Not every year can be super exciting. This was very apparent with this year’s Summer Game Fest program. It is understandable as the gaming industry has hit a rather rough patch with numerous layoffs and publishers closing down developers left and right. Geoff Keighley even started the Summer Game Fest talking about the sombering state of affairs the video game world has been experiencing as of late.

In hindsight, that’s probably the biggest reason why most people are saying this year’s Summer Game Fest show came off as disappointing. Geoff Keighley did try to pivot by showcasing more indie games this time but that came off as rather weird as they had an entire event that focuses on them called Day of the Devs right after the show.

Alas, not every year can show off a big game like Elden Ring or a Final Fantasy. But while this year’s Summer Game Fest was bereft of big reveals of big new games, there were stills some bits and pieces to get excited for. Here are five reveals from Geoff Keighley’s show that did get my hyped.

#5 Monster Hunter Wilds

One of the biggest reasons why I never got into the Monster Hunter franchise is the rather repetitive nature of the gameplay and how you do have to play with others in order to tackle the boss monsters. I’m more fond of the single player experience with some kind of story to follow. Well, it looks like Capcom read my mind as Monster Hunter Wilds is going to have something for single players, such as myself, to do.

Yes, I do know the previous Monster Hunter games did have a single story campaign but they always came off as if they were just added in at the last second rather than being some integral part of the experience. So, watching the trailer of Monster Hunter Wilds and seeing your Hunter speaking does make it look as if Capcom is putting a little more effort to the story. I’m still on the fence if it’ll be enough to make me finally get deep into a Monster Hunter game. But the mere fact that the Summer Game Fest trailer made me even think of it is worthy enough to mention.

#4 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind

The entire Power Rangers craze passed me by as I just felt I was too old for that kind of thing. However, while I don’t have any nostalgia glasses for the franchise, I can still spot a really fun arcade-y game from a mile away. This is why, while I have no love for the franchise, Digital Eclipse‘s upcoming Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind caught my eye.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind is a retro inspired sidescrolling beat-em-up with some good ol’ Super Nintendo Mode 7 styled “3D” levels thrown in. Like with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Revenge looks like it’s going to be a very fun party game as well as a solid beat-em-up.

#3 Slitherhead

My colleague over here at 3rd World Geeks has some concerns regarding the upcoming Silent Hill 2 Remake and, in my opinion, she’s right to feel that way. There’s just something off about the atmosphere of the Remake. Thankfully, the folks behind the original Silent Hill 2 game formed their own development company, Bokeh Game Studio, and are hard at work with their newest nightmare, Slitherhead. We still don’t know much about the actual story besides you controlling a spirit which can possess people in order to eliminate monsters. But the gameplay, as shown in the Summer Game Fest trailer, looks promising.

While it does feel like Slitherhead borrows some elements from their other game series, Siren, this one looks like it could be a whole lot of fun if the get the possessing gameplay to work well. It does look like the game could use a little more polish as the animations do look rather stiff and the combat comes off as clunky. Still, this is a very unique idea and I’m willing to give it a chance.

#2 Alan Wake 2: Night Springs DLC

I really should play Alan Wake 2. The game has received a lot of praise and I do love the mixture of seriousness and goofiness Remedy Entertainment mixed into it. Well, it looks like they’re adding some more silliness to the game with their upcoming episodic DLC package: Night Springs.

Night Springs, as far as I know, has you playing as three different characters who are loosely connected to the Alan Wake universe. Even their stories are linked to the game in one way or another. I’ve heard it’s really meta and Alan Wake 2 fans will probably eat it up. Still, the idea of playing mini-stories is a fun idea and, if and when I do get the game, you can bet I’ll be playing these as well.

#1 Street Fighter 6’s Year 2 DLC roster

For non-fighting game fans, making this the top of the list of the most hype announcements from this year’s Summer Game Fest is kind of a letdown. But that’s only because you probably didn’t understand the buildup to this and no one expected these characters to be made part of Street Fighter 6‘s roster, let alone in Year 2.

The buildup to the reveal was deliciously sublime. You see a figure walking the streets of Metro City but his face is obscured. You then see Jamie and Luke playing video games in the Buckler gym and you then see the mysterious figure put on a torn red jacket with a huge white star and you know it’s Terry Bogard but that can’t be right. He’s a Fatal Fury character. Then he busts in and you see it is Terry but you second guess yourself and think this might be an announcement for a new Capcom vs. SNK game. Then you see a fan get tossed in and you’re sure it’s Mai Shiranui but you still can’t believe it! That’s how I and most fighting game fans felt during the trailer.

Yes, it’s good to see M. Bison and Elena returning to the franchise but the big news is Terry Bogard and Mai Shiranui actually being part of the official roster soon! This is huge as this is the first time Capcom has allowed a guest character to be part of a mainline Street Fighter game! Sure, we’ve had crossover games. But seeing these characters is different as this opens the door for future guest characters! Honestly, I cannot wait for what this entails!

What was your favorite announcement during this year’s Summer Game Fest? Let me know in the comments section below!