State of Play Recap: Monster Hunter, Shinobi, and More Exciting Announcements

The latest State of Play was packed with exciting announcements, from long-awaited sequels to surprising revivals. Let’s dive into the highlights!

Monster Hunter Wilds Arrives Soon

Fans of the Monster Hunter series are counting down the days until Monster Hunter Wilds drops on February 28th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. While some of us haven't been die-hard followers of the series, it's undeniable that this franchise continues to be a massive hit among action RPG fans.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance – A Classic Returns

A big surprise was the return of Shinobi with Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, launching on August 29th for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. This side-scrolling action platformer boasts a gorgeous hand-drawn style, created by the team behind Streets of Rage 4. Players will once again step into the shoes of legendary ninja Joe Musashi on a quest for vengeance after his village is destroyed.

Sonic Racing Crossworlds & Digimon Story: Time Stranger

Sonic Racing Crossworlds is set to speed onto PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC sometime in 2025. Meanwhile, Digimon Story: Time Stranger took many by surprise with its dark and cinematic trailer. Though Digimon games have quietly persisted over the years, this new installment might mark a serious comeback for the franchise.

Lost Soul Aside & WWE 2K25

The stylish action RPG Lost Soul Aside is set for a May 30th release on PS5 and PC, promising fast-paced combat and beautiful visuals. Meanwhile, wrestling fans can gear up for WWE 2K25, which launches on March 7th or March 14th, depending on the edition purchased.

Borderlands 4 Enters the Arena

Borderlands 4 was officially announced for a September 23, 2025 release, though details remain scarce. However, there’s some speculation about whether it will be released on last-gen consoles. The timing is also bold, given that GTA 6 is expected to launch around the same period, which could impact sales.

Split Fiction – A New Co-Op Adventure

From the creators of It Takes Two, Split Fiction follows two sisters who get sucked into a world of stories, requiring cooperative gameplay to navigate their journey. If you enjoyed It Takes Two, this looks like another must-play.

Directive 8020 – A New Horror Experience

Supermassive Games, known for Until Dawn, revealed Directive 8020, a sci-fi horror title reminiscent of The Thing. This game is part of The Dark Pictures Anthology, a series of cinematic horror games where player choices determine the fate of the characters.

Darwin's Paradox & Warriors Abyss

Darwin's Paradox is a fun-looking action-adventure game where you play as an octopus fighting against barnacle enemies. Not much is known about the game yet, but it’s set for a 2025 release on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Meanwhile, Warriors Abyss launched on February 12, 2025, as a surprise release. This Dynasty Warriors-style roguelike has hundreds of characters and hours of meta progression, making it a great pick for fans of the franchise.

Onimusha Remasters & Metal Gear Solid Delta

Capcom is remastering Onimusha: Samurai Destiny, set to release on May 23, 2025, for PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC. Additionally, Onimusha: Way of the Sword is coming in 2026. The remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, now titled Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, is bringing back all the classic bosses and even an Ape Escape minigame. The game will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Hell is Us & Other Unique Titles

Hell is Us is a third-person action-adventure game that blends intense melee combat with exploration in a semi-open world. The game takes inspiration from Death Stranding with its eerie atmosphere and otherworldly encounters. Another fascinating reveal was Dreams of Another, an exploration action game where shooting doesn’t destroy but creates the world.

More Announcements

• Days Gone Remastered arrives on PS5 on April 25, 2025.
• Tides of Annihilation, an RPG, is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
• Minai launches in Summer 2025.
• Saros, an action game set in a lost off-world colony, was announced with little gameplay information but promises an emotional and powerful character study.

PlayStation Plus Additions

• Armored Core: Project Phantasma and Armored Core: Master of Arena are coming to PlayStation Plus.
• A Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth demo is now available.
• Splitgate 2 Alpha testing begins on February 27th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Battle Shapers: A Fusion of Doom and Mega Man

Battle Shapers, a game that officially hit 1.0 in December, is currently available at a 33–35% discount on Steam until the end of the month, bringing its price down to about $16. At that price, it’s a steal for fans of fast-paced action shooters. The game blends the combat intensity of Doom with the boss-focused progression of Mega Man, creating an experience that rewards aggressive play and strategic upgrades. Players take on the role of a former peacekeeper battling an AI virus that has taken over robotic entities. With roguelite mechanics, meta-progression, and the ability to customize weapons by stealing abilities from others, Battle Shapers offers depth beyond its initial few slow runs. Once players unlock key movement abilities and combat upgrades, the game transforms into a high-speed, adrenaline-pumping shooter that emphasizes creative combos and powerful builds. If you enjoy high-energy combat with a rewarding difficulty curve, Battle Shapers is definitely worth checking out—especially at its current discount.

Niantic's Potential Sale to Scopely

Niantic, the studio behind Pokémon Go, is reportedly in talks to be acquired by Scopely for approximately $3.5 billion. Scopely itself is owned by Savvy Games, an investment group backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has been making major moves in the gaming industry with investments in EA, Nintendo, Nexon, and Capcom. With Saudi Arabia’s continued push into gaming, this deal is likely to go through, though its implications for Niantic’s current and future projects remain unclear. While Pokémon Go is still widely played, Niantic’s other projects, such as Ingress, may face uncertainty under new ownership. Time will tell how this acquisition will shape the future of location-based gaming.

Elden Ring: Nightreign– A Dark Souls Battle Royale

Elden Ring: Night Rain is an unexpected yet intriguing twist on the Soulsborne formula, introducing a battle royale-inspired multiplayer experience. Players form teams of three and land on a massive island where they must battle AI enemies, clear objectives, and prepare for intense boss fights. The game emphasizes urgency, requiring players to make quick strategic decisions as the playable area shrinks over time. Unlike traditional battle royales, Night Rain focuses on PvE combat rather than PvP, meaning players will be racing against time and difficulty rather than other teams. With procedurally generated locations, dynamic boss encounters, and a polished combat system, this new entry in the Elden Ring universe looks to deliver a thrilling cooperative challenge.

Monster Train 2 Announced

Shiny Shoe Games, the developers behind the critically acclaimed deck-building roguelike Monster Train, have officially announced Monster Train 2. Set for release sometime this year, the sequel expands upon the original’s mechanics, introducing new clans, artifacts, and an enhanced customization system. Players will now be able to modify their train’s compartments, adding unique effects and strategies to their runs. The first Monster Train became a fan favorite for its creative take on card-based strategy, and with several years of refinement, its sequel promises to deliver even more depth and replayability. If you’re a fan of deck-building roguelikes, Monster Train 2 is definitely one to watch.

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