But first and foremost, PlayStation is taking the spotlight with a 60+ minute State of Play on June 2nd. After its incredible showing last February, can it deliver an even bigger show? Maybe, but what can we expect? Here are 15 potential announcements and reveals, starting with…

Control Resonant’s Release Date

Alright, Remedy. We get it. You have a bigger, more ambitious sequel to the excellent Control, complete with deeper combat mechanics, more exciting enemies, tougher boss battles, and art direction that’s completely unlike anything else out there. Since the gameplay reveal happened at the last State of Play, it seems all but a given that a release date should be announced at the next. The wait has been killing us, so it’s now or never.

The Faye Situation

Multiple noted insiders, from NateTheHate to Jason Schreier, reported on its existence, and even a Santa Monica Studio writer indicated that they were working on a “new franchise” in the same universe on their LinkedIn. At this point, how can the spin-off not be revealed? Based on what we know, Faye will take center stage, accompanied by Merlin, a talking sword (so there’s the Arthurian legend covered), and even running into Tyr. It was rumored to be revealed in May or June, and lo and behold, here we are. That means that a potential launch in the first half of 2027 may also happen. Fingers crossed

Kena: Scars of Kosmora Release Date

Another sequel to file into the “bigger and more ambitious” category, Scars of Kosmora marks the return of the intrepid spirit guide, except she’s tougher and possesses more combat prowess. Based on what we’ve seen thus far, some new gameplay, a peek at Kena’s abilities and maybe some more gorgeous sights from Kosmora feel appropriate to showcase. And what better way to top it off than with a release date? As with Control Resonant, the clock is ticking, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Ember Lab wants to fill that “nowhere near GTA 6” slot as well.

Silent Hill: Townfall Release Window

Konami had quite the presence at February’s State of Play. You could call it a one-off to fill some time, but the fact that Silent Hill: Townfall is launching this year, exclusively on PS5 and PC, is set in stone. For now. I’m predicting something different at State of Play – a release window, with a more definitive release date sometime later (maybe at Gamescom Opening Night Live). It all comes down to development progress, which we’re completely in the dark on. Maybe Konami gives this smaller team (backed by Annapurna but still) some more time and delays it, or it goes ahead, marking a third straight year of Silent Hill. Either way, a simple “Autumn” couldn’t hurt, right?

Marvel’s Wolverine Reveals More Characters

You already know that Insomniac is going to show more from Marvel’s Wolverine, and maybe even open up pre-orders afterwards. But besides diving into the nitty-gritty and goriness of combat, who’s to say that some unannounced characters can’t show up? Perhaps, say, other members of the X-Men with a close connection to Logan? If nothing else, it would make for a hype moment (and maybe even more encouragement to pre-order).

Intergalactic Resurfaces

Last December, Naughty Dog was allegedly targeting mid-2027 for the launch of Intergalactic. Things may very well have changed since, so will Sony take a chance and reveal more now, maybe even committing to a vague release window for next year? Or will its current offerings be enough, and instead, it saves the announcement for a later occasion, giving the team more time to figure out where it’s at? Whatever the case, the fact that there’s only one PlayStation Studios console exclusive left for this calendar year means it needs to get the hype rolling for 2027. With NateTheHate claiming other exclusives at State of Play besides Marvel’s Wolverine and Faye’s game, Intergalactic is looking likely.

More MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls Reveals

As the days count down to its August launch, and Arc System Works is less coy about revealing more characters, you can’t tell me it won’t repeat that pattern at State of Play. After all, players have already gone hands-on with the latest build featuring the Fighting Avengers. Maybe this next reveal will accompany an open beta announcement for July to incorporate any remaining feedback. And if ever there was a time for some villains to take center stage, this would be it.

Uncharted Returns

Shaun Escayg, creative director on whatever unknown project Naughty Dog is working on, I’ve come to bargain. That “research photo” in a location that feels more than vaguely fitting for the Uncharted franchise can’t be a fluke, and neither can all those rumors over the years about…something, be it remaster or sequel. Is it finally time to make the big announcement? Will there be a better time later (don’t say The Game Awards)? It’s a strong “maybe” either way.

