A few days to a week ago, I have recently published an article on my predictions for the Summer Games Fest 2024. And now that the event is finally at a close, I believe it is time for me to finally express my favorites from the week-long gaming showcase:
1) Monster Hunter Wilds, TBA 2025
First up is one of the most highly anticipated games of the Summer Games Fest: Monster Hunter Wilds! This game was first shown during The Game Awards 2023. Then there was a 2nd trailer presented during the recent PlayStation showcase just a few weeks ago; representing brand new characters and story. Lastly, another trailer was shown again during the Summer Games Fest event.
Of course, just like past Monster Hunter games, you get to create your character; as well as your Palico cat too. What surprised me, however, was that your protagonist might be fully voiced! Your character did have a voice in Monster Hunter Rise, for example, but not as much. In addition to that, there are also exciting new monsters to defeat. This time, however, you will have to defeat a horde of them; or perhaps just fight off the big boss in order to scare its followers away.
Monster Hunter Wilds does not have an official release date, sadly. However, there is a huge possibility that it will be released sometime in the year 2025! The game will be playable on PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S, and PC/Steam.
2) Metaphor: ReFantazio, October 11th 2024
Another game that was presented in the Summer Games Fest was Metaphor: ReFantazio. The people behind the popular game franchise, Persona, is currently in development for this game!
Unlike the Persona series where you have to gain friendships & bond with multiple characters to power up your abilities (and Personas), Metaphor: ReFantazio has a slightly different approach. In this game, you use your influence skills (as well as other skills gained throughout the game) to influence and bond with your followers. The more followers you attain, the better – as your choices may negatively or positively affect who will be the next king of your kingdom.
Although gaining followers and making difficult choices sound unique, it will not be the only game mechanics you will encounter. You will also have to fight many enemies, and bosses, along the way. And you will not journey through that alone as your party members and “Archetypes” (which is a fancy term for Personas) will help you within each battle!
Metaphor: ReFantazio will be officially released on October 11th, 2024. It will be playable on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC/Steam.
3) Black Myth: Wukong, August 20th 2024
Next up is another game that most players are already aware of by now called Black Myth: Wukong. By surprise, it actually appeared for a short time early on during the Summer Games Fest!
Black Myth: Wukong is an RPG, hack-and-slash action game; with a battle mechanic almost similar to souls-like games, such as Lies of P and Elden Ring. Since the game is based on “Journey To The West”, a classic Chinese novel, Black Myth: Wukong looks to take place during the Ancient China era. In addition, the protagonist will meet various characters, enemies, and creatures based on Chinese mythology; and end up battling some of them, as well.
Black Myth: Wukong will be released on August 20th, 2024. It will be available to play on the PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S, and on PC/Steam!
4) Rune Factory: Project Dragon, TBA
Although this game was not shown during the Summer Games Fest showcase, it was showcased during the Marvelous Showcase; alongside other games, like Farmagia and the upcoming Story of Seasons game! The game I am talking about is Rune Factory: Project Dragon.
Rune Factory: Project Dragon will be a spin-off to the Rune Factory series. In the game, players will choose between a male or female protagonist; each gaining a special ability of their own. Unlike previous Rune Factory games where portions of it were focused on farming, there will be little to no farming activities to do in the game. In fact, each of the protagonists will use these special abilities to fight off enemies and interact with the world around them!
There is no official release date for Rune Factory: Project Dragon yet, and there is no confirmation of platforms either. Let’s hope that the game will be available to play on the Nintendo Switch system and/or on Steam.
5) South of Midnight, TBA 2025
During the Xbox Games Showcase last week, one of the games presented piqued my interest. This game, in particular, is called South of Midnight. Just based on how it looks, it gives me a mixture of both Alice in Wonderland and Wizard of OZ/The Wiz vibes!
From what I know of, based on the gameplay trailer, you play as a female protagonist named Hazel. Throughout the start of Hazel’s journey, she will get pulled into a Gothic world with a more Louisiana atmosphere to it. In addition, as this happens, she must also search for her mother and rescue her so they can escape back home. In the process of doing that, however, she will encounter mythical creatures and enemies based on folklore – possibly from the South.
There is no official release date yet, but South of Midnight is planned for release sometime next year! It will be playable for Xbox Series X|S and PC/Steam, but I am not fully sure if it will also be available on PlayStation 5 or not.
6) Fable, TBA 2025
I have never played any game within the Fable series. However, I am very interested in the most anticipated Fable game; or Fable 4, as some people are calling it now.
Fable is an action, RPG game that takes place in the fantasy world known as Albion. Throughout the journey, players will play as the protagonist, and help them throughout their journey; which is filled with magic, interesting creatures, and a bit of humor on the side. As far as I am aware, there is not much that I know of about this upcoming game. I do believe, however, that it will be a fun game to try out!
Fable does not have an official release date yet, but it is planned for release sometime next year! It will be playable for Xbox Series X|S and Steam, but I am not fully aware if it will also be available on PlayStation 5.
7) Mixtape, TBA 2025
There was one other game, from the Xbox Games Showcase, that I found to be very interesting. And that game is called Mixtape.
Mixtape, from my perspective, sort of has that same aesthetic and vibe as the games from the Life is Strange franchise. It is an interactive story game focused on the friendship of three best friends. The three of them will pursue one last journey together before summer begins. In addition, they will also play music (based on actual performers) through their mixtape while embarking on memories that will last a long time!
Although it does not have an official release date yet, Mixtape is planned for release sometime next year! Mixtape will be available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC/Steam.
8) Life is Strange: Double Exposure, October 29th 2024
Another possible spin-off of the Life is Strange series, Life is Strange: Double Exposure is the next game that was presented during the Xbox Games Showcase!
This game will bring back the return of Max Caufield; the protagonist from the first game. This time, however, her powers from her previous adventure have developed into something brand new! From being able to travel through time to currently shifting into different timelines, Max will have to become accustomed to her new ability. Not only that, but she will also need it to solve the murder of her best friend, Sofia; and possibly prevent it.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure will be released on October 29th, 2024. It will be available to play on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC/Steam!
9) Dragon Age: The Veilguard, TBA Fall 2024
The final game that I want to mention is called Dragon Age: The Veilguard. In fact, this is one of the many upcoming games that I have been very excited about for a long while now!
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is an action, RPG game, and the 4th installment to the Dragon Age franchise. Just like the previous games within the series, players will create an “Inquisitor”; the main protagonist you control who will embark on a fantasy adventure, and make choices that will heavily impact your companion and the world around you. In addition, unlike the Dragon Age Inquisition, for example, all seven of your companions in this game can be romanceable regardless of gender. And when you create your protagonist, there will be a deep character customization; in addition to making choices early on and loading your past decisions from Dragon Age Inquisition too!
Now ever since the reveal trailer, there has been a lot of negative backlash due to the change in art style, game mechanics, and enemies. In my opinion as a Dragon Age fan, however, I see true potential in this game and I cannot wait to play it and experience it myself!
Dragon Age: The Veilguard does not have an official release date yet, but it is planned for release sometime this fall! It will be playable on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC/Steam.
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