Gamescom 2025 is in full swing, and the halls of Koelnmesse are buzzing with excitement. You’ve no doubt heard the hype, but we’ve actually battled crowds, waited in long lines, and demoed a ton of games to bring you our initial impressions of the titles that have truly stood out so far. From stunning visuals to innovative gameplay mechanics, these are the games that have captured our attention at Gamescom 2025. Honestly, some are real head-turners, you know?
AAA Blockbusters Making Waves
Unannounced Sci-Fi RPG from BioWare
This year BioWare surprised everyone with a hands-off demo of their new, unannounced sci-fi RPG. And let me tell you, the visuals are breathtaking. Seriously, next-level stuff. The scope of the story seems incredibly ambitious, too. We saw glimpses of diverse alien worlds and intriguing character interactions. Okay, so gameplay details remain scarce, which is a bit of a bummer. But the sheer ambition on display has us incredibly hyped. Like, “take my money now” hyped.
Horizon: Forbidden West – Burning Shores DLC Showcase
The Burning Shores DLC for Horizon: Forbidden West looks even more impressive in person. I didn’t think it was possible, but there you go. The volcanic landscapes are stunning, and the new aerial combat mechanics with the improved Sunwing mount add a thrilling new dimension to the game. Aloy faces off against even more terrifying machines in this visually spectacular expansion. If you thought the base game was pretty, just wait. You’re gonna need a new monitor, I swear!
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 – First Look at Multiplayer
Activision finally revealed the multiplayer for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, and it’s a return to form for the series. The maps are tight and well-designed, and the gunplay feels incredibly responsive. Remember the good old days? This feels like that, but better. The new Specialist abilities add a layer of strategic depth to the classic Call of Duty formula. It might just pull me away from my other games…maybe.
Indie Gems Stealing the Show
Aetherium – A Cozy Exploration Game
Aetherium is a charming indie game that focuses on exploration and puzzle-solving. The hand-painted art style is gorgeous, like something out of a storybook. The world is filled with secrets to uncover. It’s a relaxing and engaging experience that’s perfect for unwinding after a long day. After all those high-octane demos, it was nice to just chill with this one.
Cyberpunk Delivery Simulator 2077
Don’t let the name fool you, Cyberpunk Delivery Simulator 2077 is more than just a meme. Trust me on this one. It’s a surprisingly deep and engaging simulation game where you navigate the sprawling cyberpunk city, fulfilling deliveries while managing your resources and avoiding corporate security. The gameplay loop is addictive, and the world is surprisingly immersive. Who knew delivering packages could be so much fun… and stressful?
Surprises and Disappointments
The Elder Scrolls VI – Another Teaser?
Bethesda showed off another incredibly short teaser for The Elder Scrolls VI. Again. While it’s exciting to see the game is still in development, fans are understandably growing impatient for more substantial information. The teaser featured a brief glimpse of a new landscape, but little else. Seriously, guys, throw us a bone here! Is it too much to ask for some actual gameplay?
Disappointment – Marvel’s Avengers: The Kang Dynasty
Despite promises of a major overhaul, Marvel’s Avengers: The Kang Dynasty failed to impress. That’s putting it nicely. The gameplay feels repetitive, and the story is underwhelming. While the visuals have been improved, the core experience remains largely unchanged, leaving many players disappointed. Honestly, I was hoping for a redemption arc, but…alas.
So, there you have it – a quick look at some of the highlights from Gamescom 2025 so far. There’s a lot more to see, of course, and these are just our initial impressions. What do you think? Any of these games catch your eye? Let us know what you’re excited about!