Our 10 highlights from Gamescom

Gamescom is both a blessing and a curse. The gaming convention isn’t only the largest in the world, it also offers titles from all corners of the globe. Fighting your way through this overwhelming flood of games is a real challenge, but Domagoj Belancic and I gave it our best shot. Even though the crowds were starting to get oppressive and the BO was turning nasty, we’d have loved to spend more time browsing the halls for gaming gems. But the following highlights would still be at the top of our lists even then.

Phil’s highlights

Terror at Oakheart: singleplayer pixel horror movie

No gameplay, no screenshot, only a large poster indicates the small stand where Terror at Oakheart can be played. But the devilish clown’s grimace makes me curious to explore the 18+ demo. And my gut didn’t let me down. I play Teddy, controlling him on an oversized gaming laptop without a mouse. Teddy serves a demonic, one-eyed flesh monster. And it’s hungry. At first reluctantly, then obediently, Teddy puts on his mask and gets to work.

First, I navigate Teddy through the pixelated 2D adventure. I solve a few simple puzzles until a door opens. Behind it I find a saw, which I use to saw through a barricaded door that’s blocking the way to my hellish master.

After that, the point of view changes. Now I’m controlling a married couple who learn about Teddy’s latest murderous deed on the TV. Apparently, he’s a feared serial killer. And because the setting is dripping with 80s horror movie clichés, it’s clear that the husband won’t survive his trip to the basement. One bloody cutscene later and I’m controlling the wife. I have to try and survive; otherwise it’s game over. The setting is deliciously morbid. As a horror fan, I’m curious to see what other gory twists the game has in store.

When? Soon
Where? PC

Mullet Madjack: frenetic retro shooter in an anime setting

«Are you good at shooters? Do you suffer from epilepsy?» Even before the developer asks me these questions with a mischievous grin, I know this game is for me. Not only because the trailer gave me a buzz. I’d love to take the arcade machine with its strikingly colourful retro design home with me. Fortunately, the game is played with a mouse and keyboard and not a joystick and buttons.

Mullet Madjack is a hyperactive first-person shooter. The design marries 90s shooters like Duke Nukem 3D with anime. Mullet Madjack is set in a futuristic world ruled by rich robots. Somehow, the internet melded with human beings. To survive, I have to kill someone at least every ten seconds in short railroady levels. Spectators shower me with hearts, and my bloody rampage continues.

A level rarely lasts longer than a minute, and yet my pulse is racing after just a few moments. The developer rates my performance «pretty good». But even without this compliment, Mullet Madjack is an absolute highlight for me. Brutal, over-the-top, bright and colourful: fans of fast-paced shooters will be in for a treat.

When? Soon
Where? PC

Black Myth: Wukong: this game goes absolutely ape

Chinese studio Game Science is working on Black Myth: Wukong, a visually stunning fantasy action game. From Software’s masterful Soulslikes serve as inspiration. The demo doesn’t mess around. I have 45 minutes to defeat four bosses.

As the anthropomorphic humanoid ape Sun Wukong, I fight my way through a lovingly designed fantasy world. It’s based on the 16th-century Chinese fable The Journey to the West, set in ancient temples, dim catacombs and across picturesque mountain landscapes. The boss design is even more impressive. I encounter some kind of woodlouse the size of a house, and it wants to flatten me with its rolling attacks. There’s also a stone golem that makes the ground shake with its rocky arms. But the highlight is an upright-walking tiger drinking blood from a pool as I arrive. Its eyes flash dangerously and its bloody grimace makes me shudder. This battle is by far the hardest of all. While I finished off the other baddies in two or three tries, I’m tearing my hair out over this vicious tiger.

The combat system consists of three freely changeable styles. Sometimes Sun Wukong bounces about on his martial staff, sometimes he swings it, sometimes he lunges. The pros and cons of each were hard to figure out in such a short time. Then there are also magical attacks. With these, I can briefly lock my opponents in place, summon clones of myself to help, or transform into a fire-bending warrior. But all this is of little use to me against the muscle-bound tiger, whose attacks I rarely dodge at the right moment. If I succeed, however, the action slows down for a short time and I can really dish out the damage. But even with only three wins in the bag, the demo leaves me extremely satisfied. Black Myth: Wukong features precise controls, massive battles, different play styles and a simply breathtaking aesthetic.

