Sony held a State of Play today announcing several key releases and a few smaller titles to its already stellar lineup. While there were not any big surprises, especially considering that Batman: Court of Owls supposed leak, we did finally get a release date for The Last of Us: Part II. But, let’s go over what was shown off today first.
Humanity Preview.
Sony opened the show with a strange puzzle game called Humanity by developer, Tha ltd. It looks like a more darker and twisted version of Lemmings, as you usher hundreds of people towards a goal. Here is what was talked about the game via the official press release:
Enhance and Tokyo-based design studio tha ltd. gave a first glimpse at their unique, stylish new original title HUMANITY, coming to PlayStation®4 with optional PlayStation VR support in 2020, via Sony’s latest “State of Play” showcase today.
The short teaser trailer focuses on HUMANITY’s stark but iconic look, and use of massive crowds of individual people of all kinds, as they work together and fight against each other in various ways. Key features like controls, gameplay mechanics, and narrative elements are only hinted at, to be revealed next year in the lead up to launch.
HUMANITY is the evolution of a concept that founder Yugo Nakamura began developing three years ago at his company, tha ltd., a studio revered for their work with giant brands such as UNIQLO, MUJI, and the legendary Japanese musician Cornelius. Enhance joined the project in early 2018 to take on publishing duties, as well as contribute to level design and general gameplay consulting.
“From the first early demo I saw, I couldn’t get HUMANITY out of my head,” says Enhance Founder and CEO Tetsuya Mizuguchi. “The whole look and feel of it—manipulating these teeming masses of people—was mesmerizing, especially in VR. I knew right away it could be something special, which is why I couldn’t be more excited to help a visionary like Yugo-san realize its full potential.”
“I’ve long admired the work of Mizuguchi-san and his team; it feels like the perfect fit to be working with the people who made games like Rez and Tetris Effect,“ says tha Founder and Creative Director Yugo Nakamura. “Everyone at tha is working hard to make HUMANITY something that likewise engages all your senses–a fun, challenging game, but also something more meaningful than that. Rest assured we have lots more to show and talk about…”
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Activision’s blockbuster Call of Duty franchise returns this October 25th, with the release of Modern Warfare. Sony showed off a stellar new trailer highlighting several action moments of the remade campaign. The trailer also ended with the announcement that Special Ops, the title’s survival mode will launch first on Sony’s platform, but the exact timed exclusive wait time was not indicated.
Here is the campaign trailer that was shown off during the broadcast.
Wattam and Arise hit PS4
Sony then featured a few releases such as Wattam, a colorful quirky title from the creators of Katamari Damacy, and a beautiful adventure game by developer Piccolo titled Arise. Wattam will release this December, while Arise is set to debut early next year.
Playstation 4 VR adds several new titles
PlayStation VR had a small but meaty chunk of this State of Play showing off LA Noire: The VR Case Files which released on the store following the event, as well a trailer showing off Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash!, An arena fighter in Gorn, Espire 1: VR Operative, Stardust Odyssey, and After the Fall, a title from the creators of Arizona Sunshine.
Medevil demo unlocks bonus item
Medevil was given one last trailer before its release in late October with the announcement of a special demo that will run until October 6th. You have a chance to retrieve a special helmet for use in the main game, so boot up PSN and go get your skeleton mitts on it.
Civilization IV hits PlayStation 4
The best selling series, Civilization, finally makes its way to the PlayStation 4 with Civilization VI hitting the console this November 22nd. The expansion, Rise and Fall, will also debut as a separate add on.
Death Stranding PS4 Pro console announced.
Death Stranding is mere weeks away, but Sony showed off another trailer that ended with the announcement of an Exclusive PS4 Pro console that releases alongside the game on November 8th.
Welcome to the Afterparty.
I was a huge fan of Oxenfree, and Night School Studio is back with AfterParty this October. You are Milo and Lola, recently deceased best buds who suddenly find themselves conversing with Satan in the depths of hell. Can you escape and out-party the dark prince?
PlayStation Plus adds Last of Us and MLB: The Show 19.
Just before the final announcement, Sony announced that MLB: The Show 19 will hit PlayStation Plus this October alongside the original The Last of Us, giving players a few months to push through it before the release of Part II this February.
Last of Us: Part II has a release date!
That’s right, Last of Us: Part II will be out in just over five months. Naughty Dog dropped a brand new trailer that has one hell of a finale, check it out below.
Ellie returns as your main protagonist in a story about love and revenge, and will finally hit PlayStation 4 early next year.
That’s it for State of Play for September 24th, and alas, no Batman. Maybe next time?