Gamescom 2021: The highlights of the video game fair

From August 25 to 27, 2021, Gamescom will take place this year - but like last year, it will be purely digital, with the exhibition halls remaining closed. But that won't stop big publishers like Microsoft, BANDAI NAMCO or Ubisoft from unveiling some cool news about their games portfolio anyway.

You can find all information about the gaming fair in our big Gamescom 2021 guide. We show you the coolest news and trailers of Gamescom 2021 here.

Xbox livestream: All highlights from Microsoft

Microsoft kicked off Gamescom 2021, and even one day before the official start of the video game trade show. What exclusive titles did the publisher have in store for its Xbox consoles? And which games will soon appear in Game Pass? We'll tell you.

Forza Horizon 5: Fresh gameplay

Microsoft showed eight minutes of gameplay from Forza Horizon 5 () during the livestream. You can see the first minutes of gameplay, which take you through the entire open world of the game and show you how impressive the racing game looks.

If you want to learn more about the open world, technology and game modes, then check out our big guide to Forza Horizon 5.

  • Release: November 9, 2021
  • Platform: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Dying Light 2: Combat and parkour system presented

The new gameplay trailer for Dying Light 2 () impressively shows how you can combine the sophisticated parkour system with the combat in the game: Run along a wall, jump from there onto your opponents and bring them to the ground with a well-aimed kick - this and much more is supposed to be possible in the zombie open-world game.

  • Release: December 7, 2021
  • Platform: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5

Crusader Kings 3: Console Release

The acclaimed grand strategy role-playing game Crusader Kings 3 is now slated for release on next-gen consoles, following its PC debut. The controls are said to have been redesigned from the ground up for the controller, and the game is also said to benefit from the SSDs of the new consoles and offer very fast loading times.

  • Release: unknown
  • Platform: Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5

Into the Pit: New retro shooter announced

A small surprise was the retro shooter Into the Pit, in which you don't shoot around with weapons, but mow down demon hordes in the role of a mage with the help of spells. The fast gameplay is very reminiscent of Doom, except that you don't have a shotgun or rocket launcher in your luggage, but fire and ice spells from your hands.

  • Release: October 19, 2021
  • Platform: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Indie games for the Game Pass

Publisher Humble Bundle has ten indie games at once announced, all of which will appear directly on Xbox Game Pass. From sidescrollers, to top-down action games, to rocket simulation games: There should be something for everyone here.

  • Archvale
  • Bushiden
  • Chinatown Detective Agency
  • Dodgeball Academia
  • Flynn: Son of Crimson
  • Midnight Fight Express
  • Next Space Rebels
  • Signalis
  • Unpacking
  • Unsighted

Other games shown at the Xbox stream:

Gamescom Opening Night Live: The biggest announcements

For two hours, Gamescom Opening Night Live featured news and trailers for new video games. We show you the most exciting announcements and trailers.

Saints Row: Reboot of the series

The crazy GTA competitor Saints Row is getting a general overhaul and a reboot. This time you'll be transported to Santo Ileso, which is supposed to offer the largest open world in a Saints Row game so far. You'll once again be able to create your own character, engage in gunfights with enemy gangs and build up a gangster empire. Best of all, you can play the entire game in co-op mode with a friend.

  • Release: February 25, 2022
  • Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Marvel's Midnight Suns: X-Com with Superheroes

Firaxis Games, the developers of the X-Com series, are working on the next big Marvel game, Marvel's Midnight Suns. As the developer team's history suggests, Midnight Suns - unlike Marvel's Avengers or Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy - will not be an action game, but a tactics RPG. You'll take on the mother of all demons, Lilith, and meet characters from the Avengers, X-Men, Runaways and a few more in the course of the game.

  • Release: March 2022
  • Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch

Halo Infinite: Release date announced

Besides a cinematic trailer for Halo Infinite's multiplayer mode, the biggest announcement fans have been waiting for was the final release date for Microsoft's flagship shooter. On December 8, 2021, the time has finally come and you can once again slip into the skin of the Master Chief.

  • Release: December 8, 2021
  • Platform: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

UFL: New competition for FIFA and eFootball

It hasn't been seen in a while, a new soccer simulation that wants to compete with EA's FIFA and Konami's eFootball. Just like eFootball this year, UFL will rely on a Free2Play model. You will be able to create your own club and choose from more than 5,000 licensed players, with whom you will then compete online against players from all over the world.

It is important for the developers to mention that there will be no Pay2Win options in the game and that it will be your own skills that will decide whether you win or lose.

  • Release: unknown
  • Platform: unknown

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga - More Star Wars is impossible

It's been quiet around the latest Lego game for a long time, but now we finally got to see some new gameplay material from Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (). You can expect the stories from all nine main movies of the series, of course reinterpreted in humorous Lego form. You'll travel to all sorts of well-known planets like Tatooine, Naboo or Kashyyyk, which are supposed to offer quite large areas to explore and to which you can return at any time in the game. Besides the battles on the planets, there will even be space battles in the X-Wing or Millennium Falcon.

  • Release: Spring 2022
  • Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch

DokeV: Our Gamescom highlight

The impressive gameplay trailer for DokeV, which calls itself a creature-collecting open-world action adventure, offered a real surprise. Together with other players, you explore an open world, collect creatures called Dokebi and fight together with them in real-time battles. The in-house graphics engine of the developer studio Pearl Abyss (Black Desert) is particularly impressive.

  • Release: unknown
  • Platform: PC, Consoles

Jurassic World Evolution 2: Release date known

The short trailer for Jurassic World Evolution 2 gives a first look at a few new dinosaurs and the park's new customization options. However, the most important info awaits Jurassic Park fans at the very end of the trailer: the release date. Already on November 9, 2021 you can build your own dino parks.

  • Release: November 9, 2021
  • Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Park Beyond: Crazy theme park simulation

The German developer studio Limbic Entertainment is currently creating a theme park simulation without dinos, but with roller coasters and Ferris wheels. The special thing about Park Beyond is supposed to be the many creative and crazy attractions, some of which even defy gravity. So if you're looking for a change from Planet Coaster on the console, this could be the game for you.

  • Release: 2022
  • Platform: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Horizon Forbidden West: Aloy won't be back until 2022

Since Sony itself doesn't have its own event at Gamescom 2021, the console manufacturer used Opening Night Live to announce the release date for Horizon Forbidden West. On February 18, 2021, you'll be able to explore the huge open world with Aloy and her new gadgets like the paraglider and tangle with robo-dinos again.

  • Release: February 18, 2022
  • Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5

New World: Open Beta announced

New World, the MMO from Amazon Game Studios, has already been postponed quite a few times, but is finally scheduled for release at the end of September. Those who want to get an impression of the game beforehand can do so in the open beta between September 9 and 12, 2021.

  • Release date: September 28, 2021
  • Platform: PC

Sifu: Batman meets Kung Fu

The trailer for Sifu shows many new gameplay scenes of the kung fu action title. Gamescom Opening Night Live host Geoff Keighley has already been able to play the game and describes the gameplay as a mixture of the fighting system from the Batman Arkham games and a fighting game à la Street Fighter.

  • Release: February 22, 2022
  • Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5

More trailers and announcements from Gamescom Opening Night Live:

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