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Sony had an interesting 2024. While last year started off strong with hit games like Helldivers 2 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, there were also some big misses along the way. The failure of Concord is still fresh in everyone's minds, Sony's mandatory PSN sign-in requirements for its PC ports created an uproar, and its first-party offerings were slim when compared to previous years. So what can fans expect from Sony and PlayStation 5 more generally in 2025?As usual, Sony is keeping quiet on its 2025 plans, but a few details have been revealed so far. While 2025 currently looks light on exclusives, Sucker Punch's Ghost of Yotei looks like it could be the highlight of the year. Beyond that samurai adventure, we're also hoping for updates on FairGame$, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophecy, The Midnight Walk, and Marvel's Wolverine, while Sony's third-party partners could also surprise and delight PS5 owners if they confirm a 2025 release window for games like Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Where Winds Meet, and of course, Grand Theft Auto 6. (You can see the full lineup of 2025 game releases across all platforms so far in our roundup.)We're also making an educated guess--or an educated wish--about what we're expecting to see from Sony this year. From the games we know are coming to the ones we want updates on, a push into new media projects, and our wishlist items, here's what PlayStation fans should be aware of as we head into the new year. A new approach to live-service games2024 was a mixed year for Sony, as it saw massive success with the launch of the Arrowhead-developed game Helldivers 2 on PS5 and PC. A few months later, its high-profile live-service game Concord barely lasted two weeks before the plug was pulled, with its developer Firewalk Studios being shut down not long after the disastrous launch. Sony has said that there were lessons to be learned from Concord's failure, as Sony president Hiroki Totoki mentioned last year in an earnings call that games will go through a more rigorous period of testing and evaluation before release.This coincides with Sony scaling back its live-service game plans, as it plans to play to its strengths while considering options for riskier projects. Sony had originally planned to launch 12 live-service games by the end of its 2025 financial year, but it eventually cut this number in half. Naughty Dogs The Last of Us multiplayer game was canceled, the Square Enix-developed Foamstars wont receive any new season updates after January 17, a canceled Destiny spin-off never saw the light of day, and even a God of War multiplayer game has reportedly been canceled. More Xbox games on PlayStationIndiana Jones and the Great Circle was one of the best PC and Xbox games of 2024, and come April, it'll also be one of the best games on PS5. As part of Microsoft's new gaming strategy, more games that were formerly exclusive to its ecosystem are making the leap to rival platforms, and while the company is doing this on a case-by-case basis, it's exciting to imagine what could come next to PlayStation. Reliable leaker NateTheHate recently claimed that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Halo: The Master Chief Collection are headed to PS5, while Windows Central's Jez Corden reported that Hellblade 2, Age of Mythology, and Gears of War: Ultimate Edition are also being considered for the Sony platform.If Indiana Jones is an indication of the future of this initiative, upcoming games could also pop up on PS5 in the future, once they've cemented themselves on Xbox and PC first. 2025 looks like a particularly good year for Xbox with Avowed and South of Midnight scheduled to be released this year. More games to push the PS5 Pro hardwareSony's mid-gen refresh of the PS5, the PS5 Pro, might be aimed at enthusiasts but it is off to a good start so far. Only a few months old, the console already has several standout games that look very impressive on it, like Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, and The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered. Headed into 2025, it's going to be interesting to see which games not only benefit from the beefier specs and the AI-upscaling PSSR software--or work out some teething issues like in Alan Wake 2 and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.Games like Assassin's Creed Shadows will be flexing some big graphical muscles, and we're also expecting Sony's first-party lineup to make full use of the console's capabilities to stand out from the pack. Will a new PlayStation handheld be revealed?Could a successor to the PlayStation Portable and PS Vita handhelds be on the way? According to recent