CGMagazine had a team of three on the gamescom 2025 show floor, and with that many people running the halls at the Koelnmesse, that means we racked up a ton of gameplay demos. We have already shared our Best of Gamescom 2025, and we have rolled out dedicated coverage for some of the biggest titles on the showfloor, like The Blood of Dawnwalker, The Outer Worlds 2, REANIMAL and more, with plenty still coming. With that being said, we have a few more games we wanted to make sure you heard about!
The games on this list left a lasting impression at gamescom 2025. Whether it is a cozy village simulator with a twist, a sequel to an Xbox favourite, or a new title in the World of Tanks universe, these games brought something special to Cologne this year. Here is CGMagazine’s Gamescom 2025: The Best of the Rest!
Black State
Played By: Brendan Frye
Game Link
After hearing about the game ahead of Gamescom 2025, I was eager to see what Black State offered and to spend some hands-on time with the title. After roughly 20 minutes of play, I felt compelled to spotlight it for its enticing blend of third-person action and surreal, ever-shifting environments powered by portal doors. Built on Unreal Engine 5 by the Motion Blur team, the game dazzles with ray-traced visuals and advanced NVIDIA technology, including DLSS 4 and Reflex 2, promising performance and fidelity usually reserved for major studios. Even from the short demo, Black State already looks impressive. In less than half an hour, it showcased unique ideas and an exciting world, making it hard not to be eager about what more the game will offer.
While there is still plenty of work ahead for the developers, the alpha demo of Black State teased a world clearly inspired by Metal Gear Solid and The Matrix, where gadgets, brutal finishers and a formidable arsenal—such as the fusion gun—drive tense, tactical combat. More than 110 takedowns and unique boss battles inject variety and adaptability, while the shifting realms behind each portal create a sense of constant discovery. No release date or PC requirements have been confirmed, but Black State’s ambition and technical swagger make it one to watch from Gamescom, and even at this early stage, it already looks promising.
Bye Sweet Carole
Played By: Brendan Frye
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It is hard not to be intrigued when a game defies expectations of modern gaming in both style and tone, and does so by delivering its concept in a distinctive way. Bye Sweet Carole is a 2D narrative-horror adventure defined by a striking Disney-inspired art style and moody, surreal landscapes that recall the films of Don Bluth, including The Secret of NIMH and Anastasia. Set in early 1900s Britain, the game follows Lana Benton as she investigates the eerie Bunny Hall orphanage, uncovering clues about her missing friend Carole and stumbling into the mysterious realm of Corolla, populated by bizarre monsters and shape-shifting rabbits.
After spending about 20 minutes with the game on the indie show floor, Bye Sweet Carole revealed a blend of slow-burning horror tension reminiscent of Limbo and Inside with classic point-and-click mechanics, including platforming, object collection and inventory management. Lana’s journey unfolds through cinematic, hand-drawn animation, with each step and threat meticulously detailed. It is difficult to know how the overall experience will shape up, but based on what I played, I wanted to see more. Even judged solely on its animation and style, Bye Sweet Carole is striking and leaves you eager to discover what else the game has in store. Written by Remothered creator Chris Darril, Bye Sweet Carole launches Oct. 9 for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Xbox, promising a uniquely melancholy yet enchanting horror experience worth watching from Gamescom’s indie lineup.
Blind Descent
Played by: Dayna Eileen
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Blind Descent stood out to me in its trailers thanks to its beautiful, bright art style. Well…that and the material hoarding, which always gets me. When I got to sit down at the gamescom 2025 demo, it turns out this cheerful-looking world actually holds a pretty dark story. After your ship goes down and you wake up alone with just your AI Companion and no sign of other survivors, you must learn to adapt to this new alien world while it actively tries to erase you like a virus.
