PlayStation Showcase 2021: everything we want to see

PS5
(Image credit: Sony)

Sony is finally ready to share some much-needed PS5 updates at its PlayStation Showcase 2021 event, which takes place today, September 9, 1 PM PT / 4 PM ET / 9 PM BST / 6 AM ACT. You can tune in via Sony’s official PlayStation YouTube and Twitch pages, and we’ll be keeping you up to date with all the announcements here on TechRadar.

But what can we expect to see at the PlayStation Showcase 2021 – and more importantly, what do we want to see? The show is due to last 40 minutes, which is plenty of time for Sony to deliver some exciting reveals and provide more insight on titles like God of War: Ragnarok and Gran Turismo 7.

Typically, with any event, there are more than a few rumors and rumblings that something big could be announced during the PlayStation Showcase 2021. We’ll touch on some of those here, but we’re keeping our expectations in check. Here’s everything we want to see at the PlayStation Showcase 2021.

Horizon Forbidden West 

Horizon Forbidden West

(Image credit: Sony)

After drawing controversy over the game’s lack of a free upgrade path for PlayStation 5 – something which it later reverted – Sony will be hoping to showcase Horizon Forbidden West in a much better light. 

And that, in all honesty, should be relatively easy to achieve. A new trailer that reconfirms the game’s February 18, 2021 release date and teases what’s to come will change the conversation around the game’s pre-order fiasco to something far more positive. Aloy’s next adventure certainly looks like it’s going to be stunning, from what we’ve seen at least, so we expect to see another look at Guerilla Games’ upcoming open-world epic.

God of War: Ragnarok 

God of War 2

(Image credit: Sony)

The next God of War game, which still doesn’t have an official title, was teased back in September 2020. Though it was widely expected to launch this year, Sony announced that the game has slipped to 2022 and will also come to PS4. We’re confident that the next God of War game will be shown off, then, and could be the closer for the event.

Kratos and Atreus’s adventures in Norse mythology are far from finished, and if Sony Santa Monica’s sequel can make even half the impressive on players that the God of War 2018 reboot did, we’re in for a real treat. If some gameplay is shown, expect to see axes, a beard, bulging muscles, and more than a few gruesome kills. Oh, and we’d love to get a release date to pencil in the calendar.

Gran Turismo 7 

Gran Turismo 7 gameplay

(Image credit: Polyphony Digital)

Sony’s premier racing sim, Gran Turismo 7, is expected to arrive sometime in 2022 and will be coming to PS5 and PS4, despite being initially positioned as a PlayStation 5 exclusive. The game is set to take full advantage of ray tracing to offer realistic reflections and lighting, which should make Gran Turismo’s already near-photorealistic cars look even more convincing. 

Apart from a few glimpses of the game in action, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Sony provide a deeper dive into what players can expect of developer Polyphony Digital’s next entry in the Gran Turismo series. We’re hopeful of getting a firm release date, too. 

Naughty Dog’s multiplayer title 

Uncharted

(Image credit: Naughty Dog)

We’re yet to see any PS5 games from Naughty Dog as of yet, even though it’s arguably one of the most respected PlayStation developers. The studio apparently has multiple projects in the works, but we’re betting that it’s Naughty Dog’s multiplayer title that will be revealed during the PlayStation Showcase 2021.

Unlike Microsoft, which has a number of games that cater to online players primarily (Sea of Thieves, Halo, Forza, Gears), Sony’s focus on creative compelling single-player narrative-driven games has left it a touch short in this department. Naughty Dog’s multiplayer project could change that, and with such an esteemed studio behind it, any new IP that’s announced will benefit from the goodwill Naughty Dog’s created.

Grand Theft Auto 5 Enhanced Edition 

GTA 5

(Image credit: Rockstar Games)

It may be over eight years old and about to make its third console debut, but GTA 5 is still a big deal. It continues to sell millions of units every year, and its online component, GTA Online, shows no sign of waning in popularity anytime soon.

While many might be waiting for GTA 6, which could still be many years away, we wouldn’t be too shocked to see Sony give Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto 5 Enhanced Edition a brief spotlight. A new trailer that shows how the game is being specifically optimized for PS5 would be welcome, as little is known at this stage even though the game is set for a November 11 release date.