Break In/Fairgame$

No more content updates for Destiny 2, Marathon not exactly setting the market on fire (even though Season 2 looks good)…who’s to say that Sony won’t just rip the band-aid off and re-reveal Fairgame$? Based on a recent trademark called Break In, it could be renamed, assuming that isn’t just a marketing tagline, and we may see a different (but still vaguely similar) heisting experience. Regardless, you probably shouldn’t expect a shadow drop, seeing as rumored playtests haven’t been going great.

Until Dawn 2 Announcement

Another PlayStation title that’s been a long time coming, but, you know, in a more positive way. Rumored since 2022, after a job description about a “triple-A narrative-driven horror-adventure game” following Sony’s acquisition of Firesprite. Rumored again in 2024 by Xbox Era. And then what should appear at the end of the Until Dawn remake but two new scenes, potentially hinting at something in the future? If it’s indeed happening – and not canned because of that awful movie – then it’s high time for an announcement.

Marvel’s Venom Announcement

While Insomniac Games tinkers away on Marvel’s Spider-Man 3 – rumor or not, you know it’s eventually happening – we may get Marvel’s Venom before. Jason Schreier refuted reports that the project was canned following voice actor Tony Todd’s passing, but its current development state remains unknown. Maybe Insomniac is saving it for a rainy day next Fall, when Sony needs a big exclusive. Hey, if it works for Nintendo and their first-party titles, why not for PlayStation? In that sense, if a reveal happens, a release window remains a toss-up.

Media Molecule’s Next Game

It’s been three years now since Media Molecule wrapped up support on Dreams and confirmed a new project was in the works. More recently, a designer’s portfolio indicated that it features “open-world content.” Correlation doesn’t necessarily imply causation, though – neither of these two things means a State of Play reveal. But maybe the studio will confirm that it’s progressing smoothly, as a treat.

Resident Evil Requiem Story Expansion Reveal

A big announcement like the long-rumored Resident Evil – Code: Veronica Remake at Summer Game Fest, much like Resident Evil Requiem last year, sounds plausible enough. But the company could still unveil something Resident Evil-related before that. A trailer for the story expansion, perhaps confirming that Leon is the star, coupled with a tease of the allegedly included Ada Wong? It’s not impossible, especially with all the updates since Requiem’s launch, but gameplay and a release date may be a bit much.

Kingdom Hearts 4 Update

Speaking of which, it’s now over four years since the next mainline Kingdom Hearts was announced. At this point, we’re beginning to feel as stuck as Sora, desperately seeking something, anything new. With creative director Tetsuya Nomura claiming that the team is “working hard” towards the series’ 25th anniversary, which is next year, any news in 2026 may seem unlikely. But this is Kingdom Hearts and Nomura, so keep an open mind and expect the unexpected.

Untitled John Wick Game

After the surprise announcement of Saber Interactive’s untitled prequel to the blockbuster film series at the last State of Play…well, we want to see more. And since Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – Remake, which Saber took over since splitting from Embracer, is looking unlikely, I’m thinking that maybe John Wick is back again. Here’s hoping he brings an official title for the game this time around.

“The great thing about the Wick series is when you watch the movies, they’re kind of like video games,” he said. “You have a group of enemies, then you have some tough guys, and you have a boss fight, and then you have a group of enemies, tough guys, and a boss fight. So it’s really exciting to bring that action to a video game. It’s going to be like watching a movie. That’s all I can say.”

This provides some hints about the general structure of the game, which might be a level-based affair where Wick takes on various missions and gets into fights in different environments.

Willits has also confirmed that the game will focus on Wick’s life from before the start of the first movie. This means that it will be a younger version of the character, and will likely take place before the death of his wife, which happens right before the first John Wick movie’s start.

“So yes, it’s before movie one,” Willits said. “And you can kind of infer that because [in the reveal trailer] he’s getting measured for his suit, and he looks a little bit younger.”

