And so ends the third annual summer games fest, with so many announcements, hours of gameplay footage and words from the developers it’s hard to keep your fingers on the pulse of the gaming industry. Luckily Gamercast has you covered. We’re here to fill you in on all the best games and reveals from each showcase over the season.

Capcom

Easily the heaviest hitter of the showcases, Capcom hit it out of the park with 3 announcements for their most popular franchises.

Resident Evil 4 remake

The fans have been waiting and finally we get to see the cult classic and critically acclaimed Resident Evil 4 remade for the current generation while preserving the appeal from its original release in 2005. Much like its predecessors Resident Evil 2 and 3 remake, Resident Evil 4 remake is being built in the bespoke RE engine and returns to the (Hands to the sky) third-person, over-the-shoulder perspective. The game follows Leon S. Kennedy as he investigates the kidnapping of the president’s daughter in a rural European town whose residents are riddled by a parasite known as Las Plagas.

The game is set for release on 24th March 2023

Street Fighter 6

Rocking a brand-new look and a hip-hop theme, Street Fighter 6 is starting to take shape in the minds of fighting game fans everywhere as fan favourites Ryu and Chun-Li sport a more mature aesthetic alongside newcomers Luke and Jamie. The new drive gauge is also looking like the flow of battle will focus more on players learning to balance their offensive and defensive capabilities while still keeping in line with their ideals of custom combos. There’s also a small glimpse at a kind of hub world mode where you can roam the city as an undisclosed (Custom?) fighter.

Coming 2023

Resident Evil Village updates

Resident Evil Village while my personal least favourite of the series is getting some new updates, most notably the Shadows of Rose DLC that follows Ethan’s beloved daughter after the events of Village. Making use of another one of the new update features, the DLC follows Rose in a third-person perspective. Struggling with her powers, Rose enters the consciousness of the megamycete in an attempt to free herself of the curse that was bestowed to her as she battles through a dissonant, dreamlike collection of events hidden within.

The Mercenaries mode also sees some attention with new characters Chris Redfield, Karl Heisenberg and (Of course they had to include their unofficial and unexpected fan service mascot) Lady Dimitrescu added to the mix, each with their own playstyles and loadouts.

Releasing on the 28th October

Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak and Free Title Update

Making it’s return from older generation titles, The Jungle area along with its changing flora and fauna includes new areas to explore alongside new, classic monsters to hunt. Espinas and Gore Magora return to the biome alongside new subspecies; the Daimyo Hermitaur and Pyre Rakna-Kadaki.

As a special treat, fans are also able to download a free demo of Sunbreak to check out the new areas. Sunbreak releases on the 30th June

The free title update will be available to all Sunbreak players as they release, the first of which is set for August and will include a new variant for the Nargacuga: The Lucent Nargacuga and the Forlorn Arena.

Exoprimal

A new team-based competitive third-person shooter that pits you against another a team while facing a swarm of dinosaurs as you fulfil objectives from an A.I. dictator known as Leviathan. Exoprimal is sure to be a high-octane and hectic shooter that offers some gratifying gameplay for a well-oiled machine of a team. I find myself leaning more and more towards these kinds of team-based games despite not caring much for using a headset. (Hopefully there’s an extensive call out or ping system to help me out with that.) In preparation to make this game as fun and enjoyable as possible, a closed trial has also been announced that you’ll be able to sign up for.

Releasing in 2023

Xbox & Bethesda

Persona 3 portable, Persona 4 Golden & Persona 5 Royal

Classic JRPG franchise Persona returns with their definitive versions to game pass and modern consoles. Crawl through dungeons as you battle supernatural enemies and untangle plotlines that deal with an incredible range of topics in the field of mental health, socio-economic injustice, mystery and murder while juggling school studies and personal relationships.

Persona has a place close to my heart with 4 being an all-time favourite. I’m incredibly excited to replay through these classic titles and bring these truly fantastic titles to the newer generation… and hopefully bag myself some lovely Platinum Trophy’s in the process.

Persona 5 Royal releases on the 21st October with the others at a later date

Hollow Knight: Silksong

After an arduous wait, Hollow Knight receives its sequel in Silksong. Colloquially understood as the 2D Dark Souls for its difficulty and extensive lore. The Hollow Knight franchise is a metroidvania action-adventure with a striking visual style and a soundtrack so evocative that it cements its place in many an ambient playlist. Taking control of a captured Hornet from the original title, you must learn new techniques and battle new enemies on a pilgrimage to uncover the mysteries of your abduction… If the original is anything to go by, this is going to be a massive hit… and an unfortunate impossible platinum trophy for me.

Hollow Knight Silksong will be released BEFORE 12th June 2023 so no exact date yet but defintely within the next year?

A Plague Tale: Requiem

Following on from A Plague Tale: Innocence, Requiem continues the harrowing story of Amicia and her brother Hugo amidst the deadly bubonic plague of 1347-1351. Looking to be one of the more polished games of 2022, we’re sure to see Requiem on many a consumer’s game of the year lists.