When? 2024
Where? PC, PS5, Xbox Series S/X

Star Trucker: weightless deliveries

A truck simulator in space. Why not? A question the small US studio Monster And Monster asked itself. In Star Trucker, I swerve across spatial highways in a rocket-powered truck, delivering cargo from point A to point B. The game has a charming retro-futuristic aesthetic. Co-director David Fullick explains that they want the game to appeal to both Sim fans and casual gamers. I belong in the latter category, but Snowrunner sparked my secret love for such games.

Star Trucker doesn’t seem overly complex in its short demo. Before I can blast off in my imposing space truck, I have to fix two leaks. To do this, I look around the cockpit and find a lever that allows me to exit the seat. Star Trucker relies on manual interaction, making the truck feel tangible and personal. The interior is about the size of a small flat. In a corner I find a spacesuit with which I enter the decompression chamber. After that, I slowly float to the hood. The momentum doesn’t make navigating all that easy – something that comes into play even more with the truck.

Once the leaks are welded shut, I can operate the big thrust lever above the seat and blast off. The truck’s controls feel pleasantly sluggish and cumbersome. A brightly lit highway shows me the way. I could also drive off the highway, but then I’d run the risk of damaging my vehicle because of asteroids and such. I finally deliver my cargo successfully. With the experience points I’ve collected, I get to unlock new mission types. The game offers a campaign and an extensive upgrade system for my vehicle. Besides that, I can chat with other truckers over the radio, which adds liveliness and can open up side missions. I’m very fond of the Star Trucker demo. The game doesn’t seem too complex, nor too superficial. Its vibe and the blues-rock soundtrack definitely make you want more.

When? Early 2024
Where? PC

The Mind Twisting Quadroids: madness to the fourth degree

Mind twisting actually sums things up well. Quadroids is an original puzzle game that will get your brain cells chugging. The game area consists of four screens, all with the goal of transporting the eponymous creatures to their destination in one piece. The pixelated mindless aliens run around independently, the only thing I can do is make them jump. Each of the four screens uses a different key for this. Initially it’s pretty hard to mess up, although the Quadroids naturally don’t run directly from one screen to the adjacent one. That would be too easy. However, the colour gradients on the screens give clues as to which sections belong together.

The first levels are relatively simple jump-’n’-run sequences, but the challenge increases quickly after that. Pointed pillars impale my Quadroids. The next poor soul soon follows and mercilessly uses his predecessor as a pillow. This way, I can practically build a bridge of corpses. The demo’s last level really has it all. I have to control several Quadroids at the same time. One of them sacrifices itself to disarm a trap for its successor, another must serve as a floating corpse platform across an acid pond. One problem: as soon as several Quadroids occupy the same screen, the same button also makes them all jump at the same time. But I somehow manage to get a Quadroid safely to its destination. The solo developer nods approvingly and says that very few have managed that so far. Maybe I should’ve been a pro gamer after all. Instead, I put the game on my wishlist and recommend you do the same.

When? By the end of the year
Where? PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Switch

Domi’s highlights

Fallout TV series: the next Last of Us-quality video game adaptation?

On our first day at Gamescom, we were invited to a Starfield presentation at the Xbox media event. Xbox boss (Xboss?) Phil Spencer and Bethesda legend Todd Howard unveiled the sci-fi epic. Towards the end of the presentation, Howard announces that he has a little surprise for us: a trailer for the upcoming Fallout TV series. «Little» is more than an understatement in this example, however.

So far, there have only been a few measly leaks of the show from set photos and a featureless teaser image. I wasn’t really convinced by the visuals so far. The Gamescom trailer, on the other hand, obliterated my scepticism. Moreover, I’m incredibly hyped after what was shown. One thing’s for sure: this will be one of the best video game adaptations of all time.

The video was shown exclusively at Gamescom and won’t be released, according to Howard. But on YouTube you can find leaks with a little luck. There were many iconic Fallout memories to see in the trailer. Among other things, the legendary Power Armor, the interior of a Vault, a post-apocalyptic city and an irradiated ghoul. Finally, the trailer shows nuclear bombs being dropped on a city and exploding in huge mushroom clouds. Wow.

