Gamescom Opening Night Recap & Trailers

Gamescom's back! And the Dorito pope himself Geoff Keighley blessed us yet again with a two-hour presentation of upcoming games. While they were no surprises present, there was a healthy helping of indie titles and upcoming blockbusters. So here we have our quick run down of all the games present at the Gamescom opening night.

Everywhere

Everywhere promises to be one of those open world, created by the players type of game. While the first section of the trailer does look like a more mature, pulpy Fortnite there were some hints later that there might be more behind the title. This is one of the first of what will probably be a whole wave of metaverse experiments that try to be a conduit between players and whatever they want to engage with. But it's left to be seen how this turns out. As of writing, there is no information on what platforms the game will be made available and we also don't have a release window yet.

Dune: Awakening

There was no chance was there? With the success of the new Dune movies, Frank Herbert's science fiction epic finds its way back into the video game landscape. Earlier this year Dune: Spice Wars was released to a lot of fanfare and now Funcom who you might know from the excellent Conan Exiles has the chance to adapt yet another cult classic into video games. And while the idea of a survival MMO set in the Dune universe is not far-fetched at all, it's left to be seen if the experts from Funcom can follow up on their recent success. Currently, there is no release date, but you can sign up for the beta here.

The DualSense Edge

While many of you probably expected Sony to at least give us something to feast upon. Like a trailer for the upcoming God of War: Ragnarök or maybe even some more PC ports that hopefully land on Game Pass one day. Instead, we get a preview of the new and improved DualSense Edge controller which comes will all the fancy features of the Playstation 5 controller plus comfort and modding options. Pretty neat. We don't know yet when it'll be available for preorder, but it's safe to assume that it'll be sometime around the holiday season.

Callisto Protocol Gameplay

We got even more Callisto Protocol gameplay. And I'm more and more convinced that this is just Glen Schofield's revenge for what happened to Dead Space 3. Can't be the only one who sees all the parallels here right? But you know what? I'm all for it. Dead Space and Dead Space 2 still stand as some of the finest third-person spooky shooters of all time and a spiritual successor to it is all I ever wanted. And It'll be really interesting to see how Callisto Protocol squares up against the Remake of Resident Evil 4 that releases a few months after who's original inspired Dead Space in the first place.

Callisto Protocol releases on December 2, 2022. Available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

The Lords of the Fallen

Who would've suspected that we'll ever see Lord of the Fallen again? Oh sorry, it is Lords of the Fallen now. A spiritual.. kind of sequel reboot to the 2014 original. For the uninitiated, Lord of the Fallen was one of the first big Soulslike games to hit the market. Back then it tried to be smoother and more polished than its inspiration but ended up falling short because of it. But now Lords of the Fallen is made by Hexwork Studios who are now trying to prove themselves. But we'll keep you posted if we learn more.

Moving Out 2

Moving Out was a simple yet very engaging couch coop title that brought people together by doing the kind of thing that you pressure friends into helping you with cold pizza and warm beer. Now it has a sequel on the way coming in 2023 and it's gonna have online multiplayer. Neat. Honestly, I don't know what else to say about it, because the trailer speaks for itself and it'll definitely make for a good laugh or drinking game. And isn't that what moving with your friends is all about?

Hogwarts Legacy

It's a bit of a shame that Hogwarts Legacy was delayed and is now coming out early next year. But with every trailer Portkey Games is showing, the title looks more and more like a Potterhead's wet dream. The most recent trailer is showing off what is apparently an optional questline that starts with you befriending one of your fellow students. And what's probably most exciting is that game seems to be rather willing to dive into the darker aspects of the Wizarding World.

Hogwarts Legacy releases on February 2, 2022, for all consoles and PC.

