Slowly but steadily, Gamescom has become the game industry’s biggest event — and goodness, there were lots of exciting new titles shown off during the opening showcase.
Gamescom 2022’s Opening Night Live broadcast lasted a staggering two hours, featuring dozens of world premieres and gameplay showcases. Geoff Keighley wasn’t kidding that the show would be pretty stacked. Somehow, Sonic Frontiers getting a release date wasn’t the highlight. Total shocker, that.
Of course, most people don’t have 120 minutes to burn on a Tuesday afternoon. So if you missed out, we’ve broken down the 10 best announcements and reveals from the Gamescom 2022 Opening Night Live showcase below. Buckle up – there’s a lot of great stuff to go through.
Dune is turning into an open-world survival MMO
The incredible world of DUNE becomes a survival MMO in DUNE: AWAKENING by @funcom! #OpeningNightLive pic.twitter.com/dGXvhZrHa4
— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) August 23, 2022
Arguably the biggest reveal was Dune: Awakening by Funcom. It’s a survival MMO set in the Dune universe, complete with gigantic sandworms that Frank Herbert would love. There wasn’t any gameplay footage, only a lengthy CGI trailer that somewhat sets the tone. Some believe the character featured throughout is Paul Atreides, but it’s hard to say. Apparently, thousands of players can run around Arrakis all at once.
“Funcom has been pushing boundaries in the MMO genre for 20 years. It’s where our roots are. We built on that with Conan Exiles, our first big success in the survival space,” Rui Casais, CEO of Funcom, said in a press release. “With Dune: Awakening, we’re bridging the survival and MMO genres to create something truly unique and ambitious within a universe we’re all so passionate about.”
Dune: Awakening doesn’t have a release date, but it’ll arrive on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC eventually.
The Callisto Protocol gameplay footage is pretty gruesome
.@sd_studios’ @GlenSchofield flew here just to share this exciting new look at @CallistoTheGame! #OpeningNightLive pic.twitter.com/kWTa2bSjjU
— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) August 23, 2022
Survival horror fans will be happy to know that The Callisto Protocol is comically violent. Be careful watching this trailer anywhere besides the comfort of your home — make sure no kids are around, either.
We got a better look at The Callisto Protocol’s combat this time. Viscera goes flying in every direction, with the protagonist barely able to keep any flailing tentacle assaults off for long. Striking Distance Studios wasn’t kidding about this being a step up from Dead Space.
Hogwarts Legacy gets a new trailer
Time to jump into the Potterverse, this is your first ever look at the brand new trailer for @HogwartsLegacy! #OpeningNightLive pic.twitter.com/4fw6WkvTKG
— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) August 23, 2022
While many are still reeling from Hogwarts Legacy’s recent delay, the latest trailer should soothe that pain somewhat. Probably only slightly, though.
In the footage, we can see two students roaming some decrepit ruins, searching for dark magics. It’s part of a questline that’ll supposedly let players learn more about their character’s family, though embracing Slytherin incantations is against the rules, or so an instructor implies.
New Tales from the Borderlands release date confirmed
Big moment for @Borderlands fans, Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) shares the first look at New Tales from the Borderlands, launching worldwide on October 21! #OpeningNightLive pic.twitter.com/7943UaBsbp
— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) August 23, 2022
Well, that Amazon leak was accurate. New Tales from the Borderlands is coming out on Oct. 21, 2022, for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
While Telltale Games isn’t working on this one, Gearbox Software brought on several vital creatives that were part of the original’s development team. It’ll be an all-new story set in the same universe, with regrettably no returning characters. The trailer retains the cheeky tone, at least.
Return to Monkey Island releases on Talk Like a Pirate Day
Time to monkey around! This is the world premiere new look at the return of the classic Monkey Island series with a special message from Stan! @devolverdigital #OpeningNightLive pic.twitter.com/mWWV2pDFj1
— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) August 23, 2022
It might have taken nearly 30 years for a Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge follow-up, but the wait is nearly over. Return to Monkey Island is coming out on Sept. 19, 2022, for PC and Nintendo Switch.
