Summer Game Fest: You shouldn't miss out on these games
16.6.2023
Translation: machine translated
The Summer Game Fest is over. We take a look back at the event and present our gaming highlights from the last few weeks.
Countless games were presented at the Summer Game Fest. The range of genres and exciting game mechanics was enormous. Whether you're into RPGs, racing games, open-world games or complex simulators - there was something for everyone at the numerous showcases.
Phil, Luca, Simon, Kevin and I have fought our way through the seemingly endless trailers and announcements. These are our absolute highlights from Summer Game Fest 2023.
Domi's highlights
"Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth": A yakuza in Honolulu
I am an absolute "Like A Dragon" fanboy. I was therefore delighted when the first trailer for what is now the eighth instalment in the Japanese game series was presented at the Xbox Showcase.
In the "Like A Dragon" games, you take on the roles of various (ex-)Yakuza and other criminals. In small open-world environments, you fight your way through hordes of enemies and complete absurd side quests and crazy mini-games.
So far, the games have been set in major Japanese cities such as Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo. In "Infinite Wealth", you will be travelling to the USA for the first time, to Honolulu to be precise. At least that's what the trailer and statements from the developers suggest. I'm curious to see how the developer studio RGG will transfer their special Japanese humour to the new location.
And how cool is the name of the game? "Infinite Wealth" - sounds absurd, arouses curiosity and confuses. Just like the games themselves.
Source: Sega
Speaking of awesome names: Another "Like A Dragon" game was announced at the Summer Game Fest Showcase. "Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased his Name" is designed as an appetiser for "Infinite Wealth" and continues the story of Kiryu Kazuma, the protagonist of the first six games.
What a time to be a "Like A Dragon" fan!
Released for: Playstation, Xbox, PC
Release: Early 2024
"Spider-Man 2": Two Spider-Men are better than one
I devoured the first "Spider-Man" game on the PS4 and the sequel "Miles Morales" on the PS5. Admittedly: The two Spidey games didn't do anything revolutionary with their conservative open-world structure. Nevertheless, the games kept me glued to the Playstation controller from the very first second until I unlocked the platinum trophy.
The combat system was flexible and felt extremely fluid. New York was realised in great detail in the game. Swinging through the city was perfectly realised. And the story is one of the best I've seen from the Marvel universe.
"Spider-Man 2" builds on the excellent foundation of the first film and gives me more of everything. I can now control both Spider-Men and seamlessly switch back and forth between them - similar to "Grand Theft Auto V". The area of the game is doubled with the New York neighbourhoods of Queens and Brooklyn. The combat system has been reworked and looks even more spectacular. This is mainly due to Peter Parker's Venom suit. This gives him brutal new abilities, which he uses to beat up his enemies.
Source: Insomniac Games
Graphically, the game is also impressive. The PS5 flexes its muscles with beautiful water surfaces and ray-tracing reflections, among other things. Thanks to the PS5's fast SSD, the two superheroes also move much more swiftly through the city.
I can hardly wait to swing through the urban canyons of New York with Peter and Miles.
Released for: Playstation 5
Release: 20 October 2023
Phil's highlights
"Starfield": Infinite expanses, hopefully without infinite bugs
Many years ago, Bethesda, together with Blizzard and Bioware, was one of the most outstanding game studios ever. I think we all know what happened to the three Bs. After a mediocre "Fallout 4" and the soulless "Fallout 76", my patience had snapped. The fact that game director Todd Howard made stupid jokes about his own inability to publish bug-free games was the height of audacity.
Source: Bethesda
My expectations of "Starfield" were correspondingly low. After the 45-minute gameplay deep dive, I'm cautiously optimistic - even a little hyped. The worlds shown look breathtaking. From grey rocky planets to green, flourishing jungle worlds and densely populated "Blader Runner" cities, there seems to be everything.
For me, exploration is one of the most important elements of a Bethesda game and "Starfield" promises to fulfil this need completely. There is also a complex shipbuilding editor, a versatile combat system and hopefully numerous entertaining side quests. Perhaps Bethesda will find its way back to its old form after all?
Released for: Xbox, PC
Release: 06/09/2023
"John Carpenter's Toxic Commando": Zombie shooter meets towing simulator
Does the world need more zombie shooters? Not really. The shooting action against hordes of the undead with a humorous undertone looks solid. But that alone doesn't earn the game a place in my list of highlights.
