State of Play |10.27.21| Impressions
Updated: May 28, 2022
Game: Deathverse: Let It Die
Developer: Supertrick Games
Publisher: GungHo Online Entertainment
Release Date: Spring 2022
To kick off Sony's October State of Play, we get our 1st look at a weird PvP melee combat battle royale. The player will battle against other players online to be the last one standing. The premise is that each player is participating in a TV show called "Death Jamboree", which is hosted by Bryan Zemeckis and Queen B. It is unknown whether these characters will be a part of a story mode, or if they will just shoutcasting games. A "Hunter G" character will also invade games and track down players to eliminate them. Deathverse will be free-to-play and feature cosmetics for characters through direct purchases or season pass content. All in all, the game looks fun and zany. Less complicated than Hunter's Arena: Legends, but that overcomplication took the fun away. The visual effects and environments looked interesting for a battle arena, now we just have to wait to see how it all fits together.
Game: We Are OFK
Developer/Publisher: Team OFK
Release Date: 2022
Described as a "new music biopic game", We Are OFK will have 5 playable episodes for the player to see how the indie-pop group OFK was formed. Initially, this 1st look trailer was very offputting with the slice of life commentary in the beginning. It began to not even feel like there was even a game to show off in the first place. As the group members continue talking, we finally get to dig a little deeper into what the game actually is. For the most part, it seems the game will be an interactive visual novel, with some moving pieces. For each episode, there will also be an interactive music video from OFK's debut EP. The trailer felt a bit flat for me, hopefully, closer to release we can get an actual reason to buy this game.
Game: Bugsnax: The Isle of Bigsnax
Developer/Publisher: Young Horses
Release Date: Early 2022
A HUGE, FREE expansion update will be coming to Snacktooth Island! The gang is back, your hut is finally complete and...what's that? Prehistoric Bugsnax have been uncovered? Sign me up for the expedition! The trailer didn't show too much off other than the ability to customize your now complete hut in Snacksburg, Bugsnax being able to wear little itty bitty hats, and a new device to shrink the new colossal Bugsnax. A new threat will be emerging and I'm curious if this expansion will expand upon the story in any way, or if it will work as any other boss fight in the game and the player moves on. Either way, I've been wanting any excuse to jump back in and this is my 1st class ticket!
Game: Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach
Developer: Steel Wool Studios
Publisher: Steel Wool Games
Release Date: 12.16.2021
We got an extensive look at the first Five Night's at Freddy's game to be released after the series creator, Scott Cawthon, retired in 2021. Steel Wool Studios are taking the property and it shows. It looks like they'll be fleshing out the game's premise to be a fully-fledged horror game. Not only will the player be running around to avoid the deadly machinations, but they will also be able to use disguises to walk around. Long time series feature of looking through security cameras will still be present and flashlights will be needing a lot of recharging ala Outlast. The original games had very little lore work put into them, so it'll be interesting to see if Steel Wool can create a story behind the scares.
Game: Death's Door
Developer: Acid Nerve
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Release Date: 11.23.2021
*Already released on PC
The quickest look at a game during the presentation, Death's Door will be a top-down action RPG about a crow with swords. Watching the little bit we had, the game reminds me of Diablo, but with way fewer enemies swarming you at any given second. The enemy design looked to be inspired by Souls-like bosses but cartoonified to fit the aesthetic. We didn't really get too much more information from the trailer itself. The pre-order bonus will be free "Titan Souls". The game's release is around the corner, so I guess we'll just have to find out for ourselves.
Game: Kart Ride: Drift
Developer: NEXON Korea
Publisher: Nexon
Release Date: 2022
The best way I can describe this game is, imagine if Mario Kart had a baby with Fall Guys. The cutesy chibi-like characters driving around using pick-ups to sabotage enemy racers was fun to watch. The gameplay looked pretty slow, but they increase Mario Kart banana sizes by 100x. The game will be free-to-play and cross-platform. Registration is currently open for the closed beta, which will run from Dec. 8th-12th. The finished product won't be coming until 2022. Sort of a "driving" theme here at the State of Play.
Game: King of Fighters XV
Developer/Publisher: SNK
Release Date: 02.17.2022
KoF is back and looking better than ever! The beta announcement trailer started off by introducing us to Dolores, a newcomer to the King of Fighters. They showed off some of her moves and most notably, the improvements they made graphically. KoF XIV was the first game in the series to not be 2D, and it didn't really look all that great. Fast forward to KoF XV and it looks like they made great strides in improving character models, textures, visual effects, and environments. The open beta will run from Nov. 19-22 and feature Casual Online Matches and Room Matches.
Game: First Class Trouble
Developer: Invisible Walls
Publisher: Versus Evil
Release Date: 11.02.2021
First Class Trouble is dubbed as a "social deduction" game, in the same vein as Among Us. You get to play as either a human resident or a Personoid aka the imposter. The player will be randomly selected to be either role, with the Personoid being able to select a disguise. Objectives will sprout up in an effort to escape. The Personoid is tasked with stopping residents from escaping by any means necessary. It is unknown whether there will be a campaign or underlying lore for the characters you get to play as. The animations weren't the crispest, but it looks serviceable. Aesthetically it reminds me of a mix between Bioshock and Fallout, but in outer space. There will be microtransactions to customize the look of your character. The game itself looked like a fun distraction if you're able to get enough friends to play with you.
Game: Star Ocean: The Divine Force
Developer: Tri-Ace
Publisher: Square Enix
Release Date: 2022
The first Star Ocean game in 6 years, and this announcement makes it just in time for the 25th year anniversary of the series. It is confirmed that there will be player choices that affect the story, how much the story can change is yet to be seen. Traversal has also been revamped with the new jet pack thingy, letting players be able to climb atop of whatever they see. The combat looks a bit faster, and the huge monster enemies in the trailer make the fights look reminiscent of Monster Hunter.
Game: Little Devil Inside
Developer/Publisher: Neostream Interactive
Release Date: 2022
After almost a year of silence, Little Devil Inside makes a comeback onto Sony's stage. The unique art direction adds an innocent charm to the game that has been sorely missed in the gaming space. From the trailer, we can see that there will be an overworld of some kind that players can navigate. After coming across an event/area, the overworld disappears and you're now able to walk around in an open area. The trailer also showed off some combat, which wasn't anything too complex. Again, still have no idea what game this is going to be, there might be new power-ups or weapons waiting to be unlocked or none at all. I really do hope that the narrator has a presence in the actual game. Due to the lack of discernable voice lines, the game could end up feeling empty if background music isn't playing all the time. This doesn't feel like a game that needs constant music, but a narrator to tag along on your journeys would add that LittleBigPlanet that I so desperately crave!!
I love wachasie post
he is best!!!!!!!!!°