Gamescom is the single largest games event in the world, and every year hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to Cologne to see what game developers have in store for them over the course of the next year or so. While many big game studios have a presence at Gamescom, the same can also be said of smaller more ‘indie’ developers that use it as a platform to show off their upcoming games.
In a nutshell, at Gamescom developers are vying against one another to get the attention of gamers: Which is why most generally bring their best games to the trade fair!
1. Tearaway
Considering how often gaming trade fairs are dominated by ‘serious’ entrants, it is nice that this year the most interesting game was a ‘cute’ and almost whimsical game by Media Molecule that is being designed for the Playstation Vita. The 3D folded paper art that forms the backdrop of this game is attractive, but what really makes it stand out is the gameplay itself that borders on being revolutionary! In Tearaway, you’ll get to literally ‘reach in’ and help out the main character by pushing, prodding and poking to help him overcome the obstacles in his way. Feel like being an omnipotent ‘god’ figure and blowing gusts of wind to clear the path ahead? Want to turn the wold upside down and shake it around? All of that and more is possible in this game.
2. Dishonored
A new stealth, supernatural, assassination game from Bethesda, Dishonored is a brutal romp through a unique setting that will have you at the edge of your seat. The gameplay mechanics has contributed to the anticipation for the release of this game, and the creative ways in which you can merge your powers to kill your target without anyone realizing is nothing less than impressive.
3. Remember Me
Previously Remember Me was known as Adrift, and although many wrote it off after it was canned it seems as if Capcom took an interest with it and decided to release it – with a few tweaks. Expect the unexpected in this science fiction action game where you control a memory-stealing, mind-altering heroine who is trying to find out who she is after her own memory was stolen.
4. The Last of Us
Not much is known about The Last of Us except for the fact that it is an action game and it has cinematics that would rival some of the best movies in the world. As the name implies, it is set in a post-apocalyptic world and if as much attention has been paid to the game as the cinematic, it is definitely one to keep an eye out for.
5. Puppeteer
Despite apparently being designed with children in mind, Puppeteer is a title that intrigued many adult gamers at Gamescom due to its innovative approach to the age-old platformer genre. In this game you control a puppet (no surprise there) that is part of a puppet theater production. All of the action takes place within the confines of that theater, and so you’ll hear the audience gasp, applause and react in other ways while the scenery mechanically changes – just like a real puppet show.
6. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
Part of the reason why the Black Ops 2 reveal at Gamescom was such as big surprise was the fact that it departed from the ‘tried and tested’ Call of Duty formula in many ways. The first of these is the futuristic setting, elements and technology that no other game in the series has ever embraced, and the second is the revamped multiplayer features. Add to that the already high anticipation levels for the latest installment of this first-person-shooter franchise and it is easy to see why it caused so many waves at the event.
7. DmC: Devil May Cry
Some quarters are calling the new DmC game a reboot of the Devil May Cry franchise, but as Gamescom illustrated it is really more of an ‘alternate dimension’ type game instead. Response to this sequel has been muted, but at Gamescom the it managed to win over many fans with the demo of a boss fight that showed just how visually-stunning the game would be.
8. Rain (Working Title)
Whether or not this game will be called ‘Rain’ when it is eventually released is unknown, and in fact no one even knows when it will be released for that matter. Still, this intriguing little game by Sony Japan involving an invisible boy who can only be seen in the rain had a trailer that got a lot of people interested in it.
9. Total War: Rome II
It is still pre-Alpha, but the much-awaited sequel to Rome: Total War looks amazing in no small part due to its graphics and the scale of its battles. The level of detail also seems to be just as impressive, and you can opt to participate in the fighting as a soldier, or a division commander of a particular siege, or even an overall general commanding the entire battle. Expect this game to really blow away most of its rivals in the genre when it is eventually ready to be released.
10. Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Not only does the latest incarnation of Need for Speed look phenomenal, but it also feels utterly real as you blaze through urban landscapes in one of the many speedy vehicles that you opt to steal. Yes – that’s right, in this game you don’t need to ‘unlock’ vehicles, but instead you steal them from unsuspecting owners and put them to good use as you race away from cops and stay ahead of the law.
All in all, despite the absence of some ‘big names’ from this years’ Gamescom, the developers that did make it to the event really did have a lot of surprises up their collective sleeves and have left gamers with a lot to look forward to in the coming months.
Time to start attempting to scheduling some free time if and when you can to try out these games when they hit the shelves!
