Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025: Every Reveal and Trailer
Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025 came out swinging this year, packed with surprise revivals, long-awaited updates, and a handful of games I didn’t even know I desperately needed until I saw them. From nostalgic throwbacks to massive AAA blockbusters, the showcase had something for absolutely everyone. Here’s everything that was announced — in order — with a few of my own highlights along the way.
Pre-Show Highlights
Bubsy 4D
Yep, Bubsy is back (again!). The cult platforming mascot returns in Bubsy 4D, from developer Fabraz (who you may know from their previous title, Demon Surf) - and honestly? This could be his redemption arc. I’m totally in.
Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes
Alt Shift’s tactical, story-driven roguelite, set in the Battlestar Galactica universe is set for release early next year.
Outlaws + Handful of Missions: Remaster
Nightdive Studios are giving the beloved 1997 Western FPS a proper modern refresh while keeping its old-school LucasArts charm intact with this Remaster.
DenshAttack!
This one immediately caught my eye. From Fireshine Games, DenshAttack! is described as a mix of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and Jet Set Radio - and honestly, that’s a dream combo. Only, the thing you might not expect is that you play as a train carriage! High-speed trick runs, neon-soaked cities, and a killer soundtrack vibe… I can’t wait!
Keeper
We got another sneak peek (plus an interview) for Keeper, and it just keeps looking better every time. Developed by Double Fine, this atmospheric puzzle adventure has been high on my list for a while now, and this brief preview only made the wait harder. Luckily, it’s set to release on October 17th, so it’s not too long to go!
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction
By the power of Grayskull, He-Man is back! A new action-packed brawler that leans into classic Saturday morning cartoon nostalgia, and looks a lot of fun, too.
Absolum
Due for release on October 9th, Absolum looks super interesting. A roguelite beat ‘em up with an absolutely stunning art style; I can’t wait to dive in.
Long Gone
The start of this trailer had me thinking that the player was going to be a zombie, but apparently it was just warning us of the consequences of getting too close. Kill the zombies and uncover mysteries. A narrative adventure, I’m intrigued to see how it plays.
Valor Mortis
This gave me very Bioshock/Dishonored vibes, with a first-person Soulslike twist; this looks like it will scratch an itch for fans of dark fantasy and brutal combat. Excited to see more.
PVKK – Planetenverteidigungskanonenkommandant
Easily the hardest title of the night to say out loud, for me at least. This quirky strategy game puts you in charge of planetary-scale cannons - looks to be an interesting mix of retro charm and tongue-in-cheek humour.
Routine
Creepy corridors, flickering lights, and robots you definitely don’t want to meet in the dark - it still looks terrifying in the best way. Seemed to be in development hell for a long time, before being re-announced recently - thankfully, it looks like the wait is almost over. Best of all, it’ll be available Day One on Xbox Game Pass.
Swords of Legends
This single-player action-RPG inspired by Chinese folklore is the fourth in a series known as GuJian, which apparently got a TV show under the same Swords of Legends title back in 2014. Having never heard of it before, I found myself intrigued and wanting to know more.
Road Kings
Trucker simulator. “Be the hero of the open road” - looks like there might be a little more to it than meets the eye, with plenty of drama and difficult conditions on the journey to your destination.
Sonic Racing: Crossworlds
Blue blur fans, rejoice - Sonic Racing is back with Crossworlds. Already shown off previously, we can expect the usual blistering speed, and we’ve been treated to some crossover PAC-MAN content, too!
Main Show Announcements
Hollow Knight: Silksong
It finally happened. After years of silence, we got a fresh look at Silksong. And by fresh look, I mean the teeniest, tiniest glimpse - but don’t worry! There’s a demo at Gamescom this week (wish I was there so badly!) and Team Cherry are hosting a YouTube Premiere on Thursday. The wait has been painful, but wow, it‘s gonna be worth it.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
Milo Ventimiglia and Kieran Shipka star in the latest instalment of Black Ops. It looks sharp and cinematic, but it’s clear we’re drifting further into futuristic warfare. It looks great, but admittedly, I do miss the grounded feel of the older entries. Black Ops 7 is set to deploy on 14th November, with a beta dropping in early October.
Lords of the Fallen II
A follow-up to 2023’s rebooted soulslike, Lords of the Fallen II looks to be doubling down on its dark fantasy aesthetic and punishing combat.
Sekiro: No Defeat (Anime)
Yes, you read that right - Sekiro is becoming an anime. The visuals look phenomenal, and if it captures even half of the game’s intensity, this could be huge; I’m really looking forward to this.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
A celebration of Batman through LEGO, spanning multiple eras of the Dark Knight’s history. I absolutely adore the LEGO games, as well as Batman, so I’m excited for this. There’s so much that they can pull from for this game, so it should be chock-full of cool little secrets and surprises.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV
A new installment in Relic’s classic RTS series, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV is set to return to its roots, with plenty of strategic gameplay.
