Not E3…. Part one SGF
My plan was to not watch the Geoff Keighley Summer Games Fest as it was on late and is known for time wasting and ads, and I would rather catch up on all the reveals, release dates and new games (the World Premiers) the following day. But it came on and I wasn’t doing anything else so I dove in thinking I will watch as much as I can to get my own first hand impressions of it. Overall, I feel it was a bit of a wet squid. There was not much there that interested me personally, many CG trailers, lots of ‘coming soon’ games and many trailers were for games we already knew about. This is not to say it was a bad show by any means as the show itself was up to its usual high production standard as expected, rather it didn’t have the shocks and appeals I am accustomed to with the SGF and other Keighley productions. He usually has the clout to ensure that he has the lion’s share of the reveals apart from the first party shows like PlayStation, XBOX and Nintendo. Case in point is the reveal that Studio MDHR is making a new Cuphead game (not a huge surprise) but they are also releasing a smaller Cuphead game that is a 2D Platform sidescroller shooter, Mighty Cuphead Adventure, but there was minimal gameplay or information of any kind. Great news, but not much of it.
This is of course not unexpected as there is a well reported and heavily documented change in the industry at the moment and many games are either being canceled, altered or development slowed or even completely put on ice until the studios feel they can put their heads above the pulpit again with confidence. There is also the red sea parting in the face of the behemoth that is GTA6 at the end of the year with multiple games either delaying or moving up their release date making August/September/October this year and January/February next year hectic months all to evade the colossus bearing down on us. Whether GTA6 will have the release sales or success everyone is already imparting onto itis yet to be seen, but if their other games are anything to go by, I would be surprised if it wasn’t a roaring success, even if I am not interested.
The show ran for about 2hrs and there was little respite in between games and trailers, with the odd developer interview/presentation. As usual it was slick and professional, with both Geoff Keighley and Lucy James doing a good job of hosting. Although it wasn’t a show jam packed with WOW moments, I was struck once again just how many games are coming and the variety that we as gamers have on offer. There is really a game for everyone (maybe not Destiny 3 for the Destiny fans irrelevant how many times they typed it in all the chats!) I have listed the games in order below as well as my thoughts.
Code Veronica: I have never really been into horror games but I do have a soft spot for the original Resident Evil game. I have not really played any after that but I always cheer for any new entry in the series. This is a remake of the original Code Veronica and I believe it was already known about or at least it was suspected. It looks really good and I imagine that anyone who was waiting for this will be more than happy with it. Once again Capcom is killing it and this is another example of them knowing and therefore doing exactly what their fans want.
PS5, Xbox, Steam, Switch 2
Cuphead: Again this was a proof of life check in on what the studio is doing., Cuphead was a favourite of mine and my son played the hell out of this game so he is happy. The side game they are making seems interesting but again there was not a lot of information about it and there is about the same on the website. No release date or any concrete information on either game.
No platforms stated
Alien Isolation: Not my cup of tea but again fans of the original seem to be over the moon. Again not much information but rather a reveal that they are working on it and no information on how far along they are.
XBOX, PS5, Switch 2, Steam
Gen ATLUS: I wish there was more information on this as it looks cool. From the creator of Shadow of the Colossus and The Last Guardian. Seems to be an Epic exclusive which is a shame.
Epic, PS5 and XBOX
Blood Message: This looks like it could be good but it was all CG trailer with some shots that looked like gameplay. But not enough to be sure. There is a gameplay walkthrough of an early build on the website (https://www.blood-message.com/en/news/official/20260607/43619_1303275.html). Which shows a lot of the usual shimmy through gaps, stealth and quicktime events. The combat seems quick, fluid and chunky. It is only an early build and it is in Unreal Engine so we know from experience what we can expect. There was a hands-on preview released the day after at the Play Days so there may be more information coming.
Epic and Console I think.
Stranger than Heaven: This has been shown before and I am always in on a RGG. The game will be released on the 15th January 2027. There was the big reveal of Tupac being in the game which seems to have people divided. Their games are always a little wacky and weird while being serious and moving. There are few studios that can walk the line between those two wildly different states, but RGG is one of those studios.
XBOX (Game Pass), PS5, Steam
HAEX: A single player or co-op survival shooter with a procedural open world where you search for a science team that went missing in the sub arctic north. A word salad that means a lot and at the same time not much. It looks interesting with well designed aliens with a plant growing mechanic, gear crafting and sentient cube that aids you as you move through the world and level up. If all this comes to fruition it should be a lot of fun, but until we see more there is little to go on. It enters early access on Steam next year.
Epic, Steam
Dead by Daylight: their 10yr anniversary update.
