox Series X/S and PC, though it’s implied to arrive later in the year.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Speaking of long-awaited, GSC Game World’s S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is nearly upon us, launching in Q1 2024 for Xbox Series X/S and PC. With the developer facing innumerable challenges due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, it’s incredible to see the sequel delivering such fidelity while sticking to the survival horror of its predecessors. As a S.T.A.L.K.E.R. in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, you’re again hunting for artifacts, surviving against radiation, Anomalies and other hazards in a massive and seamless open world. With over 30 weapon types, branching paths and multiple endings, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl promises extensive replay value with its 40-hour story.

Star Wars Outlaws

Star Wars titles have been having a good run lately, and Massive Entertainment’s Star Wars Outlaws looks to offer the biggest adventure yet. As space scoundrel Kay Vess, players can ally with different factions, take on tasks or double-cross whomever they please en route to pulling off the galaxy’s biggest heist. Third-person, cover-based shooting, large planets with speeder action, space combat – there’s plenty of action to go around. However, Outlaws’ biggest strength is arguably the branching dialogue and choices, which have long-standing consequences. It’s out in 2024 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Death Stranding 2

The other big Kojima Productions title in the works is Death Stranding 2 or, more accurately, DS2, which is a working title. Norman Reedus returns as an older Sam Porter Bridges, Léa Seydoux once again portrays Fragile and Troy Baker returns as what many assume to be Higgs. Elle Fanning and Shioli Kutsuna are also part of the cast, but little else is known, aside from it not being a “regular sequel” and utilizing “new techniques” for “more photorealistic CG” per director Hideo Kojima. Though a release window for PS5 hasn’t been announced, rumors indicate it could launch in 2024.

The Alters

11 bit Studios is known for its survival titles that require morally questionable decisions, but The Alters, launching in 2024 for PC, is on an entirely different scale. As Jan Dolski, you roam a doomed planet in a massive base, avoiding killer rays from the sun to eventually go home. It’s not an easy task, so he creates alters, versions of himself with unique backgrounds and personalities suited for different tasks. Not only do you have to interact and bond with them, but also locate vital resources to survive. So far, the prospect of managing different versions of Jan – some satisfied with their existence and others not – The Alters looks to be a trippy but solid survival title.

Kingdom Hearts 4

Just when you thought Kingdom Hearts 3 had a Simple and Clean ending – which, let’s be honest, no one believes – Square Enix is working on Kingdom Hearts 4. It’s developed on Unreal Engine 5 and thus far announced only for PS5, with Sora awakening in the world of Quadratum. You’ll still wield a Keyblade to battle enemies, and Disney characters like Donald and Goofy also make their return. What’s going on, and will Sora embark on another multi-world-spanning adventure? Yes, on the latter, but for everything else, we’ll find out when director/artist/writer Tetsuya Nomura has more to share.

Next Mass Effect

Dragon Age: Dreadwolf fans have plenty of news to look forward to in Summer 2024, but the next Mass Effect is still in pre-production. BioWare did release an in-engine teaser, though, which featured what could be a new protagonist along with returning races like the Geth, Asari and Salarians, but very little else is known. Even worse is that it’s allegedly not launching until 2029. Nevertheless, we’ll wait, if only to see Commander Shepard potentially return.

Max Payne 1 and 2 Remake

Even after launching the excellent Alan Wake 2, Remedy Entertainment isn’t slowing down. Along with Control 2, a co-op spinoff codenamed Condor and the recently rebooted Kestrel, it’s also remaking Max Payne 1 and 2. Published by Rockstar Games, it’s coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC, and will feature a triple-A budget. With a promise to “bring the story, action and atmosphere of the original games back to players in new ways,” Max Payne 1 and 2 Remake looks like an instant hit. Of course, when it will launch remains to be seen, so again, we’ll have to sit tight.

Nivalis

ION LANDS garnered some attention with its cyberpunk adventure Cloudpunk, and it’s returning to the same setting for something more ambitious. Nivalis involves managing a food place, starting from a stall and eventually progressing to a restaurant or club. On top of managing business, you can interact with different customers and friends, explore the city, customize your home and see what life is like in the gorgeous voxel art city. Nivalis is planned to launch in 2024 for PC.

