PlayStation Unveils Surprise Return of Classic Franchise with New AAA Title

In a move that has electrified fans and caught the gaming industry by surprise, Sony has announced the revival of a beloved classic franchise during its latest State of Play broadcast. The headline reveal? A brand-new AAA installment of the long-dormant *Sly Cooper* series, now titled *Sly Cooper: Shadows of the Past*—and it’s being developed by the award-winning team at Bluepoint Games.

First debuting during the PlayStation 2 era, *Sly Cooper* quickly earned a loyal following with its blend of stealth gameplay, vibrant animation, and memorable characters. However, the series has been dormant since 2013’s *Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time*. While rumors of a return have circulated for years, most fans considered a new game unlikely—until now.

Bluepoint, best known for its masterful remakes of *Shadow of the Colossus* and *Demon’s Souls*, is taking a bold step by not only revamping the world of Sly but also expanding the franchise into new narrative and gameplay territory. According to the reveal trailer, *Shadows of the Past* will retain the cel-shaded aesthetic that defined the original games, but with a stunning graphical overhaul powered by Unreal Engine 5. The game promises a seamless mix of platforming, stealth, and expansive open-world exploration set across multiple timelines.

The announcement trailer showed Sly donning new gadgets, reuniting with familiar faces like Bentley and Murray, and facing off against a mysterious time-warping antagonist. Sony has promised that longtime fans will feel right at home, while newcomers will find an easy entry point into the vibrant world of anthropomorphic thievery.

No release date has been set, but Sony confirmed the title is exclusive to PlayStation 5, with more details set to drop during Summer Game Fest in June.

With the revival of *Sly Cooper*, Sony continues its trend of tapping into nostalgia while delivering high-quality, modern experiences. For now, fans can only wait in anticipation—but one thing’s clear: the master thief is back, and he’s got his sights set on a new generation.