All articles tagged with #gamescom 2026
At Gamescom 2026, Final Fantasy VII Revelation wowed with a massive, seamless open world, smoother traversal, and a combat overhaul centered on Cid and Vincent aided by a new FITS job system. The demo showcased fewer map frictions, new traversal tools like Cetran Shrines, and expanded Materia options (including Diffusion and Evasion Focus), signaling a potential genre-defining JRPG when it releases on April 8, 2027.
At Gamescom 2026, Final Fantasy VII Revelation previews the final chapter of the remake trilogy, expanding the open world to a planet-scale setting aboard the Highwind, introducing Vincent and Yuffie as core party members (with Zack playing a larger role), and boosting exploration with new traversal options across expanded locations like Wutai and Gongaga. Director Naoki Hamaguchi emphasizes balancing immense scale with character-driven story, hints at possible TV adaptations, and confirms the release date of April 8, 2027 across PS5, Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, Steam and Epic Games.
In a Gamescom 2026 interview, Final Fantasy VII Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi says his goal with the Remake trilogy is to prove Final Fantasy can be bigger and broader than a traditional turn-based JRPG, pushing toward a global, open-world-style action RPG while still retaining traditional FF strengths. He stresses that FF isn’t limited to one style and that each project should choose the best gameplay approach, with Revelation continuing to evolve the series’ systems and scope.
Iron Gate says there will be no Valheim 2 and that the future lies in more Valheim content and possible spin-offs within the Valheim universe. Valheim 1.0 introduces the Deep North biome, two dungeons, a major new enemy, rideable moose, mineable trolls, and a cinematic ending, with the team planning ongoing updates and projects beyond 1.0 rather than a direct sequel.
Space.com previews Exodus, a sci-fi action RPG from Archetype Entertainment (BioWare veterans), showcased at Gamescom 2026 with a 50-minute hands-on demo. Players guide Jun Aslan across a space opera universe (Omega Centauri cluster) with companions and clever combat that blends sci‑fi gunplay with “magical” powers, plus a focus on player agency and meaningful choices. The world features unique elements like Awakened frogs and time dilation, and while romances exist, Salt the octopus is not a romance option; you can pursue relationships with other crew members. Exodus emphasizes “water cooler” moments and branching outcomes, and is slated for release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S on April 7, 2027.
At Gamescom 2026, ArenaNet detailed Guild Wars 3 as an action-focused MMO with clearer class roles and a momentum-based movement system. The interview confirms GW3 will sit between GW1 and GW2 in scale, targeting major boss encounters around 20 players and continuing to support GW2 long-term. The studio stresses reducing the “second job” feel by enabling meaningful play in shorter sessions and plans a beta for late next year, with future reveals promised for dynamic world twists and open-world design—while clarifying it won’t be a sandbox and will offer curated player experiences alongside evolving endgame content.
Playground Games’ Fable showcases an unusually ambitious open-world where you can kill or purge NPCs, with guards chasing you and local reputations varying by settlement. The morality system shifts from a universal good/evil scale to a subjective, adjective-based display, allowing contradictory personas like a charismatic thief or a violent tyrant. You can also influence the world economically—owning mansions, investing in neighborhoods, and manipulating rents—though the simulated economy tracks only second-degree ripple effects. Taken together, the game aims to redefine moral choice and consequence at a scale that’s drawing both awe and debate among fans.
A Gamescom 2026 hands-on shows Fable’s combat is dynamic and reactive, blending swords, bows, hammers, and a suite of magical abilities (fireballs, lightning) to create varied takedowns and even dismemberment. The demo uses the linear, instanced quest “Mud and Death” to showcase different loadouts and tactical setups, including AI companion Humphrey, leading to a strong impression of depth and performance that counters early controversy and fuels anticipation for the full game.
Hands-on at Gamescom shows Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen on Nintendo Switch 2 delivering smoother movement, stronger ally NPCs, and stunning visuals, with a prologue-like campaign focus on the Arisen; the reviewer enjoyed the combat and presentation but remains unsure about long-term commitment.
Hands-on with Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen at Gamescom 2026 shows a larger skill set (six active skills), a new frozen Norgan wastes region, and Relics that boost gear and abilities. While it fixes some of the base game's flaws and promises richer progression, combat remains weighty and can still pull control away from the player, though Pawns and the new content keep the experience engaging.
At Gamescom 2026, Crystal Dynamics revealed a Greece-level remake of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis in a pre-alpha demo, showing off a new optional Scanner that highlights objects and lore and a Grapple that enhances traversal and puzzles with an anchored line for verticality. The remake also adds a new skill tree, weapon upgrades, a Focus time-slow mechanic, relics to collect, and reworks Lara's healing, while preserving core acrobatic movement; it is positioned as a canon continuation of the Survivor trilogy and is scheduled for February 12, 2027.
Hands-off previews of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis reveal five key changes: the Focus meter returns but without the old red ‘shoot here’ reticle; crafting of food and potions returns alongside a scanning device that highlights puzzle elements (scanning is optional for progress and lore); enemy AI is improved, with bats swarming and leopards using terrain to ambush Lara; skill trees can affect puzzle progression—e.g., a longer-range shot lets Lara disable falling swords in the Sword of Damocles puzzle; and hidden artifacts unlock outfits, including the Legend-era costume for Lara.
At Gamescom 2026, a hands-on with Fable by Playground Games shows a fluid combat loop, a design emphasis on freedom of expression, and dynamic spell-weaving that promises a distinctive reboot. While the preview reinforces a clear identity for the series, the release faces scrutiny from online discourse and the broader Xbox Tax conversation, which could color perceptions even as the game targets a flagship Xbox experience across platforms.
Game Informer’s Gamescom 2026 coverage compiles hands-on previews for a diverse slate of upcoming titles—from Remedy’s Control Resonant and Hellraiser: Revival to Persona 4 Revival, Murals, State of Decay 3, and more—highlighting gameplay details, co-op options, art direction, and release windows.
CD Projekt Red unveiled The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and PC with upgraded visuals, combat, movement, a revamped skill tree, and accessibility options, releasing on September 29 as a free upgrade for current owners; Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions are also free for base-game owners. The 12-year-in-the-making Songs of the Past expansion was previewed for 2027, introducing Letten, a new companion Lilla, dozens of quests, a chain weapon, and fresh encounters that broaden Geralt’s adventures.