Reports indicate that Sony is planning to revive well-known PlayStation franchises, beginning with a fresh installment of Ape Escape in collaboration with Evening Star, the creators of Sonic Mania.
New Ape Escape Game to Be Developed by Evening Star
Sony appears to be revisiting its classic, long-unseen PlayStation IPs by partnering with select smaller third-party studios. As mentioned by industry veteran Jeff Gerstmann on The Jeff Gerstmann podcast, Evening Star—the studio behind Sonic Mania and later the creators of Penny’s Big Breakaway—is responsible for the new Ape Escape project.
An additional article by VGC confirmed these claims, stating that Evening Star has been chosen by Sony for the game’s development. Gerstmann highlighted that players should not expect the new title soon, explaining, “I don’t think this game is close to being out or anything like that, but I guess it’s been almost a year since we started talking about Ape Escape.”
PlayStation’s Team Asobi—famous for Astro Bot—is not involved in this project, according to Gerstmann. Instead, Evening Star, as an external development studio, is reportedly taking the lead. He commented, “My understanding is that an external team has been working on that… Evening Star. I heard that they were working on it.”
Sony Expands PlayStation IP Resurrections
Reviving Ape Escape may mark only the start of Sony’s broader plan. VGC has reported that Sony intends to work with more independent studios in order to reboot additional classic PlayStation series. This mirrors Sony’s approach with Everybody’s Golf: Hot Shots, scheduled for 2025, co-developed alongside Bandai Namco.
The original Ape Escape games, released for the PlayStation 1 and PlayStation 2, became popular for their entertaining 3D platforming, featuring the use of inventive gadgets to trap rogue apes. The last mainline entry, Ape Escape 3, launched in 2005, with the franchise only making cameo appearances since, such as in Astro Bot.
More Classic PlayStation Series on the Horizon?
These potential revivals surface amid ongoing rumors of Sony resurrecting other vintage titles. There is particular buzz around the possible return of the Killzone franchise, with speculation about a project involving People Can Fly, the team behind Outriders and Gears of War: Judgement.
With many legendary PlayStation series still inactive, there is increasing curiosity about which IPs might be updated next.
Classic Characters Poised for Their Comeback
Sony’s initiative to work with acclaimed independent studios like Evening Star signals a commitment to combining nostalgia with modern creative talent for reinvigorating its legacy brands. Fans eagerly await more official information, and excitement grows as Sony teases the comeback of these classic PlayStation favorites.