The first major broadcast from Sony’s gaming division this year brought impactful revelations for PlayStation 5 owners, with a central focus on expanding its most popular franchises. The event held last Thursday, February 12th, served as a stage for the officialization of projects awaited by the community and for the immediate availability of content in digital stores, marking an aggressive launch strategy for the first half of the year. Durante About an hour into the presentation, the company detailed the future of established series and introduced new intellectual properties that will arrive on the console in the coming months.
The big highlight of the night was the franchise starring Kratos, which received double attention with announcements covering both the classic past and new gameplay experiences. Santa Monica Studio confirmed the rumors about the modernization of the first chapters of the saga and, in an unexpected move, released a new title for download shortly after the broadcast ended.
The agile combat of Kratos finds a new genre.
The action platforms God of War Sons of Sparta are available on PS5:https://t.co/eHtYhcQnX4 #StateOfPlay pic.twitter.com/mf8DkkYXns— PlayStation España (@PlayStationES)February 13, 2026
In addition to the mythological news, the event served to consolidate the 2026 calendar with definitive dates for productions by important partners, such as Kojima Productions and Capcom. The presentation mixed gameplay trailers, launch windows and development updates, reinforcing the console’s catalog with varied genre options.
Return to Spartan origins and immediate release
Confirmation of the development of a complete remake of the original Greek trilogy of God of War was one of the highlights of the presentation. The project, which is still in the early stages of production, aims to reconstruct the first three games originally released for PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3, using current PS5 hardware technology. The initiative seeks to modernize not only the graphics, but also adapt the combat mechanics to contemporary standards, maintaining the essence of the revenge narrative that defined the series.
A relevant detail disclosed during the announcement was the participation of TC Carson, the original voice actor of Kratos in the English versions. The actor’s presence suggests a commitment to maintaining fidelity to the character’s classic characterization, differentiating himself from the interpretation seen in the recent Norse saga. Sony has not set a release date for the collection, indicating that the recreation work will be extensive.
In a parallel and surprising way, the game God of War: Sons of Sparta was immediately available on PlayStation Store. Desenvolvido in partnership with Mega Cat Studios, the title moves away from the traditional third-person action format to adopt a 2D pixel art visual style. The narrative functions as a canonical prequel, exploring the Spartan training period of Kratos and his brother Deimos, offering a new perspective on the family relationship before the tragic events known to fans.
The gameplay of Sons of Sparta focuses on brutal combat with side-platform progression, allowing players to control both brothers alternately or in sequence. The simultaneous launch of the announcement generated movement on the networks, and the title has already received technical updates to correct small problems identified in the first hours of availability.
Calendar of major franchises and updates
The event devoted considerable time to detailing the progress of big-budget games that had already been announced previously. The definition of specific dates for the first half of 2026 demonstrates an effort to avoid long periods without significant launches. Updates covered everything from survival horror games to open-world experiences.
Among the main highlights confirmed with dates and new content are:
- Death Stranding 2:The sequel directed by Hideo Kojima got an extensive trailer and had its PC version confirmed for March 19, accompanying the console edition.
- Resident Evil Requiem:The new chapter of the Capcom horror series arrives on February 27, promising improved survival mechanics and expansion of the franchise’s universe.
- Ghost of Yōtei:Foi revealed the inclusion of the Legends cooperative mode, which will be available from March 10, allowing online missions for up to four participants.
- Pragmata:Após multiple delays, the sci-fi title has been given a release window of April 24th, showcasing exploration elements.
Renovation of classics and new properties
Nostalgia was guaranteed space with the announcement of several remasters and collections. The Legacy of Kain series will return with two upcoming releases: Defiance Remastered on March 3 and Ascendance on March 31, both with visual improvements and control tweaks. Outra franchise that is present is Metal Gear Solid, with the confirmation of Volume 2 by Master Collection, which will include the fourth title in the main series remastered for current platforms.
In terms of new features, Sony presented the game 4Loop, a cooperative survival experience against aliens on procedural maps, and Crimson Moon, focused on intense medieval combat. Studio Konami also revealed its return to JRPGs with Rev.Noir, promising an innovative turn-based system, while a project based on the John Wick film franchise, featuring Keanu Reeves, attracted the attention of action fans.
Independent scene and future releases
The segment dedicated to independent games and medium-sized productions revealed dates for titles that diversify the console’s library. Mina the Hollower, inspired by portable classics, has been confirmed for 2026, while the narrative expansion Neva: The Prologue is scheduled to arrive on February 19th. Outro’s highlight was Darwin’s Paradox, which combines puzzles and evolutionary narrative, scheduled for early April.
To end the announcement cycle, windows were revealed for games such as Control Resonant, a direct sequel to Remedy, and Marathon, Bungie’s return to the competitive shooter genre, scheduled for March 5th. The variety presented in State of Play indicates a busy year for the PlayStation ecosystem, with options ranging from the revival of classics to innovations in multiplayer gameplay.
