Hype - Playism's Upcoming Games for 2025

One of the biggest highlights of PAX West was the array of Japanese game publishers present. NiS America, Marvelous/XSEED, and Playism rounded out a trifecta of some of the most unique games. Playism is known for bringing some of the most unique titles to the world, from Bright Memory: Infinite to Gnosia. Once again, they introduced a solid portfolio for the upcoming year.

Whether it's mech combat in an underground base, taking the streets back from robots, or delivering messages on behalf of Gods, Playism introduced all sorts of interesting titles this year. Here is how each one panned out below.

Playism brings mechanical chaos

Metal Bringer is a game straight out of 90s cyberpunk and anime, set straight in a large underground base. Our hero, Yura, awakens 1000 after being put into cry sleep and is seemingly the only human alive. Yearning to search for humanity, you assemble Labor units, and Androids capable of many functions. She has them pilot giant Mecha, called Arms, in the pursuit of finding the rest of inhumanity and ending a grave threat. 

From the makers of Samurai Bringer, Metal Bringer feels like a game straight from Sega Saturn or Neo Geo. The visuals are reminiscent of the more refined polygons of the late 90s and the designs are interesting. As a roguelike, the biggest focus is on the gameplay, and Metal Bringer is extremely sharp in that. The Arms units are giant Mecha that can be customized with different arms, legs, and torso. These allow for different capabilities in firepower and maneuverability. If you want to attack from afar, grab a laser arm unit. If you want to get up close, finish an enemy with a flag that isn't a sword and attach it to your own mech to slice through the opposition.  

The game featured hundreds of enemies alone screens and the action was remarkably satisfying. I couldn't help but want to play more and more to tailor my customizations. The demo was only twenty minutes but the experience was fantastic. With plenty of mystery and a unique sci-fi world to explore Metal Bringer is shaping to be a unique face to the crowded rogue-like market. 

Metal Bringer arrives in 2025. 

Homura Hime creates an action extravaganza

It is a world where demons and humans co-exist. Demons have great power and those that misuse it can corrupt and tarnish the world. Then, there are the archdemons. Souls that die with pain and deep regret become arch demons. Their pain and evil and twist and turn anyone and anything. Facing a grave threat, Homura Hime, The Flame Princess, is dispatched to take on this threat. With her exorcist Ann, the duo set out to bring peace to the world and discover the truths of the archdemons. 

Homura Hime is an action game with bullet hell mechanics and high-speed hack-and-slash. The game encourages players to use their magic and power, but most importantly, their speed. With Ann, Homura is granted special powers and abilities. The game features what one would expect from an action game, from slow-motion dodging to special attacks. The catch is how stylish and engaging it is. 

My demo was brief and it featured facing one arch demon, but it was remarkably profound. The enemy uses a skeleton to attack and destroy the player. Fortunately, speed, sword action, and special attacks are a deadly combination. Fighting the demon felt engaging and challenging. On my first try, I died but on my second try, I was successful. Gameplay is very strong but visually, the game reminded me of Studio Trigger’s Kill La Kill with that typography. This is certainly one to look out for if you crave action games. 

Homura Hime is slated for release in 2025 

Nitro Express is a Hardboiled inspired 90s action game

I grew up in the 90s, elsewhere everything had attitude. It was a decade that created some of the greatest action shows and action movies of all time. Face/Off, Dragon Ball Z, The Rock, Patlabor, the works. In this world of attitude and high-stakes action, Nitro Express wears these vibes on its sleeve, and it feels like a game that blasted its way into the present. 

Nitro Express features two badass female cops who are part of an advanced unit that aims to stop rogue robots. Since robots and drones have been integrated into every corner of Japanese society, the unit has its work cut out for it. Using advanced weapons and gadgets, the duo sets out to the streets of Tokyo. 

The game feels perfectly 90s, with more gunfire and explosions than a John Woo movie. The game is not a run-and-gun but encourages tactical shooting. Players can use cover to shield themselves from incoming fire. Shooting feels impactful, which feels like a slightly slowed-down Metal Slug or Contra. Enemies are everywhere and using gadgets such as EMP grenades, may be more effective than guns blazing. The game feels remarkable in its shooting and election mechanics, especially with the variety of weapons. 

Nitro Express has a lot going for it. A cool story, neat characters, and a wonderfully presented 90s-inspired depiction of a futuristic Tokyo. We won't have to wait too long as the game is slated for launch next year. 