It's only at minute 1:32 in the trailer that something happens that elicits a surprised "ha" from me. One of those armoured vehicles that you can use to mow down zombies is pulling another one through the mud. It looks just like in the towing simulator "Snowrunner". Coincidence? Of course not. Both games come from the same studio.
Source: Focus Entertainment
I'm so excited. I can already see hordes of zombies mowing me down from the turret of an upgraded ambulance while my mate pulls me out of the mud in his truck. If that's not a great combination.
Released for: Playstation, Xbox, PC
Release: 2024
Luca's highlights
"Star Wars Outlaws": My childhood dreams come true
Star Wars Outlaws is finally the open-world game I've been dreaming of since I was a teenager. Back then, it was games like "Knights of the Old Republic" or "Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy" that kept me glued to the computer screen. Later it was "Star Wars: Battlefront" and "Star Wars: Empire at War". But there has never been an open, freely explorable game world full of quests and adventures - unless we count "The Old Republic". But the game was surprisingly straightforward, even for an MMORPG.
Publisher Ubisoft and game developer Massive promise that "Star Wars Outlaws" will be different. Dozens of worlds to explore. You can take off from the ground in a spaceship and fly directly through the atmosphere into planetary orbit. There you can engage in fierce space battles with your enemies. Or, on the way to your mission location, you might notice a freighter approaching on the horizon. I wonder what it's carrying? If you want, you can follow it and find out. Who knows, maybe an even bigger adventure awaits you there.
Source: Ubisoft
I'm curious about precisely this immersion. Then there's the interesting historical timing of the game: between "Episode 5 & 6". The Empire may hold the galaxy in its iron grip, but crime syndicates such as the Hutt Cartel and the Pyke Syndicate are fighting for influence and power in the underworld. As aspiring villain Kay Vess, you try to gain influence with the right people and make your way through the galaxy as lucratively as possible.
Released for: Playstation, Xbox, PC
Release: 2024
"Assassin's Creed Mirage": Everything used to be better after all
Although "Mirage" sees itself as the next "Assassin's Creed" mainline instalment, it appears to be a shorter stopover before the next big spin-off. Ubisoft explains that "Mirage" is above all a homage to the original game. In other words: Smaller map. Fewer RPG elements. Less action. But more stealth and parkour elements. And: The game will probably not be sold at full price.
Super. I still vividly remember climbing from rooftop to rooftop in the virtual Jerusalem sun far too often during my summer holidays instead of jumping into the cool water of an outdoor pool. I was too captivated by this murderous assassin game, which offered me previously unknown freedoms with its parkour interludes. And all this in front of meticulously recreated historical cities.
Source: Ubisoft
Later on, "Assassin's Creed" didn't always develop the way I would have liked it to. My biggest criticism: too big worlds with too many tasks - average tasks. If I have to complete hours of boring side quests to collect enough talent points, the game is no longer fun. However, "Mirage" heralds a return to the strengths of the series: Less is more. Plus a good dose of nostalgia. Yep, the game could be tailor-made for me.
Released for: Playstation, Xbox, PC
Release: 12 October 2023
Simon's highlights
"Flight Simulator 2024": Pleasure and frustration ... and pleasure again
With the reboot of Flight Simulator three years ago, Microsoft opened the door to the simulator world. Satellite data from Bing Maps, real-time weather, AI-generated buildings and tens of thousands of airfields have breathed new life into the franchise that was thought to be dead. At its core, "Flight Simulator" is exactly that: a simulator in which you largely determine your own challenge. There are ready-made challenges, trips, several tutorials and a DLC with air races. However, this content is nothing more than small bites.
At the Xbox Showcase, the developers from Asobo showed a trailer announcing a comprehensive career mode. My joy was huge! Finally a DLC where I can climb into the Cockpit as a mountain rescuer, private pilot or firefighter!
Source: Microsoft
Then the big disappointment: "Flight Simulator 2024" is not an update, but a game in its own right. That's confusing. Three years ago, chief developer Jörg Neumann had said that Flight Simulator was a platform that would last ten years or longer. Now a new version is to be released after just four years? The fear was that the expensive additional content, such as airports and aeroplanes, would not be available in the new version and that Flight Simulator would no longer be developed after 2024.
Shortly after the presentation, the all-clear was given in a Q&A: the content purchased via the official Marketplace should be compatible with the new version. The "Flight Simulator" from 2020 will also continue to receive updates. It is unclear whether this also includes the popular "World Updates", which upgrade entire countries and regions. That doesn't matter much to me either, as I'm switching to the new version. In addition to a career as a firefighting pilot, I can continue to fly my purchased Pilatus PC-6 Porter in the Alps. Even for free with the Gamepass!