Monster Hunter Wilds x Final Fantasy XIV Online
Talk about a crossover I didn’t see coming. Two giants of the RPG world collide, and the possibilities are more than just a little bit exciting.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword
Announced at The Game Awards 2024, Capcom is bringing Onimusha back! Samurai action, demons, and that classic mix of history and myth - I couldn’t be more excited to see this series alive again.
Arknights: Endfield
Gacha tower-defence game Arknights is getting a 3D action-RPG spin-off for PS5 and mobile that looks pretty intriguing.
Europa Universalis V
The grand strategy titan is back, promising more depth than ever for history buffs; set for release on 4th November.
Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion
Due for release on September 5th, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion’s mech battles look bigger and bolder than ever. If you loved the original, this is aiming to be a massive upgrade.
Void/Breaker
A chaotic roguelike with a cool sci-fi aesthetic. Available via Xbox Game Preview now - definitely one I want to try.
Fallout: Season Two
The Fallout TV series is officially heading to New Vegas. As someone who adores that game, I can’t wait to see how they bring its world to life on screen.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants
More content for Indy’s globe-trotting adventure; this time taking us to the ancients streets of Rome. Available for purchase from September 4th; though if you picked up the Premium Edition of the game, you’ll unlock this DLC at no extra cost.
Deadpool VR
The Merc with a Mouth goes virtual, and it looks fittingly chaotic. My only worry is that I’m gonna suffer with motion sickness with this one - my brain definitely has its issues with VR at times, so I pray it goes easy on me for this!
World of Tanks 2.0
A full-scale revamp of the classic online tank battler, ushering in a new era for the franchise. Admittedly not a title I’ve ever really been interested in, but it did actually look pretty decent here.
John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando
I’m really intrigued by this title. How much has John Carpenter got to do with it? Expected for a 2026 release, I’m really interested to see how this one turns out.
Death by Scrolling
Ron Gilbert’s satirical, vertically-scrolling, roguelike RPG finally gets shown off. Death by Scrolling has you stuck in purgatory, and it’s your mission to stay out of the Grim Reaper’s clutches long enough to earn gold to afford to pay the Ferryman. Love the look of this one.
Zero Parades
Weird, surreal, and striking. This one really reminded me of something but I can’t quite seem to put my finger on it.
The Darkest Files
A historical investigation game, weaving real-world events into compelling storytelling; delving into quite heavy themes surrounding Nazis and their war crimes; looks to be quite a powerful title.
Glasshouse
Described as a “FeudalPunk CRPG with turn-base combat set on the brink of a World War” This narrative-driven survival thriller looks to be dripping with tension, and has really caught my eye.
Compensation Not Guaranteed
Exploring a story set in post-colonial Southeast Asia, this looks to be eccentric, funny, and intriguing. You work as a government officer, who deals with land and title deeds, inspecting documents from citizens - and deciding who deserves the land (the government, of course!).
NTE: Neverness to Everness
It’s time to explore as an Anomaly Hunter in this urban open-world RPG. Find anomalies and investigate, as you take in the sights of this stunning world. NTE is coming to PS5, PC and mobile, and will be free-to-play!
Unbeatable
This rhythm-based narrative adventure looks right up my alley - and the art-style is beautiful. Coming to Xbox, PS5 and Steam later this year.
Honor of Kings: World
2024’s highest-grossing mobile game gets a new addition to the series: Honor of Kings: World. Tencent’s global ambitions continue with this expansive open-world RPG, though details are still fairly scarce. You can sign up on their website for news and priority access for play tests.
Fortnite x Squid Game
New creator-made Squid Game themed games coming to Fortnite on August 20th, and Front Man follows shortly behind, coming on August 26th. The creator-made games shown in the trailer look like a lot of fun.
Delta Force
Already release earlier this year for PC/Steam, Delta Force is now available for Xbox and PS5 - with this console launch trailer to whet your appetite.
A Musical Interlude - ‘Alicia’ from Clair Obscur: Exhibition 33.
We paused for a breathtaking performance of ‘Alicia’ from Clair Obscur: Exhibition 33. It was a reminder that Gamescom isn’t just about trailers - it’s about the artistry and atmosphere behind the games, too.
Ninja Gaiden 4
Ryu Hayabusa returns! A proper Ninja Gaiden sequel after all these years - fast, brutal, and everything fans have been waiting for. Coming October 21st, for Xbox, PS5 and PC.
Cinder City
Industrial grit meets stylish action in this tactical, third-person shooter MMO. Another one that caught my eye. Due for release on consoles and PC next year.
Time Takers
Time-manipulation puzzles wrapped in clever third-person shooter mechanics, whilst looking positively bonkers. This team-based shooter is unlike your typical hero shooters, with every player offering their own unique aspects to the team.
Silent Hill f
The new footage was chilling, with visuals reminiscent of Fatal Frame. Konami are really leaning into the haunting, folkloric angle here, with plenty of body-horror to boot. This scaredy cat is still excited to dive in!
