// Articles // 29th Aug 2020 — 4 years ago // By Emsey P. Walker

gamescom 2020 - Opening Night Overview

It’s 2020 and along with everything else that is happening this year, gamescom is doing things a little differently. Rather than the usual in-person romp in Cologne, gamescom have bundled up a little digital package for our consumption. Ultimately, during this unsure time, it’s great to still have something that celebrates gaming, especially when many of us are relying on games to bring us joy.

Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War

We start the opening stream with Activision’s Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War. With a hyper-realistic trailer we are treated to some familiar faces, including Woods, Hudson and Mason. Set in 1981, the team will be looking to combat against the Perseus group who are responsible for a multitude of historical nightmares. Apparently whilst wearing sunglasses indoors, because it’s cool.

We are promised a divergence from the traditional single-player campaign we’ve had in the past, with customisable player characters, player choice and a non-linear storyline as well as multiple endings. Of course multiplayer is going to be a large part of the game with a reveal coming in September including some fan-favourite zombie action.

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Unknown 9: Awakening

A new IP from Reflector is revealed by the name of Unknown 9: Awakening. As the name suggests it looks like we’ll be exploring the “awakening” of powers from some people (maybe nine of them?) across the globe. We witness the awakening of a young girl who discovers she is able to pre-empt the actions of others and in this specific scene, dodge the attacks of her persecutors.

Unknown 9: Awakening looks to be a whole universe of media, involving comics, novels and podcasts as well as some interactive chapters you can experience right now on their website. Whilst there is no current release for this game, or information on what sort of experience it will be (MMO? RPG?), we do know it will be releasing on PC and next-gen consoles PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.

Doom Eternal - The Ancient Gods Part One

It’s time for some more gory, fast-paced, action with a full trailer showcasing the campaign expansion for Doom Eternal. The Ancient Gods Part One looks to be just as jam-packed of weaponry goodness and ultra-graphic murder sprees as the base game, and the part one suggests there’s plenty more to come.

Bioware’s 25th Anniversary and Dragon Age 4

Happy 25th Birthday Bioware! To celebrate, the team decided to give us a behind-the-scenes peek at the early production for the next installment in everyone’s favourite Thedas-based game series, Dragon Age 4.

The Dread Wolf will most certainly be returning in the next game as we catch a glimpse of Mr Gareth David-Lloyd exercising his Solas vocals. We also meet the voice actors for two new characters (potentially companions?) with Jee Young Han, as the voice behind Bellara and Ike Amadi, with an impressively bassy voice for the character Davrin.

There is a whole showcase of concept art, digital renders and so much more giving us a real idea of the sorts of locations we might expect whenever Dragon Age 4 is ready, including some underwater scenes, something we’ve never explored in the franchise before.

Arguably the most exciting part of it all is that the thumbnail shows what looks to be a Qunari female, sending hopes of her as a companion soaring.

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Surgeon Simulator 2

For some reason, international treasure Christopher Lloyd is insisting on the urgency of purchasing and playing Surgeon Simulator 2. A showcase of a number of YouTubers chaotically playing the game is shown, in an attempt to convince us of its awesomeness. The game looks like a lot of fun but really the highlight here is Christopher Lloyd.

Bridge Constructor: The Walking Dead

In another frankly completely unexpected crossover Headup Games brings us Bridge Constructor: The Walking Dead. Yes, that is a bridge construction and zombie game. The game launches sometime this year which is at least something to look forward to in 2020.

Sam & Max: This Time It’s Virtual

If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to hang out with a dog and rabbit with a very dapper dress sense and the ability to talk, then wonder no more as Sam & Max: This Time It’s Virtual is coming to VR, in 2021.

World of Warcraft: Shadowlands

The new expansion for World of Warcraft, named Shadowlands is up next, and if there is no release date announced I think the battle net forums might just crash from the rage posting. Blizzard does do pre-expansion build up well though, and Shadowlands is no exception to this.

As a precursor to the new release, Blizzard and it’s ridiculously talented team are bringing us a series of animated shorts titled Afterlives, focused on the four different Covenants that players will be able to pledge their allegiance to very soon. The first is shown now, for the Covenant of the Kyrians, in Bastion, and follows the journey of Uther on his path to ascension. It’s definitely worth a watch, even if you’re not a Warcraft fan, as the visuals and voice acting are both excellent.

It seems that the animated shorts for the other three covenants will release one a week over the next three weeks focusing on the Necrolords of Maldraxxus, the Night Fae of Ardenweald and the Venthyr of Revendreth respectively. Expect to see some familiar faces over the course of the series.