reports, Sony is apparently working on a handheld PS5 system, but there's no guarantee that it'll ever see the light of day. If this project does make it into full production, it'll be entering a very crowded section of the gaming market, as between the Steam Deck, various Windows handheld gaming PCs, the upcoming Switch successor, and Sony's PlayStation Portal, this is a competitive space to launch new hardware in. More anime and live-action project revealsOver the last couple of years, Sony has gone beyond the living room with its transmedia projects. We've already seen Uncharted and Gran Turismo head to the big screen, and at CES 2025,Horizon and Helldivers live-action adaptations were announced alongside a Ghost of Tsushima anime series. Could we see even more games from the Sony stable considered for TV and film? With a second season of The Last of Us headed to HBO in April, there's still room for other Sony properties to get the green light. Sony has various film and anime production studios in its portfolio, and we could see more of these companies paired up with various Sony IPs in the future. The first tease of the PlayStation 6This is wishful thinking, but considering the age of the PS5, we could begin to hear something about the future of PlayStation. The PS5 Pro could be a good indicator of what the future holds in store, as the PSSR upscaling technology is capable of some incredible graphical heavy lifting when combined with its updated hardware, and it'll be interesting to see if a potential PS6 will ship with an evolved DualSense controller.There'll possibly be more leaks regarding the existence of the PS6--the company is supposedly staying with AMD for the rumored console's hardware--but at the very least it'd be fun to get some sense of what's in store ahead of its rumored 2028 release. Killing Floor 3Release date: March 2025The future of humanity is at stake in Killing Floor 3--all thanks to some megacorps deciding to play god and create a nigh-unstoppable army of bio-engineered monsters called Zeds--in this horror-themed PvE game. As a Nightfall specialist, you'll team up with several other players to take on waves of Zeds, upgrade your skills, and maybe even survive to tell the tale. See on the PlayStation Store The Midnight WalkRelease date: Spring 2025From Lost in Random developer Moonhood Studios, The Midnight Walk looks like one of the more visually striking games arriving this year. As the Burnt One, a mysterious little being who has dug themselves out of their muddy grave, it's up to you to explore the Midnight Walk, a nightmarish highway full of danger. The really cool thing about The Midnight Walk is its hand-crafted world, as every asset was first sculpted in clay and then 3D-scanned into the game, resulting in its wonderfully strange art direction. The Midnight Walk will be coming to PS5 and PSVR 2 in Spring 2025. See on the PlayStation Store Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines 2Release date: First half of 2025After several delays, it looks like we'll finally be sinking our teeth into Bloodlines 2 this year. The long-in-development game was handed over to Dear Esther and Still Wakes the Deep developer The Chinese Room a few years ago, and since then, the studio has been reassuringly transparent with progress on the long-awaited sequel.Like the original game, you'll be crafting your own vampire legend as you explore Seattle, mingling with fellow bloodsuckers and finding yourself caught in the middle of warring factions. Violence isn't the only answer, as diplomacy and a quick wit can work wonders when dealing with other vampires. See on the PlayStation Store Ghost of YoteiRelease date: 2025Easily a main-eventer in Sony's first-party release schedule, Ghost of Yotei is a sequel to 2020's Ghost of Tsushima. While we haven't seen too many details outside of its reveal trailer, what we do know is that the game is set 300 years after the first game, takes place across northern Japan, and stars a new protagonist named Atsu. See on the PlayStation Store GTA 6Release date: 2025One of the most anticipated games of 2025, Grand Theft Auto 6 has built up an incredible amount of hype with just a single reveal trailer so far. While it is scheduled to launch this year, we wouldn't be surprised if it was delayed, given developer Rockstar's track record of game releases. What we do know is that parent company Take-Two Interactive has a big year ahead, and with other titles like Borderlands 4 and Mafia: The Old Country on its release schedule, it wants to avoid potentially cannibalizing any sales by releasing its games too close to each other during its 2026 financial year.Essentially, the expectation here is that GTA 6 is going to dominate the month that it's released in, much like its