Just these few seconds already give me the classic, post-apocalyptic Fallout feeling. Distressing and fascinating at the same time. In addition, the clips shown look incredibly well produced. The series virtually reeks of big budget. The whole thing is scheduled for release on Amazon Prime in 2024. And I can barely wait.

Like a Dragon Gaiden: falling in love all over again

I love the Like a Dragon series. The games let me immerse myself in virtual Japanese cities. In them, I usually take on the role of ex-Yakuza Kiryu Kazuma or other criminals from Japan’s underworld. I explore detailed urban landscapes, fight my way through huge hordes of enemies and play absurd mini-games.

At Gamescom I was able to play the demo of Like a Dragon Gaiden. The game is described by the developer studio as a smaller side story, meant to shorten the waiting time for the next big Like a Dragon game. My expectations were accordingly low, and I was accordingly surprised how awesome the approximately 20-minute demo was!

Kiryu Kazuma’s now working as a secret agent. By helicopter, I’m dropped off on a huge ship that houses an illegal amusement park for adults. There I can let off steam in mini-games typical for Like a Dragon . I play darts, blow my money in the casino and flirt with provocative hostesses in a cabaret club. Side note, these are played by real Japanese pornographic actresses. Unusual, I know. But that’s just classic Like a Dragon. However, the big highlight isn’t lightly dressed ladies, but the revised combat system.

In the amusement park’s huge battle arena, I test Agent Kiryu’s new gadgets. With his rocket boots – yes, you read that right – I fly over hordes of enemies like Iron Man. With the push of a button, I summon killer drones to attack my foes from above. And with a special rope I can tie up opponents Spider-Man-style and twirl them around. So many incredible things occurred in my short playtest. I’m overwhelmed. I’ve fallen in love with the series all over again and can’t wait for the release of this «little» side story.

When? November 8, 2023
Where? PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X

The Xbox booth: big, beautiful and well thought out

A special highlight for me this year was the massive Xbox booth. It was without a doubt the biggest booth at the convention and, according to Xbox boss Phil Spencer, also the biggest Microsoft has ever set up.

A total of 150 gaming stations with a total of 30 titles were available in the green-lit Xbox area. From small indie games to big AAA blockbusters, there was everything. Don’t have an Xbox or PC? No problem – most of the games at the stand were cross-platform titles also available on other systems. Among others, there was the post-apocalyptic shooter S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, psychological thriller Under the Waves, the Cyberpunk DLC Phantom Liberty and the gory classic Mortal Kombat 1. What a delightful gaming buffet.

Unfortunately, there were no stations for Starfield and Forza Motorsport. Instead, these games were waiting to be marvelled at in small movie theatres. Gameplay presentations took place there throughout the day. But that’s not all. On a stage in the middle of the booth, interviews with developers were held and various Xbox games were presented in detail. The show was streamed live on Twitch and YouTube. Topping off the booth were photo opportunities and gimmicks like face paint and spray-on tattoo stands. This is what a stand at Gamescom should look like.

Pepper Grinder: drilling has never felt so satisfying

In Pepper Grinder, I take on the role of a pirate who wants to reclaim her treasures, stolen from her by nasty ne’er-do-wells. Armed with a giant drill, I set off in search of my booty, exploring beautifully designed pixel environments.

Compared to other side-scrollers and platformers, I move much faster and more dynamically through the 2D levels. With my drill, I can dig through walls – and pretty quickly at that. The game thrives on the momentum that’s created when drilling. I feel like a sandworm from Dune – only much smaller and cuddlier.

As soon as I fire up the drill and dig through the soil, I have to be fully focused. I’m constantly adjusting my direction, leaping out of the ground like a dolphin and landing elegantly in the next patch of ground. It all feels incredibly satisfying. After just a few minutes, I’m already weaving my way through the levels with killer moves. Speaking of dolphins, a big inspiration for the rapid drilling gameplay was the Sega Genesis game Ecco the Dolphin.

I can also defeat enemies and solve tricky puzzles with the drill. The finished game should offer an even mix between quicker skill-based levels and slower puzzles. I’m definitely hooked and can’t wait to drill through the pixel world of Pepper Grinder.

When? 2023
Where: PC, Switch