Of course the real question is still on everyone’s lips, “When is the expansion release date?” and finally we receive our answer of 27th October, 2020 which is in fairness a lot sooner than many of us were expecting.

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Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Storm Ground

Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Storm Ground is announced to be coming in 2021, a turn-based strategy game based on the dark-fantasy Age of Sigmar IP from Games Workshop. The game will be highly customisable and feature a non-linear campaign, which is brilliant for any fans of the Warhammer franchise.

Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

Many of us are excited about the new release coming in the Crash Bandicoot series, as everyone’s favourite genetically-modified bandicoot (unless you prefer Coco) is coming back for some more platforming action. This time we’re shown some new gameplay footage from developer Lou Studdert as he shows off the new flashback tapes feature coming in It’s About Time.

Players will be able to collect these flashback tapes by reaching them in normal levels without dying. Once you’ve successfully reached them you will unlock new special levels that tell a story from the perspective of Cortex as he is working on creating Crash and Coco. These new special levels are puzzle rooms and should present a new challenge for gamers to sink their teeth into as they are supposed to be particularly difficult to complete. We stan the replay value.

Various Game Trailers

Next up is a bunch of game trailers for various games. It’s a fast-paced smorgasbord of games to take in.

First up is a trailer for Outriders, a cooperative RPG shooter coming in the Holiday season 2020.

Next, after a reminder that Red Bull does in fact, give you wings is Hyper Scape which is out now and free-to-play on PlayStation 4, Xbox one and PC.

Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions is an anime-style football game, which allows you to play through a story mode or jump into online multiplayer and show off your fancy footwork. The game is also out now and available on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Steam.

Necromunda: Underhive Wars lets us meet the gangs behind the action-based tactical game, givins us a brief description of House Orlock, House Escher and House Goliath. It’s available to pre-order now, and is out on 8th September.

Teardown is an impressive-looking game coming from two-person team Tuxedo Labs based in Sweden. It’s even more impressive to find out they actually built their own game engine for Teardown, where your goal is to execute the perfect heist. Teardown should be releasing at some point in 2020.

Little Nightmares II seems to be highly anticipated ahead of its release date of 11th February 2021, based in the horrifically creepy world of The Pale City - decidedly apt title for this one. We’ll get more information on this game, including some gameplay footage later during gamescom.

Last up in the waterfall of game trailers is WWE 2K Battlegrounds, which is a crazy-looking arcade-style brawler with hundred of wrestlers from WWE both current and past. It looks like a lot of fun and no doubt and WWE fans will be excited for its release on 18th September 2020.

Star Wars: Squadrons

It’s time for some Star Wars content, and suddenly ears across the world that have tuned out have had their focus regained. Star Wars: Squadrons is easily one of the most-anticipated releases coming in 2020 and we’re treated to a close look at its single-player campaign mode.

It looks like you will be able to experience the story of Squadrons from both sides of the coin, as part of the New Republic and the Galactic Empire. The story takes place after Return of the Jedi and will see players taking on bombing runs, setting traps and more, all whilst building relationships with your companions between missions. Better yet, the game is fully VR compatible, so flying around in that X-Wing is going to be extra fun. 2nd October is the release date, and it can’t come soon enough.

The Sims 4 Star Wars: Journey to Batuu

More Star Wars content with a surprise collaboration with The Sims 4. Yes that’s right, The Sims 4 is releasing a Star Wars game pack, named Journey to Batuu, and it’s out very soon, 8th September. There isn’t much information in the trailer with regards to what we can expect, but there are lightsabers and honestly the build mode stuff looks very cool indeed.

Twelve Minutes

Moving away from Star Wars but remaining in highly-prestigious territory is the new game Twelve Minutes. Twelve Minutes tells the story of a man stuck in a twelve minute time loop and features an impressive cast - Willem Defoe, James McAvoy and Daisy Ridley. Annapurna Interactive looks set to truly impress, with no official release date other than “coming soon” on Xbox one, Xbox Series X and PC.

Various Game Trailers Part 2

Another onslaught of games is shown. We’ve got:

Godfall - an action RPG from Counterplay and Gearbox, coming to PlayStation 5 and PC in 2020.

Warframe: Heart of Deimos - new update for Warframe, which is out now and features a stunning voiceover from someone that sounds distinctly like Patty Mattson. Did we mention it’s free to play?

