Summer Game Fest 2025 Recap: All The Biggest Reveals, Surprises, and WTF Moments
Summer Game Fest 2025: Did It Actually Deliver the Hype?
Well, the confetti has settled, Geoff Keighley has probably finally taken off those signature sneakers, and we're left to sift through the digital rubble of another Summer Game Fest. For two hours, the gaming world held its collective breath, fueled by a cocktail of caffeine and cautious optimism. As a seasoned veteran of these summer showcases, my pre-show ritual is down to a science: a fortress of snacks, a dangerously large iced coffee, and my phone on "do not disturb." The question on everyone's mind, now that E3 is a fond, chaotic memory, is whether SGF can still bring the thunder.
This year's showcase was a wild ride, a rollercoaster of genuine shock and... well, moments that made you reach for another handful of chips. So, let's break it down. Was it a banger? Or just another summer fling?
The Big Guns and Their Bazookas
You can't have a major gaming event without the platform holders, and this year was no exception.
Sony's State of Play Surprise
Sony decided to jump the gun with a State of Play just before the main event, and it was a pretty savvy move. They gave us a meaty look at Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, a 4v4 tag-team fighter from the wizards at Arc System Works that looks absolutely bonkers in the best way possible. Fusing Marvel heroes with an anime aesthetic, it's slated for a 2026 release on PS5 and PC. We also got a few other surprises, like the resurrection of Capcom's long-lost Pragmata (with a very hopeful 2026 release date) and a new Nioh 3 also slated for 2026.
Xbox's Calculated Moves
Not to be outdone, the Xbox Games Showcase had its own share of bombshells. The long-rumored Xbox handheld finally broke cover, looking to take on the Steam Deck. On the games front, we got a fresh, steampunky trailer for Clockwork Revolution and the surprise announcement that Final Fantasy XVI is finally making its way to Xbox Series X/S. They also gave us a glimpse of A Plague Tale prequel, arriving in 2026, and a new title from the Psychonauts developers called Keeper, which is out this October.
The Third-Party Powerhouses
Of course, it wasn't just about the console makers. Capcom arguably stole the show by finally dropping the first trailer for Resident Evil 9, officially titled Resident Evil: Requiem. It looks like a return to the iconic Raccoon City, and it's set to launch next year. We also saw the shadow drop of the Lies of P: Overture DLC, which is available right now. And for all you brawler fans, a new Scott Pilgrim EX co-op game is on the way from the creator, Bryan Lee O'Malley.
Indie Darlings and "Where Did THAT Come From?" Moments
While the AAA titles bring the sizzle, it's often the indie games that provide the steak. This year, Geoff Keighley himself made a point of highlighting the success of indie games on Steam, setting a great tone for the showcase.
We saw some truly unique titles, like Mixtape, a narrative adventure with a 90s soundtrack from Annapurna, and Mina the Hollower, a retro-style action-adventure from the makers of Shovel Knight that's launching on Halloween. There was also the delightfully weird Felt That: Boxing, a game that looks like you're playing with boxing puppets.
But the award for the most unexpected announcement has to go to the Wu-Tang Clan's new game, Rise of the Deceiver, which blends anime with Afro-surrealism. It's bold, it's different, and it's exactly the kind of surprise that makes these shows so much fun.
The Good, The Bad, and The "Huh?"
No gaming event is perfect, and Summer Game Fest 2025 was no exception.
My Personal Game of the Show
For me, the standout had to be Resident Evil: Requiem. After the more action-oriented direction of recent entries, the promise of a return to the series' survival horror roots has me incredibly excited. The trailer was dark, atmospheric, and just the right amount of terrifying.
The Inevitable Cringe
There were, of course, a few moments that made you chuckle for the wrong reasons. The show had its share of awkward pauses and slightly over-the-top marketing speak. And while it's always great to see Hideo Kojima, his segment on Death Stranding 2 felt a little long-winded, even for him.
What Was Missing?
The biggest elephant in the room was the continued absence of Hollow Knight: Silksong. Team Cherry even got a mention, only for it to be a lead-in to a Deadpool VR game, which felt like a particularly cruel twist of the knife for fans. What does this mean for the future of gaming? Probably not much, but it's fun to speculate, isn't it?
So, Was It Worth the Hype?
Overall, Summer Game Fest 2025 was a solid showing. It had a good mix of big-name reveals, exciting indie titles, and a few genuine surprises. While some may have found it a bit bloated or uneven, there was enough here to get just about any gamer excited for what's to come. It may not have the same chaotic energy as the E3s of old, but it's clear that Summer Game Fest has cemented its place as the premier event of the summer gaming season.