predecessor did over a decade ago. Can Rockstar deliver, or should fans keep their expectations in check? Only time will tell. Another question is whether this momentous launch will kick off an era of higher game prices. Deltarune Chapters 3 and 4Release date: 2025On the indie side, you can also look forward to new chapters for Deltarune, the sort-of-sequel to the beloved Undertale. These have been in development for a couple of years, and creator Toby Fox has been teasing the new chapters since last year. If you're looking to try out this wonderfully weird game, chapters 1 and 2 are already available for free. Borderlands 4Release date: 2025When it comes to chaos, loot, and an absurd number of guns to collect, the Borderlands franchise is in a league of its own. Borderlands 4 looks set to continue down that looter-shooter path, as players will have a dangerous new planet to explore that's full of ancient secrets and ruled by the tyrannical Timekeeper. As one of four Vault Hunters, it's up to you to ignite a rebellion, take down a dictator, and grab some sweet loot along the way. See on the PlayStation Store Doom: The Dark AgesRelease date: 2025Another prequel to look forward to this year is Doom: The Dark Ages, an origin story for the legendary Doom Slayer that will show how he became the bane of hell. While the gunplay looks satisfying, there are some neat new gameplay elements to look forward to, like a shield that can be used like a lethal frisbee as you push back Hell's armies. See on the PlayStation Store FBC: FirebreakRelease date: 2025Remedy Entertainment's Control was a tightly constructed and delightfully strange action game when it first came out, and for anyone looking to return to the Oldest House, you can check out some co-op multiplayer action this year. FBC: Firebreak is a first-person-shooter in which teams of three players take on everything from reality-warping anomalies to otherworldly monsters. It's up to you to keep chaos at bay, and with a customizable arsenal, you'll have plenty of firepower to help you maintain control. See on the PlayStation Store Mafia: The Old CountryRelease date: TBCDetails on the next Mafia game are still being kept under wraps for now, but what we do know is that this new chapter is going all the way back to the beginning of organized crime, Set in 1900s Sicily, developer Hangar 13 says that players will get to experience a gritty and authentic mob story as they fight to prove their worth to the Cosa Nostra. See on the PlayStation Store Where Winds MeetRelease date: TBCAnother hack-and-slash game in development, Where Winds Meet is an open-world action-RPG from Everstone Studios. Set during China's Ten Kingdoms era, it's up to you to wield exotic martial arts abilities and influence the outcome of this tumultuous period of history. First revealed in 2022, the game is currently scheduled to be released in 2025. See on the PlayStation Store Phantom Blade ZeroRelease date: TBCIt has been far too long since we've last received a proper Ninja Gaiden game, and Phantom Blade Zero looks like it'll scratch that itch for fast-paced action that'll keep players on their toes. Developed by Chinese studio S-Game, the game has a good-looking samurai aesthetic and is set in a wuxia-themed world full of steampunk machines, kung-fu masters, and occult forces. There's no release date for it yet, but so far, it looks like it's shaping up pretty nicely. See on the PlayStation Store Marvel's WolverineRelease date: TBCWith three Spider-Man games in the bag, this might be the year that Insomniac provides an update on its Wolverine game. The profile of everyone's favorite mutant has only risen since his return to the big screen in last year's Deadpool and Wolverine, and we're eager to see what Insomniac has in store for fans of the character. A new trailer showing off polished gameplay during a PlayStation livestream would be great, as we can't wait to see Logan in action. Intergalactic: The Heretic ProphecyRelease date: TBCLast year we got our first look at Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophecy, Naughty Dog's new sci-fi action game. At first glance, it looks like a major departure from its work on The Last of Us and Uncharted, and hopefully, we won't have to wait too much longer to see more of it in action and get more details on when we can expect to take a Porsche spaceship for a quick spin around the cosmos. MarathonRelease date: TBCBungie has kept a very tight lid on Marathon since it was first revealed in 2023. The extraction-shooter could be a make-or-break game for Bungie, as not only will it be in competition with other established players in this scene, it'll also be aiming to avoid cannibalizing its own player base from Destiny 2. We're hoping to get an early taste