Gamescom 2025 is in full swing in Cologne, Germany, and we’ve gone hands-on with some of the most exciting upcoming titles. From highly anticipated sequels like Hollow Knight: Silksong and Borderlands 4 to ambitious new projects such as The Blood of the Dawnwalker and Pragmata, this year’s lineup proves the gaming industry is heading into a thrilling new era. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the best games we played at Gamescom 2025.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Fans have been waiting for years, and at Gamescom 2025, Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally playable. The demo begins in Moss Grotto, where Hornet escapes from a carriage and showcases her speed and agility compared to the first game’s protagonist. A new Bind ability allows Hornet to heal using an energy bar that recharges over time and through combat. While early enemies are easy, the boss battle with Moss Mother adds a tougher challenge. Silksong feels familiar yet more dynamic, and while it may not redefine the Metroidvania genre, it is shaping up to be a worthy sequel.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Launching on the Nintendo Switch 2, Pokémon Legends: Z-A evolves the series’ battle system into real-time encounters reminiscent of Final Fantasy XII. Players choose moves in real-time, managing cooldowns while dodging attacks and positioning Pokémon strategically. A standout demo moment included battling a Mega-Evolved Absol with Lucario, which felt like an MMO-style raid fight complete with AOE attacks and counter strategies. With deeper mechanics and higher difficulty, this could be the most refreshing Pokémon game in years.
Release Date: October 16, 2025
Keeper
Keeper, from Double Fine Productions, takes players into a surreal world where a lighthouse walks, birds talk, and tiny clock-like villagers populate dreamlike landscapes. With no combat and minimal dialogue, the game emphasizes atmosphere, puzzles, and exploration. Its unique art style and meditative pace make it one of the most intriguing indie titles at Gamescom.
Release Date: October 17, 2025
The Blood of the Dawnwalker
Developed by former CD Projekt Red developers, The Blood of the Dawnwalker feels like an alternate-universe Witcher. Players step into the role of Coen, a Dawnwalker who wields vampiric powers at night and magic during the day. The day/night cycle ties directly into quests, with a ticking time limit forcing careful decision-making. Combat blends swordplay, vampiric abilities, and dark magic, promising a gritty RPG with unique mechanics.
Release Date: 2026
Knights of the Fall
Knights of the Fall from Airo Games blends tactical 2D sidescrolling combat with a post-apocalyptic Japanese setting. Players use a katana, wrist-mounted gun, and a gravity gadget to stun, pull, and decapitate enemies. Its slower, methodical pace paired with striking art direction sets it apart from typical action platformers. A public demo is expected next year.
Borderlands 4
Borderlands 4 returns with chaotic looter-shooter action, but with refined humor and more engaging combat. At Gamescom, a demo mission tasked players with surviving waves of enemies inside a vault. Compared to Borderlands 3, the writing is more restrained, letting the challenge and strategic combat shine. It feels like a more polished return to form for the franchise.
Release Date: September 2025
Black State
Motion Blur’s Black State is a futuristic sci-fi shooter that blends stealth and time-travel mechanics. Standard gunplay is enhanced with unique tools like Cleaner grenades, which erase bodies to aid stealth, and rolling grenades that seek out enemies automatically. Portal doors and time-travel elements hint at deeper narrative twists. While it doesn’t reinvent the shooter genre yet, its mechanics and setting show strong potential.
Pragmata
Capcom’s long-awaited Pragmata finally showed off gameplay, and it’s one of the most original experiences at Gamescom. Players control Hugh, accompanied by an android girl who can hack enemies mid-battle. Combat blends third-person shooting with real-time puzzle hacking, forcing players to think and fight simultaneously. With its striking sci-fi visuals and innovative mechanics, Pragmata could become Capcom’s next experimental hit.
Release Date: 2026
Resident Evil Requiem
The Resident Evil franchise continues with Resident Evil Requiem (Resident Evil 9). Players control Grace Ashcroft as she escapes a decrepit care center while being hunted by a grotesque monster. Gameplay emphasizes stealth, resource management, and survival horror tension, with the option to switch between first- and third-person views. The terrifying demo delivered chills and reinforced Capcom’s mastery of the survival horror formula.
Release Date: February 27, 2026
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV returns the series to large-scale RTS combat. In the Gamescom pre-alpha demo, players fought to conquer an Ork base by capturing control points, expanding forward bases, and commanding armies of soldiers, vehicles, and elites. It’s classic Dawn of War with modern improvements, promising deep strategy and epic battles.
Final Thoughts
Gamescom 2025 has delivered a showcase of bold innovations and highly anticipated sequels. From Hollow Knight: Silksong to Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Borderlands 4, and new IPs like The Blood of the Dawnwalker and Pragmata, the future of gaming looks bright. With major releases scheduled for late 2025 and early 2026, players have plenty to look forward to.
Stay tuned for more Gamescom 2025 previews, hands-on impressions, and release date updates as the event continues.