I would best describe Blind Descent as a sci-fi version of Xbox’s Grounded. It is a survival game with a pretty intricate system to gain abilities and skills called Adaptions, which help the alien planet begin to accept you. You choose one of four characters to play, and the game is also going to be 4-player co-op. The team at Pokuch is hoping it will be cross-platform, too. With dungeons, crafting, boss battles and ability choices, there is a lot going on in Blind Descent, but I think the payoff to mastering these mechanics could be huge when the game launches into early access in Q1 2026.
Deer & Boy
Played by: Eduard Gafton
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I had high hopes for the “poetic cinematic platformer” Deer & Boy, and the 15 minutes or so that I played of it did not disappoint. The game was not as polished as I would have liked (it’s an early build, after all), and the deer, which helps you solve puzzles à la The Last Guardian, was not as responsive as expected but, by and large, what I got to experience is about everything I would want from a title like this.
During the same appointment, I also got the chance to directly ask studio founder and game director Jayson Houdet if Deer & Boy will make people cry, to which he responded by saying that he’s “trying to bring to tears” the majority of the twenty people working on the project. So, yes, better have some tissues at the ready for when Deer & Boy releases early next year.
Good Boy
Played by: Eduard Gafton
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Observer Interactive’s so-called pet-roidvania Good Boy, not to be confused with the dog horror film of the same name, stole my heart ever since I saw the announcement trailer. The premise of the game, clearly inspired by inarguably one of the best Pixar movies, Wall-E, is that you play as a dog who’s had their consciousness transferred into a space rover tasked with helping a human friend as they unravel the mysteries of a newly discovered habitable planet they call Terra II.
After spending about 20 minutes of time with Good Boy, I was very impressed by how good it played, how beautiful it looked and, most importantly, by just how much heart it’s in here. To give you just an example of the latter, beyond the playable character, there are many other space rovers present, space rovers whose personalities were directly inspired by the dogs of the development team and friends. Get ready to pet a Good Boy or two when the game releases sometime soon.
Hyper Light Breaker
Played by: Eduard Gafton
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Now, Heart Machine’s Hyper Light Breaker has been released in Steam Early Access since January of this year, so this is by no means a new game. Back then, Breaker was not received very well and I, myself, also did not enjoy it that much, despite having a great time with its sister title, Hyper Light Drifter.
However, upon release of Breaker’s new update, Double Down, which I played at the show in the presence of lead producer, Michael Clark (who, by the by, is one of the most passionate and knowledgeable developers I’ve ever met), my impression of the game has done a complete 180. Thanks to Clark and his team, who have been working exceptionally hard on delivering substantial updates in a timely manner, Hyper Light Breaker is now, I would say, a really good game. Will it be a great game come version 1.0? Only time will tell.
inZoi: Island Getaway
Played by: Eduard Gafton
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Long-time readers (hi!) probably know that I’ve been covering KRAFTON’s ambitious life sim inZoi even before it launched in Steam Early Access in March of this year. What’s more, I got to ask some questions to inZoi director Kjun, who clued me in with regards to the game’s first ever expansion, Island Getaway – out right now.
At gamescom, I got the chance to play Island Getaway and was impressed by what was on offer: not only is Cahaya a wonderfully realised region, inspired by holiday destinations in Indonesia, but it also comes with a wide array of fun activities for your Zoi to enjoy, activities such as attending a spa, driving a boat, going on a deep dive and more. This being said, Island Getaway does not fix some of the more fundamental issues I have with inZoi as a whole, but, this expansion is nevertheless a right step on the road towards full release.
Invincible VS
Played by: Eduard Gafton
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After CGMagazine executive editor Dayna Eileen played Invincible VS at Summer Game Fest she called it “fast, fun, easy to jump into, but hard to master.” Following my own time with the title at gamescom, I wholeheartedly agree with all of Dayna’s praise. As it stands, Invincible VS is looking like it’s going to deliver a frenetic and hyper-violent experience completely worthy of the Invincible name.
