The THQ Nordic Digital Showcase made for impressive if janky viewing. With several large European publishers buying up IP like crazy in the last few years, it’ll be interesting to see how this focus on smaller studios and more frequent mid-tier releases pans out. One thing is for certain – there was massive variety on display, with several revived IPs and gameplay from a dozen genres. It’s a far cry from the safe but boring approach of fewer, mechanically indistinct, overwritten, and overproduced “AAA” titles from the larger Western and Japanese publishers.
The THQ Nordic Digital Showcase offered up a good mix of games, with a little something for everyone, but here are some of our highlights:
– A much-needed revival of Alone in the Dark – an iconic IP butchered by the cringeworthy, focus-tested 2008 release (and a half-arsed multiplayer spin-off in 2015, though we doubt anyone even remembers that).
– The Gothic remake that’ll hopefully recapture the thrill of exploring Pirahna Byte’s unforgiving and complex Colony in The Kingdom of Myrtana. With some luck, they’ll have toned down the overly talkative lead.
– Tempest Rising has a somewhat cringe trailer that tries a little too hard to emulate the classic Command & Conquer games but we’re always glad to see more real-time strategy (especially if it’s got base building and turtling!).
– It’s a little harder these days to sell a game on its open-world exploration when so many IPs have gone that route, but we’re hoping Outcast 2 will show some restraint and create a world that’s actually interesting to explore, rather than simply big. Jetpacks always help, of course.
– Turn-based strategy games are experiencing a massive resurgence, on both PC and console, so we’re glad to see Jagged Alliance 3 looks more like the classics than the overly streamlined and boring Jagged Alliance: Rage!
| Alone in the Dark The famous horror franchise makes its return! This re-imagination of the original trilogy aims to scare you to the bone and returns to infamous locations with a whole new story and mythical places to explore. Alone in the Dark is developed by Pieces Interactive in Sweden and will be coming to PC, Xbox Series S/X and PlayStation 5. |
| Tempest Rising Inspired by RTS greats of the 90’s and 2000’s, Tempest Rising is a classic, base-building, real-time strategy game set in a modern-day alternative history war scenario. Three unique factions are fighting for a rare alien mineral called Tempest. Throw yourself into epic story campaigns or challenge your friends in multiplayer matches. Tempest Rising for PC is developed by Slipgate Ironworks from Denmark. |
| Space for Sale Space … the final procedurally generated frontier! Space for Sale follows the adventures of a cute little astronaut on a mission to explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and build a pretty real estate to boldly sell what no man has sold before! Space for Sale is an exploration/survival sandbox game where your job as a property developer is to build fine estates for your demanding clients. The game is being developed for PC by Mirage Game Studios, Sweden, known for Little Big Workshop. |
| Wreckreation Racing is awesome! Creating is awesome! So development studio Three Fields Entertainment, the team behind Burnout and Need for Speed, has combined these two elements in the upcoming Wreckreation. With the so-called live mix, you can build and alter your racing track while you (and some friends) are racing on it. Add a new curve, place a ramp to jump over – or just put a giant rubber duck in the way, it’s up to you! |
| Gothic Time to return to the colony! The remake of the most iconic German RPG ever is currently in development for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X by Alkimia Interactive. The latest trailer invites you to a descent into the depths of the Old Mine. Are you ready to face the dangers lurking in the dark? |
| Jagged Alliance 3 Grand Chien needs help – and there is only one mercenary organization that can help the people get their country back! Jagged Alliance 3 combines a strategic campaign with intense turn-based tactical combat and RPG elements. Train your mercs, gather equipment, and form a militia to push the enemy back or hold conquered sectors. You are the general and commander who must free Grand Chien! Developed for PC by Haemimont Games. |
| Outcast 2 – A New Beginning Cutter Slade is on a mission again. The Talans are fighting a desperate war against human invaders and only Cutter can prevent the Talans from being exterminated in order to pave the way to end this conflict. Developed by Appeal Studios, Outcast 2 – A New Beginning is coming soon to PC, PlayStation 5, and the Xbox Series S/X. |
| SpongeBob – The Cosmic Shake Are you ready, kids? SpongeBob returns to the screen in a new fantastic adventure! SpongeBob and Patrick are traveling to a multitude of different Wishworlds, each with its very own setting and rules, like the Wild West Jellyfish Fields or the Halloween Rock Bottom. Developed by Purple Lamp, who brought you Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated, embark on this brand-new 3D platformer, coming soon to PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo® Switch. |
| AEW: Fight Forever THQ Nordic and All Elite Wrestling have joined forces with prolific wrestling-game developers YUKE’s Co. Ltd. of Japan to bring you AEW: Fight Forever! The game combines nostalgic arcade wrestling with All Elite Wrestling finishers and moves. Featuring a big roster of AEW talent, multiple match types, a robust career mode, tons of customization options, more than 40 weapons, and so much more! Coming soon to PS4™, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and the Xbox Series S/X, PC, and Nintendo® Switch. |
| Knights of Honor II: Sovereign Your kingdom awaits, Sire! Knights of Honor II lets you control a medieval kingdom in Europe or northern Africa and command knights, merchants, diplomats, spies, and clerics to make your realm the most powerful in the world. Developed by Black Sea Games, Knights of Honor II: Sovereign is coming soon to PC. |
| Destroy All Humans! 2 – Reprobed Puny humans! Crytpo’s return is only weeks away with Destroy All Humans! 2 – Reprobed scheduled for release across PS5, Xbox Series S/X, and PC on August 30th. Watch the latest trailer to prepare for the invasion! Destroy All Humans! 2 – Reprobed is developed by Black Forest Games. |
| Way of the Hunter The hunt is almost on! The latest trailer for Way of the Hunter captures the essence of the most anticipated hunting game of any season. Way of the Hunter, developed by Nine Rocks Games will launch on August 16th for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X! |
| Stuntfest – World Tour Are you ready for the Summer of Stunts? You can opt-in for a closed-beta weekend on Steam right now and if you are lucky, you can play Stuntfest – World Tour as one of the first players in the world. |
| The Valiant In The Valiant, you’ll lead a band of brothers through medieval Europe to stop one mad villain: Ulrich von Grevel. He is trying to get a mythical and powerful artifact that would grant him unearthly powers. He must be stopped at all costs! Developed by Kite Games, The Valiant is coming soon to PC. |
Let us know in the comments below what you thought of the THQ Nordic Digital Showcase and if you have any recommendations.