The new trailer is, naturally, pretty funny. There’s a bit explaining that anyone who preorders will get utterly useless horse armor DLC. For those that don’t remember (or are under 20 years old), The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion tried this way back in the day, and people still clown on it.
Lies of P looks like steampunk Bloodborne
From @NEOWIZWest this is @Liesofp, an action souls-like game where you guide Pinocchio on his unrelenting journey to become human! #OpeningNightLive pic.twitter.com/tHIVLRcc1q
— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) August 23, 2022
Ever wonder how Pinocchio would fair in the world of Bloodborne? You won’t have to imagine it much longer since Lies of P, an upcoming soulslike action RPG, is pretty much that. The trailer is full of epic sword duals with steampunk monstrosities, expertly balancing weird and awesome tones.
Lies of P‘s story involves Pinocchio setting out on a blood-soaked hunt for Geppetto, who can seemingly help the boy gain some semblance of humanity. Despite how silly this might all sound, the game isn’t pulling any punches — it’s a dark fantasy tale through and through.
Lies of P will arrive sometime in 2023 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Telltale brings back The Expanse
Next up from @telltalegames is a narrative adventure set in the world of the Amazon Prime series #TheExpanse, here’s a first look at gameplay! #OpeningNightLive pic.twitter.com/0dseEo4cjS
— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) August 23, 2022
Since the initial reveal last fall, there hasn’t been much on Telltale’s The Expanse. It’ll be a narrative-driven adventure based on Amazon’s TV series, specifically following the exploits of Camina Drummer. Actress Cara Gee is returning to this character for the game too.
The footage is curious because there appears to be more dynamic gameplay than in past Telltale titles. Zero gravity will play a considerable part, and there are bits throughout the trailer showing that off. The Expanse is known for realistic, hard sci-fi elements, so making gravity an integral aspect is true to the fiction.
Hideo Kojima is starting a podcast
Let’s welcome @HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN to #OpeningNightLive! pic.twitter.com/hoIM0lDT2c
— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) August 23, 2022
Look, this isn’t a huge announcement, but it’s hilarious and inclusion-worthy. Hideo Kojima, the creator of Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, is starting a podcast called “For the Record,” which premieres Sept. 8, 2022, exclusively on Spotify.
“I wanted to share my thoughts with a global audience and felt that Spotify would be the best home to reach all my fans and friends around the world,” Kojima said via Spotify’s blog. “It’s an ambitious approach to release every episode in both Japanese and English at the same time, but I look forward to having a good time getting and sharing creative inspiration with listeners from all over the world.”
Sure, why not? Tell us most about your favorite movies, Mr. Kojima!
Story trailer for Gotham Knights is suitably tense
Ready to take the path to Knighthood? Here’s a world premiere new look at @GothamKnights from @WBGamesMTL! #OpeningNightLive pic.twitter.com/936dETGZd4
— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) August 23, 2022
Every showing for Gotham Knights is slightly more promising than the last. Today’s trailer is all about the story, which gives fans more one-on-one time with Batgirl, Robin, Red Hood, Harley Quinn, and many more iconic characters from that Batman franchise.
There’s a touch more gameplay too. While not a full-on Arkham title, the inspiration is clearly on display. Hopefully, the light RPG elements aren’t too prevalent at launch.
Speaking of that, Gotham Knights is coming out on Oct. 21, 2022, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Dead Island 2 is back, and coming next year
This one has been a long time coming, this is Dead Island 2 (@deadislandgame)! #OpeningNightLive pic.twitter.com/Vhhv5hgyvd
— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) August 23, 2022
After nearly a decade of development hell, Dead Island 2 is coming out on Feb. 3, 2023, for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia, and PC. Incredibly, the slapstick (and gnarly) tone from its original announcement trailer from 2014 is still front and center.
This is the first time we’ve ever seen gameplay footage for Dead Island 2. It shows several characters running around post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, taking out zombies with various melee weapons. There are some guns too, but the developers insist it’s primarily a brawling affair.
Khan joins us to talk all things Dead Island 2 (@deadislandgame)! #OpeningNightLive pic.twitter.com/91fY3ljFPO
— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) August 23, 2022
Well, now you know about the biggest moments of Opening Night Live at Gamescom 2022. Until next year, friends.
Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF.
