Gamescom 2024: The tops and flops of the games fair
Gamescom as a rock in the surf: In the crisis-ridden games industry, the games fair provided familiar stability. What we liked and what we didn't.
(Image: Koelnmesse GmbH, Thomas Klerx)
Gamescom has survived its personal coronavirus crisis and is even defying the financial volatility of the games industry. In 2024, it has moved a little closer to stability again. Parties, e-sports and events are once again plugging the holes left by the cancelations of the major games companies. Geoff Keighley routinely hosted the opening show. Microsoft's Xbox division once again managed half the trade fair single-handedly, and even Robert Habeck was there again. Something like routine is returning – in times when many trade fairs are fighting for sheer survival, this can be seen as good news.
In our picture gallery, we have compiled a list of what we found positive and what we didn't like.
The best game at Gamescom
Despite all the fuss, as a games trade fair, Gamescom also lives from its games, which are shown in the public halls, behind closed doors or in livestreams. This year's event lacks the big headliner game that the 2023 games fair had to offer with 'Starfield'. Filling the gap: "Starfield", at least a little. Bethesda's sci-fi role-playing game also made the headlines from time to time this year with a planet rover delivered via patch and some information about the "Shattered Space" DLC.
In addition, several games set out to fill the power vacuum in the public eye. The makers of the medieval role-playing game "Kingdom Come Deliverance 2" seized the opportunity and demonstratively proclaimed their game the "best game of the fair". Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 amused us when we played it and left us wanting more. However, we saw the best game at Gamescom elsewhere: At the Microsoft stand, where "Avowed" was playable.
The Obsidian role-playing game developed a powerful story pull in just one hour of playtime: We were transported to a jungle cave in the world of "Pillars of Eternity", where we were able to talk to an oracle and slaughter lizard people. The dialogues exude the typical Obsidian wit, even the melee fights, which were criticized in early trailers, generated a lot of oomph when we played the game, while the environment with its numerous details and hidden niches encouraged us to explore. We have hope that developer Obsidian will be able to go one better here after the good, but not outstanding "The Outer Worlds".
One More Turn
We also liked "Civilization 7", which we would have liked to try out a little longer. The new graphic style is extremely successful, the changes are also exciting – even if we are still a little skeptical about the age system. What does it do to the feel of the game when Egypt in the Middle Ages suddenly becomes France? We'll have to wait and see.
"Empire of the Ants" amazed us with its awesome graphics and some really funny game ideas, while "Indiana Jones and The Great Circle" could make the first-person perspective in action adventure games acceptable again. "Dying Light: The Beast" looks entertaining, but is ultimately just more of the same: the game was originally planned as DLC for "Dying Light 2". Following story leaks, developer Techland decided to scrap the former DLC and rewrite it as a separate game. We did not like the post-apocalyptic survival game "Atomfall", which left a somewhat rough impression when we played it. However, there is still enough time for improvements before the release next year.
Videos by heise
There were many other highlights to be seen in the Indie Arena, where small teams and solo devs presented their projects to the audience. A selection of the most exciting indie titles at Gamescom 2024 will follow at the weekend on heise online.
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Press and business customers withdraw from the Gamescom hustle and bustle on Friday evening at the latest. Saturday and Sunday belong solely to private customers, who are traditionally the heartbeat of the world's largest games fair. We are confident that Gamescom will return to Cologne in the coming years – and are keeping our fingers crossed that Nintendo and Sony will once again do the honors.
(dahe)