While this vague description of the game’s timeline doesn’t reveal too much, the title might finally give us a closer look at the trials and tribulations faced by the character that ultimately led to his decision to leave the assassin’s life behind. It revolving around a younger version of Wick will also likely mean that the action is more brutal and fast-paced. However, the character’s lack of experience might also result in some of his moves being on the clumsier side, especially when compared to his cold, calculated moves in the action scenes throughout the films.

“Untitled John Wick Game” was unveiled with a teaser trailer that primarily focused on establishing Wick’s character as he gets fitted for his iconic suit. However, towards the tail end of the teaser, we also get a few glimpses of action, which emphasised close-quarters-combat through grapples, takedowns, and improvised weapons. Players can also seemingly take advantage of their environments during fights, like tossing an enemy through a car door’s window.

The title doesn’t yet have a release date, and Saber Interactive is yet to confirm all of its platforms. Since its unveiling took place during the State of Play showcase last month, with the teaser noting that footage was captured on a PS5, a release on Sony’s console has been confirmed. The title was announced a month after Lionsgate chairman Adam Fogelson had spoken about plans for a AAA John Wick game.

Well, that’s exactly what we’re setting out to do. Here are a few recently announced titles that are sure to make 2026 and the next few years all the more exciting with their presence. Let’s get started!

1. Sons of Sparta

This one was quite a pleasant surprise, being made available right after its reveal at State of Play. If you love hard-hitting action, big set-piece battles, and a setting that goes all-in on spectacle and emotion, this one’s an absolute no-brainer.

It’s a 2D platformer that rewinds the clock, diving into a protagonist’s past as he fights alongside his brother and begins carving out his place on the battlefield. It leans heavily into tight platforming challenges, while its spear-and-shield combat proves surprisingly addictive, rewarding precision, smart parries, and well-timed evasions.

2. The Trilogy Remake

It was a welcome surprise to see the announcement land at the show, especially with a full remake project on the table for players. We’re eager to see how the updated versions modernize the classic gameplay loops, sharpen the pacing, and refine the combat feel while keeping the general flow and feel intact.

Either way, we’ll be jumping in the moment it’s playable, though it sounds like it may be a while, with development still in the early stages.

3. Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse

It’s always great to join one of the Belmont’s on a monster hunting adventure, and this one’s setting in Paris has us fascinated by its gothic vibe and buttery smooth combat animations. Of course, the Vampire Killer is making its return to your side along with new weapon types that let you take the fight to whatever monstrosities the game throws at you.

While details about its story are a tad scarce at this time, we’re sure that Konami and the Dead Cells team are up to the task of making it one worthy of the long-standing franchise.

4. Gothic Remake

This is another remake that we’re itching to get our hands on considering just how much work is going into making it a game that stays true to the classic RPG while modernizing it to make it appealing to a new generation of players.

With the most recent in a series of videos about its development showcasing how the team has crafted its NPC character models from the ground up, this one’s shaping up to be a very fine addition to a slew of remakes of classic titles. Even better is the fact that it’s currently scheduled for a 2026 release.

5. Samson

This one’s quite unique in that it features a man in a leather jacket literally taking on the world in order to pay off his debts and save his family. That’s easier said than done, however, as the city of Tyndalston is not an ideal place where one can earn their fair share without a little bit of violence involved.

Miss a day’s payment, and you’re even deeper in the debt trap with both the law and the lawless out to get you. This action brawler is going to keep the pressure on you, but of course, it gives you everything you need to come out on top. Just don’t expect it to give you cash or mercy.

6. Aphelion

While we’ve seen our fair share of sci-fi adventures where humanity needs to move out from the Earth thanks to hostile living conditions, we’re still excited for Aphelion as it does things a little differently. You see, it focuses on two explorers stranded on a potentially new home for their fellow humans, their ship having crashed, and one of them being injured in the process.

With two protagonists with their own abilities and skills, and a story that explores the burden of duty in a dire situation, this one could pull at your heartstrings more than you’d like to admit.