Mortal Shell 2: An Update on the game as well as a demo and Beta details. I played the Demo and it is an updated version of the original and as with the original I could not get on with it. It is a good game but it feels clunky to me. If you enjoyed the original this will be a refined version of that and looks amazing.
Steam, PS5, XBOX
Sand Raiders of Sophie: This is a looter shooter extraction type of game where you scavenge the dunes using your highly customisable walking mech fortress. It is a solo or squad PvP game set in a procedurally generated desert set in an alternative 1910. I think I saw a very early version of this years ago but I am not sure. It is due to be released on the 10th June 2026 but there is a playtest going on at the moment.
Currently Steam but PS5 and XBOX are on their website
Assassins Creed: Black Flag Resynced: Another look at the remake of Black Flag. It looks great and the reviews from people who have played it have been positive. This is Ubisoft so take that with a pinch of salt but there is always copium. It is out in a month on the 9th July.
Steam, Epic, Ubisoft Connect, Ps5, XBOX
TNT The Last Ronin: A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game from Platinum Games and Paramount. That seems to be it. Nothing on their website. Essentially nothing to report other than a red background and an anthropomorphic turtle with a cowl and two swords on their back. There is a sign up at thelastronin.com which lets you sign up for early information on the game.
Gundum Rogue Orbit: a gundum game from BandiNamco that I would want to play. It is coming in 2027. It styles itself as a fast paced cinematic story with high-mobility action hard hitting combat. Lots of big mechs fighting many mechs and bigger mechs.
Steam, PS5, XBOX and the BandaiNamco store
An Eggstreamely Hard Game: Firendslop (I think that is a thing now) game where you play as two birds who have to move a nest with an egg in it by carrying it between them in their beaks in a Getting Over it style manner. There are logs to cross over rivers, boulders to navigate and tight spaces to squeeze through.
Steam
Crossfire: An extended view of the game with a lot of gameplay. It is a single player game where you move through a hostile environment with two people, who are opposing operatives but are now both being hunted and need to work together. The cover system is unique and your character alters their position dependant on the cover they are behind. The shooting looks good and the lighting and graphics are spot on. We will have to see how the writing is as that is often where these games fall down as it is not always the focus.
Control Resonant: This game was everywhere over the weekend. It is out on the 24th September (another one out of the way of GTA6). You play as Jessy Faden's brother Dylan, who has to clear up Manhattan after the containment breaks on the Oldest House and the various anomalies burst out into the surrounding area. This is Remedy so expect their usual brand of weird and reality bending gameplay.
Steam, Epic, PS5, Xbox
Guild Wars 3: The next installment in the Guild Wars franchise. Never played the previous games but it seems an updated version of this.
Steam PS5
Star Wars Galactic Racer: This has been shown before but the release date was given as the 6th October 2026. Now this is Pod Racing!
PS5, Xbox, Steam, Epic
End of Abyss: A 3rd person twin stick horror shooter. Looks interesting with great graphics, mood setting lighting and tension.
Epic, PS5, XBOX
Last Harbor: An online PVP co-op where you are on a boat when a zombie apocalypse happens and you need to survive. An interesting take on a zombie apocalypse with crafting, exploration and boat upgrades. The game does look creepy with interesting looking zombies and environments.
Steam
Runescape Dragon Wilds: A survival game set in the Runescape world that has been at these shows for a few years now. The game is already in early access on Steam. I am waiting for the full release to see if I will be interested in the game but it has Mostly to Very Positive reviews on Steam currently. They set a release date on all platforms for the 15th September 2016.
Steam, Epic, PS5, XBOX
SoulFrame: The next game from the Warframe devs Digital Extreme. I played and Alpha build a while ago and have been keeping an eye on this. I love Warframe but, as I am sure this game will be, the grind is what gets me. These are forever games or at the least massive time sinks. The game is fluid and looks incredible and features the fast tight combat you expect from Digital Extremes. Currently you can request access to play early and they have founders packs up for sale. The game will be free when it releases and I believe they will be following the same setup as Warframe. Their reputation is extremely good and their monetization practice is regarded to be fair.
Currently through their website but undoubtedly on all platforms as with Warframe
Grounded 2: A catchup and informing of the release of the next update on 11th August. As with a few other games we are waiting for the 1.0 final release.
Currently Steam and Xbox (console and PC)
Mafia the Old Country DLC: Releasing on 14th August 2026.
