In 2025, PlayStation experienced a relatively subdued year, punctuated by notable releases like “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach,” which received a Game of the Year nomination, and Sucker Punch’s sequel, “Ghost of Tsushima: Ghost of Yotei.” Despite these highlights, the year lacked a significant influx of first-party titles from Sony’s studios, leaving the gaming landscape to third-party developers. Infold’s console-exclusive “Infinity Nikki” launched at the end of 2024 and has continued to capture the attention of players worldwide, alongside smaller projects such as “Sword of the Sea,” “Dispatch,” and “Baby Steps,” all of which found a welcoming audience on the PlayStation 5.
Though the absence of major exclusives could have dampened the experience for PS5 owners, the reality was quite the opposite. The year was filled with standout titles from external developers, including the award-winning “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,” the eagerly awaited “Hollow Knight: Silksong,” and the highly acclaimed RPG “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.” Meanwhile, Xbox’s strategy of expanding its library to multiple platforms saw games like “Forza Horizon 5,” “Gears of War Reloaded,” and “The Outer Worlds 2” make their way to the PlayStation, a trend expected to continue. Notably, fans are set to see Master Chief on Sony consoles for the first time, raising excitement for the future.
As Sony looks ahead to 2026, anticipation surrounds several upcoming titles, particularly “Logan,” a project by Insomniac Games. Expected to launch in late 2026, this title seeks to build on the studio’s successful “Ratchet & Clank” and “Spider-Man” franchises. The gameplay revealed in September’s State of Play has left fans eager for more details about its storyline, including potential appearances by familiar X-Men characters like Mystique and Omega Red, as well as the possibility of cameos from Spider-Man.
Currently, the PS5 has a few exclusives with confirmed release dates, including “Saros,” “Nioh 3,” and “Phantom Blade Zero.” “Saros,” developed by Housemarque, is poised for an April 30 release and promises a colorful, challenging shooter experience. “Nioh 3,” launching on February 6, aims to enhance the series’ signature soulslike gameplay with a new “ninja playstyle,” diverging from its traditional samurai character. Furthermore, “Phantom Blade Zero,” a highly anticipated wuxia action RPG from S-Game, is set for a September 9 release and features a punishing combat system that differentiates it from typical soulslike titles.
Looking into the broader horizon, fans are eager for new multiplayer experiences from studios like Arc System Works and Bad Robot Games. “Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls,” a fighting game set in the Marvel universe, is generating interest, while “4:Loop,” a co-op shooter from the creators of “Left 4 Dead,” has entered playtesting. Meanwhile, Bungie’s “Marathon,” initially slated for a 2025 launch, has been postponed to March 2026 amidst challenges faced by the studio.
The future of live-service titles remains uncertain, as seen with “Fairgames,” still under development at Haven Studios despite significant personnel changes. Questions linger about the viability of this “competitive heist shooter,” particularly given the challenges faced by similar projects within Sony. In a different vein, “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet,” a new sci-fi project from Naughty Dog, is anticipated for release, although specifics remain sparse.
As for hardware developments, major shifts are not expected this year, with the next console generations anticipated no sooner than late 2027. Rumors of a new PlayStation handheld have surfaced, suggesting a potential hybrid model akin to the Nintendo Switch, though concrete details remain elusive. As gamers and industry experts contemplate the evolving landscape of PlayStation in 2026, the anticipation for upcoming titles and technological advancements continues to build.
Overall, while 2025 may have been quieter for PlayStation in terms of exclusives, the wealth of third-party content and excitement for the year ahead highlights the ever-evolving nature of the gaming industry. As players await new releases, the question remains: what unexpected innovations and titles will emerge from Sony and its partners in the coming year?
