Sony’s June 2025 State of Play: Final Fantasy Tactics Returns, Marvel Gets Ready to Brawl, and Lumines Reignites Nostalgia
Sony’s June 4th State of Play may not have delivered a bunch of first-party blockbusters, but what it did offer was a powerful mix of beloved revivals, stylish new IPs, and indie ingenuity. For longtime PlayStation fans, this was a showcase with a peppering of powerful nostalgia, and plenty of reasons to get hyped for what’s ahead.
Let’s start with Lumines Arise, the long-awaited return of one of the most unique and interesting puzzlers I’ve ever played. I personally lost hours to the original on my PS Vita: headphones in, lights off, completely locked into its mesmerizing fusion of rhythm and strategy. The new game, launching Fall 2025 for PS5 and PSVR2, promises over 30 stages, an all-new “Burst” mechanic, and a refined music system. It’s not just a sequel - it’s a celebration of everything that made Lumines iconic.
Equally exciting was the reveal of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, a full HD remake of the legendary tactical RPG. Set for release on September 30, 2025, this edition includes fully voiced dialogue, enhanced visuals, and modern quality-of-life improvements while retaining the intricate grid-based combat and political intrigue that made the original unforgettable. For fans of Ivalice - and tactical RPGs in general - this is a dream come true.
Then came a surprise tag-team uppercut: Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, developed by none other than Arc System Works. The creators of Guilty Gear and Dragon Ball FighterZ are bringing their trademark flair to the Marvel universe in a 4v4 tag fighter that looks like comic book chaos in motion. With characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Doctor Doom confirmed and a 2026 release window, while it’s not a continuation of the beloved Marvel vs. Capcom franchise, it has the potential to be an exceptional fighting game regardless.
To sweeten the deal around a fighting game rollout, Sony also unveiled Project Defiant, a wireless arcade fight stick built for PS5 and PC. Featuring PlayStation Link support, ultra-low latency, and fully customizable components, it’s clearly being positioned as the premium accessory for Tōkon and other upcoming fighters.
Other highlights included the long-overdue reappearance of Capcom’s Pragmata (now set for 2026), a demo drop for Nioh 3, and new footage from the eerie Silent Hill f, arriving September 25. Stealth fans can gear up for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater on August 28, while samurai lovers get a new tale in Ghost of Yōtei, the sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, launching October 2.
Two standout reveals from the retro-action camp also caught our attention. First, Bloodstained: Symphony Reborn, a reimagining of the cult hit Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, now rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5 and set to release in early 2026. The crisp new visuals and smoother animations make an already strong Metroidvania even more enticing. And then there’s Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, a 2D action throwback that evokes the best of the NES-era titles. It slashes onto PS5 on July 31, 2025, with kinetic gameplay and a slick pixel-art aesthetic that’s already generating serious buzz.
Indies like Sword of the Sea, Cairn, Baby Steps, and Hirogami offered artistic flair and innovation, rounding out a surprisingly diverse presentation.
While some viewers expressed disappointment at the lack of updates from studios like Naughty Dog or Insomniac, community reactions have largely praised the return of beloved franchises and the depth of genre variety. Reddit buzz seems heavily focused on Tactics and Tōkon, while puzzle fans rejoiced at Lumines’ unexpected comeback.
For me, this showcase struck all the right notes: the tactical brilliance of Ivalice, the rhythm of Lumines, and the flashy chaos of a Marvel fighter by one of the best developers in the business. Add in a premium fight stick and a few killer indies, and this State of Play was a win—especially for longtime fans ready to dive back into some familiar magic.
