E3 may be dead, but Summer Games showcases are alive and well. The 2023 June showcases were filled with incredible highs like Starfield’s sandwich thief and big surprises like Star Wars Outlaws and Clockwork Revolution. Here are the biggest reveals and surprises from the 2023 Summer Games Showcases.
Starfield
Let’s get this one out of the way first. Starfield. I’m a big Bethesda Game Studios fan and slightly biased towards their titles, but the Starfield Direct was the best single-game showcase I’ve seen at a June show. The 45-minute showing of Starfield’s world, mechanics and systems was incredible from start to finish and should be watched by any fan of video games.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, revealed at Sony’s State of Play, was the highlight of their showcase showing of Peter Parker in the Venom suit, his new aggressive combat style and attitude. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 also has two Spider-Mans and shows the player instantly switching to Miles Morales as they chase Lizard, with Kraven’s forces getting in the way.
Mortal Kombat 1
Mortal Kombat might be rebooting the timeline, but the brutal fatalities and visceral combat aren’t going anywhere. Summer Games Fest Kick-off showed off a Mortal Kombat 1 match and the new Kameo fighters system bringing fan-favourite characters back as tag-team-like partners to assist your character in matches.
Lies of P
While Lies of P might look like we have Bloodborne at home, the game continues to impress, with each trailer showing the unique world of Pinocchio and its combat style. A demo is available now for players who want to try this new souls-like coming in September.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
While Final Fantasy isn’t a franchise I’ve ever connected with, it’s undoubtedly very popular, and the highly anticipated sequel to the Final Fantasy 7 Remake was revealed at Summer Games Fest Kick-off. Will this be the first Final Fantasy game I enjoy? probably not, but I’m willing to give it a try.
Alan Wake 2
Alan Wake is back, and he’s not alone. Alan Wake 2 features a dual storyline where you can switch between Alan Wake and a new FBI agent Saga Anderson as she investigates a murder in the Pacific Northwest. Alan Wake is missing, cultists, murders and a very creepy vibe? count me in.
Clockwork Revolution
The Xbox Showcase was filled with RPG reveals like Fable and Avowed. The big standout to me was Clockwork Revolution by InXile Entertainment, the studio behind the excellent Wasteland 3. This steam-punk first-person time-bending RPG looks intriguing, and I can’t wait to learn more.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
From the creators behind Persona 3, Persona 4, and my favourite JRPG, Persona 5, comes Metaphor: ReFantazio. The name might be confusing, but this title is shaping into a more fantasy-themed Persona-like title. This is a title to watch for any Persona fan.
Star Wars Outlaws
The biggest surprise reveal to me was Star Wars Outlaws. An open-world scoundrel story set during the original trilogy with choices and gang reputations to manage? count me in. Oh, and there is a cute pet called Nix that you can command to help you in stealth and combat.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
Assassin’s Creed Mirage appears to be a return to form for Assassin’s Creed. While I enjoyed Origins and Valhalla, it’s been a long time since we’ve had an assassin-focused Assassin’s Creed game, and Mirage appears to be returning to its roots whilst carrying over some of the learnings from the newer titles.
The remake of the classic Universal horror film explores themes of family and generational trauma through the story of Blake, a father undergoing a slow transformation into a creature. Directed by Leigh Whannell, the film combines intense atmosphere with practical effects, jump scares, and a focus on familial relationships, capturing the tension as Blake strives to avoid repeating his father's mistakes.
Conclave is a masterful film showcasing the tension and intrigue of Catholic cardinals electing a new Pope. Ralph Fiennes excels as Cardinal Lawrence, navigating power struggles and moral dilemmas. The ensemble cast highlights flawed characters amid visually stunning cinematography, creating a gripping narrative that challenges perceptions and resonates with contemporary themes.
Jordan Tyack is a writer passionate about video games, MCU, basketball, reading and everything in between. His favourite genres are RPGs and the occasional shooter games. When not obsessing about the Miami Heat, Jordan can be found drinking wine with his cats and watching a good movie.