La Divina Commedia
Developed by Jyamma Games, this gothic reimagining of Dante’s work looks ambitious and visually stunning. Escape procedurally generated labyrinths, taking on a variety of powerful bosses on your way. This looks challenging, but enticing.
Cronos: The New Dawn
Bloober Team are at it again with Cronos, which looks seriously spooky. They know how to make atmosphere feel suffocating, with plenty of creatures to scare you. Releasing on September 5th, at least we don’t have too long to wait for the terror.
The Outer Worlds 2
Obsidian’s sarcastic space RPG is back - with Ben Schwartz showing it off at ONL. Set for release on October 29th, this looks to be even better than the first game.
inZOI: Island Getaway
A bright, colourful, summer-holiday-themed DLC for inZOI, launching August 20th! I loved sim style games growing up, so I really should give inZOI a go.
Fate Trigger
Set for release in early 2026, Fate Trigger is a new action RPG based on the - absolutely massive - Fate franchise. A hero-based shooter, spanning multiple modes from Battle Royale to team-based, this looks like it could be a huge hit.
The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin
An open-world RPG based on the anime, with plenty of action and adventure. This looks absolutely gorgeous, and will hopefully be a big hit for fans of the anime.
Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault
I thoroughly enjoyed the first Moonlighter, and am really looking forward to Moonlighter 2. The shift from 2D pixel-art to the new 3D style is an interesting change, and it’s exciting to see the evolution. Going all in on the roguelike gameplay is a welcome choice, too. Coming October 23rd, this is one I definitely want to play day one.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2
After a long period of uncertainty, it’s finally got a release date, and it actually looks great. Day one DLC to unlock extra clans has naturally been a bit of a blow, but I’m hopeful of what The Chinese Room has done here.
Enshrouded: Wake of the Water
The survival RPG expands, this time diving deep into aquatic biomes with its Wake of the Water update, due to make a splash in October.
Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition
Already released on PC and Xbox, Age of Empires IV is finally coming to PlayStation 5 on November 4th. A new expansion is set for simultaneous release, hitting all platforms on this date, too.
Kingdom Come Deliverance II: Legacy of the Forge
With the release date confirmed for September 9th, Kingdom Come Deliverance II’s next story DLC, Legacy of the Forge isn’t far away. We got to see Henry gaining some blacksmithing skills, as well as new customisation options for your home. If you’re like me and somehow still haven’t given Kingdom Come Deliverance II a go yet, this might actually draw you in, and with more content expected, it looks like it’s gonna keep on getting better.
Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven
Huge DLC incoming, and I cannot wait. More cult management, more chaos, more adorable lamb carnage. Due for release in early 2026, I can’t wait to get stuck in.
World of Warcraft: Midnight
Blizzard continues to build upon this massive franchise, with the second part of the Worldsoul Saga - World of Warcraft: Midnight - set for release next year.
Project Spectrum
A mysterious new project with lots of intrigue. You appear to play as some kind of paranormal/supernatural creature hunter, with lots of weirdness lurking around - and from the looks of things, sometimes, these creatures are controlled by other players. Not very much was made clear, in all honesty; all I can say is that Project Spectrum is one to watch.
World of Tanks: HEAT
Seeing another World of Tanks related trailer so soon after the other one earlier in the show, my brain did feel like it was short-circuiting a bit. I thought we were somehow getting another tank-centric game, that’s not under the WoT branding… but no, it’s still World of Tanks, but this time it’s HEAT, where players will fight 10v10 using their highly customisable tanks. Looks to be a bit more fast-paced, based on the trailer, so might bring in some new fans.
Ghost of Yotei
A follow up to Sucker Punch’s 2020 title, Ghost of Tsushima; Ghost of Yotei looks absolutely stunning. We were also treated to the news that it’ll get a multiplayer mode “Legends” next year. Ghost of Yotei is set to release on October 2nd.
Resident Evil: Requiem
A new chapter in Capcom’s horror legacy. The trailer left just enough mystery to get fans buzzing, as we got a look into Grace Ashcroft’s story. Set to release on the 27th February 2026, we surprisingly don’t have too long to wait!
Black Myth: Zhong Kui
A sequel to Black Myth: Wukong, a game I’ve yet to get around to playing. I must admit, this does look very interesting, though the British voices totally threw me off - but maybe I’m missing some context from the first game.
Final Thoughts
Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025 delivered one of the most stacked lineups in recent memory. Long-awaited returns (Silksong! Ninja Gaiden! Onimusha!), exciting crossovers (Monster Hunter x Final Fantasy XIV), and bold surprises (Fortnite x Squid Games) made this an absolute rollercoaster. Whether you’re into indies, nostalgic revivals, or massive AAA blockbusters, this year had it all.
And for my final, final thought — it wouldn’t be a Collecting Asylum game announcement recap if I didn’t add this - WHERE THE FUCK IS FABLE!?
What are you looking forward to most? Anything you wish had been shown?
Let us know in the comments below!
- V x
