June 4, 2025
Sony’s latest State of Play showcase, held on June 4, 2025, captivated PlayStation fans with an exciting glimpse into the future of gaming. The 40-minute event provided updates on some of the most highly anticipated titles currently in development for the PlayStation 5, including Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
The showcase kicked off with a stunning trailer for Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, a new action-adventure game that immerses players in the turbulent world of feudal Japan. Developed by a fresh studio under Sony’s umbrella, this game promises a compelling blend of stealth, intense combat, and intricate storytelling. Players will assume the role of a lone ninja on a quest for vengeance, navigating a vast open world filled with perilous enemies, complex choices, and deeply rooted Japanese mythology.
In the trailer, the player’s character expertly navigated both stealth and brutal combat sequences, making use of ninjutsu techniques and a variety of weapons to fight enemies. The world, crafted with attention to historical detail, features dense forests, mountain villages, and massive fortresses, each offering a unique environment to explore. This game is expected to push the PlayStation 5’s hardware, with fluid animations, atmospheric environments, and cutting-edge visuals.
“The main focus of Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is to offer players a deeply emotional experience,” said Kento Sato, the game’s director. “We want players to connect with the protagonist and feel the weight of his actions in this violent, unforgiving world.”
The game is expected to be released in late 2025, with additional updates likely to follow in upcoming months.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
No PlayStation showcase would be complete without a nod to the legendary Metal Gear series, and the State of Play event did not disappoint. Fans were treated to a fresh look at Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, a remake of the iconic Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, originally released in 2004. This remake aims to modernize the classic while retaining the essence of what made the original game a monumental success.
The trailer for Metal Gear Solid Delta was a visual masterpiece, showcasing beautifully rendered jungles, intense military combat, and emotional cutscenes featuring Snake. The gameplay enhancements include smoother controls, improved AI, and updated stealth mechanics. Players can expect an experience that closely mirrors the original, but with added layers of depth.
“We’re staying true to the spirit of Metal Gear Solid 3, but we’re also utilizing the PS5’s capabilities to offer something new and fresh,” said Hideo Kojima, the series’ creator, in a brief interview during the event. “We’re excited to bring Snake’s story to a new generation of gamers with updated visuals and gameplay enhancements.”
No release date was confirmed, but Metal Gear Solid Delta is expected to launch in early 2026.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Arguably the most cryptic announcement of the showcase came from Hideo Kojima, who returned with a new trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, the long-awaited sequel to the mind-bending 2019 hit. The trailer introduced a darker and more complex world, featuring Norman Reedus’ character, Sam Porter Bridges, along with a series of mysterious new figures.
The stunning visuals depicted a surreal, otherworldly landscape, with towering cliffs, desolate shores, and strange phenomena that seem to challenge the boundaries of time and space. The trailer also hinted at new gameplay mechanics, including more interactive environments and deeper character relationships. While the exact details of the plot remain shrouded in secrecy, fans can expect to dive deeper into the story of a fractured world struggling to rebuild.
“The goal with Death Stranding 2 is to explore themes of reconnection in ways that go beyond what we did in the first game,” said Kojima during a recorded interview. “We want to challenge players both emotionally and intellectually.”
With its haunting visuals and deeply philosophical narrative, Death Stranding 2 remains one of the most anticipated games of the next few years. The game is expected to release in late 2026, though more details will likely emerge over time.
Fan Speculation: Wolverine and Kingdom Hearts 4
Though the showcase was full of exciting reveals, one of the major talking points among fans afterward was the absence of new information about two major titles: Wolverine and Kingdom Hearts 4.
Wolverine, developed by Insomniac Games, was first teased in 2021, and while gameplay footage has been sparse, early reveals indicated a gritty, action-packed take on Marvel’s famous anti-hero. Fans had hoped for new updates on the game’s progress, but Sony did not address Wolverine during the State of Play.
Similarly, Kingdom Hearts 4, the latest installment in the beloved action-RPG series, remains a mystery. The last trailer hinted at an exciting new world featuring characters from Disney’s latest films, but no official release window was provided. Fans remain eager to hear more about the next chapter in Sora’s journey.
Both games remain in development, and while fans were hoping for updates at this event, it seems Sony is holding back until more substantial progress is made.
The Future of PlayStation 5
While the State of Play event showcased just a few of the upcoming games for the PlayStation 5, it’s clear that Sony is committed to delivering an array of high-quality experiences for its fans. With major releases like Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach on the horizon, PlayStation enthusiasts have much to look forward to.
The next few months will be crucial for Sony as they continue to shape the future of gaming on the PlayStation 5. As new titles are revealed, fans can expect further updates on some of the biggest and most exciting games in the industry.