We didn’t fly to Cologne this year. Instead, like countless other gamers around the globe, we tuned in online, coffee in hand, watching the shows unfold with the same curiosity and nervous excitement. And while Gamescom 2025 didn’t always shine bright, it left us with a handful of titles and moments we can’t stop talking about. Here’s what stood out for us.

Gamescom 2025: The Must-Watch Leaders

Zero Parades

(PC, release date TBA)

The new project from ZA/UM, the studio behind Disco Elysium, instantly climbed to the top of our watchlist. The visuals are striking, poetic even, and we expect a story that — if not as groundbreaking as Elysium — still has the weight of philosophy behind it. At the same time, the studio’s internal shakeups make us wary. Will the team deliver the same magic? Either way, this is a must-see.

Resident Evil Requiem

(PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC — February 27, 2026)

The latest chapter in the legendary horror saga promises a return to Raccoon City, thirty years after the outbreak. We loved the look of the trailer: atmospheric, mysterious, and loaded with questions.

Astra

“I was immediately drawn in. The atmosphere and mystery hit me right away, and the animation is just gorgeous. This is Resident Evil at its most cinematic.”

Fallout — Season Two

(Amazon Prime Video — December 17, 2025)

Gamescom also gave us the debut trailer for Fallout’s second season. New Vegas shines in all its radioactive glory—both past and present. Familiar names like Caesar’s Legion and Mr. House return, alongside new faces including Macaulay Culkin and Justin Theroux.

Astra

“For me, the color palette and atmosphere were irresistible. I want to dive back into this world more than ever.”

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants

(September 4, 2025 for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC)

A title flying under the radar, hurt by weak marketing, but one we’ll happily play through. The premise promises a pulpy, adventurous ride, and we’re even looking forward to its planned DLC. Sometimes the overlooked gems deserve the most attention.

Gamescom 2025: Hopeful, but With Caution

Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2

(PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S — October 21, 2025)

The eternal vampire project returns after years of turmoil—studio reshuffles, delays, even a near-death experience as a franchise. Previews suggest a shift toward action and away from deep RPG mechanics. Linear levels, less interactivity, but satisfying combat and clan powers.

We want to believe, but history makes us cautious. Still, wandering through a wintry, neon-lit Seattle as a century-old vampire? We’ll be there.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV

(TBA)

CODELIKE instantly added this one to the list. The RTS looked promising, but with the last entries stumbling, we’re waiting to see if the developers learned their lessons. Hope burns eternal in the grim darkness of the far future.

Lords of the Fallen 2

(TBA)

A personal favorite for CODELIKE. The new entry looks stylish and heavy-hitting, but as always with souls-likes, we’re reserving judgment until release.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II — Legacy of the Forge

(9 September 2025)

Do we even need to explain? It’s another gift for fans of a series we already adore. Straight onto the list.

Simply Beautiful

World of Warcraft: Midnight (Expansion cinematic)

Blizzard knows how to create jaw-dropping cinematics. Even if we’re no longer knee-deep in WoW lore, the artistry is unmatched.

Astra

“I don’t play WoW regularly anymore, but I still love these animations. They’re the gold standard for how game cinematics should look.”

Overall Impressions

So how was Gamescom 2025 as a whole? Well…

CODELIKE

It was fine. A typical Gamescom with a couple of highs. But too many horror trailers, too many souls-likes, and far too many chaotic “what did I just watch?” teasers that failed to sell their own games.

Astra

“For me, this Gamescom was a letdown. Too many horrors, too many souls-likes, and such a repetitive lineup. Dear developers: ordinary gamers exist too. Not everyone wants anime girls in school uniforms fighting mechs. Please give us more variety.”

Final Verdict

Gamescom 2025 didn’t blow us away, but it gave us enough to stay hopeful: a new ZA/UM mystery, a return to Raccoon City, and another journey into the wasteland of Fallout. The rest? We’ll keep an eye on them — some with excitement, some with doubt, but all with the curiosity that keeps us tuning in year after year.