Exodus

Archetype Entertainment’s Exodus is a sci-fi action adventure RPG for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC, featuring Matthew McConaughey, and right away, the resemblance to Mass Effect is uncanny. Interestingly, it features Time Dilation as a core mechanic – you need to steal technology from the Celestials for the sake of humanity’s place in the universe. However, a journey that feels like days could take several years, and you’ll need to deal with the consequences. We still need to see more gameplay and how the Time Dilation works, but it’s intriguing if nothing else.

Perfect Dark

What is happening with Perfect Dark, Xbox Game Studios’ reboot of the acclaimed first-person shooter (singular – the prequel? Never happened) for PC and Xbox Series X/S? Your guess is as good as ours. We know that The Initiative is working on it with Crystal Dynamics, but that’s officially it. Unofficially, there are reports of development troubles, including development restarting from scratch in 2022 with Unreal Engine 5 as the main engine. It’s rumored to be about two to three years off and may have an episodic release. Playing as Joanna Dark on a new sci-fi spy fantasy is still enticing, but more details are desperately needed.

Silent Hill f

The new wave of Silent Hill is off to a somewhat rough start with Silent Hill: Ascension and its interactive shenanigans. However, along with the Silent Hill 2 remake, there’s also Silent Hill f to look forward to. Set in rural Japan during the 1960s, it’s a new mainline title with Ryukishi07 of Umineko and Higurashi fame writing the story (which is an enticing prospect unto itself). Combined with artist Kera (Spirit Hunter NG), it should make for a visceral horror experience unlike anything the series has seen.

Silent Hill: Townfall

In the hopefully more immediate future is Silent Hill: Townfall, developed by No Code of Stories Untold fame with Konami co-producing. The developer’s other titles are more narrative and adventure-focused, but it’s created some incredibly unorthodox and involving horror. Job listings indicate that Townfall is developed on Unreal Engine 5, while rumors state it’s the first in an anthology series. Whatever the case, we need to see more soon.

Wonder Woman

Monolith Productions hasn’t released a full-fledged game since 2017 with Middle-earth: Shadow of War. Nevertheless, we still love the Nemesis System, and it’s coming back for Wonder Woman, which is in the works for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Outside of being an open-world single-player action-adventure title (that isn’t being designed for live service, assures WB Games), nothing else is known. A gameplay reveal in 2024 feels like a safe bet – hopefully, the launch isn’t too far behind.

Project Polaris (The Witcher 4)

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt remains one of the more beloved titles in gaming, and it’s finally getting a sequel. Well, more accurately, it’s getting a new trilogy, starting with Project Polaris. Currently in pre-production on Unreal Engine 5, it has almost 330 developers working on it and promises to be an “excellent entry point” for new players. A player-created Witcher? Ciri’s return? New regions to explore? Whatever the case may be, we’re excited.

Project Orion (Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel)

Given the success of Cyberpunk 2077’s revival and Phantom Liberty, we’re even more hyped for Project Orion. Directed by Gabe Amatangelo, who also helmed the expansion, it’s developed on Unreal Engine 5 and promises to showcase “the full power and potential of the universe.” It has a ways to go, but despite the challenge, lead quest designer Pawel Sasko says there’s “so much space to actually do something awesome.” Time will tell where it’s set and whether it’ll even be first-person, so sit tight.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake

505 Games and Avantgarden SRL are releasing a remake of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons on February 28th for Xbox Series X/S, PC and PS5. With revamped visuals, a live orchestra for its re-recorded soundtrack and local co-op support, it promises to maintain the original’s emotional impact. Those who played the 2013 version can also look forward to some “new secrets.”

Earthblade

With gorgeous pixel art, Metroid-style exploration and promised “countless mysteries”, Earthblade is the next promising game from Celeste developer Extremely OK Games. As Névoa, players return to a ruined Earth and investigate what happened. There are potential allies to meet, enemies to fight and massive environments to explore, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Last Sentinel

Announced at The Game Awards 2023, Last Sentinel drew some attention for its futuristic version of Tokyo, divided between the old and new world. It’s an open-world title developed on Unreal Engine 5, led by Steve C. Martin of Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption fame. Not much else is known, but it’s worth waiting for gameplay footage, at the very least.