New Tales from the Borderlands

Brought to you by the guys who worked on the original Tales from the Borderlands but don't seem to follow up on that story. Why would it? Its tale has already been concluded in the follow-up sequels to the main games. This time around, instead of playing some Vault Hunters or Corporate sellouts, you get to experience the Borderlands from a whole new perspective. That of a normal person. But who is normal in this Franchise anyways? The writing seems as obnoxious as Borderlands usually is, so.. yes I'll play this.

Tortuga – A Pirates Tale

Are pirate games back on the map? Please tell me they're back. While Skill and Bones reveal left me with an uneasy feeling in my stomach a top-down pirate simulator by german studio Kalypso? Please sign me up. If anyone can capture the swashbuckling fantasy of being a pirate in a somewhat realistic setting, then it is the team behind my favorite Caribbean dictator simulator. Coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC soon…

Marauders

Speaking of pirate games here is Marauders which will enter early access. In Marauders, you are a space pirate looting and shooting yourself to fame and glory. It is very much Escape from Tarkov in space and you also fly a spaceship. That's enough to keep me hooked and excited for the early access beta. You'll be able to get the game on Steam for PC but it will also join the Game Pass.

Sonic Frontiers

We have another extended look at Sonic Frontiers. This time around we even got some story elements and some more gameplay. The reception for the title was rather lukewarm but Sega really seems to believe in the next venture of the blue hedgehog. The concept of Sonic in an open world seems still jarring even with some more linear sections. But only time will tell. Sonic Frontiers releases on November 8, 2022, on all platforms.

Under The Waves

Under the Waves is a video game.. by Quantic Dreams and it wasn't suspicious at all that Geoff neglected to mention the guy behind Quantic Dreams, David Cage. From the outset, the game wants to be a soul-searching adventure game set in North Sea Europe in some kind of retro-future. And that's pretty much all there is to say about it. Maybe it's good? But it will apparently release in 2023 on all platforms except the Nintendo Switch.

Goat Simulator 3

A game series that skips its sequel and jumps straight to the next installment can only be good right? We're now several years removed from the initial release of Goat Simulator, that post-modern masterpiece is getting a sequel. Ironically in a time when the gaming landscape is oddly similar to how it was 8 years ago. The question is if this joke of a video game can be as successful as its initial outing. When the world needed him most, he returned. But can he save us again?

Goat Simulator 3 releases on November 17 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Return to Monkey Island

Classic adventure games in the vein of the old Lucas Arts titles are rare these days. And while some of my favorites drew their inspiration from such games, nothing beats the original. So after an extended slumber, Guybrush Threepwood returns with a new look but with the same old charm on November 19 for Nintendo Switch and PC. And if you preorder you get completely useless horse armor that will take up inventory space. Great right?

Moonbreaker

From the talent behind Subnautica comes… something completely different. Moonbreaker is a top-down tabletop.. well it's a tabletop wargame but a video game. There is just something about the way it looks that's just enticing, isn't it? And you can even paint your figures and customize them to your liking. Like playing Warhammer but you can also get oddly attached to your units because they have a personality. And it goes into early access on September 29.

Friends vs Friends

Ever wondered what Happy Tree Friends would look like if it was a competitive shooter? Well here is Friends vs Friends. There is something this year with shooting mechanics being combined with cards.. anyways! It's a small-scale, fast-paced shooter built around 1v1 and 2v2 battles with heaps of characters and abilities for you to master. There is no release date set yet but the developers at Brainwash Gang promise to push the title out soon.

Lies of P

Here we have an extended look at Lies of P's gameplay. Based on the original story of Pinocchio which is horribly dark even by European standards we get a soulslike action RPG. All wrapped up in an enchanting, gruesome steampunk setting with fast-paced, visceral combat. What more is there to say? Fans of the genre are eating well. Coming in 2023 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on Game Pass.

Stranded: Alien Dawn

Another video game. I wish I had more to say about this outside that this seems to be a survival game with base-building and defense elements. From the trailer, you probably wouldn't know it. But Stranded: Alien Dawn is very closer to the team's previous outing Surviving Mars in being a Colony builder. And there is really not much more to say about it. It'll launch into early access in October this year, by then we can hopefully give you some first impressions.

