The February 2021 PlayStation State of Play has given us a good look at some of the upcoming PS5 games due to launch this year. Although there were some notable omissions - including God of War: Ragnarok and Horizon: Forbidden West - plenty of exciting games got time in the spotlight during the stream. Read on for all the announcements and trailers from the February 2021 PlayStation State of Play for games coming to PS5 and PS4.
A first look at Crash Bandicoot 4 on PS5
Starting out the show was Crash Bandicoot 4, the brand new series entry that arrived at the end of 2020. It's coming to PS5 later this year, and the State of Play took time to highlight some of the new features that you should expect with this next-gen port. We're talking native 4K resolutions, and a target of 60fps in terms of framerates. You'll also be able to take advantage of faster load times, thanks to that PS5 SSD - which no doubt those of us currently trying to get that 106% completion rate on PS4. The PS5 version will also utilize the adaptive triggers on the DualSense PS5 controller, letting you feel the likes of Neo Cortex's blaster and Dingodile's vacuum through your fingers.
Returnal extended gameplay footage shown off
Next up was some rather eerily beautiful gameplay footage for upcoming PS5 exclusive, Returnal. It was an extended version of the Returnal trailer that was revealed earlier this week - which you can watch above. Coming April 30 from developer Housemarque, it has always promised to turn roguelike gameplay into a third-person shooter, and from the looks of the gameplay shown off in the PlayStation State of Play, it's going to succeed. We saw more of the game’s alien setting of Atropos, and the game's use of a timeloop was explained a little more. And did that corridor remind anyone else of PT?
Knock Out City gets extended gameplay footage, too
Knock Out City also got some time in the spotlight during the State of Play, with gameplay footage building on what we saw in the latest Nintendo Direct. As we mentioned in our recent preview, Knockout City is a raucous dodgeball battle from the Mario Kart Live devs and EA, and this gameplay footage only served to highlight that. It's arriving on May 21, 2021, so there's not much time to wait until you can get involved in this new multiplayer title for yourself.
Sifu revealed as brand new PS5 title
Sifu is a brand new game from developer Sloclap, of Absolver fame. It's an incredibly stylish-looking martial arts action game, which is due to drop on PS5 and PS4 later this year. Aimed at telling a Kung Fu revenge story, it tells the tale of a young Kung Fu student who has spent their life training to take revenge on the assassination squad that killed their entire family. “Sifu” translates to teacher or master in Chinese, which also hones in on that story. In terms of gameplay, it looks to offer fast and brutal hand-to-hand combat, that relies on blocking and maneuvering as much as it does getting hits in. We're looking forward to seeing more of this one.
Solar Ash gets a gameplay reveal
Solar Ash, from the team behind Hyper Light Drifter, was revealed last year, but now it's been confirmed that it's definitely coming this year to PS5 and PS4 - at some point. Although it's quite the vague release date, we're happy to know that the game is en route before Christmas rolls around again. You'll be journeying through a surreal world, with an almost No Man's Sky-esque color palette. The developer gave us quite the walkthrough, explaining its platforming nature focusing on speed and fluidity, with movement mimicking skating. You've got one chance to save your homeworld, and you'll have to take down various foes on your way, with encounters scaling up as you explore the planet, until you're ready to take on the Void at its center.
Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach officially announced
After a teaser at the end of last year, we've been given the full reveal for Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach. It looks to offer even more of the creep-tastic, hallway-gazing horror that we've come to expect from the series. The animatronic animals are back, and they're causing even more chaos. It's a race against time to get out before morning in one piece, and it sounds like not everything is quite what it seems. Always what you want when creepy toys are coming to get you.
Oddworld: Soulstorm is an April PlayStation Plus release
Anyone excited to get involved with the latest adventure of Abe, Oddworld: Soulstorm is going to be a free PlayStation Plus title for April. In this title, there are over 1000 of your kin waiting to be saved, and this time you'll be able to get them to help you fight against the foes that stand in your way. Of course, there are still puzzles to be solved, which you'll need their help with too. This time around, Abe is also able to scavenge, loot, and pick-pocket, which he'll use to create arsenal that you can share with your pals. The world is evolving too, with natural dangers to deal with, among other new features. It'll launch on PS4 and PS5 on April 6, free to PlayStation Plus subscribers as we've mentioned.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits gets an August release date
We got a closer look at the beautiful Kena: Bridge of Spirits thanks to a lengthy new trailer, detailing gameplay and giving us a little more insight into its story. As well as showing off combat, which has a serious Horizon Zero Dawn vibe (albeit with a significant fantasy bent), the State of Play offered a closer look at Kena's story, which will see her acting as a spirit guide, helping people cross between worlds and restore her village. Sadly, however, you'll have a little longer to wait than initially expected; while Kena: Bridge of Spirits was initially slated to release in March, the new trailer confirmed that it will now launch on PS4 and PS5 on August 24, 2021.
Deathloop gets a lengthy gameplay trailer
The State of Play also offered an extremely stylish look at Deathloop, the new game from Dishonored developer Arkane. Set to an extremely Bond-esque original song, the game's third trailer sees protagonist Colt going up against a charismatic DJ, outlining some of his flashiest abilities, which look like Arkane's stealth masterpiece dialled up to 11.
Unfortunately for Colt, there's also player-controlled antagonist Julianna to contend with, who'll be going to some serious lengths to ensure Colt fails in his attempt to break the loop, using her own very special set of skills. At the end of the trailer, Sony outlined the game's pre-order bonuses, which include an exclusive weapon and skin for Colt, as well as one equippable 'trinket', which will buff up your character. Deathloop's still set to launch on May 21 on PC and PS5, with any other (as yet unannounced) releases not due until "at least" May 2022.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade is the PS5 version
Square Enix revealed Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade, the PS5 version of the acclaimed JRPG released last year. Intergrade includes improved visuals and performance, as well as a brand new episode that puts players in control of the ninja Yuffie Kisaragi, who's on a mission to infiltrate the Shinra Corporation. If you own Final Fantasy 7 Remake on PS4, you'll get the upgraded PS5 version for free, but you'll still need to pay for the new episode. To be clear, this isn't Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Part 2, but instead additional content and improved visuals for Part 1 on PS5.
