State of Play 2026 Kicks Off Strong – Our Breakdown [Arcade Couch Podcast]

We break down the first State of Play for 2026, which brought plenty of surprises and new game trailers.

SHOW DOT POINTS

• The PlayStation Showcase featured a variety of new game announcements.
• Wolverine was included in the showcase, albeit not in the expected format.
• Kenna: Bridge of Spirits sequel shows significant development.
• Ghost of Yotai Legends is set to return with multiplayer features.
• Death Stranding 2 is confirmed for PC release.
• Resident Evil Requiem continues to generate buzz with frequent trailers.
• Legacy of Cain is getting a remaster, sparking interest in the franchise.
• A new 2.5D Castlevania game is in development, appealing to long-time fans.
• Unique IPs like Project Windlass are being introduced, showcasing creativity.
• Konami’s segment highlighted both remasters and new titles, indicating a focus on legacy franchises. The John Wick game aims to capture the essence of the franchise.
• Bungie’s Marathon is set to test servers with a service slam.
• PlayStation Plus is adding notable titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
• Saros gameplay trailer showcases significant improvements over Returnal.
• Marvel’s Fighting Souls introduces new characters like Storm and Magic.
• God of War trilogy remakes are in early development for PS6.
• Sons of Sparta explores Kratos’s early life and relationships.
• The game aims to offer a different perspective on Kratos.
• Voice acting in Sons of Sparta has received mixed reviews.
• The game’s combat mechanics differ from those in traditional God of War games. Wrestle Quest’s pixel art aims for an authentic 80s aesthetic.
• Highguard’s layoffs reflect broader issues in the gaming industry.
• Video game success is crucial for team retention.
• Mario Tennis Fever offers smooth, engaging gameplay.
• Mugenics combines humour with tactical gameplay mechanics.
• The gaming industry often relies on the success of the next release.
• Highguard’s development challenges raise questions about live service games.
• The structure of video game development can lead to instability for teams.
• Mario Tennis Fever’s story mode serves as an extended tutorial.
• Mugenics has the potential for addictive gameplay and deep mechanics.

YOUR HOSTS
🎙️ Dylan Blight
🎙️ Ashley Hobley

EPISODE TIMECODES

00:00:00 – Intro
00:50:00 – State of Play Breakdown
00:43:30 – God of War Sons of Sparta Review-In-Progress
00:55:50 – Highguard Developer Lay Offs
01:04:20 – Mario Tennis Fever Review-In-Progress
01:13:20 – Mewgenics Impressions
01:20:40 – Outro

RESOURCES

• Every Announcement From February’s PlayStation State of Play – Explosion Network
• Highguard not shutting down following Wildlight layoffs, with a “core group” of developers left to support the game | Eurogamer.net

CREDITS

• 🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
• 🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
• 🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
• 📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM

👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORK
Listen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network