Atlus Fallen

Atlus Fallen wants to be an action-adventure game by Deck13 a german studio from the beautiful Frankfurt that also happens to be responsible for The Surge, its sequel, and the original Lords of the Fallen. They've been slowly evolving into expects when it comes to high-octane combat with heavy weaponry. And while the CGI trailer looked like a CGI trailer for a fantasy action game looks like, the weight behind the few snippets of gameplay in this trailer might make this a secret megahit to look forward to. Atlus Fallen releases sometime next year for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.

Homeworld 3

Homeworld is a strategy game with a twist. Instead of commandeering legions over terrain, you get to do the same thing but in space. Which means you get an entirely new dimension to play with. Homeworld is one of those great franchises that are mostly known in more hardcore cycles. But what Homeworld 3 has shown off so far looks really solid. Let's hope that Blackbird Interactive can keep the momentum going and release an all-time classic when it releases sometime next year for PC.

Genshin Impact Version 3.0

Genshin Impact has been riding a high ever since its release in September 2020 and developer miHoYo somehow manages to deliver some of the most amazing sceneries in the industry. And after almost 2 years we're seeing yet another expansion with new characters and breathtaking vistas. And this game is free to play. Genshin Impact is available on PC, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5

Honkai: Star Rail

I  honestly have no idea how the folks at miHoYo do it. If you're a fellow connoisseur of anime trash Honkai: Star Rail looks like yet another entry in miHoYo's ongoing crusade to deliver big-budget gaming to mobile devices. You can pre-register to the title on their homepage but a release window has yet to be announced.

High on Life

Here we get another insight into the shooter created by Justin Roiland, the mind behind Rick and Morty. Here you get to see the game in action and especially get to hear the deep-fried dialogue your guns will toss at enemies. Honestly, I will keep my opinions on this title to myself until the eventual launch, because of that post-humourous Comedy Central humor borders for me between really clever and Borderlands levels of just obnoxious. But the shooting looks fun. High on Life releases October 25 on Xbox Series X/S and PC and will be available on day one on Game Pass.

The Expanse

Telltale Games is coming back with one of their trademark adventure titles with light exploration elements and branching stories. This time it's based on the Expanse and is set as a kind of prequel to the TV show. Telltale made its name by adapting high-profile properties like The Walking Dead, Batman, and Game of Thrones. The company famously went bankrupt due to bad management. Now LCG entertainment has bought the name and its properties and is trying to relaunch the company. this will be their first title actually see a release. The Expanse is expected to release sometime in the summer of 2023.

Killer Klowns From Outer Space The Video Game

From one of the minds behind the beautiful horror multiplayer game, Friday the 13th: The Game, which was sadly caught in the crossfire of a legal despite for the original property comes… yet another asymmetrical multiplayer horror game. This time is based on one of the most classy of trash horror flicks: Killer Klowns From Outer Space. Honestly, that is all that I will say on this. Because I can't allow myself to dream. Friday the 13th: The Game was amazing, especially with a group of friends or strangers by forcing players into really hilarious social interactions.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game is planned to release on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in early 2023. And you can also sign up for the beta on the game's website.

Scars Above

What is this? Another shooter game in space? Well, we joked a lot at the Summer Games fest about this trend, but while enduring the endless heat of a European summer I can understand the yearning for wanting to go somewhere else. Created by a relatively new team from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina this might as well end up as their first breakout hit. The gameplay and graphics look really polished and the narrative is intriguing. If only it wouldn't have to compete with many other titles with similar ideas.

Scars Above is coming soon for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Wyrdsong

If a game gets teased by saying it is from a new studio by guys that used to work at BioWare, Bethesda and Obsidian then.. you still don't know what to expect. Because all those studios had as many hits as they had missed and we don't know what the people at Something Wicked Games were responsible for… so please show us more.

