Summer Game Fest 2025: Every Major Game Reveal and Surprise Drop

Summer Game Fest 2025 didn’t hold back. Over the course of two hours, Geoff Keighley’s stage turned into a rapid-fire launchpad for sequels, expansions, total surprises, and the return of a few icons. Here’s a full recap of every single Summer Game Fest announcement worth caring about—broken down game by game.

Summer Game Fest 2025 Viewers Count

Summer Game Fest 2025 came in hot—two non‑stop hours of reveals, trailers, and surprise cameos that felt more like a stadium tour than a livestream. Geoff Keighley kept the throttle pinned from the opening sting to the final stinger, and the internet responded in kind: chat scrolls flew by faster than the trailers, reaction clips popped up before the next world‑premiere logo could fade, and even the usual “Not‑E3” skeptics had to admit this one hit different.

Measured by raw audience data, it wasn’t just hype—it was historic. Official figures show the flagship broadcast drew more than 50 million live views across YouTube, Twitch, and X, an 89 percent jump year‑over‑year. Peak concurrence smashed previous highs at just over 3 million simultaneous viewers, according to independent tracking by Streams Charts. YouTube traffic on The Game Awards channel alone rose north of 40 percent versus 2024, while Twitch’s peak climbed 38 percent. All told, Summer Game Fest now ranks as the second‑most‑watched gaming or tech showcase of 2025, trailing only Nintendo’s Switch 2 reveal and edging out March’s Nintendo Direct, Xbox’s June showcase, and Sony’s own State of Play.

As Vikki Blake reported, “More than 1,300 community co‑streamers—ranging from variety broadcasters to Japanese VTubers—shared the feed live.”

The ripple effect was immediate. Discord servers lit up with post‑show breakdowns, TikTok stitched together mini‑trailers faster than you could type “Capcom did what?” and publishers that skipped the event scrambled to piggyback the trending hashtags. In the absence of E3, Keighley’s traveling road show has quietly become the gravitational center of the summer schedule, and 2025’s outing proved the orbit is only tightening.

Resident Evil: Requiem

February 27, 2026

PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Capcom’s ninth mainline installment ditches the gothic fairy tale flair of Village and pivots hard into what it’s calling “cinematic high-stakes action.” But don’t expect a return to all-out gunfights or bombastic set pieces just yet—early gameplay reveals suggest a blend of tension-heavy exploration and deliberate pacing that evokes the best of Resident Evil 7 and the RE2 remake. It’s darker, moodier, and more grounded, with a palpable sense of dread behind every creaking door.

We meet new protagonist Grace Ashcroft, who wakes up strapped to a gurney in a run-down medical facility—an image that sets the tone for what follows. From there, the demo plunges into classic RE territory: flickering lights, tight corridors, and the slow, deliberate search for safety in a world that offers none. The atmosphere leans into psychological horror, where the environment feels as dangerous as the enemies. Grace’s resourcefulness, aided by a flickering lighter and sheer will, underscores the franchise's return to small-scale horror. And yes, the fuse puzzle is back—because in Resident Evil, the only way out is always through.

The monster encounter teased in the demo—a grotesque humanoid with bug-eyes and jagged teeth—cements Requiem’s commitment to keeping players on edge. It stalks Grace throughout the hospital in classic stalker fashion, evoking memories of Mr. X or Jack Baker. As a final reveal, players will be able to experience the entire game in either first or third person, toggling between perspectives at will. With its 30th anniversary looming, Capcom seems to be channeling the full legacy of the franchise into Requiem, aiming to craft a title that’s not just a follow-up, but a statement.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

June 26, 2025

PS5

Hideo Kojima’s enigmatic world returns with Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and this time it’s more surreal, emotional, and mysterious than ever. A new trailer dropped during Summer Game Fest 2025, offering a cinematic look at two pivotal characters: Neil (Luca Marinelli) and Lucy (Alissa Jung). The scene hinted at an emotionally fraught history between the two, underscored by cryptic symbolism like the matching brands on their hands. As expected, Kojima isn’t revealing the full puzzle just yet, but the tone is unmistakable—intimate, strange, and apocalyptic all at once.