7. John Wick

It’s always going to be great to see Keanu Reeves play another video game badass after his work as Johnny Silverhand. And John Wick’s excellent take on the character’s signature gun-fu style is looking very promising in the reveal trailer at State of Play, February 2026.

Saber Interactive looks like it’s staying true to the character while bringing all of the action and chaos that seems to chase him around to the table in a title we’re excited to play, although that could take a while.

8. Knight’s Path

When life gives you lemons, you pick up a sword and wander the land in search of redemption. At least, that’s what Arlyk, the protagonist of this action-RPG set in ancient Rome, sets out to do in order to rebuild his life as a noble.

With combat that’s looking like you’re going to earn your reputation as a swordsman without comparison, this one is going to have us spending a lot of time with mechanics that are designed to make each swing or slash of your blade count. Add in an immersive world and a potentially memorable cast of characters, and you have yourself a winner.

9. Kena: Scars of Kosmora

Kena is now older, wiser, and more determined to bring her unique blend of empathy and compassion to Kosmora, a brand new location that’s opened its doors to her. She’s more confident in her role as a guide and is determined to help the living as well as the dead as she goes about her duties.

That’s good news for us as it gives us more opportunities to experience a story that hopefully retains the wit and charm of Bridge of Spirits with a combat system that seems fast, fluid, and, most importantly, fun.

10. Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol 2

We’re never going to say no to any opportunity to play more Metal Gear Solid, and the chance to replay MGS4 on a modern console without having to boot up our admittedly ancient PS3 is always a reason to celebrate.

And with Peace Walker retaining its online play components, this is a title we’re eager to get our hands on when August 2026 finally comes around. It’s time to round up your friends and take on a Metal Gear title that was built around cooperative play in this second addition to the Master Collection series from Konami.

11. GreedFall 2: The Dying World 1.0

The prequel to Greedfall has been in early access for a while now, but it’s finally ready to face the world this March. We’re stoked to return to Tree Fradee, a place where your choices carry wait and there’s always a bit of danger for those adventurers who care to go looking for it.

If this new title is anything like its predecessor, this one could have us spending more than a few hours finding out that our actions have consequences, and ones that we didn’t expect more often than not.

12. ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies

The spiritual successor to Disco Elysium is definitely up there with the more interesting concepts we’ve seen in recent years. You play as a former secret agent who harbors dark secrets and is now working as a PI after being forced out of the agency in disgrace.

The story is about rebuilding burned bridges as much as it is a mystery, where you need to think carefully about your actions while also paying attention to your crumbling mental state. That’s a lot to take in, but it’s going to be worth it from everything we’ve seen about this one.

13. Road to Vostok

Coming to early access in April 2026, this post-apocalyptic survival title takes you to Vostok, a harsh place in which even a silly error could mean the end of your adventure, with permadeath being a constant threat that hovers over you as you make your way through the story.

With a dynamic world that features a comprehensive weather system, multiple hostile factions all determined to give your character a premature death, and of course, a ton of loot to be gathered, Road to Vostok has us quite enthusiastic for all of it.

14. IKUMA – The Frozen Compass

Any adventure where you’re accompanied by a NPC is one that’s worth it in our book, and this one definitely caught our eye with its unique visuals and art style. You play as Sam, a boy who finds himself alone and stranded on an island in the Arctic with his loyal furry friend Ellie at his side.

Together, they must find a way home, braving all of the challenges in their way in a coming-of-age story that forces Sam to confront his past in order to ensure he has a future.

15. Project Windless

If you liked The Bird That Drinks Tears series of novels, this is a game that’s going to be a treat for you. It’s an open-world RPG set in the same universe as the books, placing you in the shoes (metaphorically, of course) of a giant humanoid bird who is armed with a pretty cool pair of dual blades and out on a mission that has you taking on several enemies who are quite skilled at coming at you from all directions based off what we’ve seen in the trailer.

This is a game that we’re eager to play thanks to its focused, single-player experience.

