Gamescom Opening Night Live 2023 seems like it will be pretty generic based on the games its promoting to show, including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Assassin’s Creed Mirage. But there’s always a shot that some great indie games will be shown… right? The show is hosted by Geoff Keighley (I’m not a fan). This highlights article includes games in the 30-minute pre-show and the 120-minute showcase; I’ve got some information on the most interesting games, and a list of all games shown (including platforms and release dates, when applicable). I’ve updated northern hemisphere seasons into quarters, so Winter 2024 is Q1, Spring 2024 is Q2, and so-on.

Game highlights

Mandragora

Mandragora is a side-scrolling action RPG. Mankind has surrendered the world to monsters. People hide behind walls and their own ignorance, constructed by their leaders. Players will travel by night to take the world back, for it to become the world once promises. The vast, interconnected world will bring players from dark forests to deadly swamps, burning deserts, and more. By acquiring the legendary Witch Lantern, enter the dark realm of Entropy through tears in the fabric of reality. Mandragora will be released for PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series in 2024.

Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior

Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior has been delayed from 2023 to early 2024. The hack-and-slash action game follows Ime, Lisfanga of the New Kingdom, protector of the realm. Once locked in time, ancient cities are now free again; and old evil has escaped. Ime is gifted with temporal powers for the Goddess of Time, allowing them to rewind time in combat to summon clones of their past selves to help. Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior will be released for PC in early 2024.

Fae Farm

Fae Farm is a cute and cozy game set in the enchanted world of Azoria. Nurture your homestead, meet charming characters, and discover ways to infuse magic into everything you do. Unfold the island’s mysteries on your own, or with up to three other players (locally or online). Your character is customizable. In addition to farming, care for magical animals. As you progress through the story, build bonds with the islanders. Fae Farm will be released for PC and Nintendo Switch on September 8.

The 7th Guest VR

The 7th Guest is an iconic game that revolutionized the PC industry, and The 7th Guest VR is a reimagining of the interactive mystery puzzle adventure. Six guests have been welcomed into a foreboding mansion, but something sinister is at play. A wealthy recluse, toymaker Henry Stauf, hides in the shadows. Who is the seventh guest? What does Henry want with them? Who will live to tell the tale? As players explore the mansion, puzzles become increasingly difficult. Danger lurks around every corner. The tension is palpable. The 7th Guest VR will be released for Meta Quest, Steam VR, and PlayStation VR2 on October 19.

Little Nightmares III

I reviewed Little Nightmares II (Matt reviewed Little Nightmares), and I expect much of the same from Little Nightmares III: lots of creepiness and lots of sneaking around creepy things. Little Nightmares III is set in a brand-new world of delusions: the Spiral, a cluster of dystopian lands. Run away from a new cast of foes, including ominous beetles and a giant baby. Follows Low and Alone as they search for a path to lead them out of the Nowhere. For the first time, face your fears with a friend using online co-op, or play solo with an AI companion. Little Nightmares III will be released for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One in 2024.

Sonic Superstars

One of my nephews is obsessed with Sonic, so how could I not give the loveable blue hedgehog some time to shine? Sonic is back and he brought some friends! Team up to play together or face off in battle mode. Gotta go fast! Sonic Superstars will be released for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One on October 17.

Dustborn

Dustborn is a single-plater, story-driven, action-adventure game about hope, love, friendships, robots, and the power of words. Take on the role of Pax, an exile con-artist with the ability to weaponize language. Pax is looking for a new life, and has been hired to transport an important package across the American Republic. Pack your bags, assemble your crew, and get ready to travel! Words have actual power in this world. Fight with Shouts, or use Vox in conversations to manipulate people. Craft new words and learn to wield a linguistic arsenal against enemies and friends alike. Dustborn will be released for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, and Xbox One in early 2024.

Thank Goodness You’re Here

Well this is a lovely, happy surprise! Thanks goodness you’re here, trailer! Thank Goodness You’re Here is a surreal homage to the game’s creators’ hometown in Northern England. After arriving early for a big meeting, a travelling salesman takes the time to explore the town and meet the locals. For some reason, they’re all eager to give him very odd jobs. The game is described as a comedy slapformer. With each completed job, new areas of town unlock and stranger tasks become available, all while the clock tick tick ticks towards that meeting. Thank Goodness You’re Here will be released for PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch in 2024.

Full list of featured games

• Streets of Rogue 2 (coming to PC in 2024)
• Mandragora (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series in 2024)
• Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior (coming to PC in early 2024)
• Endzone 2 (coming to PC – early access – in Q2 2024)
• Bulletstorm VR
• Fae Farm (coming to PC and Nintendo Switch on September 8)
• The 7th Guest VR (coming to Meta Quest, Steam VR, and PlayStation VR2 on October 19)
• Post Trauma (coming to PC in Q2 2024)
• Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series on November 17)
• Delta Force (2024) (coming to iOS/Android, PC, PlayStation, and Xbox)
• Homeworld 3 (coming to PC in February 2024)
• Starfield (coming to PC and Xbox Series on September 6; pre-order for early access beginning September 1)
• Little Nightmares III (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One in 2024)
• Black Myth: Wukong
• Killing Floor III (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series)
• Age of Empires IV Anniversary Edition (coming to Xbox today)
• Rebel Moon (a movie, not a game, but I’m listing it anyway)
• Crimson Desert
• Payday 3 (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and XBoxBox Series on September 21)
• Assassin’s Creed Mirage (coming to Amazon Luna, PS, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, and Xbox One on October 5)
• Tekken 8 (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series on January 26)
• Call of Duty Modern Warfare III (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, and Xbox One on November 10)
• Nightingale (coming to PC – early access – on February 22, 2024)
• Granblue Fantasy Relink (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4 on February 1, 2024)
• Immortals of Aveum (available now for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series)
• ZZZ (Zenless Zone Zero)
• Honkai: Star Rail (available now for PC, coming soon to PlayStation 5)
• Genshin Impact (available now for iOS/Android, PC, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4)
• Lords of the Fallen (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series on October 13)
• Sonic Superstars (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One on October 17)
• Sonic Frontiers: The Final Horizon update (game available now for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One; update launches on September 28)
• The First Descendant (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, and Xbox One; open beta runs from September 19-25)
• Under the Waves (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, and Xbox One on August 29)
• Fort Solis (available now for PC and PlayStation 5)
• Expeditions: A Mudrunner Game (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One in 2024)
• The Crew: Motorfest (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, and Xbox One on September 14)
• Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty expansion (available now for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series; expansion launches on September 26)
• Stormgate (coming to PC)
• Last Epoch: Runes of Power (coming to PC on September 7)
• Marvel Snap (available now for PC; also available for iOS/Android)
• Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Xbox One on August 25)
• Warhaven (coming to PC on September 21)
• Mortal Kombat 1 (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series on September 19)
• Ara: History Untold (coming to PC in 2024)
• Diablo IV: Season of Blood (game available now for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, and Xbox One; season two will launch in on October 17)
• Dustborn (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, and Xbox One in early 2024)
• Thank Goodness You’re Here (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch in 2024)
• Alan Wake II (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series on October 27)

Watch the showcase