The game picks up years after the original, reuniting players with Sam Porter Bridges and Fragile as they navigate a world that seems even more fractured than before. The new footage didn’t dive into mechanics, but prior reveals have teased everything from a bizarre photo mode and puppet-filled dreamscapes to a topless Sam confronting a man named Tarman (played by George Miller) in an ocean of black goo. Characters like Tomorrow and Rainy, portrayed by Elle Fanning and Shioli Kutsuna, respectively, round out a cast that continues Kojima’s tradition of genre-defying storytelling and eccentric ensemble performances.

While Death Stranding 2 promises more gameplay and traversal through strange, beautiful wastelands, this trailer made it clear: the heart of the experience lies in the connection between people, timelines, and realities. With Neil seemingly positioned as a key emotional anchor (in the same vein as Mads Mikkelsen’s role from the original), and Lucy’s unraveling hinting at deeper trauma, On the Beach is poised to be another deeply personal journey wrapped in cosmic stakes. It launches June 26, 2025, exclusively on PS5.

Lies of P: Overture

Without warning or delay, Lies of P: Overture dropped right in the middle of Summer Game Fest 2025, pulling players back into the twisted fairytale city of Krat. Serving as a standalone prequel to 2023’s breakout Soulslike, Overture explores the dark history leading up to the Puppet Frenzy, enriching the grim narrative with new layers of lore and a few brutal surprises. It’s a full return to form for fans who were captivated by the original’s haunting art style, methodical combat, and cleverly reimagined tale of Pinocchio.

In this chapter, protagonist P faces even greater threats with the help of new weapons, one of the most striking being a set of razor-sharp, Wolverine-like claws. The trailer teased eerie new locations and enemy encounters, including a hulking crocodile boss that looks like it wandered out of a nightmare. With around 15–20 hours of new content, Overture doesn’t just pad out the story—it expands it with fresh mechanics, weapons, and terrifying new designs that deepen the already rich world of Krat.

Beyond the DLC itself, a major update is coming for all players. New difficulty options aim to make the game more approachable for those turned off by its unforgiving challenge, and a boss rush mode called Death March will test the skills of seasoned veterans. There’s also Battle Memories, letting players relive their favorite boss fights on demand. Lies of P: Overture is available now on all major platforms—PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC—cementing itself as a must-play for anyone who thought they’d seen all Krat had to offer.

Dying Light: The Beast

August 22, 2025

Techland stunned audiences at Summer Game Fest 2025 with the reveal of Dying Light: The Beast, a standalone entry in the franchise that brings back original protagonist Kyle Crane for the first time since the events of the original game. Set years after Dying Light 2, the new title follows Crane as he escapes captivity in Castor Woods—a remote, overgrown valley haunted by the infected and something even worse: himself. The twist? Crane has been subjected to brutal experiments, leaving him caught between human and monster.

Gameplay footage shown during the reveal hints at a darker, more personal narrative, one that trades broad resistance efforts for intimate revenge. Crane, now infused with zombie DNA, must balance his remaining humanity against the violent potential of his mutation. Combat looks more feral and visceral than ever, with claw strikes and rage-fueled finishers joining the series’ signature melee arsenal. Parkour remains a core part of survival, especially as the terrain in Castor Woods demands verticality, timing, and tactical movement to avoid—or ambush—the infected.

Releasing on August 22, 2025, Dying Light: The Beast will hit PC (Steam and Epic), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Pre-orders are already live, and those who jump in early get the Hero of Harran bundle, complete with exclusive weapons and cosmetics. While it’s not a direct sequel, this project promises to dive deeper into the mythology of the series, bringing back a fan-favorite character with a monstrous twist. If you thought Crane’s story was over, The Beast is here to prove otherwise.

Mortal Shell II

2026

“A standalone sequel… significantly expands on the original with unrestricted, adrenaline-charged combat, deeper weapon design… and an emphasis on free exploration.”