No Rest for the Wicked

What do you get when mixing isometric action RPG combat, a dark medieval realm and Moon Studios’ penchant for gorgeous visuals? You get No Rest for the Wicked, launching in early access for PC in Q1 2024 but also coming to Xbox Series X/S and PS5. It sees a king dead and the Pestilence sweeping the land. You’re tasked with wiping it out, visiting unique locations with different challenges and secrets, and building up a quaint town for respite. Online co-op for up to four players is included, but as a single-player title, it looks fantastic.

Black Myth: Wukong

Launching on August 20th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC, Black Myth: Wukong is an action RPG based on Journey to the West, and sees Sun Wukong battling against the forces of evil. Along with his signature staff, which is customizable, players can utilize three different stances depending on the need and unleash powerful Skills. You can also expect over 100 unique enemies and hidden bosses to test your might against.

Light No Fire

Already dubbed “No Man’s Earth,” Light No Fire is an incredibly ambitious new title from Hello Games, which aims to provide a survival sandbox RPG on a planet the size of Earth. It’s completely open, with various biomes to explore, enemies to battle and resources to collect while players learn more about the planet and its state. There’s the prospect of building communities and settlements with other players, but you can also cross the oceans, climb mountains and explore on your own. Currently confirmed for PC, Light No Fire doesn’t have a release window, but we’ll probably learn more about it in the coming year.

Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League

Much as one may decry the co-op component of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, it still promises a narrative-focused adventure for solo players. As King Shark, Harley Quinn, Deadshot and Captain Boomerang, players must fight back against Brainiac’s invasion and his mind control of the Justice League. Combat is more shooter-focused with some juggle mechanics and extensive mobility, while Metropolis is a wide-open playground to mess around in. Ideally, this all coalesces into a memorable story when it launches on February 2nd for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

The Elder Scrolls 6

Did Bethesda have to announce The Elder Scrolls 6 at E3 2018, especially with early development announced this past August? Probably not. Is it at least five years away, as Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer believes? Most likely. Is there anything known about it, except for the title and that it’s using Creation Engine 2? Well, former design director Bruce Nesmith confirmed it has a similar leveling system as Skyrim, so that’s something. Despite the mixed reactions from players to Starfield, it’s a new Elder Scrolls title, which is still a big deal.

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

Naughty Dog has cancelled its standalone multiplayer title for The Last of Us, but it’s still going forward with its single-player projects. The Last of Us Part 3 is rumored, but in the meantime, newcomers and long-time fans can check out The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered. Launching on January 19th for PS5, it features three Lost Levels, developer commentary, new features, visual improvements, and No Return, a roguelike survival mode. It’s a $10 upgrade for PS4 owners, making it a perfect way to revisit the classic.

Alone in the Dark

Alone in the Dark has its fair share of reboots in the past to abject failure. THQ Nordic’s upcoming title seems closer in overall tone, with Edward Carnby venturing to Derceto Manor in the 1920s to investigate the disappearance of Emily Hartwood’s uncle. Both characters are playable and offer unique campaigns (with the full story revealed after completing both), and the manor harbors all kinds of dark secrets and horrors. Alone in the Dark launches on March 20th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Hades 2

Supergiant Games’ Hades 2 finally goes into early access in Q2 2024. The full extent of its content is unknown, you can expect the same level of the evolving narrative over multiple runs. There will also be dozens of voice characters, Boons, new locations and systems, and much more to sink dozens of hours into. Whether you’re a fan of roguelites or not, Hades 2 warrants a look. Early access is coming to PC first, but expect console versions to be announced in the future.

Little Nightmares 3

Supermassive Games is in charge of the next title of the acclaimed horror platforming series, which launches in 2024 for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch. Starring newcomers Low and Alone, players journey through the Spiral, part of The Nowhere, battling hostile creatures and even bigger threats – like Monster Baby – searching for a way out. Full of the same platforming action and tense stealth, Little Nightmares 3 also offers online co-op, though you can play the entire game solo.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

The Prince isn’t quite back just yet, but Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown does offer some fast-paced 2.5D side-scrolling action combined with deep Metroid-style exploration. Players control Sargon, part of The Immortals, who must save Prince Ghassan. What appears to be a routine mission spirals out of control as Sargon gains time manipulation powers and fights to save the kingdom despite being marked as an enemy. As the first mainline title in the series since The Forgotten Sands in 2010, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a long time coming. It’s out on January 18th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch, with a demo coming on January 11th.