And that’s a wrap on our most anticipated titles for the rest of this year and perhaps a few that are going into 2027 and beyond. Of course, you can be sure you’re going to hear from us the moment new information on any one of them becomes available.

Much of the trailer focuses on establishing the vibes of this John Wick adaptation, with the eponymous protagonist taking on a variety of enemies and getting ready for his next battles. The tail end of the trailer gives us a brief look at what actual gameplay will look like, by showing us how Wick can quickly dispatch foes across a variety of ranges, with an emphasis on melee grapples and counters as well as gunplay.

Lionsgate chairman Adam Fogelson had confirmed that a AAA John Wick game was in development back in January. While he didn’t reveal too many details, he said that “Our AAA game opportunities and other gaming opportunities around John Wick and Saw and some others that we’ll be announcing soon,” during an earnings call.

The movie franchise hasn’t seen much in the way of video game adaptations aside from 2019’s John Wick Hex. However, the tactical strategy game has since been delisted from all storefronts. The character himself has made appearances in a few games, namely Fortnite and Payday 2.

This newest John Wick project doesn’t yet have any release date. However, its presence at State of Play indicates that it will at least come to PS5, if not other platforms as well.

As spotted by Tech4Gamers, Fogelson pointed to an increased interest in adapting John Wick. However, no real details about these adaptations and opportunities have been confirmed. “Our AAA game opportunities and other gaming opportunities around John Wick and Saw and some others that we’ll be announcing soon,” said Fogelson.

John Wick is a series of fast-paced action movies that revolve around the titular protagonist, played by Keanu Reeves, who gets pulled back into his past life as an assassin after the death of his wife and dog. The franchisee has seen four movie releases so far, along with a spin-off, dubbed Ballerina. When it comes to games, Wick has only gotten one to himself—2019’s tactical strategy game John Wick Hex—which has since been delisted from all storefronts. The character has also made guest appearances in other titles, namely Fortnite and Payday 2.

John Wick Hex, developed by Bithell Games, only adapted the characters and world of the John Wick franchise. The story was entirely original, and while Keanu Reeves didn’t return to play the titular character, the title still featured other cast members of the movies, including Lance Reddick and Ian McShane. For more details about John Wick Hex, check out our review, where we gave it a score of 7 out of 10 thanks to its precise, tactical gameplay and fun story. Our major complaints at the time included technical issues, frustrating gameplay sections, and wonky animations.

It is worth noting that this is far from the first time that Lionsgate has spoken about a triple-A John Wick game. CEO Jon Felthimer had spoken about fielding proposals for one such project back in November 2022, and while he didn’t reveal too many details at the time, he believed there was potential for a big AAA John Wick game. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself here, but we believe there is a big AAA game to be made out of John Wick,” he said. “We have been fielding proposals. We certainly are interested in moving that forward, but I don’t want to say anything more about that at this time.”

The subject popped up once more in May 2023, with Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group president Joe Drake noting that there was a host of projects based on John Wick in the works. These projects extended beyond the AAA game space, he said, and into things like movie and TV spin-offs.

“We’re now moving across that franchise, not just in the AAA video game space, but looking at what the regular cadence of spin-offs, television, really growing that universe so that there is a steady cadence of a franchise that there’s clear appetite by the audience,” said Drake.

That’s as per Joe Drake, president of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, who said during the company’s recent earnings call that Lionsgate is moving into the AAA gaming space with the John Wick property as it looks to expand the franchise.

“We’re now moving across that franchise, not just in the AAA video game space, but looking at what the regular cadence of spin-offs, television really growing that universe so that there is a steady cadence of a franchise that there’s clear appetite by the audience,” Drake said (via ComicBook.com).

This isn’t the first time we’re hearing about a AAA John Wick game. In November last year, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer also expressed interest in a big video game adaptation of the property, saying, “I don’t want to get ahead of myself here, but we believe there is a big AAA game to be made out of John Wick. We have been fielding proposals.”