No release date yet but we should get one by the end of the month in another announcement

Forza Motorsport

The champion of racing games, the Forza franchise is no slouch when it comes to graphical prowess and the latest entry is no contrarian. Along with a new and improved physics system to increase the authenticity of car damage, the game now adds conditional temperatures in accordance with the ever-changing weather. It’s this additional factor that asks the player to take the ambient and surface temperatures of the track into your motors customisation. There’s no shortage of gameplay tweaks and improvements from tire and fuel management, multiple tire compounds, and new in-depth car building to create the ultimate racing playset. We commend the team in making the most authentic racing game to date. Forza Motorsport in Spring 2023

Overwatch 2

“The world could always use more heroes” – Ain’t that the truth Tracer?

A new era for the Hero centric team-based shooter. Overwatch 2 amidst an admittedly confusing marketing campaign will be going free to play and supposedly embracing its micro-transaction sensibilities. Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing more of those beautifully animated shorts that dive further into the backstory of these iconic heroes.

Overwatch 2 releases on the 2nd October.

Epic Games

Saints Row Boss Factory

Create your character ahead of its release with the Boss Factory.

Sporting the most customisable of custom character creators yet, Saints Row’s Boss Factory is giving everyone the chance to create a truly bespoke avatar. Make who you want to make, in whatever shape, size, colour, creed or disfigurement you please and accessorise in just as much detail. We can’t wait to see what cursed creatures people come out with.

Saints Row releases 23rd August

Alan Wake 2

With only seconds of screen time, we saw Alan Wake 2 in the form of a teaser. In fact, it’s a clip from the reveal trailer at the Game Awards last year. A day to night transition of a figure standing in the road that turns slowly to reveal a dishevelled Alan?

Stated by the creative director Sam Lake, Alan Wake 2 will be a true, mature rated survival horror compared to the original which was a teen rated action game with horror elements.

Releasing in 2023.

Disney Speedstorm

Disney and Epic Games’ answer to the chaotic party racers like Mario Kart and Sonic Team Racing. Disney Speedstorm is a free to play racing game with the all-star Disney cast. Set to use all your genre standards of character specific skills, power ups and drift boosting, it’s sure to be a fun and easy game to pick up for short periods and kill some time.

We covered this a little while back in the Nintendo Direct February 2022 and again, while I’m not totally sold on the idea of a racing game as a live service and the inevitability of micro-transactions, it’s also on the other hand likely to have more customisation options than any racing game of this style to date. I am intrigued to see how this will stack up against the other more popular party racers like Sonic All-Stars Racing and Mario Kart… We can at least hope it learns from the messy release and backlash of Chocobo GP.

Coming soon

Ghostbusters Spirits Unleashed

An asymmetrical multiplayer shooter based in the ghostbuster’s world. Play as one of four new recruits or terrorise unique locations as the ghost in 4v1 battles. New cosmetics and upgrades promise to keep the game fresh for every match and the look and feel of this “Easy to learn, fun to master!” game will allow players to live out their Ghostbusting fantasy.

Releasing Summer 2022

State of Play

Callisto Protocol

From the minds that created Dead Space and every bit as horrifyingly gruesome, Callisto Protocol is a survival horror set in the year 2320 on Jupiter’s moon Callisto. You must escape the Black Iron Prison and uncover the mortifying secrets within. The game sets its sights on raising the bar for horror in interactive entertainment and from what we can see, it might just do that.

I do also hope there is enough here to set itself apart from being “too similar” to Dead Space especially with the remake so close on its heels.

Callisto Protocol releases on the 2nd December.

Final Fantasy XVI

Taking the real time action to the next level, Final Fantasy XVI is looking to be the most epic adventure of the franchise to date. An uneasy peace amongst neighbouring factions threatens to fall into war at the appearance of the darkness known as the Blight.

It seems like the iconic summons from the franchise will play a larger part in this entry’s narrative as more than just their battle utility and instead reside within their host or “Dominant” human vessel. With gorgeous visuals and a dynamic combat system we’re looking forward to seeing how this tale of Mothercrystals and political unrest unfolds.

Final Fantasy XVI releases in the Summer of 2023

Tunic

Beloved by Xbox and Steam fans already, Tunic makes their way to Playstation. Explore a land filled with lost legends, ancient powers, and ferocious monsters in Tunic, an isometric action game about a small fox on a big adventure. With a haunting and evocative soundtrack to boot Tunic has been sitting on my wishlist for some time and with a Playstation release I’m particularly excited to play.

Tunic releases on the 27th September

Stray

The already popular title about solving mysteries as a cat in a decaying and lonely cybercity. Defend yourself against unforeseen threats of this unwelcoming place inhabited by curious droids and dangerous creatures as you scale buildings and interact with the world in ways only a Cat could. Stray is going to be clever hit for the indie market and set a new precedent for what a small team can achieve.

