PlayStation State of Play Recap: God of War Edition Disappoints
By Stefan @ WeDoTech
The latest PlayStation State of Play event promised epic revelations, but the fan response was lukewarm at best. While there were flashes of brilliance with titles like Wolverine and some decent Souls like announcements, there were moments that raised questions of whether Sony has started to run low on its creative juices.
The PlayStation State of Play was supposed to be a celebration of innovation, but looked more like an exhibition of lost potential.
What Went Down
The PlayStation State of Play began with a surprise crossover: Microsoft Flight Simulator on the PS5. While technically marvelous, attendees were quick to point out that it was basically a lazy addon—a port that brought minimal excitement. The tone didn't improve much when Sony revealed what should have been the highlight: the God of War 20th Anniversary Edition. Instead of a complete redesign or in-game special event, we were given a plain white controller with a $5 sticker stuck on it. It didn't take long for fans to go online complaining about it as one of the worst reveals in the State of Play series.
Fortunately, things didn't stay dull for long. The show pulled back into form with a lineup of brand new Souls like games. Code Vein fans were excited to get a glimpse of what seems to be a sequel, and Nioh 3 officially entered the fray, giving the genre a shot in the arm. Action fans were treated to Wolverine by Insomniac Games, which stole the show—a first taste of mind-blowing combat and cinematic storytelling that could make Spider-Man 2 sweat.
Key Features
The PlayStation State of Play was not lacking in highlights. Insomniac's Wolverine was hands down the most interesting reveal of the presentation, featuring brutal combat systems and a grittier tone than their previous superhero work. If they are able to replicate the silky-smooth gameplay and deep narrative structure of Spider-Man, Wolverine would be the PS5's effortless go-to exclusive.
The new Souls like games were also impressive. Nioh 3 appears to be doubling down on fast-paced sword fighting and exacting combat, while Code Vein 2 implies greater world-building depth and improved AI allies. Both titles appear to further ratchet up already challenging competition in the action-RPG arena. And although Flight Simulator did not impress anyone with innovation, its arrival on PS5 at least brings a new genre to Sony's shores—a genre that fans of realism and simulation will appreciate.
Criticism
The PlayStation State of Play was tainted by a lack of grand surprises, even in its best moments. Sony's decision to spotlight irrelevant cosmetic features, like the God of War controller, was widely criticized. The majority of viewers compared it to a marketing cash-grab rather than a celebration of the series' legacy. The port of Flight Simulator also sparked controversy about whether Sony is depending too much on partnerships instead of new content.
Some were irritated by the speed of the event itself. Trailers were short, transitions were choppy, and setups for major reveals generally created anticlimactic tension. A reminder that not all State of Plays deliver their punch and that Sony might have to rework how it generates hype in 2025.
Competitor Comparison
Compared Xbox Showcases, this PlayStation State of Play was not as high-octane or thematic as those series of events are wont to deliver. Xbox events like to highlight diversity and risk-taking partnerships. Sony's presentation, though, felt conservative like it was relying too much on well-established IPs and not enough on fresh, surprising content. Similar to that of Nintendo, which is not the best example to follow.
Even Valve's less high-profile indie spotlight features have shown greater risk-taking. If Sony wants to continue to set the gaming conversation, its State of Play presentations need to be more than simply trailer reels. Gamers want vision, not repetition. With very few exceptions that is.
Final Thoughts
PlayStation State of Play was a rollercoaster—a series of highs and lows that divided the community. Wolverine's reveal, Code Vein 2, and Nioh 3 showed the strength of Sony's partnerships and exclusives, but the God of War Anniversary controller reveal was how not to celebrate a dearly loved franchise.
If there's one lesson learned, it's that PlayStation State of Play still has huge potential, but Sony needs to balance hype with substance. Its fans deserve innovation, not repetition—and the next event could be their opportunity to show them that they're listening.
Although the Playstation State of Play wasn't as interesting as we would've hoped it to be, something more interesting is the rumors that have recently been making the rounds about Sony and Steams collaboration on a Handheld gaming device. Which you can read all about here.