The “E3” period is back, but also not really, and is officially being kicked off with the PlayStation Showcase 2023. After over a year of waiting, PlayStation gamers were treated to a fairly muted show.

There were gameplay reveals, and one or two surprises, but it consisted mostly of what everyone was kind-of expecting. Most noticeably, there is a distinct lack of news for any upcoming first party titles, save for Spider-Man 2. Nevertheless, highlights of the show are down below, for your reading pleasure.

Spider-Man 2 Lengthy Gameplay Showcase

The web-slinging duo of Peter Parker and Miles Morales are back in action in Spider-Man 2, the highly anticipated sequel to Insomniac Games’ acclaimed Spider-Man titles. The gameplay showcase offered a glimpse of the new moves and abilities of both Spider-Men, as well as an introduction of the game’s Big Bad: Kraven the Hunter. The PlayStation Showcase 2023 trailer also teased the appearance of Venom, who will be voiced by none other than Tony Todd. Spider-Man 2 is set to launch in the second half of 2023.

Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater Remake Announced

One of the biggest surprises of the show was the announcement of a remake of Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater, the classic stealth-action game from Hideo Kojima. The teaser trailer did not show much, but it did reveal the iconic Snake in his full PS5 glory. The remake is being developed by Bluepoint Games, who previously worked on remakes of Shadow of the Colossus and Demon’s Souls. Along with the remake, the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 was also announced, which includes Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.

PlayStation Announced Dedicated Game Streaming Device

The PlayStation Showcase 2023 also revealed new hardware codenamed Project Q, which will allow players to stream any game from their PS5 console using Remote Play over WiFi. In what seems like a rather large page out of the Nintendo Wii playbook, and an unusual device for many with tablets, Project Q has an 8-inch HD screen and all buttons and features the DualSense controller has. No release date was given for this new gadget, and the verdict is still out about whether or not it will be something worth having. Alongside this unusual tablet, the first official PS5 earbuds were announced, which promise to deliver immersive 3D audio in a small form factor – and presumably perfect for PSVR2.

Alan Wake 2 Is Coming on October 17

Remedy Entertainment showed off another look at Alan Wake 2, the long-awaited sequel to their cult classic horror game. The trailer shows the return of the titular character, who appears to be trapped in the Dark Place. This time, he is joined by a new playable character, Saga Anderson, who is joining the maligned author in his investigation. The game is set to arrive on 17 October 2023, just in time for Halloween.

Final Fantasy XVI Gets a New Trailer Ahead of Next Month’s Launch

A new Final Fantasy XVI story trailer debuted at the PlayStation Showcase 2023 ahead of its fast-approaching 22 June 2023 release date. It shows a handsome Clive interacting with a ton of characters around Valisthea, along with glimpses of a ton of new and returning Final Fantasy monsters. The trailer also confirmed what everyone has been anticipating, how Final Fantasy XVI will be a PS5 exclusive (for at least six months after launch – but it could be much longer, judging by other recent releases).

Other Notable Announcements

The main hitters above were the ‘main reveals’ of the PlayStation Showcase 2023, but there were plenty of other games shown as well, including:

The above wraps up the PlayStation Showcase 2023. What did you think of the show? Which games are you most excited for?

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Owner, founder and editor-in-chief at Vamers, Hans has a vested interest in geek culture and the interactive entertainment industry. With a Masters degree in Communications and Ludology, he is well read and versed in matters relating to video games and communication media, among many other topics of interest.