Summer Game Fest 2025 returned with a wide-ranging showcase of new titles, sequels, surprise launches, and long-awaited updates. Hosted once again by Geoff Keighley, the event sought to fill the void left by E3’s absence, continuing its role as a centerpiece for mid-year game announcements. While the overall pacing felt uneven and lacked the concentrated firepower of Sony’s State of Play earlier this week, there were still notable highlights that made the show worth watching.
The biggest announcement came from Capcom, which officially unveiled Resident Evil Requiem. Set for release on February 27, 2026, the game introduces Grace Ashcroft, daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, and signals a more cinematic direction for the franchise. The reveal capped off the event, following a fake-out teaser that caught many off guard.
Another standout moment was Bandai Namco’s announcement of Code Vein 2, a sequel to the 2019 action RPG. The reveal trailer hinted at a time-travel narrative and featured a continuation of the anime-inspired, Soulslike gameplay that helped the original gain a cult following. It’s expected to arrive sometime in 2026.
In a move long anticipated by fans, a new Game of Thrones title, War for Westeros, was revealed. While details are still limited, a cinematic trailer featuring Jon Snow and the White Walkers suggests a larger-budget effort than previous attempts to bring Westeros to gaming platforms.
On the indie side, Mina the Hollower, the retro action game from Yacht Club Games, finally received a release date. The Shovel Knight successor is launching October 31, and a Steam demo is now available. Scott Pilgrim Ex, a new beat-’em-up from Tribute Games, also made an appearance. Co-created with the original comic team, it’s targeting a 2026 release.
Superhero fans have something new to anticipate as well. Marvel’s Deadpool VR was officially announced for Meta Quest 3 and 3S, marking Twisted Pixel’s first title under Meta’s ownership. Featuring chaotic first-person combat and voiced by Neil Patrick Harris, the game offers an original story set in Mojoworld and is expected later this year.
Other key titles included:
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, launching June 26, with new characters and an extended interview from Hideo Kojima.
- Sonic Crossworlds, featuring cameo characters like Hatsune Miku and Persona 5’s Joker, along with a September 25 release date.
- Dying Light: The Beast, set for August 22, with a new trailer emphasizing parkour-heavy combat.
- Stranger Than Heaven, the renamed Project Century from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, showcasing gritty brawling in a stylized neo-noir setting.
Surprise drops included Splitgate 2, which launched during the showcase and is available now. Meanwhile, Mafia: The Old Country returned with a trailer diving deeper into its Italy-set narrative, and Wuchang: Fallen Feathers and Mecha Break confirmed summer release dates.
Elsewhere, Shovel Knight fans got a new look at Mina the Hollower, Jurassic World Evolution 3 was dated for October 21, and Lies of P: Overture shadow dropped a new update. Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver, a co-op action RPG featuring the legendary hip-hop group, and Chrono Odyssey, a Dark Souls-style multiplayer action game, also earned time on stage.
Not all announcements were blockbusters, but the sheer volume made for a dense, if sometimes scattered, event. From indie experiments to franchise heavyweights, Summer Game Fest 2025 reaffirmed its place as a central platform for publishers big and small. With additional hands-on demos planned for Gamescom and several titles landing later this year, the second half of 2025 is shaping up to be busy across platforms.