During my demo, I picked a trio led by Omni-Man, who was playable for the very first time, and had a wonderful time getting absolutely demolished by senior combat designer Reepal “Rip” Parbhoo. Rip was very nice about it, yes, and that certainly helped, but it’s also a testament to the game’s quality that I had a tremendous amount of fun even though I was losing – seeing my characters get smacked from side to side and turned inside out was really a spectacle to behold. I’ll surely be there when Invincible VS releases next year.
LEGO Party!
Played by: Eduard Gafton
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I had only a so-so time playing LEGO Party!, SMG Studio and LEGO’s answer to Mario Party. This is because, in the interest of fairness, LEGO Party! makes do with a lot of the chaotic permutations that happen in a party type game. For example, at the end of the final round, gone are the bonus stars/points/bricks: what you collected along the way really is what you get.
This is great when playing with someone you don’t want to upset, say younger family members, but, at least from my point of view, party games are at their best when there is even a little bit of heightened drama. As it stands, LEGO Party!, in opting for a more sanitised compromise between skill and randomness, seems poised to neither thrill or disappoint anyone. As such, LEGO Party! seems like it might be a fine pick-up only for those that are not interested in other games in the genre or for those who really, really like LEGO. Everyone else, especially those who own a Nintendo console, might want to look elsewhere when LEGO Party! releases later in September.
Lost Hellden
Played by: Eduard Gafton
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Boasting industry talent such as Hitoshi Sakimoto (Final Fantasy XII, Valkyria Chronicles) and Takeshi Oga (Gravity Rush, Siren), Lost Hellden is an action JRPG which both seeks to pay homage to era-defining titles like Final Fantasy VII, while also evolving the genre in meaningful ways.
Sadly, I did not get to play Lost Hellden myself, but I did get to see the game being played in front of me for about 20 odd minutes or so. On the one hand, the game is gorgeous, ambitious and very promising, but, on the other, I left the appointment wanting to know more about the story, battle system and overall scope of the game. In any case, JRPGs are definitely tricky to demo and so, if anything, seeing Lost Hellden in person really made certain of one thing only: there’s a long way to go until release.
Pizza Bandit
Played by: Eduard Gafton
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I really enjoyed the little I played of Pizza Bandit: Korean developer JOFSOFT’s unusual mash-up of something like Left 4 Dead or Gears of War and Overcooked. In the game, you play as a wannabe pizza chef and pizzeria owner, the only issue being that you’re stuck in a future in which alien-like creatures run rampant.
In order to fulfill your character’s dream, then, the goal is to accumulate as much money as possible by completing bounties alongside as many as three other players. What makes Pizza Bandit mechanically different from its obvious inspirations in the shooter space is the fact that you often have to cook food AND disperse enemies. During my time with the game, the only problem I encountered is the use of generative AI when it comes to the background music, cover images and voice-over. Although, to the developers’ credit, they have taken notice of the negative reaction from players in this regard and seem committed to replace AI assets with the work of real artists. Undoubtedly, Pizza Bandit still needs some time in the oven, but, what’s here, at the launch of its Steam Early Access period, is encouraging.
Rewilders: The Lost Spring
Played by: Eduard Gafton
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Following their work on the BAFTA award-winning survival game Endling: Extinction is Forever, Barcelona-based Herobeat Studios is yet again crafting a game that puts emphasis on protecting and restoring the natural world with Rewilders: The Lost Spring. Described as an “open-world action roguelite with creature collection and Metroidvania-like progression”, Rewilders has players take on the mantle of Abi, a girl with some of the characteristics of a bee, who is trying to rescue her family.
In the hands-off demo that I saw, Abi descended from an airship on a mission to purge some of the nearby lands of the corruption that took over. To do so, she employed her hammer, as well as the use of some cute animal companions that were either buffing Abi herself, debuffing enemies or exploiting elemental weaknesses. Despite liking what I saw, the build of Rewilders was rather sluggish and frame-y, leading me to believe that it might be a while before launch. Alas, Rewilders: The Lost Spring currently has no concrete release date.
