PlayStation Showcase - May 2023
Greatness Awaits?
Sony finally had their long-awaited PlayStation Showcase. The event was hyped up big, even by experts who caution to temper expectations. I was expecting a pretty big event that would set the roadmap for the blue brand for the next couple of years. However, we ended up with a mixed one, with some going as far as calling it disappointing or mid. So where do I stand with it? Well, I’ll review what I didn’t like and liked before answering that question.
Let’s get the obvious out of the way – Spider-Man 2. I skipped the first Spider-Man because I felt it was overhyped and wasn’t expecting to be blown away by it, but then I played Miles Morales when I got my PS5 and instantly fell in love with it. Since then, I’ve been looking forward to the sequel. This gameplay delivered for me. What stood out for me the most was what looked like some expansion on combat and traversal. I was surprised we will be able to play as Peter Parker in the symbiote suit. Adding flying wing suits got a pop out of me, and it’s cool we get to go back and forth between Peter and Miles. There was just a feeling of being inside an epic superhero story that is why I loved Miles Morales so much, and I can’t wait for this one.
Phantom Blade 0 came out of nowhere as my game of the showcase. I couldn’t help but keep my eyes glued to that reveal. It looks almost too good to be real, especially from a much lesser-known studio. The combat and flow of some of the fights looked almost scripted, but it seemed to be real-time. I’ve had a 50/50 history with these samurai-style games, but I’m keeping my hype meter for this one up and hope to see more. The Plucky Squire continues to pique my interest every time I see it and I’m legitimately super excited for it. There’s something about that game’s charm and look that beckons me. Alan Wake II looks damn good, and I’m one who didn’t play the original, but I have my eye on this one. And last but not least, there’s Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. I love the series, but parts 3 and 5 are the only ones I’ve never played. So, I plan to check it out, but it also seems it could be a while before I can get my hands on it.
Haven revealed their game, Fairgame$, and I simply could not get any interest in it going in me. I know it was CG (which most of the event was), but it screamed generic to me. Square Enix had a Splatoon clone in Foamstars, and I actually kinda dug it, but I’m one of the few who isn’t big on Splatoon. There was also Bungie’s Marathon, which got an audible yell from me. However, after I found out it was a PvP extraction game, all my hype for it disappeared, but I’m happy for anyone that’s still interested. Immortals of Aevum has a really unique concept and looks fun, but for whatever reason, it feels like it’s missing something for me. Maybe if I can get some time with it, I’ll get more of a feel if it’s something I would like to invest in.
I think overall, the showcase was solid in terms of content. The problem is, considering the hype and expectations that had been set, it didn’t deliver the amazing megatons I and others were expecting. There were also a surprising number of third-party announcements and insufficient info on PlayStation Studios stuff. I thought this would be the time to announce new titles for the next couple of years of the PlayStation brand, and it was mostly safe. The stuff we did get, like Helldivers 2 and Fairgame$, just left me shrugging my shoulders. So I basically left the showcase mixed. On one hand, I loved Phantom Blade 0, Snake Eater, Spider-Man 2, and a few others. But, I also was left feeling like I watch more of a State of Play than a PlayStation Showcase, which has an established history as a reveal brand filled with first-party focus and announcements.
My hope is that we have more reveals from Sony as the year goes by. I don’t think the wait for the next Showcase will be as long as this one was, so there is that to think about. If I was forced to give this a letter grade, it would be a solid B. I didn’t hate the event or was left as disappointed as some I’ve seen, but I know it could’ve been much more than it was.