Whether we want to believe it or not, we're now halfway through 2024. As we've written numerous times over the last few months, we think the first half of the year has been really good in terms of new PS5 games — although we'll admit that the summer has been rather dry, and as a result, we've found ourself looking towards the future.

We had originally planned on penning this Talking Point a bit sooner, but we wanted to wait until Summer Game Fest and its surrounding showcases had come to a close. After all, we did get a bunch of release dates during the various events, and it certainly helps to have a more definitive timeline for a discussion like this.

Indeed, the latter half of 2024 has filled out quite nicely in terms of the release schedule. From where we're sitting, things are looking pretty busy — but which PS5 games are you most looking forward to? While you have a think, feel free to read about the most anticipated titles of our editorial team...

Khayl Adam, Staff Writer

Space Marine 2

Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2: As a disgusting Warhammer 40,000 lore deviant (who has spent the last year listening to nothing but Black Library audiobooks), my most anticipated game, hands down, is Space Marine 2. It actually looks ludicrously good, with the attention to detail off the charts and the prospect of recruiting my IRL battle brothers for a three-player cooperative campaign incredibly exciting. Even the reasonably straightforward competitive offering looks cool, like Gears of War's multiplayer modes. I can't wait to take a chainsword to xenos, mutants, and heretics alike, a prayer to the God-Emperor of Mankind upon my lips.

The Thaumaturge: The Thaumaturge is an upcoming turn-based RPG set in Warsaw in 1905, with Poland under the grip of Russia's imperial tsardom. You play as a practitioner of Thaumaturgy, a mysterious art that allows adherents to summon Salutors, demonic, otherworldly beings, to fight by their side. The combination of alt-history with fantasy or sci-fi elements will always be like catnip to me, and I'm hoping this one lives up to the hype it currently enjoys on PC.

Liam Croft, Assistant Editor

Silent Hill 2

Silent Hill 2: I wouldn't say I'm overwhelmingly excited about the upcoming Silent Hill 2 remake; it's more an eagerness to see exactly what Bloober Team — under the guidance of Konami — has changed and what's remained the same. This is one of the greatest horror games of all time, so any drastic changes are going to be met with discussion and potential controversy. Bringing its dated mechanics into the modern era is an exciting prospect, but I get the impression this is either going to be a 6/10 kind of game or a complete critical darling, without much room in the middle. I'm excited to see where I land come October; let's hope it's the latter.

Assassin's Creed Shadows: Assassin's Creed Shadows is another game I'm not expecting to be scoring 90+ on Metacritic, but it's the open world comfort it brings that excites me. Having bounced off Assassin's Creed Valhalla multiple times, I'm looking forward to a Christmas excursion to Japan at the end of this year that's more in the style of Odyssey. My favourite of the three games released since the series reboot, you can put that template in feudal Japan and I'm set. I have one or two reservations about having to manage two different protagonists — I'd always prefer to just invest entirely in one — but I think Assassin's Creed Shadows is overall going to be a cracker. Give me another 100-hour game that's supported with expansions down the line and you can have my £70, Ubisoft.

Robert Ramsey, Assistant Editor

Metaphor ReFantazio

Metaphor: ReFantazio: Atlus is making a fantasy RPG. A really weird-looking fantasy RPG. That concept alone is enough to make Metaphor: ReFantazio shoot to the top of my wish list, but then you realise that the project is being spearheaded by three key figures from the Persona series: director Katsura Hashino, character designer Shigenori Soejima, and composer Shoji Meguro. This supremely talented trio have been responsible for some of my favourite ever games, and so I can't wait to see what they've been cooking with Metaphor. Everything that we've seen of the title so far just screams Persona levels of style and quality, and I'd be shocked if the finished product doesn't deliver.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard: This is a paragraph that I could very easily end up regretting, but I think Dragon Age: The Veilguard is one of my most anticipated games. I've been a massive BioWare fan for decades now, and although the developer has basically been an empty, broken shell of itself since 2014 (the outstanding Mass Effect Legendary Edition aside), I just feel like something has to change — and Veilguard could be the one that fans have been waiting way too long for. I'd be lying if I said I don't have any concerns — the character writing could be a huge sticking point — but there's potential in this new Dragon Age, and it really is make or break for the once great BioWare. If anything, I'm just incredibly interested in seeing how it all plays out.

Sammy Barker, Editor

Zenless Zone Zero

Zenless Zone Zero: For me, it all starts with Zenless Zone Zero. Regular readers will have noticed I’ve fallen deep into the live service HoYoverse hole these past couple of years, and I’m ready to submit to this promising urban fantasy RPG. I was lucky enough to test out the beta earlier in the year, and while I think the gameplay loop could get tired compared to Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, I’m confident in the Chinese developer’s ability to iterate and expand on the core game’s concepts over time. My only worry is when I’m going to have time to play anything else!

LEGO Horizon Adventures: If you’d have told me three months ago that I’d be head-over-heels for LEGO Horizon Adventures, I’d have laughed in your face. But while I wasn’t sure about this project when it was rumoured, seeing it in action has changed everything for me. I’m already a big fan of Aloy and her escapades, but this light-hearted adaptation looks so much fun! While I can’t wait for the full-length (and inevitable) Horizon 3, I think this vibrant, goofy take on the formula will keep me more than occupied in the meantime. Credit to Sony for putting together a lineup this holiday which bucks the trends, and brings something a little different to PS5.

Stephen Tailby, Assistant Editor

Astro Bot

Astro Bot: It's Astro Bot. After playing Astro's Playroom on PS5, I hoped and prayed Team Asobi would get to make a full-blown follow-up, and that's exactly what we're getting on 6th September. I was genuinely delighted when I saw the debut trailer, and then even happier after going hands-on with it at Summer Game Fest. In a nutshell, this is shaping up to be an excellent 3D platformer, with tight controls, endless creative ideas, and personality to spare. I mean it when I say I haven't thought about many other games since I knew this was coming, and having gotten a taste, the full dish can't arrive soon enough. Astro Bot might not be the biggest first-party PS5 game, but it could well be among the best.

Black Myth: Wukong: While I had high confidence in Sony's cutesy platformer already, Black Myth: Wukong is a little bit more of an unknown quantity. I've watched with interest as the action game's various trailers have blown everyone's socks off over the years, and now it's out in just a matter of weeks. I've played this, too, and my time spent with the title has me more excited than ever to dive in. It's full of interesting characters, it looks gorgeous, and the intense combat feels great to play. I'm really curious to see how the full experience fares; if the combat remains captivating throughout, and the story keeps me engrossed along the way, it could definitely end up one of my favourites of the year. There's real potential here.

Now that we've had our say, it's your turn. Vote for your most anticipated PS5 games in our poll, and then try to reason with your fellow readers in the comments section below.

What are your most anticipated PS5 games for the second half of 2024? (Select up to five games)

(You can select up to 5 answers)