There's a new Ratchet & Clank, Spider-Man, and more.
In a recent video presentation, Sony showed off the PlayStation 5 (PS5), along with a wide variety of games that will be released for the upcoming video game console.
While we still don’t know the final release date (or price) for the system, we do know the PS5 will launch during the 2020 holiday season.
At release, there will be two versions of the console to choose from. The standard PlayStation 5 will have an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive, while the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition console will not. This Digital Edition will only be able to play digital (downloaded) versions of games — you won’t be able to play games that you’ve purchased on physical discs at the store.
Here’s a preview of some of the family-friendly games that were shown off in the presentation. (Please keep in mind that these games have yet to be rated by the ESRB, but we expect them to be rated T or under.)
This 3D platformer is the latest installment in the popular Ratchet & Clank series, which stars a lombax named Ratchet and a robot named Clank who go on intergalactic adventures that challenge them to defeat a variety of evil villains using all sorts of weapons and gadgets.
In Rift Apart, players will be able to travel from planet to planet almost instantly using dimensional rifts. You can check out a preview of the title’s gameplay in the trailer above.
Marvel’s Spider-Man was released on PlayStation 4 in 2018. Now, this next installment in the franchise will star Miles Morales, who, like Peter Parker, has the powers of Spider-Man, and uses them to defeat enemies.
The original Marvel’s Spider-Man was rated T for Teen by the ESRB, so we’ll keep an eye on this upcoming game to see if it receives the same rating. We’ll make sure to let you know either way.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales will be released this holiday season.
Sackboy is the star of the charming LittleBigPlanet franchise, which began with the original LittleBigPlanet on PlayStation 3 in 2008.
In Sackboy: A Big Adventure, players will be able to complete platforming stages on their own, or work together with friends and family through cooperative multiplayer.
The LittleBigPlanet games are great for kids, and we expect Sackboy: A Big Adventure will be as well. We’ll be sure to cover this game in more detail as we get closer to launch.
Bugsnax is a colorful, first-person adventure game from Young Horses, the creator of Octodad: Dadliest Catch. It takes place in a world where bugs and creatures are made of food, like watermelons and strawberries. When characters in the game eat these critters, their bodies start to transform into what they have eaten.
On the official PlayStation Blog, Phil Tibitoski, president and co-founder of Young Horses, provided some details about the game:
“In our first-person adventure, you play as a journalist who receives a mysterious film from the disgraced explorer, Elizabert Megafig. She’s invited you to Snaktooth Island to witness her latest and greatest discovery: Bugsnax! Lured by the promise of a great story, you travel to the island to interview Elizabert and her group of misfit grumpuses. In the pursuit of your big scoop, you get caught up in hunting Bugsnax, feeding grumpuses, and solving the mysteries of the island…”
Bugsnax will be released on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC this holiday season.
Horizon Forbidden West is the sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn, which was released on PlayStation 4 in 2017. The series is set far into the future, in a world where previous civilizations have fallen and mechanical beasts roam the land. Forbidden West will pick up where Zero Dawn left off, and will see the main character, Aloy, travel through a part of America that’s being hit by large storms.
Horizon Zero Dawn was rated T for Teen by the ESRB, so there’s the potential for Forbidden West to receive the same rating. We’ll make sure to let you know if this is the case as soon as we learn more.
Astro’s Playroom is a platforming game that will serve as an introduction to the PlayStation 5 console and its various features. It will come pre-installed on PlayStation 5 consoles, so that your family can jump in and play something as soon as you take the console out of the box.
The video description for the game’s announcement trailer provided more details about what we can expect from this one:
“Astro and his crew lead you on a magical introduction through PS5 in this fun platformer that comes pre-loaded on PS5. Explore four worlds, each based on PS5’s console components. Each area showcases innovative gameplay that taps into the new features of the PS5’s DualSense wireless controller.”
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an action adventure game coming to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC.
In a press release, the game’s developer, Ember Lab, provided some information about the game’s premise:
“This gorgeous adventure takes players on a journey of self-discovery as Kena restores balance to an ancient village in a once-thriving environment. Players take on the role of Kena, a young Spirit Guide on a quest to uncover the mysterious story surrounding the demise of the village. Using her staff and the help of her collection of tiny companions known as the Rot, the player will disarm adversaries, unlock new skills, uncover secrets, and restore the beauty of the land.”
As players progress through Bridge of Spirits, they’ll be able to “[build] a bond with the Rot” and improve Kena’s abilities with their help.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits will be released this holiday season.
Keep checking back with SuperParent, as we’ll bring you more information about the PlayStation 5 and the games coming to the system as we get closer to launch.
Is your family excited to play any of these games? Let us know in the comments, or tweet us at @superparenthq.
Brandy Berthelson has been writing about video games and technology since 2006, with her work appearing on sites including AOL Games, Digital Spy, and Adweek. When she’s not gaming, Brandy enjoys crafting, baking, and traveling with her husband.