Gotham Knights

After lengthy trailers of all the characters, you'll be able to play in Gotham Knights. We're now finally introduced to who we'll go up against. And it's once more who is who of the Gotham City rogues gallery. But I have good news. The release date has changed! Gotham Knights release on October 21 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Where Winds Meet

Now the genre of open-world action adventures is pretty saturated at this point. We had Horizon: Forbidden West and the amazing Ghost of Tsushima. So it was a little tragic to see people accuse Where Winds Meet of being a Ghost of Tsushima clone while all of those games clearly are still coasting on the success of The Witcher 3 and Zelda Breath of the Wold. But what makes Where Winds Meet stand out then? Well, it has clearly a setting that's inspired by Chinese mythology and instead of banking on realism. And Ghost of Tsushima has shown that far eastern settings are lots more interesting than knights and dragons.

Xianxia is a genre that is rarely explored in games, even if supernatural cultivation of skills and fighting mysterious monsters should lend itself to video games more than ever. And I was convinced the moment the character walked on water and leaped 50 meters into the air. So yes, give me another open-world action RPG but this time give me insane superpowers and a cheesy love story. As of writing, we don't know when to expect the title but we do know that it's getting a PC release.

Park Beyond

Have you ever wanted to play a park builder but found yourself limited by these pesky things like realism and regard for human life? Why not build a rollercoaster that shoots people out of a canon? Why not have that rollercoaster transform into a spaceship? That's exactly the kind of game Park Beyond is. And it'll release for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC sometime in 2023.

Blacktail

Blacktail is a game I had my eyes on ever since it was revealed last year. A first-person fantasy action game that has you struggle through its enchanting world straight out of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale (before Disney took the despair out of them). Here you relive the legend of Baba Yaga, no not John Wick but the Slavic myth that name is from. And you'll have to decide what kind of witch you want to become. Made by The Parasight from Poland. Eastern European myths only had their limelight but a moment when the Witcher was at its peak of popularity and Blacktail is here to still that hunger.

Blacktail releases on December 15, 2022, on PC.

Phantom Hellcat

Here we have the stylish hack-n-slash Phantom Hellcat which looks to me like a crossover between Devil May Cry and Phantom of the Oprah, made by relatively new studio Ironbird Creations. I would like to say more about it, but the trailer was short and just looked good. But Phantom Hellcat will be available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

The Outlast Trials

The Outlast Trials is going into the closed beta for all but three days at the end of October. So rejoice and sign up so you get to experience the horrors of the most recent installment of the Outlast franchise with your friends early. While there is no release date, Red Barrels has yet to announce a delay for their 2022 release goal. The Outlast Trials will be available on PC.

The Finals

Here is a teaser trailer for The Finals. A new game made by some of the minds behind the battlefield who have since formed Embark Studios. Remember that weird phase in the early to mid 2010's when Battlefield had an obsession with making everything destructable? Seems like everyone who has pushed for that is now making a PVP shooter that wants to relish in that chaos and might actually be a good maybe more arcady alternative to Rainbow Six Siege.

Dead Island 2

After 8 long years, who would've expected that Dead Island 2 was gonna make a comeback after all? The title was initially revealed all the way back in the stone age of 2014 in a E3 trailer featuring Jack Black and then.. there was nothing. What happened to its development and why it took so long might forever be lost to history. But Techland probably decided to stick with Dying Light instead of giving their initial Zombie slaying IP another go. So after a rebooted development, we'll actually gonna see a release for Dead Island 2. Sounds still weird to say.

The game is still set in Los Angeles California and has exchanged the series' grumpy tone because those games were all the trend back in the 2010s against a light-hearted zombie slayer with visceral melee combat. As long as the four-player coop is still there and the game won't force me down sewers in the latter half I'd give it a shot. Dead Island 2 releases on February 3, 2023, and will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

That's all for our day 1 Gamescom coverage. For more gaming and esports visit us here at ESTNN