Best of Gamescom: 14 upcoming games that need to be on your radar

As a long-time gamer and a connoisseur of all things digital entertainment, I must say that this E3 lineup is truly something to behold! First off, let me tell you about my experience with Sonic X Shadow Generations. Now, I wasn’t exactly expecting fireworks from this one, but boy was I wrong! The new levels featuring everyone’s favorite anti-hero, Shadow the Hedgehog, provide a fresh take on 3D platforming and some challenging bosses that are sure to test your mettle.

Over the past fortnight, I’ve been reminiscing about the captivating array of games showcased at this year’s Gamescom Opening Night Live event, pondering over which ones managed to steal a piece of my heart.

There’s no denying Gamescom 2024 was packed with opportunities for players to peek at upcoming games, from hands-off presentations to hands-on demos.

But what were my top picks from the show? Which will I be keeping an eye on going forward?

Keep on reading to find out!

The best of Gamescom 2024

Atomfall

Every time someone queries me about the outstanding games from this year’s Gamescom event, it’s always Atomfall that I bring up.

This game offers a uniquely British perspective on the post-apocalyptic open-world survival genre, where you can traverse a verdant northern Britain landscape that has been reshaped following a nuclear catastrophe. The scope of the narrative and the intriguing array of characters truly stood out.

Atomfall is coming March 2025 – wishlist now

Devil’s Purge

How about this: If you were to blend elements of Pokémon Go with the gameplay style of DOOM, and add a generous dash of Christianity for good measure, what would you end up with?

I was recently at Gamescom showing my AR indie game inspired by my relationship to the church as a child and the games that I have been grown up with.
— Nuno Folhadela = AR Games 🔜 GamesCom (@NunoFolhadela) August 30, 2024

The answer comes from Portuguese developer Nuno Folhadela and his company Ontop Studios.

By utilizing augmented reality (AR) on your smartphone camera, you’ll be battling slimy monsters that resemble demons, while receiving enhancements from the divine figure, Gabriel. I had an enjoyable experience trying it out at the exhibit, and I highly recommend giving it a shot!

Devil’s Purge is available now on iOS (Android coming later)

Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2

Discussing the gameplay involving fighting demonic beings! I had already marked Space Marine 2 for attention after last year’s presentation, and the recent demo made it feel incredibly smooth.

As someone who has been a fan of intense action movies for many years, I am thrilled to share that this upcoming film looks absolutely promising, with plenty of gory action scenes to satisfy my appetite for adrenaline-pumping entertainment. If you’re interested in learning more about the movie, I had the opportunity to interview its creators at a recent conference, and I encourage you all to check out my interview above!

Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 launches 9th September (pre-order now)

SPINE

The producers of John Wick need to invest in this company! Movie-inspired ‘gun-fu’ gameplay is the order of the day in this upcoming title, with a spinal upgrade providing the player-character with some sick combat skills. There’s also parkour and an intriguing story to boot.

You can wishlist SPINE now

Two Point Museum

As a fan of Two Point Hospital and Two Point Campus, I was already in the bag for this one!

But still, I was impressed by the new features in Two Point Museum, with the expeditions mechanic adding another addictive layer to that compelling gameplay loop.

You can wishlist Two Point Museum now

Directive 8020

As a passionate film enthusiast, I must say that the newest offering from Supermassive Games seems to be a significant leap forward compared to their past Dark Pictures Anthology series.

Moving towards a genre that’s packed with action and adventure, complete with extraterrestrial creatures in space and player control, Directive 8020 certainly seems thrilling!

In this space-themed adventure, Lashana Lynch takes the helm of the stellar cast, and players will be confronted with challenging decisions along the way as they strive to ensure the survival of the spaceship’s team. A developer Q&A is coming up next!

You can wishlist Directive 8020 now

Jumpin’ Jazz Cats

I met what felt like the entire development team for this one, and their enthusiasm was infectious!

I can’t help but envision an exciting gathering among us friends, where we transform into jovial, colorful felines! With a plethora of engaging mini-games, lively tunes filling the air, and a dash of chaos that makes every moment unpredictable, this party game seems destined to be a blast.

You can wishlist Jumpin’ Jazz Cats now

Sonic X Shadow Generations

I hadn’t thought it would be great, but I was delightfully surprised! The addition of stages with Shadow the Hedgehog promises new dimensions in platform gaming and challenging bosses to conquer. What could possibly be disliked?

We’ll have an interview on our YouTube channel soon.

Sonic X Shadow Generations launches 22nd October – you can pre-order now

STALKER 2

Frankly, I hadn’t expected STALKER 2 to appeal to me. However, the creators have managed to craft a captivating ambiance, a vast open-world setting, and hordes of post-nuclear beasts for you to outlive. Sign me up!

STALKER 2 launches 20th November – you can pre-order now

Rugby 25

It’s been quite some time since I’ve been following its growth, so it’s truly heartening to learn directly from one of the team members that things are moving smoothly and advancing as planned.

Australian game developers are steadily visiting different parts of the world to capture real-world players’ data, and they’re incorporating player suggestions to refine the gaming experience. It promises to be an exciting release for rugby enthusiasts once completed!

Rugby 25 is available now in early access

Revenge of the Savage Planet

The Savage Planet Journey game was a massive success at our home, and I’m excited about its sequel too! It appears there are additional planets to discover and an exciting new third-person viewpoint, making it seem rather unique compared to the original.

Delighted to discover that the witty, seemingly unruly humor, which I believe was the original game’s most captivating aspect, has been wonderfully preserved.

You can wishlist Revenge of the Savage Planet now

Date Everything

Picture a world where each object in your home has its unique character. From the quippy doorknob to the dedicated exercise equipment on your treadmill, every item is imbued with a lively persona, ready to share a joke or two and engage you through the voice of a skilled actor.

This isn’t usually my cup of tea, but it did get a few chuckles from me, and I can really imagine it finding an adoring audience.

You can wishlist Date Everything now

Train Sim World 5

Once more, it’s not typically my cup of tea. However, the developers’ enthusiasm was infectious, and the game is quite captivating. If you’re a fan of Microsoft Flight Simulator, you might find this appealing as well.

Experience the thrill of operating authentic trains on genuine routes, featuring stunning visuals and lifelike simulations. Plus, enjoy an exciting novelty: stepping into the conductor’s role! Ready your tickets for an unforgettable journey!

Train Sim World 5 launches 17th September – you can pre-order now

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind

If you’ve got a soft spot in your heart for the 1990s Power Rangers, this is the game for you!

This is an entirely fresh game that offers a novel time-travel narrative, featuring both familiar characters and nostalgic 2D combat style. I’m all set to join in on the fun!

You can wishlist Power Rangers Rita’s Rewind now

2024-09-03 19:11