Summer Game Fest 2023 mixed first looks at new games with substantial updates to anticipated releases. Its June 8 showcase closed on Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, but also delivered a release date for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, a new Prince of Persia, and a closer look at Mortal Kombat 1’s Kameo fighters. These nine picks are an editorial selection, not an official ranking.
What was Summer Game Fest 2023?
The showcase took place June 8 at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles and ran for roughly two hours. It opened a broader season of publisher events that filled the gap left by E3, rather than serving as a single replacement event. Axios covered the event and its context; Windows Central also reported on the showcase.
There was no official top-nine ranking. The selections below balance fresh announcements, significant gameplay and story reveals, and concrete release information shown at the time. All dates and windows are presented as they were announced in June 2023, not as current availability information.
The nine biggest announcements
1. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Ubisoft revealed Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, a side-scrolling action-adventure with a mythological setting and action-platforming. The announcement marked a prominent return for the franchise in a new format. Ubisoft gave January 18, 2024 as its release date at the showcase. GameSpot’s roundup and Windows Central’s coverage recapped the reveal.
#1 Best Overall
- Endless Family Fun: Dive into Buffalo Games' "Summer Camp" and explore the 8 activity packs with 196 activity cards, providing a wealth of replayable variety for your family game nights. This engaging memory card game transforms evenings into new adventures
- Travel-Ready Entertainment: Pack "Summer Camp" with ease for your next vacation or weekend getaway, making it the ideal portable travel set. Its compact design adds convenience to your travel games collection, ready to entertain wherever your adventure takes you
- Collectible Goals for Kids: Our "Summer Camp" game includes 34 merit badges, providing a clear collectible goal for kids aged 10 and up. This feature turns playtime into an exciting journey, appealing to fans of strategy board games and those seeking engaging memory games for kids
- Quick Play, Big Fun: Enjoy thrilling gameplay that fits into your busy evenings with a playtime of 30-45 minutes. "Summer Camp" delivers the excitement of a strategy card game without a lengthy commitment, making it ideal for family board games and game nights
- Small Group Delight: Designed for 2-4 players, "Summer Camp" is perfect for smaller family gatherings. Bring everyone together for some fun-filled competition and enjoy the vibrant experience of card games adults and kids alike will cherish
2. Mortal Kombat 1
Mortal Kombat 1 got its first in-depth gameplay look, including the Kameo system. Players can bring in a partner fighter to assist with attacks, adding a support mechanic to the series’ fights. The launch date announced then was September 19, 2023. GameSpot and IGN covered the gameplay and date.
3. Sonic Superstars
Sega revealed Sonic Superstars, a new 2D platform game with modernized visuals. The announcement highlighted four-player co-op and new abilities, taking the familiar side-scrolling format in a multiplayer direction. Its release window was Fall 2023, as reported at the time by GameSpot and IGN.
Rank #2
- The music game of summer that brings the atmosphere. Turn every night into a real party. Scan a map from over 300 summer tubes, listen to a hit and dive into your best memories.
- Throw the evening in an instant: no disturbing whites, just laughing and killing death. Ideal for summer evenings, aperitifs and travel, it brings the atmosphere in seconds.
- Anyone can play: no music knowledge needed, here is the instinct that counts. Affordable and includes board game, perfect with friends, adults or family.
- Easy to understand, quick to play: scan a card, listen to a hit, place all your cards correctly on your timeline to win the game, which takes place within 30 minutes.
- Ready to play or give as a gift: 308 music cards with QR codes, 37 chips. For 2 to 10 players aged 16 and over, a fun and original gift idea. This edition can be played as a stand-alone game or combined with other versions of the game HITSTER.
4. Lies of P
The showcase brought another gameplay look at Lies of P and announced a September 19, 2023 release date. Xbox Wire also reported that a public demo was available that day, covering the game’s first two chapters. That made this one of the event’s more immediately playable announcements. Xbox Wire’s June 8 report described the demo.
5. Alan Wake II
New gameplay showed Saga Anderson investigating a supernatural threat. The story was set to follow both Saga and Alan Wake, giving the sequel two central perspectives. The release date announced during the showcase was October 17, 2023, according to GameSpot’s event roundup.
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Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 received its release date: October 20, 2023. The PS5 game featured both Peter Parker and Miles Morales in the showcase material. The date announcement made this a particularly concrete update for one of the presentation’s most anticipated games. GameSpot and Windows Central reported the reveal.
7. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden was introduced as a supernatural action story about ghost hunters Antea Duarte and Red mac Raith. Its reveal emphasized player choices that shape the narrative, setting it apart from announcements focused mainly on a date or a gameplay feature. GameSpot’s roundup and Windows Central covered the announcement.
8. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
The trailer for Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name offered more of Kiryu’s story and beat-em-up combat. This spin-off is set between Yakuza 6 and Yakuza: Like a Dragon, positioning it as a connective chapter for the series’ longtime protagonist. GameSpot’s roundup summarized the trailer and setting.
9. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
The closing trailer for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth showed new gameplay and a broader look at the world beyond Midgar. Axios described it as the showcase’s biggest reveal. The details announced in June 2023 included an early-2024 PlayStation 5 window and a two-disc release. Those were the plans presented at the event, not a statement of current availability. Axios’s event report and GameSpot’s roundup covered the trailer.
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Best Value
What made the announcements stand out
The showcase’s strongest moments took different forms: Rebirth closed the event with a major world-and-gameplay reveal; Spider-Man 2 supplied a firm date; and Mortal Kombat 1 demonstrated a distinct new assist mechanic. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and Sonic Superstars were notable franchise entries, while the rest of the list broadened the event with a demo, story details, and new game reveals.
Quick Recap
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