Whether Drake’s latest comments mean that Lionsgate has partnered with a developer to work on a AAA John Wick game hasn’t been explicitly confirmed, but it’s clear that the company is moving forward with its intention to do that. How long it’ll be before something gets officially announced remains to be seen.

One of those, it turns out, might be John Wick. The Keanu Reeves-starring action franchise has been one of the most critically and commercially successful film franchises since the first instalment released in 2014, and has only gone from strength to strength, and it seems entertainment giant Lionsgate is looking to replicate that success in games as well.

Speaking during a recent earnings call (via Indie Wire), Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer said: “I don’t want to get ahead of myself here, but we believe there is a big AAA game to be made out of John Wick. We have been fielding proposals. We certainly are interested in moving that forward, but I don’t want to say anything more about that at this time.”

Fans have been calling out for a big-budget John Wick game for years at this point, and the property is obviously particularly well-suited to a video game adaptation, so Feltheimer’s words are sure to please many. How long it will be before something concrete comes out of this remains to be seen, but at the very least, there seems to be progress.

Of course, John Wick hasn’t been completely absent in gaming, even if it hasn’t yet entered the AAA space. Bithell Games’ grid-based tactics title John Wick Hex launched back in 2020- read our review through here.

Payday 2 has one single premise. Execute a grand mass of robberies and heists, in order to make your way up the ladder to the status of master criminal. These can range from anything to robbing a jewelry store or a more deadly scenarios such as a cracking the vault of a bank heist while fending off police, or waging war with mobsters over a meth lab. Where Payday 2 succeeds however, is not just in the variety of locations that’s on offer to perform grand theft. But in the amount of detail that goes in to the planning stages and the structure of the missions themselves.

" Execute a grand mass of robberies and heists, in order to make your way up the ladder to the status of master criminal. "

Nothing is or will ever be a simple break in and break out situation, making off with the cash without anybody knowing. It’s always going to be a crazy situation whether the player likes it or not. And they should, because that’s what makes the game so great. Presented before each and every mission players will be given a planning stage before entering the level.

This contains aspects of player customization and weapon loadouts as well as how they plan to execute the heist. This is where the game manages to immerse the player and it forces them to think carefully about their role and character class. Within the actual mission there will be certain objectives that must be undertaken before, during and after the mission. This is where the immersion factor plays a larger role and tricks the player in to thinking their in control. And if their not, well, they’ll learn to adjust.

Every mission feels like a heist gone wrong and that’s exactly how it’s supposed to feel, even when choosing the route of stealth. During a mission in which I was required to disassemble a bomb, while doing battle with the military forces that seeked to put an end to my demise, it didn’t become apparent to me as to just how much time I had sunk in to the mission until it actually ended.

"This contains aspects of player customization and weapon loadouts as well as how they plan to execute the heist."

It’s incredibly easy to lose track of time within the game, and since pressure and intensity are two things that play directly against the players mindset, it’s intimidating as it is entertaining. One minute I’m stealing paintings from an art gallery and the next, I’m lowering a hose in to a train wreck to secure the pressure of a bomb, so I can dismantle it in to multiple pieces and sell it to a contractor. Payday 2 knows how to take itself seriously while still making no sense whatsoever.

It’s genuine fun. Had the game been released in the 90s it would have been trading blows with Mortal Kombat and Grand Theft Auto, over which game influences the most bad behaviour in the teenage male demographic. Adding attention to detail outside of the missions is the design of the games actual menus. Everything holds the aesthetic of a blueprint or a map that the player will navigate through when assigning weapons, gadgets, or deciding where to plan their attack. It may be considered quite small to some, but it’s the fine attention to detail that goes a long way.

Since Payday 2 is at its best when being played online co-operatively, A.I. team mates are essentially useless outside of waving a gun. This means everything that requires an objective undertaking such as setting up a C4, picking a lock, or setting up a drill to crack a safe of a bank is all on the player. Going forward with the series, I would like to see a great deal of attention being placed on the A.I. team mates, as the simple commands that you’re able to instruct aren’t in anyway ideal nor beneficial for assisting in a heist.

