Not-E3 2025 Part 1: State of Play
State of Play
Summer Game Fest
Day of the Devs
Ball x Pit: The Kenny Sun Story
IO Interactive Showcase
Wholesome Direct
Future Games Show
Xbox Games Showcase
PC Gaming Show
Shortly after I blogged about the “Not-E3” schedule, we got one new addition to the list – a State of Play announced for today! States of Play can be pretty hit or miss, but I crossed my fingers and settled down to watch.
They started with a new Lumines game, Lumines Arise. Next up was one that feels like it was announced ages ago, Capcom’s upcoming science fiction game Pragmata. It looks like an interesting game, with two characters you control at once, and it’s set for 2026.
The third game shown was a new game from Suda51 and Grasshopper Manufacture, an action game called Romeo is a Dead Man. It looks very bloody and very strange. I don’t quite know what to expect from it.
Speaking of blood, we also got a new trailer for Silent Hill f! I’m cautiously optimistic for the upcoming new Silent Hill game, and although I’m not entirely sold on the gameplay, it looks like it could be fantastic. Not only that, but it’s coming out on September 25!
And also speaking of blood (again), the game shown after Silent Hill f intrigued me from the start, and even more so when it turned out to be a Bloodstained prequel, Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement. I haven’t played the first game yet, but I will one of these days.
There was a new trailer for Digimon Story: Time Stranger, which continues to look interesting to me even though I don’t have much experience with the franchise. It will be out on October 3.
Hot on its heels was an announcement that’s been rumored for years now, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles. This Final Fantasy Tactics remaster includes both an enhanced and classic version of the game and will be out on September 30.
There was a new trailer for Baby Steps, which doesn’t especially interest me, and for Hirogami, an origami-styled action platformer that looks like it might be fun. After that came trailers for Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, and Cairn, and then the announcement of the Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater got a new trailer, and then a surprise was revealed – Nioh 3. I haven’t played any of the Nioh games, and they might be a bit too difficult for me, but I have to admit they have a lot of style.
It won’t be out until 2026, but there’s a PS5 demo available for a limited time.
Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow was announced for VR fans (not me), and a first-person adventure game called Tides of Tomorrow. Then it was time for Astro Bot to take the stage once more, with 5 new levels announced. Maybe it’s a good thing I haven’t played yet after all; by the time I get around to it, they might be done adding new content.
The next game, a pirate game called Sea of Remnants, didn’t look too interesting to me at first… and then I saw turn-based combat and got interested… and then I learned it’s a f2p game and lost interest again. That’s how it goes sometimes.
Sword of the Sea, the other hand (was this the “sea” section of the showcase?), looks beautiful.
They spent a little time talking about FBC: Firebreak and new PS+ Classics, and then it was time for IO Interactive to show 007 First Light for the first time.
Despite not being a fan of the Hitman series or a huge James Bond fan, I’ve been curious about this game for a while, so it was nice to finally see it. Bond himself looks a little bland to me, but I’m actually pretty interested. It’s due out in 2026.
They technically showed Ghost of Yotei next, but it was mainly just to say they’ll be giving a better look at the gameplay in July.
Finally, they concluded with Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, which is probably very exciting for fighting game fans (not me).
All in all, it was a pretty good showcase, even if there was nothing that has me jumping up and down in joy. Our Not-E3 2025 is off to a fine start, so let’s cross our fingers for exciting announcements as we head into Summer Game Fest!
Did you enjoy this post? Be sure to share it with your social networks! The post Not-E3 2025 Part 1: State of Play appeared first on Samantha Lienhard.