Released for: Xbox, PC
Release: 2024
"Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon": We are the robots
The new game from "Dark Souls" developer From Software was initially conspicuous by its absence. The sixth instalment of the mech action game was not shown in any showcase. Yet "Armored Core VI" will be released at the end of August. Without any fanfare, publisher "Bandai Namco" then released a short gameplay trailer on Wednesday.
Finally there are more than just quickly edited action trailers and I have to say: my enthusiasm is limited. I haven't played any of the 15 (!) "Armored Core" titles released so far. The niche mecha series from Japan was never really on my radar, nor was I familiar with "From Software"... Until "Dark Souls" captured my heart over 10 years ago. With an ultra-high level of difficulty, cryptic story and probably the best level design since the original Doom from 1993.
Source: Bandai Namco
I realise that "Armored Core" is no "Soulsborne" with robots. Where "Elden Ring" last shone - the beautifully designed world - "Armored Core" unfortunately falls short in the trailer. Somehow the factory level shown seems empty and flat. The gameplay has to make up for this shortcoming. The gameplay looks solid: hitting a living furnace with machine guns, rockets and giant robot swords should be fun. I'm already practising the "Armoured Core Grip"...
Released for: Playstation, Xbox, PC
Release: 25 August 2023
Kevin's highlights
"Sand Land": Wacky action in a Mad Max setting
I used to be a huge Dragon Ball fan. Today, the series only has a nostalgia bonus for me. Sand Land also evokes nostalgic feelings. The game was penned by Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama. The Dragon Quest series shows that his drawing style can not only make video games successful, but also good. The eighth part is still one of my absolute favourite JRPGs.
"Sand Land" is based on Toriyama's manga of the same name from the year 2000. After years of war and natural disasters, the world has dried up. Water is therefore a precious commodity. It is controlled by a greedy king. The main character Beelzebub and his friend Sheef are asked by the small-town sheriff Rao to help free the country from the water shortage.
Source: Bandai Namco
Beelzebub has superhuman powers and telepathic abilities. The wise old demon Sheef excels as a thief. The characters are wonderfully bizarre and over-the-top. You explore the open world on foot or with various vehicles that you can modify. The trailer promises a racy game with lots of what-the-fuck moments. I am hyped.
Released for: Playstation, Xbox, PC
Release: tbd
"Final Fantasy VII Rebirth": Everything different, yet familiar
Where is the journey going? Final Fantasy fans, myself included, have been asking themselves this question since the end of Final Fantasy VII Remake. Because the game, which only covers the first part of the original in the city of Midgar, ends differently than expected. The ending raises the question of whether there is one or more timelines in the new edition of the JRPG classic. Fans have debated this fiercely. After the latest trailer, it seems clear that it will run to one timeline. However, the question has not yet been definitively answered, and perhaps it will only be answered in the third and final instalment of the trilogy.
In any case, it's clear to me that the story in Rebirth will be very different from the original. Nevertheless, a lot will be familiar. I'm convinced that the gameplay and presentation will be brilliant, just like in "Final Fantasy VII Remake". The developers can't go wrong if they orientate themselves on the first part of the trilogy.
Source: Square Enix
In any case, I can hardly wait to finally immerse myself in the world of Gaia again. Unfortunately, the game is no longer announced for winter 2023, but sometime in spring 2024. At least I can pass the time until then with "Final Fantasy XVI".
Released for: Playstation
Release: Early 2024
Are you more into indie games than highly polished AAA games? Phil has summarised all the exciting announcements away from the big stage in this article. There are some real hits among them. It's worth taking a look: [[marketingpage:28340]]
Phil has also summarised what Sony presented at the Playstation Showcase: [[marketingpage:27946]]
Here you can find a summary of the spectacular Xbox Games Showcase: [[marketingpage:28227]]
You can read all about what Ubisoft showed here: [[marketingpage:28246]]
An overview of all Summer Game Fest streams can be found here: [[marketingpage:28111]]
Which game are you looking forward to the most?
Domagoj Belancic
Senior Editor
Domagoj.Belancic@digitecgalaxus.chMy love of video games was unleashed at the tender age of five by the original Gameboy. Over the years, it's grown in leaps and bounds.