Cold Symmetry led the show with Mortal Shell II, and it’s gory, grim, and more aggressive than before. If you’re after another brutal RPG in the vein of Soulslikes, this one is shaping up well—just don’t expect it until 2026.

Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver

A surprise for sure, Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver is a co-op beat-em-up drenched in Afro-surrealism and anime stylings, backed by a soundtrack of Wu-Tang classics and new tracks by DJ Just Blaze.

“You and your friends will fight alongside the Wu-Tang Clan… to restore Shaolin to a beacon of hope, community, and prosperity.”

If that pitch alone doesn’t sell it, the vibe definitely will.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Capcom’s surprise return to the Onimusha franchise turned heads at Summer Game Fest 2025 with Way of the Sword, a striking new entry starring legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi. Built from the ground up as a modern reimagining, this standalone action title blends the series’ roots with fresh mechanics and big spectacle. From brutal sword duels to mystical Oni powers, it’s clear Capcom is treating this revival as more than just fan service—it’s a full-throttle action game with an identity of its own.

The game’s live demo left a lasting impression thanks to its deliberate, almost balletic combat. Musashi’s measured sword swings aren’t about spam or speed—they’re about control, weight, and impact. Parrying plays a huge role, and not the kind where you tap and move on. In Way of the Sword, parries are full-on sword clashes, with sparks flying and enemies being redirected into hazards or vulnerable states. It’s a system that rewards timing but also creativity, allowing players to manipulate the flow of a fight rather than just survive it.

Capcom also brought back the iconic Oni gauntlet, letting Musashi siphon up Souls in the middle of combat for upgrades and abilities. Expect to face off against grotesque Genma enemies, rival samurai with Oni powers of their own, and at least one horrifying floating monster that literally steals your loot before blowing up in your face. With a 2026 release window and no confirmed platforms just yet, Way of the Sword is shaping up to be a rare kind of throwback—one that respects the past but isn’t afraid to carve its own bloody path forward.

Game of Thrones: War for Westeros

The Game of Thrones IP finally hits the RTS space. Control the major houses or even the Night King himself in large-scale battles across the Seven Kingdoms. You can go solo or jump into chaotic free-for-all multiplayer. The trailer promised full strategy mechanics and big cinematic moments.

Arc Raiders

October 30, 2025

Arc Raiders is officially locked in for launch this fall, landing on October 30, 2025 across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The latest trailer, revealed during Summer Game Fest, confirms that Embark Studios is going all-in on its shift from flashy arena shooter (The Finals) to gritty sci-fi looter. With a war-torn Earth as your playground, the game revolves around squad-based extraction, scavenging for survival, and clashing with towering robotic threats.

The core loop is built around PvPvE sandbox action, where three-player teams drop into dynamic zones filled with both AI enemies and rival players. The gameplay favors tight coordination and flexible strategy—do you risk confronting a rampaging mech for top-tier loot, or sneak out with scraps while others clash? It’s a shift in tone for Embark, but one the studio is backing with confident polish following a successful tech test earlier this year. Based on community feedback, the team is now tightening performance, improving onboarding, and tweaking the economy for a more rewarding grind.

While the new trailer didn’t give much away in terms of deep mechanics or narrative hooks, it served up enough glimpses of scale and chaos to keep the hype ticking. Free-to-play, cross-platform, and designed for replayability, Arc Raiders might just be this fall’s big multiplayer sleeper—assuming it sticks the landing. Expect more info closer to launch, but for now, all signs point to a solid contender in the extraction genre’s crowded arena.

Code Vein II

Bandai Namco returned to the Soulslike space again with Code Vein II. Not much beyond the announcement, but the original’s anime vampiric style looks intact. This one could go bigger or fall flat—hard to say just yet.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

Imagine Mario Kart on acid and you might start to approach Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. Hatsune Miku, Persona 5’s Joker, Minecraft’s Steve, and Like a Dragon’s Ichiban Kasuga are all playable. It’s bonkers in a good way. SEGA clearly knows it's wild, and they’re leaning all the way in.