Star Trek: Voyager – Across the Unknown
Played By: Brendan Frye
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I have always enjoyed seeing how Star Trek translates into new media. While many adaptations fail to capture the core essence of the series, a few succeed, and remain some of my favourite titles to revisit even after all these years. If the demo I saw at Gamescom 2025 is any indication, Star Trek: Voyager – Across the Unknown could rank among them as a must-play for Trek fans.
The game puts players in command of the legendary starship, guiding the crew through a story-driven journey home across the Delta Quadrant. Developed by gameXcite and Daedalic Entertainment with input from Paramount, it blends survival strategy with classic Trek dilemmas, letting players manage ship systems, crew morale and risky resource decisions—even adapting Borg technology if they dare.
Familiar faces such as Janeway and Tuvok return, but every choice opens new possibilities: diplomacy, ship combat, away missions and moral quandaries inspired by iconic Voyager episodes. As the ship and crew evolve, no story path is the same twice, rewarding replay with alternate destinies and unique re-engineered Voyagers. Launching on PC and consoles (date TBA), this ambitious adaptation offers a true captain’s experience, where actions shape both the journey and the legacy of Voyager itself.
Super Meat Boy 3D
Played by: Eduard Gafton
Developers: Team Meat & Sluggerfly
For how brutally difficult it was, I really enjoyed indie darling and platformer Super Meat Boy. However, developer Team Meat’s subsequent efforts, Super Meat Boy Forever and Dr. Fetus’ Mean Meat Machine left much to be desired, to say the least.
The Midnight Walkers
Played By: Brendan Frye
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I will admit, the extraction-shooter genre is one I enjoy but have never managed to stick with—until now. These games are often fun, but one issue or another usually pushes me away after a few weeks. From what I played so far, however, The Midnight Walkers could break that trend.
After about 30 minutes with the game at Gamescom 2025, it delivered a brutal twist on the zombie-survival extraction-shooter formula, plunging players into the sprawling Liberty Grand Center, a multi-floor complex packed with undead, mutant bosses and rival scavengers. Developed by Oneway Ticket Studio, its PvE and PvPvE modes challenge solo adventurers and trios alike to loot abandoned malls, hospitals and casinos, craft weapons, and trade on a risky dark web marketplace—all while deadly, countdown-triggered poison gas forces constant movement.Every run becomes a tense balance of strategic looting, fierce combat and ruthless escape planning, as players must outmanoeuvre not only zombies but also desperate survivors eager to steal their hard-earned stash. Once lost, gear is gone for good, raising the stakes with each foray. Launching in Early Access in Q4 2025, The Midnight Walkers is shaping up to be a nerve-racking contender in next year’s hardcore extraction scene.
Good Games Galore
We here at CGMagzine have already covered our favorite titles we’ve played during gamescom 2025, but the show has spoiled us with so many good games that are deserving of their flowers. And so, from Good Boy to Rewilders: The Lost Spring, the following are our choices for Best of the Rest of gamescom 2025.
Tides of Tomorrow
Played by: Dayna Eileen
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It isn’t often that a game trailer shocks me, but when I found out that your entire playthrough in Tides of Tomorrow depends on the player who came before you, I knew I had to book an appointment to see more at gamescom 2025. The story surrounds a world that is struggling after a catastrophic event known as The Great Flood. Faced with a disease called plastification, people are slowly being poisoned by plastics, and it is up to you to find a solution. The only caveat is that the player before you could help or hinder you on this journey.
How this works in Tides of Tomorrow is very similar to choosing your seed on something like Minecraft. Whether it’s a friend from your Steam list, a popular streamer who has shared their game or a random file you find in the game client, you MUST play behind someone else. The first player will be playing behind the Digixart devs, and from there, the effects snowball. For instance, if an NPC has a single item to help you on your journey, but the player before you took it, you will need to go without, and the game will refer to the previous Tidewalker as well.
