The June 2026 State of Play was eagerly anticipated by PlayStation gamers. After several months marked by questions about the release pace of Sony exclusives, this event reassured fans with a flood of announcements. From the return of iconic franchises to ambitious new projects and several gameplay demos, the conference more than lived up to its promises. Among the highlights were the Tomb Raider remake, Until Dawn 2, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and Control Resonant. However, what stood out most was the triumphant return of PlayStation exclusives. With God of War: Laufey and Marvel’s Wolverine, Sony reminded everyone why its strategy focused on in-house productions continues to set it apart from the competition.
God of War: Laufey: the surprise of State of Play
The biggest surprise of the evening came from Santa Monica Studio with God of War: Laufey. While rumors had been circulating for several months about an episode centered on Faye—also known as Laufey, Kratos’s wife and Atreus’s mother—Sony officially announced the project with an extended gameplay presentation. This new adventure will allow players to discover a character who has remained relatively mysterious until now, despite her importance in the saga’s recent history.
The first footage released showcases particularly dynamic combat, spectacular cinematography, and art direction that’s as impressive as ever. The studio also seems intent on further exploring Norse mythology while giving this heroine her own distinct identity. After several years spent in Kratos’s shadow, Laufey is clearly poised to become one of the franchise’s major figures.
Marvel’s Wolverine: finally, a release date
In another highly anticipated exclusive, Marvel’s Wolverine has finally shown what it’s capable of. After an announcement made several years ago, Insomniac Games took advantage of the State of Play to showcase an extended gameplay sequence highlighting the intensity of the combat and the famous mutant’s abilities.
The combat looks particularly brutal, true to Logan’s character, while the visual quality once again confirms the expertise of the studio behind the Spider-Man games. The presentation also had a few surprises in store with the appearance of Jean Grey, hinting at a broader universe inspired by the X-Men. Thanks to this demo, Marvel’s Wolverine has now established itself as one of the most anticipated titles in the PlayStation catalog and could very well become one of the defining games of this generation. Marvel’s Wolverine is scheduled for release on September 15, 2026.
Third-party publishers come to the rescue
Of course, Sony didn’t stop at just these two exclusives. The conference delivered one reveal after another for nearly an hour at a particularly brisk pace. Players got to see the remake of Rayman Legends, new footage from Phantom Blade Zero, the release date for Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and the return of the Ace Combat franchise. Horror fans were also treated to Until Dawn 2 and The Lost Wild, while Dune Awakening confirmed its upcoming release on consoles.
Despite this flurry of announcements, one notable absence caused quite a stir. Many were hoping to see more of Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, Naughty Dog’s upcoming project unveiled in 2024. The studio behind The Last of Us remained silent throughout the conference, leaving fans wanting more. Fortunately, the festivities in June are just getting started. Summer Game Fest kicks off this Friday and could be the perfect opportunity to offer a new look at this mysterious sci-fi adventure, which remains one of the most intriguing projects currently in development at PlayStation.
At a time when the video game industry is going through a difficult period marked by restructuring, layoffs, and steadily rising development costs, Sony continues to rely on its greatest strength: its exclusive titles. With God of War: Laufey, Marvel’s Wolverine, and several other promising projects, PlayStation is proving that it still has a portfolio of licences capable of generating excitement. This State of Play sends a strong message to gamers: the PS5 remains one of the most appealing consoles on the market today and, now more than ever, offers compelling reasons for those who are still hesitating to take the plunge.