Tom Clancy’s The Division 3

As if Massive Entertainment didn’t have enough under its belt, Tom Clancy’s The Division 3 will be happening. Nothing is known about it, but Julian Gerighty, creative director of The Division 2 and now executive producer for the brand, says the team is focusing on “refinement” and “pushing the quality bar consistently forward.” As always, we’ll need to wait for more details, but if its single-player experience is like any of the previous games, it should be fun.

Fable

Announced in July 2020 for Xbox Series X/S and PC, Fable is a reboot of Lionhead Studios’ action RPG series. Developed by Playground Games, it received a new trailer with a Jack and the Beanstalk-style scenario featuring Richard Ayoade of The IT Crowd. Lead lightning artist Lukas Koelz claims it was captured on Xbox Series X, and while raw gameplay is still pending, it’s not bad in terms of visual fidelity. All that’s left to do is wait and watch for more updates.

Control 2

Of all the games with a lack of information floating around, Control 2 is perhaps top of the list. It’s developed on Remedy’s Northlight engine and is currently in the proof-of-concept stage. However, with Alan Wake 2 senior gameplay designer Leonid Stepanov moving over to the project and the former setting up its story, there’s plenty of reason to be excited. It’s coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC, though a release window is still unknown.

Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth

As the first Blade Runner title since the 1997 adventure game, Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth is set between the original film and Blade Runner 2049. It’s after the Blackout, which caused Replicant production to cease (not permanently, of course, given future events). While the gameplay has yet to be showcased, the aesthetic is undeniably Blade Runner and has us excited for the dark dystopian possibilities.

Clockwork Revolution

inXile Entertainment, which released the incredible Wasteland 3, has resurfaced with a brand new role-playing game, this time in first-person. Clockwork Revolution is coming to Xbox Series X/S and PC and focuses on the steampunk city of Avalon. By traveling back in time, players learn how the location came to be and can choose to change things. How this will impact the world is ultimately up to you. The stylish aesthetic is already enough, but inXile’s narrative approach and complex choices are the main appeal.

EA Cliffhanger’s Black Panther Game

Marvel is partnering with the newly formed EA Cliffhanger Studio for an original game based on Black Panther. Details on the game are almost nonexistent, but we know that it will be a single-player experience played from a third-person perspective. Furthermore, key figures such as the likes of Kevin Stephens of Shadow of Mordor fame are helming the project – so it looks like the game could turn out to be something special. Of course, it’s still in the early stages of development – so keep your expectations in check for now.

While neither Nomura nor composer Yoko Shimomura revealed any specifics about the event itself, Nomura stated that the event determined the future direction of the Kingdom Hearts series.

The conversation was translated by Twitter user Audrey, who also stated that original accounts of the conversation indicate the event being “crazyyyy”, but having since been resolved. The conversation on the subject essentially ended with Nomura telling Shimomura that they’ll talk about it backstage.

The event itself hasn’t been described as a good or a bad thing by Nomura, but his words indicate that it will have a major effect on the Kingdom Hearts franchise going forward. Fans of Kingdom Hearts are discussing the possibility of the event having something to do with Disney’s participation with the Kingdom Hearts franchise, but details are scarce and discussions are largely just fans trying to guess what this event might be.

Apparently Nomura was at the Kingdom Hearts Second Breath concert today, and his commentary with Shimomura was interesting. Here’s the transcription:

Nomura: “Last year after the KH event, there was something that happened that determined the direction of the KH series.… https://t.co/VPHnUcqVES

— ☆オードリーAudrey☆ (@aitaikimochi) March 19, 2023

In the video, various members of the studio that made Kingdom Hearts games talk about what the franchise means to them, and the accolades Kingdom Hearts has gotten through its 2-decades-long life, including having sold over 35 million copies across the franchise’s lifetime.

Square Enix unveiled Kingdom Hearts 4 earlier this year in April, revealing that early development is underway using Unreal Engine 5.

Kingdom Hearts 4 will kick off a new story arc, dubbed the “Lost Master Arc”, which will involve Sora exploring Quadratum—a modern metropolis. The announcement trailer gave us a glimpse of Quadratum, and showed off Sora facing a massive enemy. Donald and Goofy will also be retaining for the new adventure.

For more details on Kingdom Hearts 4, here are 11 things you need to know. We also talk about where Kingdom Hearts 4‘s story could be heading next.