Another example was a bridge that broke. If the player before you broke it, you need to find a different route. If they made an enemy, it’s possible they won’t trust you either. The gameplay options are endless, so long as you have another Tidewalker to follow. If you catch up to the player before you in the story, you will need to pick a new player to follow to continue. I am not sure how it will all play out, but I really want to experience it when Tides of Tomorrow launches on February 26, 2026.
15 years after the release of Super Meat Boy, however, Super Meat Boy 3D is almost a reality, and I’m happy to report that the little bit of it I played made for a fantastic time. Indeed, the biggest compliment that I can give this game is that it feels like the franchise might just be on the verge of its own Super Mario 64 moment. I definitely want to play more in order to make sure, but what I have played so far has left me with nothing but hope until Super Meat Boy 3D comes out in 2026.
Vexlands
Played by: Dayna Eileen
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I’m officially calling these games “Stardew Valley-likes.” Vexlands is a cute take on a life simulator with a twist. Coming from Apogee Entertainment, this game lets you explore a cursed land and uncover secrets about the area and why you are there. The interesting mechanic lies in the need to purchase tiles in order to unlock new areas. Not like when you unlock a new lot to build on in a city simulator. More like individual tiles resembling something like CATAN. Starting small at one gold each, you open tiles rather quickly, and each uncovers a new surprise. It could be a chest, trees or even berries to harvest.
The area to play in is absolutely massive, and I was able to see a save file later in the game. The world was fully decorated with ponds, buildings, crafting tables and more, but because you unlock tiles, you can shape the world the way that you want. Tiles can also uncover dungeons or even Crisis Events that trigger things like meteors. You are the only person in this cursed world aside from a few quest-giving NPCs, and you won’t have any villagers, but couch co-op will be possible, making the world of Vexlands a little less lonely. With no set release date, I am impatiently awaiting the chance to play Vexlands again after gamescom 2025.
World of Tanks: HEAT
Played by: Dayna Eileen
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World of Tanks: HEAT is not my usual kind of game, but during an NVIDIA event showcasing the RTX 5090 GPU and its DLSS 4 capabilities, I was able to sit down with the game for 30 minutes to see what it was all about. This new entry into the World of Tanks universe is a free-to-play PvP shooter where you play as a tank, if that wasn’t obvious. With three game modes, Conquest, Domination and Kill Confirmed, there will be plenty to do in Wargaming’s latest title.
I was able to play Conquest, which is just like capture the flag, only you’re racing around in a massive tank, bumping into and blowing up anything you can. You choose your agent, a Marksman, Defender or Assault, and then, based on the agent you chose, you may be able to choose between multiple tanks. Tanks are also able to be modified with equipment and modules. World of Tanks: HEAT does not have a release date yet, but for a free-to-play title especially, I think people will have a lot of fun with this vehicle shooter.
Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 4
Played by: Eduard Gafton
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When it comes to anything Warhammer, I’ll be the first to let you know that this is a world I’m not at all familiar with. However, I do have fond memories of playing Dawn of War 2, when that legendary RTS came out all the way back in 2009 – I was 12 (!). The sequel to that game, 2017’s Dawn of War 3, still developed by Relic Entertainment (Company of Heroes), was so poorly received that it was, according to reports, completely abandoned only weeks after launch.
Eight years later, courtesy of King Art Games (Iron Harvest), Dawn of War is getting a new lease on life with Dawn of War 4. Still, for how much I am excited to see this RTS series return, my hour with the game was disappointing and too buggy for my liking. Case in point, I thought that the pathfinding was really frustrating and that the enemy AI did nothing interesting. It’s early doors, yes, but King Art Games will have to do more to sway me over by the time Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 4 releases next year.
For more on our coverage of gamescom 2025, including previews of games such as Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines II, interviews with the developers of The Outer Worlds 2, and more, click here. Tschüss!