Million Depth

Deep within the center of the earth is a secret. A young girl is determined to reach the center and find her best friend. This girl, Moma, has a special power and can craft various weapons. However, between her and her dreams is a labyrinth of enemies. These enemies are dangerous. While alone and fearful, she musters the courage to get to the truth. 

Million Depth is an interesting game. The demo featured a unique combat system in which the action is real-time but is also turn-based. Additionally, weapons are controlled by the mouse and can move around the screen. The unique aspect got he combat is the ability to literally craft weapons from the ground up. However, this isn't a workbench or collecting materials. This is literally building a weapon. 

Using a pixel interface, Mom can create a weapon. Blueprints help in this endeavor but the player builds the weapons through the pixels. One weapon represented a saw. In building one, stats were presented, as well as cooldown time and effectiveness. 

Once I got the hang of it, the game felt satisfying to play. It needs some time to finesse introducing the weapon mechanics and manufacturing, but the world and mystery are intriguing. This is definitely one to look out for. 

Million Depth is slated for launch in 2025

Outrider Mako is a Ghibli-inspired adventure

One thing about video games is how they can take influence from various inspirations. In the case of Outrider Mako, takes inspiration from Studio Ghibli. The heavenly and aesthetically pleasing portfolio of movies provides endless inspiration and imagination, as well as stories that tug at the heart with their profound meaning. Tucked away in the corner, Outrider Mako looks like your standard ARPG, but I came away with it wanting so much as it left a mammoth impression on me.

In the afterlife, there is Mayoi, the world of Gods. While the Gods are powerful, even they have basic needs, like parcel delivery services. Having recently arrived, Mako takes on the job of parcel delivery person. Perhaps by delivering packages, Mako can discover the truth about this world and find a means to get back home. This is a world where even Gods have needs that need to be addressed.

Outrider Mako looks gorgeous with tits Japan-inspired pixelated visuals the characters all have a sense of humor and there's a whimsical impression I couldn’t help but feel. It felt like I was playing a game in the same universe as Spirited Away, modern yet ancient and inspired by the past. One unique take on the world was the combat system, which was surprisingly deep. 

For reasons yet to be revealed Majo has special fighting abilities and can summon a pink slime substance called Tar. The Tar can be used to stun and fight enemies. One move involved jumping on top of an enemy and turning them into something of a Tar bomb, sending the pink substance everywhere. The fighting and action is rather engaging. It made me wish there were more enemies to fight. 

Outrider Mako is certainly looking to make a passive pink solace when it releases next year. It’s an interesting mystical tale and action is met with the intriguing premise that in a world of Gods messages are still important. We’ll have to wait to see what they unveil. 

Haruka Beyond the Stars is an epic space opera

I grew up in the Golden age of anime and cartoons. Toonami would play in the afternoon with shows like Dragonball Z, Sailor Moon, Gundam Wing, and Outlaw Star. There's a charm to the genre that simply cannot be matched. Haruka Beyond The Stars already had that charm and is shaping up to be an out-of-this-world adventure. 

Haruka Beyond the Stars is an action RPG with crafting elements. It tells the coming-of-age tale of a young boy who yearns for the stars, but the stars are looking for him. On a fateful day, an advanced starship crashes onto a sleepy planet. A boy named Yuki sets off to discover the crash and comes across a mysterious girl, Milya. Together, they set across on a grand adventure to save humanity and discover what they are made of.

My demo was a brief one, showing the world of Haruka and also featuring combat. I was accompanied by an alien creature MukuMuku, who has quite the comedic timing and is a personal protector for Yuki. The demo showed an anime-inspired world that felt straight out of the likes of Sailor Moon. 

The demo featured a brief boss fight against a giant robot turtle. At first, the appearance convinced me it was an easy fight but it was far from it. Using MukuMuku and dodges was essential. I wound up losing twice before destroying the robot with my special hammer but it was a solid fight with cool effects and action. Haruka is shaping to be a story all audiences can enjoy but it certainly won't be a pushover. 

Haruka Beyond the Stars has a long way to go, especially with a release window of 2026. However, its characters and story left an impression. It was nice to play something that wasn't as tremendously serious as other games and had a more light-hearted feel to things. It will be some time before I see the adventures of Yuki and Milka, but every grand adventure has a first step and those first steps set the stage.