Gamescom 2020: Digital trade fair with all kinds of highlights

Because of the corona pandemic, many things will be different in 2020 than usual. However, there will also be many new highlights this year as part of Gamescom.

Holding Gamescom in Cologne in 2020 would of course not be possible without endangering the health of hundreds of thousands of visitors. This year the purely digital trade fair will therefore come to an end on Sunday evening. A look back at some of the highlights that were presented at Gamescom over the past few days – or for which there was new material or fresh information.

"Star Wars" in all variations

The world-wide popular sci-fi saga "Star Wars" has also been a huge topic in the gaming universe for decades. This year there are several titles that are attracting attention – especially "Star Wars: Squadrons". Starting October 2nd, players will plunge into hectic space battles as pilots on PC, PS4 and Xbox One in a single player story and in multiplayer battles.

In spring 2021 "Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga" will be released for Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X. Among other things because of the well-known humor of the Lego games and a loving implementation, not only older "Star Wars" fans will get their money's worth. Much earlier, on September 8th, "The Sims 4" will also receive the expansion "Star Wars: Journey to Batuu" (PC, PS4, Xbox One). Here players can experience their very own "Star Wars" story.

The interactive adventure "Twelve Minutes" (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X), which is expected to appear in 2020, has nothing to do with the sci-fi universe. In the interactive thriller, which is described by the developers as a mixture of the film classics "The Shining", "Das Fenster zum Hof" and "Memento", "Star Wars" still plays an indirect role. Because in addition to Willem Dafoe (65) and James McAvoy (41), Daisy Ridley (28), who was best known as Rey from the newer films in the saga, also plays a role.

At the height of the Cold War

"Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War" is set in the middle of the Cold War and is due to hit the market on November 13th for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and later for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. In a trailer for the The direct successor to "Black Ops" is an image of Robert Redford (84) and Ronald Regan (1911-2004), the 40th President of the United States. Your mission brings players in the single player campaign to East Berlin and the KGB headquarters, among other places. The numerous multiplayer modes also support playing together with friends, regardless of the platform chosen – even between the old and new generations of consoles.

There is also a new sign of life from the role-playing game "Dragon Age 4". The developers gave a look behind the scenes and showed, among other things, some impressive concept images. However, players will probably have to wait some time for the game to be released, as it is apparently still in a very early stage of development.

Much more advanced is "Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart", which will appear exclusively and shortly after the PlayStation 5 is released. A gameplay presentation of around seven minutes already gives a good impression of the colorful action adventure, which is intended as a continuation of the long-term series, but should also function as an introduction to the world of the dynamic duo for young and old without appropriate training.

Fighting mechs and colorful medieval times

In the competitive brawler "Override 2: Super Mech League", Mechs, towering battle robots, give each other the tinny hat. The game for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox One Series X and Nintendo Switch is set to hit the market in December. If you want to try the whole thing in advance, you can register for a free beta beforehand.

It gets really colorful in the second season of the summer hit "Fall Guys" (PC, PS4). The motley multiplayer chaos that has captured the hearts of many video gamers in the past few weeks is receiving new costumes and levels that are set in a medieval setting.

Video game fans will once again find themselves in the infinite space in the space shooter "Chorus", which will be released in 2021 for PC, Google Stadia, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X. Players take control of the pilot Nara, who has made it her business to destroy a dark cult.

Award after award

Some of the Gamescom awards have also already been given. "Watch Dogs: Legion" (PC, Stadia, PS4, Xbox One) was chosen as the best action adventure at the fair. From October 29, the resistance will try to break London out of the tyranny of organized crime and a private military company to free. A release for PS5 and Xbox Series X should take place later.

The best action game, meanwhile, is the aforementioned "Star Wars: Squadrons". "Curious Expedition 2" was awarded as the best indie game and the best multiplayer game is "Operation: Tango".

The best games for certain platforms have already been named. "Tell Me Why" (PC, Xbox One) by the "Life is Strange" makers was voted the best Xbox game, the best Switch game is the unusual "Little Nightmares II", which will also be available in 2021 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X should appear and "Cyberpunk 2077" (also PC, Xbox One and later Google Stadia, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X) made it to the best PlayStation game.

The latter is probably the most anticipated game of the year. From November 19th, players lose themselves in "Cyberpunk 2077" in a dark and brutal future version of the makers of the "The Witcher" series. As part of the "Gamescom: Best of Show" program, further awards are to be presented on August 30th from 8:00 pm.

Some surprises

The trailer for "Unknown 9: Awakening" caused open mouths among numerous video game fans. Reflector Entertainment's first game, slated for 2021, centers around the young Haroona, who grew up on the streets of Calcutta. The girl, who is struggling with visions of her own death, learns from a mentor how to access a hidden dimension.

Just in time for Gamescom, the chaotic surgeon fun "Surgeon Simulator 2" (PC) has started. Christopher Lloyd (81) presented the game during the opening night in his cult role as Doc Brown from the "Back to the Future" series.

An absolute classic also provided one of the biggest surprises. The German game series "Turrican" – with the legendary soundtrack by Chris Hülsbeck (52) – receives two limited collections for Switch and PS4 for its 30th birthday, which are expected to be delivered in February or March of the coming year.

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