Gamescom 2022 arrived with some much-needed highlights in what’s turning out to be a quiet year for those that crave only high-profile “AAA” titles. As might be expected, many of the reveals were quantities this holiday season, but there were also several “world premiers” for some exciting titles coming out within the next year. I asked the writing team to send a few of their top picks and I’ve compiled them below in the order of their (hopeful) release dates.
Steelrising (08 Sep 2022)
Paris, 1789. The French Revolution has been suppressed with bloodshed by Louis XVI and his merciless mechanical army. Aegis, a mysterious automaton masterpiece, must confront the king’s army alone to save history in this challenging action-RPG.
A Plague Tale: Requiem (18 Oct 2022)
Embark on an emotional and breathtaking journey in the sequel to the award-winning A Plague Tale: Innocence. Follow Amicia and her brother Hugo, as they do whatever it takes to survive a brutal, uncaring world.
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (30 Nov 2022)
Take back the city of Tertium from hordes of bloodthirsty foes in this intense and brutal action shooter. Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is the new co-op focused experience from the award-winning team behind the Vermintide series. In the depths of the hive, the seeds of corruption threaten to turn into an overwhelming tide of darkness. A mysterious and sinister new force is seeking to take control of the entire city. It is up to you and your allies in the Inquisition to root out the enemy before the city succumbs to Chaos. As Tertium falls, Rejects Will Rise.
The Callisto Protocol (02 Dec 2022)
In this narrative-driven, third-person survival horror game set 300 years in the future, the player will take on the role of Jacob Lee – a victim of fate thrown into Black Iron Prison, a maximum-security penitentiary located on Jupiter’s moon, Callisto. When inmates begin to transform into monstrous creatures, the prison is thrown into chaos. To survive, Jacob must battle his way to safety to escape Black Iron Prison, while uncovering the dark and disturbing secrets buried beneath the surface of Callisto. Using a unique blend of shooting and close-quarters combat, Jacob will need to adapt his tactics to combat the rapidly evolving creatures while scavenging to unlock new weapons, gear, and abilities to outrun the growing threat and escape the horrors of Jupiter’s Dead Moon.
BLACKTAIL (15 Dec 2022)
Become the guardian of the woods or the terror nightmares are made of. Forge the legend of Baba Yaga and live out its origins in BLACKTAIL, a one-of-a-kind blend of intense archery combat, magic and dark storytelling set in a vibrant fairy tale world. You play as Yaga, a 16-year-old girl accused of witchcraft and expelled from a medieval Slavic settlement. When living memories of your past return as foul, walking spirits, you are left with no other option than to hunt them down in hopes of unravelling your own mystery.
Atomic Heart (Q4 2022)
Welcome to Atomic Heart, a close world action RPG. In the Soviet Union of the future, in 1955, science reigns supreme. The world is on the verge of the greatest event. You are Agent Major P-3 and you will have to find out what is really lying behind the utopian dream.
Dead Island 2 (02 Mar 2023)
Dead Island 2 is a unique formula of horror, dark humor and over the top zombie-slaying, spanning an epic pulp adventure. This thrilling first-person, action RPG takes players across a brand-new playground – a hellish vision of LA (or HELL-A, as we like to call it). Dead Island 2 is stylish, vibrant and flooded with zombie infection. Explore iconic, gore-drenched Los Angeles. Meet larger-than-life characters. Slay countless foes in exquisitely bloody detail. And evolve to become the ultimate Zombie Slayer!
The Last Case of Benedict Fox (Q2 2023)
Take on the last case of Benedict Fox, and dive into a twisted world of secret organizations, forbidden rituals, and cold-blooded murders. Explore the memories of deceased victims as you search for clues, and fight demons in this fantastical Lovecraftian Metroidvania.
Homeworld 3 (H1 2023)
Tactical, beautiful, and wholly unique, the GOTY-winning sci-fi RTS returns with Homeworld 3. Assume control and battle through fleet combat in dazzling, fully 3D space while the award-winning story unfolds on a galactic scale. 100 years ago, Karan S’Jet unlocked a vast and ancient hyperspace gate network that opened up the entire galaxy to trade and exploration. A golden age for her people began. But a darkness known as the anomaly began to spread, swallowing gates and planets alike. With her people’s hard-won peace and prosperity threatened, Karan led a fleet into Anomaly space to search for answers. She never returned. Now Imogen S’Jet, Karan’s successor, is the only one who holds the key to unlocking the mystery threatening the galaxy’s future.
Lies Of P (2023)
Play as Pinocchio, a puppet mechanoid, and fight through everything in your path to find the mysterious Mr. Geppetto. But don’t expect any help along the way and don’t make the mistake of trusting anyone. You must always lie to others if you hope to become human.
Atlas Fallen (2023)
Rise from the dust and liberate mankind from the oppression of corrupted gods. Glide the sands of a timeless land, filled with ancient dangers, mysteries and fragments of the past. Hunt legendary monsters, using powerful, shape-shifting weapons and devastating sand-powered abilities in spectacular, super-powered combat.
Park Beyond (2023)
In Park Beyond, you can create the park of your dreams without being held back by gravity. The accessible controls and a story-driven campaign mode will help you learn the ropes of park management and build increasingly crazy rides and modular coasters.
The Lords of the Fallen
A vast world awaits in all-new, dark fantasy action-RPG, The Lords of the Fallen. As one of the fabled Dark Crusaders, embark on an epic quest to overthrow Adyr, the demon God.
Of course, these picks represent only a fraction of what was on show at gamescom 2022 so let us know in the comments what caught your attention and why.
