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A new State of Play showcase took place today. Hosted by the famous Japanese voice actor Yuki Kaji, it focused on games from Asian developers. It’s aptly titled State of Play Japan, and is the first PlayStation presentation to bear that specific name.
Considering Japan’s importance to PlayStation and the history of the video game industry, this framing of this event made sense. Sony Interactive Entertainment used it to highlight Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, the upcoming console-exclusive fighting game from Arc System Works. We still don’t have a release date for it, though. On the third-party front, we got a new look at games like Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, DLC for Elden Ring: Nightreign, and more.
For PS5 owners who enjoy games from Asian studios, this presentation is worth watching. That said, if you just want a run-down of everything shown off during the event, I’m here to help. Below, you can see my live blog of State of Play Japan as it happened. Read through it, and you’ll know about everything that was shown off during this unique State of Play.
State of Play Live Updates
[5:46] That’s a wrap!
Overall, this was an underwhelming State of Play. Its most exciting announcements were for indie games and for DLC for already-released games. While I will certainly play a lot of what was shown off during today’s showcase, I can definitely say this is one of the weaker State of Plays in recent memory.
[5:44] Elden Ring: Nightreign DLC and PlayStation hardware round out the show
To close out the State of Play, FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Entertainment revealed the first DLC for their multiplayer game Elden Ring: Nightreign. It’s titled The Forsaken Hollows, and it will launch on December 4. Then, Sony took the time to highlight its proprietary PlayStation hardware and unveil a new 27-inch gaming monitor with a DualSense Charging Hook.
[5:41] Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls gets another closed beta next month
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls finally showed up at the State of Play. First, its developers were interviewed and discussed adapting the American comics into a more Japanese-inspired art style. They then confirmed that a second closed beta test for the game is happening on PS5, and will feature Spider-Man and Ghost Rider as new playable fighters.
The Savage Land and X-Mansion stages were also revealed. The closed beta will take place between December 5 and December 7. The full game still does not have a more specific release window than 2026.
[5:37] More games got new trailers
New games continued to be shown off in quick succession. That includes the 3D action RPG Kyouran Makaism (out January 29), multiplayer shooter Fate Trigger, and Octopath Traveler 0 (out December 4), which has a demo out now.
[5:33] Arc System Works shows off a game that isn’t Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls
While I expected Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls to be the first game Arc System Works showed up with, that was not the case. Instead, it revealed that BlazBlue Entropy Effect X would launch for PS5 on February 12, 2026 and showed off more gameplay from Damon and Baby.
[5:30] Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse looks stunning
I hadn’t heard of Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse before this State of Play, but this action-platformer game is now on my radar after its new trailer and developer interview. It’s beautifully animated, and seems like it’ll make for a decent follow-up to Hollow Knight: SIlksong. It’s out on March 5, 2026.
[5:27] More updates and DLC were revealed
Capcom showed up to show off Title Update 4 for Monster Hunter Wilds, which is out on December 16. Next, more DLC racers for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds were revealed, including characters from the Nights Into Dreams, Super Monkey Ball, and SpongeBob SquarePants franchises.
[5:25] Bandai Namco reveals DLC for its 2025 games
Bandai Namco decided to highlight some of its DLC for already released games during the State of Play. That includes Sonic the Hedgehog crossover content for Pac-Man World 2: Re-Pac as well as brand new DLC for Digimon Story: Time Stranger, Super Robot Wars Y, and Once Upon a Katamari.
[5:22] Some more third-party games were shown off
The State of Play took a turn back toward third-party games, highlighting the 2D platformer Motionrec first. A PS5 port of Wandering Sword, which will come out on May 28, 2026, was shown next. No Sleep for Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files was also confirmed for PS4 and PS5, as was a new entry in the Tokyo Extreme Racing series, both of which are out in February.
[5:19] The Gran Turismo 7 Power Pack was announced
Sony’s popular Gran Turismo series got the spotlight next. The Gran Turismo 7 Power Pack was introduced, which will offer up more simulation-accurate races, including a 24-hour-long one. The Gran Turismo World Finals were also confirmed to be taking place in Fukuoka on December 20 and 21
[5:15] Koei Tecmo reveals Fatal Frame II remake and Dynasty Warriors Origins DLC release dates
Koei Tecmo used this State of Play to highlight some of its upcoming releases. We got a new trailer for Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake next, which launches on March 12, 2026. After the trailer, a brief interview with one of its developers highlighted the improved visuals and camera-driven gameplay, both of which modernize the cult classic horror game.
They also highlighted everything players will get from the Digital Deluxe Edition. After that, the Visions of Four Heroes DLC for Dynasty Warriors Origins was unveiled with a January 22, 2026 release date.
[5:09] Two BrokenLore games are coming to PS5
Two BrokenLore horror games were revealed for PS5 during the State of Play. The first is BrokenLore: Unfollow, which launches on January 16, 2026. BrokenLore: Ascend was also revealed, confirming its Japanese setting and summer 2026 release window.
[5:06] Two new cozy games were revealed for PS5
After Dragon Quest kicked things off, two cozy indie games got the spotlight. The first is Inkonbini: One Store. Many Stories, which is a game about working in a Japanese convenience store. It received an April 2026 release window. Next, Coffee Talk Tokyo was revealed with a March 5, 2026 release date.
[5:04] Dragon Quest VII Reimagined looks great in a new trailer
After a brief introduction from the show’s host, we got a new look at Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined. This is a full-on remake of a classic PS1 game. The trailer mostly focused on highlighting the different party members players will encounter over the course of the lengthy RPG adventure, as well as the new chapter exclusive to the remake. It launches on February 5, 2026.
[5:01] State of Play Japan is starting now
After a lengthy countdown featuring the feline former PlayStation mascot Toro Inoue, State of Play Japan is finally starting. Let’s see what’s revealed first!
[4:45] Third-party State of Play predictions
The leak I previously alluded to suggests the following companies will show up during State of Play Japan: Bandai Namco, FromSoftware, Koei Tecmo, Pocketpair, Serafini Productions, Spike Chunsoft, Team Ninja, and 91Act. Hopefully, we’ll get a new look at games from these developers and publishers. If not, we’re likely just getting updates on games we know about, like Dragon Quest VII Reimagined and Nioh 3. Let me know what you want to see in the comments below!
[4:30] First-party State of Play Japan predictions
The next State of Play begins in half an hour. The lead-up to the show is making me start to think about what I’d like to see from it. On the first-party front, my expectations are low. I’m fairly confident Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls will show up, but that’s just published by Sony. If we’re lucky, maybe we’ll get our first look at Ghost of Yotei’s upcoming cooperative multiplayer Legends mode or the Madripoor segment of Marvel’s Wolverine. If all we get is Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, I’ll still be okay with that.
[4:15] 45 minutes to go!
What’s up, everyone! State of Play Japan is set to begin in 45 minutes. Before and during the event, you can expect me to update you on today’s biggest video game industry event. A recent post from a leaker about the event suggests companies like Arc System Works, Square Enix, and FromSoftware could show up during the showcase today, so it’s sure to be an exciting one if that’s true. While I’m not going to get my hopes too high and expect shocking reveals, I do think this has the potential to be a great State of Play.
AloJapan.com