Atomic Heart 2

It's a perfect example of how a Russian corporation invests in a gaming project to make Western gamers romanticize the Soviet Union. Let's pretend you know the path of developers' taxes and their role in the world today. Don't understand? I will skip this and that game.

Stranger Than Heaven

RGG Studio’s Project Century now has a name: Stranger Than Heaven. It's stylized, strange, and dripping with drama. No date, but the trailer gave heavy Yakuza-like energy with a spiritual twist.

Killer Inn

Square Enix’s Killer Inn mixes social deduction and team-based murder mystery. “Wolves” try to kill everyone. “Lambs” try to survive and figure out who’s who. It’s Among Us but reimagined for bigger, bloodier stakes.

Wildgate

July 22, 2025

Open Beta on June 9–16

A space shooter made by ex-Blizzard devs, Wildgate launches in July with a free open beta already running. It’s cross-platform and looks like it blends arcade-style flight combat with tactical depth.

Scott Pilgrim EX

Yes, it’s real. Bryan Lee O’Malley is back with a new co-op brawler in the Scott Pilgrim universe. Scott Pilgrim EX sticks to the old-school look but adds new features and mechanics. Platforms? Basically everything.

Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree

September 19, 2025

Another Bandai Namco project, Towa channels Hades with roguelike action and anime stylings. Fluid combat, fast resets, and upgrade loops. Looks promising and stylish from the first trailer.

Chronicles: Medieval

Early Access in 2026 (PC)

Narration: Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy showed up to narrate the trailer for Chronicles: Medieval, a battle-heavy strategy game that looks like Total War meets high drama. It’s set to hit early access next year, with horseback battles and gritty, large-scale warfare.

ILL

This one’s nasty in the best way. ILL brings hardcore survival horror with dismemberment mechanics and grotesque body horror. Think Scorn meets Dead Space, with a research facility full of trauma and secrets.

Mouse: P.I. For Hire

A noir cartoon mouse detective game, straight out of Cuphead's aesthetic playbook. Mouse: P.I. mixes point-and-click mechanics with action-platforming and looks genuinely unique.

Lego Voyagers

From the creators of Lego Builder’s Journey, Voyagers is a co-op Lego adventure that can be played with a friend using a Split Fiction-style pass. Think quiet puzzle-solving with gorgeous diorama design.

Hitman: World of Assassination – Mads Mikkelsen Returns

Hitman’s new elusive target is none other than Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre, and you can take him down right now. IO Interactive dropped the surprise during Summer Game Fest 2025 as part of a major World of Assassination update, reinforcing its continued support even as development ramps up on the studio’s James Bond project, 007: First Light.

Titled “The Banker,” the new mission drops Agent 47 into the lavish Casino Monarchique in Paris, where Le Chiffre is running a high-stakes poker event to claw his way out of financial ruin. You’ve got until July 6 to eliminate him, whether you’re diving in through the full game or testing the waters in the Free Starter Pack. And yes, Mikkelsen lends his voice and likeness, bringing that signature cold menace from Casino Royale straight into the crosshairs.

For players who want to keep the content after the timer runs out, The Banker Pack DLC is available for $4.99, unlocking permanent access to the mission and some stylish rewards like the King of Cards Suit and exclusive Freelancer cosmetics. The mission also ties into the new Season of the High-Stakes, which adds fresh challenges, returning targets, and Twitch drops—plus a Casino Suit that carries over into 007: First Light. For longtime Hitman fans, this isn’t just a one-off cameo—it’s a slick crossover and a teaser of what IOI has up its sleeve next.

Hot announcements

Whether you’re hunting elusive targets, mastering parkour against hordes, or engaging in high-stakes extraction missions, Summer Game Fest 2025 has set the stage for an exciting year in gaming. With so much on the horizon, the countdown to release day is on — and the future of gaming looks brighter than ever.