Metal Gear Solid remake 

Metal Gear Solid PS5

(Image credit: Konami)

A pipe dream for some, but rumors of a Metal Gear Solid remake have been doing the rounds for quite some time. While it’s difficult to predict with any degree of certainty that Solid Snake will make a glorious comeback on PS5, particularly now that PlayStation’s golden child Hideo Kojima is no longer associated with Konami, who still own the rights, we can’t rule it out.

Even the original voice of Solid Snake, David Hayter, believes a remake could be in the works for current-gen consoles. In a discussion with YouTuber Dan Allen, Hayter said: “I only had some confirmation that it might not be a rumor a couple of days ago, and even that was still a rumor… but now it’s an industry rumor, so that tends to be a little more accurate.”

Though we’d absolutely love to see it happen, there’s a lot of pieces that need to come together for a Metal Gear Solid remake to be realized. One can hope, though. 

PSVR 2

PSVR 2 controllers being used

(Image credit: Sony)

Unfortunately for fans of virtual reality, Sony has already ruled out any PSVR 2 announcements at the PlayStation Showcase. In a post on the PlayStation Blog, Sony said: “PlayStation’s next generation of VR won’t make an appearance this time. But there will still be plenty of great PS5 games from developers large and small.”

We’re expecting to hear more about PSVR 2 in the new year, and have already made a prediction on what the PSVR 2 headset could look like. 

Remember, we’ll be keeping you up to date with all the announcements at Sony’s PlayStation Showcase 2021, so keep it locked to TechRadar.

Adam Vjestica

Adam was formerly TRG's Hardware Editor. A law graduate with an exceptional track record in content creation and online engagement, Adam has penned scintillating copy for various technology sites and also established his very own award-nominated video games website. He’s previously worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor and once played Halo 5: Guardians for over 51 hours for charity. He is now an editor at The Shortcut.

Read more
The Playstation logo against a blue background
Sony State of Play: when is the next 2025 PlayStation event?
Sony State of Play - logo
PlayStation State of Play – everything announced, and the whole February show as it happened
The PlayStation Logo against a blue background
Our favorite six moments from yesterday's PlayStation State of Play
Jordan holds a laser sword over their shoulder
Upcoming PS5 exclusives - release schedule for confirmed games
State of Play
Sony's next State of Play arrives tomorrow and will feature 'news and updates on great games coming to PS5'
PlayStation Showcase
2025 could be the start of a new era for PlayStation
Latest in Playstation
Astro Bot PS5 bundle
Sony officially announces new Astro Bot PS5 bundles and they're available from PlayStation Direct right now for bargain prices we can barely believe
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
Future PlayStation games could have AI-powered characters, if this leaked prototype of Aloy is anything to go by
The artwork for The Last of Us Limited Edition DualSense controller
Where to pre-order and buy The Last of Us Limited Edition DualSense controller today - UK pre-orders are live but stock has sold out already
Sony State of Play - logo
PlayStation State of Play – everything announced, and the whole February show as it happened
A PS5 controller held up in front of a TV screen
PlayStation Network outage live updates – PSN is back and compensation announced
The PS5 Pro in front of a white brick background, on a brown desk, next to a potted plant.
The PS5 Pro has made me realize I hate choice
Latest in News
Super Mario Odyssey
ChatGPT is the ultimate gaming tool - here's 4 ways you can use AI to help with your next playthrough
Ray-Ban smart glasses with the Cpperni logo, an LED array, and a MacBook Air with M4 next to ecah other.
ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Twitter's massive outage to iRobot's impressive new Roombas
Brad Pitt looks over his right shoulder with 'F1' written behind him
Apple Original Films will take you behind-the-scenes of a racing cockpit in this new thrilling F1 movie trailer
AI writer
Coding AI tells developer to write it himself
Reacher looking down at another character from the Prime Video TV series Reacher
Reacher season 3 becomes Prime Video’s biggest returning show thanks to Hollywood’s biggest heavyweight
Finger Presses Orange Button Domain Name Registration on Black Keyboard Background. Closeup View
I visited the world’s first registered .com domain – and you won’t believe what it’s offering today