Override 2 Super Mech League - a trailer of some in-engine footage introducing us to the namesake mechs, including: Mya, Pescado, Sprinkles, and Mercy Aura, but it looks like there will be more mechs upon the game’s release in December 2020.

Mafia: Definitive Edition - an exciting trailer about the remaster of the original Mafia game from Hangar 13 and 2K. The game is a faithful recreation with expanded story, overhauled graphics, gameplay and original score.

Lemnis Gate - Lemnis Gate is a turn-based combat shooter that features an interesting time-loop game mechanic. Players will have a 25-second time loop within which to study their opponents to try and change the outcome of their matches. It looks like it could be a lot of fun, albeit somewhat chaotic.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga - yet more Star Wars stuff, because why not. This time it’s a big old anthology of the LEGO Star Wars games, and gameplay adapted from all nine movies, it’s a lot of content.

Struggling - a physics-based cooperative platformer from Chasing Rat Games. It’s a quirky, disgusting, abomination-filled game and is out right now.

Just a brief reminder that Red Bull still gives you wings.

Age of Empires 3 Definitive Edition

A revamp of the original Age of Empires 3 game, now with 4k Ultra HD graphics and featuring two new civilizations - The Incas and The Swedes. There will also be two brand new game modes; Historical Battles and Art of War Challenge Missions. If you like playing with mates you’ll be happy to hear there is cross-platform multiplayer. It’s available to preorder now and is out on 15th October, 2020.

age of empires definitive

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope

One from Supermassive Games, it’s the second installment in the anthology, following Man of Medan. It’s an ambitious multiple-choice interactive survival horror game and it can result in multiple endings. Little Hope is out on 30th October, 2020.

We have a brief break from games to talk about gamescom forest. The gamescom forest is a sustainability project from gamescom 2020 aiming to rebuild a “climate-resistant, mixed forest” with a goal of reforesting at least 15,000m². You can donate towards the cause here.

Chorus

Chorus is a space shooter in which you play as protagonist Nara. The game features slick-looking space combat, and looks great as the ships barrel roll and surge their way through explosions and enemy fire. Chorus is coming in 2021.

Fall Guys Season 2

Fall Guys seems to be everywhere at the moment, and rightly so. It represents the gaming industry at its very best. And now it’s set to evolve with a season 2 full of new content. We’re given an exclusive peek at what’s to come.

We’ve got some brand new obstacle courses inspired by the Middle Ages, as well as new costumes to match the theme. Be a witch, a wizard, a dragon! Season 2 for Fall Guys will be here in October, 2020, so not long to wait.

fall guys season 2

Wasteland 3

We get a trailer for Wasteland 3 from inXile Entertainment, a squad-based RPG with turn-based combat. The game is out now on PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond VR

Medal of Honor is heading to VR with Above and Beyond. Set during the events of World War II, the new game is supposed to be an incredibly immersive experience, featuring an incredibly deep single player campaign as well as a multiplayer option, details of which will be revealed at another time.

The single player campaign is “your” story, there are no cutscenes, or edits, everything is from your perspective, making everything from emotional connections to actual combat, more meaningful and tense. Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond is set for launch this holiday season.

Destiny 2: Beyond Light

Destiny 2: Beyond Light is the new expansion for Destiny 2 coming on 10th November, 2020. Players will be able to use the new elemental power of “Stasis” to their advantage. The trailer shows us examples of stasis being used by Shadebinder Warlocks, Revenant Hunters and Behemoth Titans. Each uses the power in a unique way and it will be interesting to see how the new mechanic affects gameplay.

You can pre-order Beyond Light now and receive some in-game rewards.

Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart

Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart is on its way to those of us who choose to upgrade to the new PlayStation 5 console coming in the 2020 Holiday season. The game will feature dimensional shifting, allowing players to fling from planet to planet with the rift tether. There will be dimensional damage that Ratchet and Clank are trying to resolve.

You’ll be able to warp across worlds in portals for exploration purposes or for a tactical combat advantage, and there will be zero load screens across the entire game. Haptics play a huge part in the title, with weapons feeling different depending on what you’re holding; allowing for some really intuitive gameplay as you learn how to use the haptics to your advantage.

Rift Apart is an extension of Into the Nexus but is also a standalone title, so you don’t need to have played the latter to enjoy the former. However, there will be returning characters and nods to the previous Ratcher & Clank games, so fans of the series will be able to enjoy those.

Lastly, we are shown a female lombax, who at the moment they are refusing to name. In terms of release date we are also left hanging with a rather vague “during the PlayStation 5 launch window”.

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