PlayStation’s bold mix of nostalgia, risk and unexpected reveals proves digital shows can still surprise us.
Most of the time, people have low expectations for a PlayStation State of Play. In the past, these shows have given measured reports instead of big surprises. This time felt different. The cadence, the density and the strategic hints all came together to make something that was surprisingly cohesive. It might not be too much of an exaggeration to say that it is one of Sony’s best digital shows in years.
It was actually called Kena: Bridge of Spirits 2, and it was the first show of the night. The first one came out in 2021 as a limited-time PlayStation exclusive. It got good reviews for its graphics and Zelda-inspired structure. It’s clear that Ember Lab has changed since its launch.
The sequel looks like it will be bigger and more complex, and it will again only be available on PlayStation in 2026.
It is well known that Sony is ready to help outside studios grow before buying them. Before becoming a full part of PlayStation Studios, partnerships with Naughty Dog, Insomniac Games, Guerrilla Games, and Sucker Punch Productions all went through similar stages. Ember Lab now looks like it’s going in the same direction. You can see the big game.
After that, live service changes came out, with new looks at Marathon and more multiplayer projects. Sony’s plan is still clear. Its plan to grow its portfolio is based on spreading its investments across different persistent online communities.
It’s still too early to tell if these projects will become huge hits, but the goal is clear.
Then there was a lot of news about legacy revivals. Legacy of Kain: Defiance is back in updated form, continuing to fix up the series while Embracer owns Crystal Dynamics. This will feel like a brand-new game to a lot of modern fans. It can be powerful to bring back a long-lost gothic tale with modern visual fidelity.
Ubisoft brought Rayman back with a 30th anniversary collection that included different versions of the original game and even a test for a Super Nintendo game that was never released. When nostalgia is used to preserve something, it’s more than just business. It turns into a selection.
Konami’s comeback might have been the most interesting story of the night.
As part of Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol., Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is no longer just available for PlayStation 3. 2. For a long time, people thought it would be hard to port because it relied on PlayStation 3 architecture. Its return on modern systems is a big deal. Preservation and scientific success come together.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, a PSP game that is generally seen as a full Metal Gear experience rather than a handheld compromise, is also in the collection. At the same time, Motion Twin, the company that made Dead Cells, showed off a brand-new 2D Castlevania game called Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse. That lineage means something.
Fans of horror were not forgotten. Konami is continuing to reinvent the Silent Hill series in an anthology style with Silent Hill f, while Silent Hill: Townfall takes the world to new places. The franchise’s return is no longer just an idea. It works for now.
Kratos came out on top in the last run.
A full remake plan for the first three God of War games suggests bringing back the series’ Greek saga with more modern production standards. At the same time, PlayStation 5 got a smaller 2D version called God of War: Sons of Sparta Shadow. One honors a tradition. The other one plays around with shape.
As a whole, the show struck a good mix between heritage and risk. It was a mix of preserving and creating new things. People often say that this type of story is too predictable, but this episode felt planned, complex, and braver than expected. It remains to be seen if this is a turning point in how PlayStation communicates. But it was clear what the message was. Sony wants to be competitive in every part of its past and future.