Stray is releasing on the 19th July

Eternights

A curious take on the dating sim genre, Eternights asks you as the player to try and make the most out of life during the apocalypse. Explore dungeons, hack-n-slash some monsters and go on dates??

It’s a bizarre mix of themes that only an anime title can pull off but I’m so intrigued by it. With a company slogan that offers a warmer and brighter perspective on the more stereotypically outlandish themes, Eternights has landed a spot on our wishlist. “Our games are about the relationships you can forge inside slightly peculiar worlds.”

Eternights releases in early 2023

PC Gaming

Rotwood

The cutest little side scrolling beat ‘em up I’ve seen. From the makers of Don’t Starve, Rotwood is an upcoming 1-4 player hack-and-slash, roguelike dungeon crawler. Battle corrupted beasts, gather what remains, and forge a safe haven with your friends. I’ll be looking for some co-op buddies for this one.

Them’s Fighting Herds

Never have I seen such beautifully animated toons beating seven shades of s*** out of each other! Version 3 is now here for PC.

Them’s Fighting Herds is a side-scrolling fighting game that pits an all-female cast of ungulates (Large mammal with hooves… yes, I had to look this up) fighting each other to find a champion worthy of gaining a magical key that will protect their world from predators.

Including great humour, an 8-bit style adventure mode and adding in some voicework from the industries elite like Tara Strong, Them’s Fighting Herds has the cheek, the nerve, the gall, the audacity and the gumption to be a quality fighting game… the rollback netcode and cross-play matchmaking is nice too.

Releasing on consoles this Autumn

Demon School

Coined as a “new-style tactics RPG”. Demon School oozes all the aesthetics of an early 00’s portable games (In the best way) and blends in Persona-like features of dungeon-crawling, demonic creatures while balancing a university school schedule. Plan your team’s schedule to enhance their skills and gain new abilities. Demon School might just scratch that light horror itch.

Releases 31st December

Deceive Inc.

A competitive multiplayer game that pits secret agents against each other in a comically pleasing package. Disguise yourself as plant pots, deploy surveillance and security gadgets to take the lead and escape before anyone takes it from you. Deceive Inc. Is going to be great with friends and strangers alike, especially if you’ve all got a good sense of humour.

Releases early 2023

Tribeca Games

Thirsty Suitors

This one is looking to be a bit special. An action-adventure RPG about “Immigrant culture, resolving relationships, family pressure and finding yourself”. Despite the strong themes, the game is a light-hearted approach that aims to provide a lesson in humanity and humility that you hope to translate into your own life.

Off the back of stories like Heartstopper, I love to see this kind of positive representation of culture and conflict resolution that brings hope to the industry and mankind.

Coming soon

As Dusk Falls

An interactive story told through a visual striking art style of digitally integrated real-life actors. A crime drama spanning the conflict and repercussions of your actions over the course of 30 years.

The visual art style is what makes this story so unique – digitally painted models that transition from pose to pose and then rendered into this gripping 3D world. The developers go on to say that each character is written from a place of empathy without judgement, “We try to understand each of them and I hope that the players will feel the same way and try to empathise and understand and relate with all of them”

Releases 19th July

Summer Game Fest

TMNT: Shredders Revenge

The band of turtley awesome renaissance masters return for a pixel perfect side-scrolling beat ‘em up. Casey Jones has also been revealed as another playable character alongside April O’Neil, Splinter and the Turtles.

With 6 player local and online multiplayer, Shredder’s Revenge is looking to be the most hectic beat ‘em up in recent memory. After the resounding success of Streets of Rage 4. I have the utmost faith that Shredders Revenge will be another mainstay party classic for years to come. I’ll be picking this one up for sure.

Releases 16th June

Gotham Knights

With all the hulla-baloo about Red Hood not squaring up to the finesse and gameplay satisfaction of Nightwing we see a bit more of Nightwing in action as he takes down criminals on the streets of Gotham as they show off a handful of his customisation options. There wasn’t too much else to give comment but we’re still looking forward to seeing how this game feels once it releases on the 25th October

The Last of Us Part 1 remake, standalone multiplayer and HBO TV show

A full 15mins of Neil Druckmann, Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker talking about their fantastic and groundbreaking title The Last of Us. The announcement begins with a reveal of their new standalone multiplayer game set in the world of The Last of Us replete with its own unique characters and story from the brains of “Veterans from Uncharted and The Last of Us”

The showcase also revealed a little more about the HBO series with Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker (Ellie and Joel from the Game) returning to the franchise. Druckmann goes on to say “We’re such fans of the talent and helping us create Joel and Ellie, we felt it was so important that they became part of the show” “It has to be more than a wink to the camera and a cameo, these are real roles that we’re keeping under wraps for now”

And finally the first game is receiving its definitive version releasing on PS5, unencumbered by technology and built from the ground up to be as close to their original vision as possible.

The Last of Us Part 1 releases on 2nd September with a PC version on the way at an undisclosed date