"Since Payday 2 is at its best when being played online co-operatively, A.I. team mates are essentially useless outside of waving a gun."

While the single-player is without a doubt fun and engaging, it’s always a case of “I’m planning to steal $90,000 worth of jewelry, threaten the bystanders, and murder anyone who attempts to stop me. Oh yeah…these three idiots will be joining me.” In terms of gameplay, this is the only fault that players can expect from the game, but either way it’s still entertaining.

As it stands however, this is a HD remaster of Payday 2, which means the core gameplay remains the same. What’s new to this edition comes in the form of additional content that was formerly available to the PC. Where past HD remasters have only been given a visual overhaul with minor expansion packs barely worthy of the name, Payday 2: Crimewave Edition delivers on everything. With that being said, there’s nothing new here that PC players should be considering as this is strictly aimed for last-generation console players.

These new additions primarily consist of more heists, weapons, weapon modifications, masks, costumes, characters, and a skill tree. And while that may not sound like much on the surface, the breath of content that’s actually in the game could easily spawn in to its own standalone title. The game adds missions based on Dennaton Games’ Hotline Miami. Take a deep breath. And if that wasn’t enough, John Wick is also a playable character. Everything is better with Keanu Reeves.

"And if that wasn't enough, John Wick is also a playable character."

Where the game continues to standout as being something other than a High Definition heist isn’t just purely down to the amount of content though. It’s the way in which it has been changed in regards to mission structure. The pre-planning phase of the game which takes place before heading in to a mission, allows players to strategize and prepare themselves before hand, adding a new level of complexity to the overall gameplay.

This works well in practice and the fact that it’s added a new gameplay mechanic in the form of an update as opposed to doing so in a sequel, makes it all the more enjoyable. It’s the small iterations here that deserve some respect and it clearly demonstrates that the studio knows exactly what it’s doing with the game.

As said previously, characters now have a skill tree system. This means that the more you play the more you’ll earn. Literally. And not just in the way of cash. It gives players the ability to equip specialized perks, equipment, and character traits to their respectful class. As the game is heavily focused on co-operative play, gamers who take the game seriously will gain fulfillment in watching their character truly progress.

"This means that the more you play the more you'll earn."

Last on the list is the new contract systems that’s in place. Taking on missions set by crime-bosses and contractors adds a new level of dynamism to the game as it differs from the standard run of the mill heists. These contract missions have multiple stages to them, each with different objectives that can lead to random outcomes. When pulled off correctly it can feel rewarding, and it aids in further engaging the player in to its world.

Payday 2: Crimewave Edition is a vigorous, exciting, and heart-wrenching game. It delivers on everything that made the base version of the game so great to begin with, and it gives a compelling reason for its current-generation re-release. The only issue I had with the game was something that I hoped would be resolved, now that it’s on reasonably more powerful hardware. The frame rate.

A silky, smooth thirty frames-per-second. No, just no. Something has to be said over this Neverland fantasy of 1080p gaming for the current console generation. The fact that as journalists we’ve been inclined to bring it up in reviews and general news coverage so often, when it was barely mentioned in the generations prior means it is a big problem.

"A silky, smooth thirty frames-per-second. "

1080p isn’t compelling, it’s a compromise. Had the developers dropped the resolution to 900p or such, which would have had no meaningful effect on the visuals anyway, and then ramped the frame-rate up to sixty, the game would have felt much more responsive and much more enjoyable. Payday 2 is a good looking game, but it isn’t at all graphically demanding.

It’s not necessarily a question of “Why is it running at thirty?” It’s more a question of “How is not running at sixty?” Payday has always felt like a PC game that console players where just lucky enough to receive. But the fact that it’s running at thirty as opposed to sixty is fairly disappointing.

It’s a worthy step-up from it’s last-gen iteration and I see no reason other than the obvious, to not recommend it to fans of the series. New heists, new mechanics, and new methods of character progression, Payday 2: Crimewave Edition is ludicrous enjoyment.

This game was reviewed on the Xbox One.