of the game with some kind of public playtest, as that would go a long way in giving potential players an idea of what they can expect from this classic IP.Last year was tough for the company as 17% of its workforce--around 220 people--were laid off following the critically acclaimed launch of Destiny 2: The Final Shape. More details about what the Sony-owned developer also emerged last year, including information about a canceled Destiny spin-off calledProject Payback.Meanwhile, Destiny 2 will continue with a new approach to content after the current Echoes epilogue wraps up. See on the PlayStation Store Death Stranding 2: On the BeachRelease date: TBCThe last time we saw new footage for Death Stranding 2: On The Beach was back in September 2024, and since then, game director Hideo Kojima and his team have gone largely radio-silent on the project. Still, we're hoping to see the game arrive this year and continue the story of Sam Porter Bridges. Kojima recently commented about how a game of his had entered a period that he referred to as "crunch time," so the finish line might be in sight for this ambitious sequel. See on the PlayStation Store FairGame$Release date: TBCSony has kept details on its heist multiplayer game, FairGame$, tightly under wraps since it was officially revealed in May 2023. While we don't have a solid release date penciled in for it yet, it's not hard to imagine that the lessons learned from Concord will be applied to FairGame$ and that we're likely to see more of it in action in a future PlayStation showcase livestream. PhysintRelease date: TBCHideo Kojima tends to build up hype on his games years in advance, so seeing a brief teaser for Physint wouldn't be out of the question.A return to his stealth-action roots, Kojima mentioned that the project will use "cutting-edge" technology to create a hybrid game and movie experience, as he's aiming to create a photorealistic experience. Marvel's VenomInsomniac has emerged as not only Sony's workhorse studio, but its primary developer for Marvel-licensed games. With the studio confirming that Marvel's Spider-Man 2 won't receive post-launch expansions like the first game did, a Venom spin-off game isn't out of the question. Spider-Man senior narrative director Jon Paquette said that a Venom game was a possibility depending on fan feedback, but in light of the massive data leak at Insomniac, those plans might have changed by now.While there's still a big question mark around the future of Venom at Insomniac, at least you can play as the lethal protector in Marvel Rivals, as the NetEase-developed game puts a great spin on the sinister symbiote. Horizon multiplayer gameHorizon has continued to have a persistent presence at Sony, and after last year's well-received remaster of Horizon Zero Dawn alongside a Lego spin-off, it's time to look to the future of the series. While a third entry in the mainline series is still a long way off, the next project from developer Guerrilla Games is reportedly an online game. It might be time to lift the lid on therumored Horizon multiplayer game, as part of Sony's efforts to right its live-service ship. What's next for Final Fantasy?Final Fantasy and PlayStation have been dance partners for decades, as new mainline games in the series have typically appeared on Sony consoles first. Headed into 2025, it'll be interesting to see if Square Enix is ready to lift the lid on a new numbered entry in the franchise or show a quick glimpse at the third part of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy. What we could see this year is a much shorter period of exclusivity on PS5, as Square Enix is looking to aggressively pursue multiplatform releases as part of the company's new plan for growth. Sony Santa Monica's next gameIt has been a hot minute since we've heard anything from Sony Santa Monica, as the God of War studio has been working on something new since God of War Ragnarok. What we do know is that God of War game director Cory Barlog was put in charge of this project in 2021, and if Sony is looking to make a big splash this year, a first look at this game could set the internet ablaze. Sony Bend's next gameAnother studio that has been largely quiet since it shipped its last game? Sony Bend, as it has been six years since its zombie open-world game Days Gone was released. The last we heard from the studio was in 2022, as it confirmed that it was working on a brand-new IP that is said to be an open-world multiplayer game. Days Gone might not have set the gaming world on fire, but we'd still like to get a few more details on what Bend is up to. Lately, it has been reported that the studio has been working on a live-service game that has been canceled, but well have to wait for official word from Sony on that rumor.
