Summer Game Fest 2025 Games
TOP TEN BEST ANNOUNCEMENTS
TOP TEN ANNOUNCEMENTS (plus a few extra)
A few weeks back, when we attended Summer Game Fest in LA, we played a saw a lot of great looking games coming in 2025 and beyond. Here are the best things that we saw.
PLAYED OR PARTICIPATED IN LIVE DEMO
Epic Publishing
End of Abyss was best in show for me based on my tastes. A top down, twin stick shooter, metroidvania with a strong horror atmosphere from former Tarsier founders inspired by Alien. However, Epic Games Publishing is clearly putting the right people in the right positions to find incredible games because I also got to try Infinitesimals, third person shooter with loads of interesting mechanics, plenty of potential and was created by only 8 people. There was also Out of Words, which is a co-op, stop motion game that looks like a blend of Split Fiction and playdead. Even if you don’t play or like Fortnite, you can’t argue that they aren’t trying to use its success to springboard other incredible games.
Dotemu
I can’t pick just one, so I will pick all of Dotemu as they are putting their best foot forward in 2025. First, there is Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, the retro inspired side scrolling action title that’s being developed by The Game Kitchen, the team behind Blasphemous. After that will be the companies first original IP: Absolum, which blends together precise combat, a rich narrative and rogue elements in the worlds first rogue em up. Finally, later this year comes Marvel Cosmic Invasion, the next title developed by Tribute games that’s inspired by the Marvel beat em ups of the 90’s.
Lumines Arise
I had 30 minutes to play Lumines Arise at Summer Game Fest and it was over before I knew it. Lumines Arise captures that same addictive flow state that Tetris effect did. The big new features is the burst mechanic that allows for some huge combos, but the feature that has me intrigued is that every stage on the single player journey is supposed to evoke a different and complex emotional response.
Directive 8020
Every time a new supermassive game comes around, there is a new hope for them to surpass their success of Until Dawn. After playing a thirty minute demo at Summer Game Fest, Directive 8020 might be that moment. Although still part of the Dark Pictures, there has been a definitive shift away from the strong branding of the series. With each entry in the series inspired by something, Directive 8020 is clearly inspired by The Thing, which makes you second guess every decision you make, which are already hard enough.
Mouse: PI for Hire
Mouse: PI for Hire has grown far beyond that gray box prototype that was shown a few years ago. After participating in a 30 minute demo with the devs at Summer Game Fest, there is plenty to like. You are a detective who solves multiple cases over the course of the campaign, but what piqued my interest the most was the ability to approach each level in a variety of ways. In the demo, there was the option to bribe a waiter to get into the staff quarters, but you also had the ability to sneak your way in by finding the secret vent.
Grave Seasons
I am not the target audience for a farming sim, but Grave Seasons is putting a unique spin on the traditional formula. Grave Seasons is being published by Blumhouse Games, which means the unique spin is horror and someone in the town is a supernatural serial killer. After escaping jail, you are trying to start from scratch, but things get weird when you dig up a severed hand when trying to plant your first crop. I also have to give Blumhouse Games a mention here as well with games like Crisol.
Blighted
The good news is that Drinkbox, the team behind Guacamelee is making a new metroidvania. The really good news is that Blighted will be the first time that the studio will venture into 3D. Finally, the great news is that after playing Blighted for 30 minutes with the devs at Summer Game Fest, it plays as good as it looks. The worlds are vibrant and full of hidden areas. Movement is fast, fluid and the blighted mechanic that changes the world around you is unique.
Mixtape
Almost as much as your sense of smell can spark nostalgia, music also have the ability to magically transport you to a different time in your life. Playing Mixtape at Summer Game Fest was less of a game and more of an experience. The demo was only around 30 minutes, but the amount of times I stopped playing just to take in the world were numerous. Everyone knows the soundtrack is good, but the writing and the performances were great and there was just the right amount of weird.
Toem 2
I sadly missed Toem due to bad timing, but after critical acclaim and winning many awards, something we made is back with a sequel. The big change is that you now have better control of the main character as you are able to jump and climb your way around the environment, which opens the door to a whole new array of items to find. Gameplay is still super relaxing as you go around and take pictures and try to help people out in the world. Toem 2 looks to be a perfect balance of puzzles that are hard enough but not too easy to solve.
Pragmata
I got to play a 20 minute demo of Pragmata, which ended right before a massive boss battle, but from what I played I am very interested to know more. You play as an astronaut and there are these robots that are trying to kill you and your weapons don’t do any damage, but with the help of a android companion named Diana who looks like a six year old girl and hangs out on your back, she is able to hack their armor and expose their vulnerable inner workings. The hacking is done in real time through a mini game that feels reminiscent of Pipe Mania from 1989. My concern is that this mechanic might get old, but during the course of the mini game new elements were incorporated into the hacking elements, which might continually increase the strategy. Movement felt good, visuals looked impressive and the story is intriguing.
DIDNT PLAY, BUT LOOK AMAZING
Lego Voyagers
Lego Voyagers is the new game from the Light Brick Studio, the team behind the 2021’s Lego Builder’s Journey. In Lego Voyagers, co-op is now the focal point of the adventure as you work together with a friend to rescue an abandoned spaceship. Along the way, there will be plenty of puzzles to solve involving simple use of bricks all the way up to incorporating physics. Local or online co-op will be available and only one purchase is needed to play with a friend.
Stranger Than Heaven
I didn’t play the first Yakuza games and as a result always felt like there was never a good time to jump in. Not only does this title not seem connected to the Yakuza games, but it looks this detective title might span multiple eras. The first trailer was shown at The Game Awards 2024 and featured a working title called Project Century and a 1915 setting. The most recent trailer showed a 1943 setting, the main character featuring glowing eyes and numerous title cards that all lead to the conclusion that time traveling will play a major role.
Felt That Boxing
Felt That Boxing looked like a cross between Sesame Street and Punch-Out!! You play as unlikely hero Fuzz-E, who must step into the shoes of his father, who was a boxing legend. A greedy developer is threatening to bulldoze the puppet orphanage and now he needs to win the tournament of a million punches to stop the puppet orphanage from being demolished. Felt That Boxing looks to go beyond a simple arcade boxer with loads of mini games in between matches, secret moves to unlock, a story mode that lasts 8-12 hours, soundtrack by Flying Lotus and more.
Worth Mentioning
Marvel Tokon was a stand out from the PlayStation State of Play, Beast of Reincarnation from Game Freak looks like an incredible action RPG aka souls-like, and Clockwork Revolution looks like a new Bioshock, but with deeper RPG elements.
