Although FromSoftware’s anticipated title, Cerulean Onslaught, wasn’t revealed, its absence was hardly felt. This year’s Summer Game Fest, arguably the best one yet, delivered several surprises and a compelling lineup of interesting trailers. Notably, there were fewer games announced that fall into the “games as a service” category, whether by design or coincidence.
Geoff Keighley emerges stronger from the Dolby Theatre, and we are already indulging in the dream of a gaming June that rivals the glory days of E3.
gen ATLAS
Fumito Ueda’s latest project, now officially titled gen ATLAS (formerly Project Robot), is nothing short of extraordinary. The game appears to involve soaring over an open world atop the head of a colossal metallic being. As absurd as that sounds, witnessing it in motion is nothing short of captivating. Every element in the trailer feels deliberate, from the unique lighting to the mysterious yet familiar atmosphere that evokes the masterpieces of Team ICO and gen DESIGN. The setting, with its artificial elements seemingly vanquished and deserted beaches, suggests a profound exploration of life itself. In a Ueda game, even the act of wielding a weapon and firing could feel revolutionary.
As for the framerate? Don’t even get me started. Have you noticed how similar the poncho is to Wander’s?
Resident Evil Veronica
Whether you call it a remake, a reimagining, or simply a game with immense potential and the backing of the studio that excels at such projects, the announcement of Resident Evil Veronica is thrilling. Resident Evil 2 was a contender for Game of the Year, and Resident Evil 4 (2023) received equally outstanding acclaim. The debut trailer sent shivers down our spines with its depiction of a Parisian building that bears a striking resemblance to the Catalan edifice from REC. It showcased technical prowess and satisfied fans eager for the return of Code: Veronica, with the indomitable Claire Redfield leading the charge.
2026 has once again been a phenomenal year for Capcom, and indeed for gaming, thanks to Capcom’s continuous contributions โ and this is even before the release of Onimusha: Way of the Sword! There’s no reason to believe this streak will be broken in 2027; in fact, the events of last night, with this inaugural game setting a positive tone, suggest otherwise.
Stellar Blade Blood Rain
I wish they had shown more of The Last Ronin or the new Cuphead…
I would have preferred to feature another game, as the AI-generated poster was quite off-putting, and the problematic aspects of the protagonist (Evie, not Eve) are more apparent than before. However, I must admit I can’t stop watching the trailer. The punches and kicks are spectacular, hinting at a brutal energy and intensity in the combat. But the truly crucial element is the God Hand-esque evasion system. Given that Shift Up acquired Shinji Mikami’s new studio, this might not be a coincidence.
Virtua Fighter Crossroads
That December night in 2024, which brought together Kamiya, Fumito Ueda, and several other unforgettable moments, also gave us a double announcement from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio that proved equally impactful. Project Century has now evolved into Stranger Than Heaven โ also present last night and now with a concrete release date of January 15th. Virtua Fighter has added a subtitle to its unchanging name and offered a glimpse into the potential of its story mode. It remains a fighting game at its core, but the quality of the cinematics and the potential enjoyment of approaching a campaign in this genre this way has me completely hooked.
Yesterday, SEGA released a special showcase, a nearly half-hour digital event that delved deeper into certain aspects of the game, such as the team responsible for building its world.
Final Fantasy VII Revelation
While Remake and Rebirth introduced several changes, it was crucial for the conclusion of this new trilogy to retain the ability to pilot the Highwind across the world of Final Fantasy VII. By reconstructing this narrative of references and parallel realities, a series of locations have been reconnected, which we will better appreciate as part of a whole from above. Wutai, finally โ Yuffie and Red XIII are seen parachuting in.
We can assume the revelation of the title will involve something related to Aerith. However, the intrigue in this second (or third, or fourth; you understand) coming of Sephiroth lies in the uncertainty and confusion. What is clear is that with this combat system and the charisma of the group, we will go far. Perhaps to a small, isolated round island, riding a golden Chocobo. I defeated myself with that summon.