Steam, PS5, XBOX
1666 Amsterdam: I was not aware of this but this game has apparently been in production for many years. Ex Ubisoft game designer Patrice Desilets who was apparently messed around by Ubisoft has, after fighting to get the rights to the game in 2016, worked on this game with his own studio. The game currently has a demo out and I tried it. It was short and gives an insight into the gameplay. It is very short and only shows the exploration mechanics. I would have liked a combat section, even one set in a confined area to get a feel for how the combat feels as it looks really good. It seems to have a modern and historical settings (al la Assassins Creed) and it has an exciting premise. I would suggest people to play the prologue as it is good. I am very interested in this game.
Wishlisting on Steam and Epic but I assume consoles will follow. Demo on Steam
Saw Genesis: A Dead by Daylight like. A 3v1multiplayer game where 3 accused work together to escape a maze while a judge orchestrates their rehabilitation.
Early Access on Steam and a Closed Alpha
Lords of the Fallen 2: More information and gameplay from the upcoming game. No release date yet.
Steam, PS5, XBOX, Epic
Star Wars Zero Company: The new XCOM like Star Wars game set in the twilight of the Clone Wars. Releasing on the 27th August this year. This looks really good and anyone who likes XCOM will like this I think.
PC, PS5, XBOX
Blood of the Dawnwalker: A release date for the game of 3rd September 2026 (although Steam says the 2nd). There were more tidbits of law in there for the game that I hadn’t seen before. There appeared to be some modern day stuff in there as well. Another interesting game again published by BandaiNamco and new studio of ex-CDPR devs Rebel Wolves.
PC, XBOX, PS5
New 007 First Light DLC: Lenny Kravitz returns for the first DLC
Monster Hunter DLC: Coming next year.
Swords of Legends: This looks like another very good frantic actiony soulslike combat game that are currently coming from Chinese and other eastern developers. Similar to Wokong, Wulong and other games in the recent past, this is another game with interesting enemies and storylines. I have been really impressed with these games.
XBOX, Steam, PS5
Attack on Titan 3: Having not played the other games or watched the anime therefore I don’t have any connection to the series. The previous two games are well reviewed on Steam. Koei Tecmo is a developer I appreciate.
XBOX, PS5, Steam
Clutch: I will have to wait for more info on this game. There were a lot of cutscenes and cinematic drivebys. It is due next year so I am sure there will be more info either at the end of the year shows or early next year.
Steam
Chronicles Medieval: This looks really good. It was already on my wishlist so I must have seen it a while ago. Again mostly cinematics and some video of what looks like gameplay. It is due to enter early access sometime in 2026.
Steam
Sea of Remnants: I am really intrigued by this game. I think it looks cool but I have always liked different looking games. It is a single player game where you play a puppetfolk sailor seeking lost memories. They claim that there are 300+ companions and meaningful choices. I want to see some more footage and especially gameplay. There is a lot more stuff on their website. I will be paying close attention to this game.
Steam,
Palworld: A 1.0 launch on the 10th July. That came out of nowhere for me but glad to hear.
The Wolf Among Us 2: A surprise again and makes me realise that I now need to add The Wolf Among Us to my looooong to play list. And they also announced that they are remastering the first one.
Stellar Blade Bloodrain: I loved the first one as did many others. It looks as good as the first one and has a new protagonist, Evie. There is no date on this but again more of a proof of life.
Final Fantasy VII Revelation: This was an underwhelming end to the show as we all knew it was coming. From the beginning of the show it was hyped up as something you don’t want to miss and although it is a big talking point in the gaming news, I was expecting something new rather than a continuation or culmination of a current series. Obviously the fact that it was coming day and date to all platforms is a big deal, but they had already said that this would be the case. It is good that all players, including XBOX players, will be able to play this game and I think if they get enough people to play it on release it will hopefully create a huge communal sentiment around the culmination of their vision. I am yet to play any of the games so I might have to before it comes out.
Steam, Epic, XBOX, PS5, Switch 2
Other: There were other announcements like Aion and the Withering Waves Cyberpunk Edgerunners crossover, but I thought I would stick to full game releases rather than mention every little Nintendo add or free to play crossover.
There were a lot of games in the show but so many were coming in the future, just beginning production or have very little to no information about them. It was a show of what is to come in the future. Even the final reveal of the final chapter in Final Fantasy VII trio of games was a 2027 date not a reveal of the release date. Like I saw someone else say it wasn’t like they were not going to make the game. I realise why it was the final reveal as it has been a big game in the industry and people who have played the game (XBOX players recently as well) are waiting for the culmination of the story to see what their plan is. But overall it was good, not great. As I said at the beginning there was nothing wrong with the show as an entertainment show but there wasn’t the usual or expected WOW factor to the show. There will of course be the end of year shows and there will likely be the reveal of the final release date for Final Fantasy VII and maybe a few more, but this was a little short of the X-Factor we are accustomed to.