Gamescom 2025: Our Hands-On Review of The Most Dope Games and Biggest Reveals

Gamescom 2025 has cemented its status as the world’s most crucial gaming convention, not just for European audiences but for the global video game industry. This year, the show floor was packed with titles that delivered genuine excitement, from long-awaited sequels to completely new, groundbreaking IPs. Our team spent days going hands-on with the biggest playable demos and behind-closed-doors presentations. Here is our breakdown of the games that were, unequivocally, the most dope experiences of Gamescom 2025.

The Undisputed King: Hollow Knight: Silksong Finally Goes Hands-On

The hype surrounding Hollow Knight: Silksong has reached near-mythological levels, and Gamescom 2025 finally allowed the public and press a playable demo. For years, fans have debated if the sequel to the beloved Metroidvania could possibly live up to the immense anticipation. We can now confirm: it’s real, it’s polished, and it’s fast.

The demo dropped us into the game’s initial area, the Moss Grotto, and immediately showcased protagonist Hornet’s increased agility. Her traversal speed and acrobatic combat felt significantly quicker and more fluid than the original’s protagonist, the Knight. The new ‘Bind’ healing mechanic—which requires careful timing and resource management—adds a layer of strategic depth that veteran players will relish. Team Cherry has clearly used the extended development time to create a worthy successor, not just an expansion. This hands-on experience has firmly established Silksong as one of the most anticipated and critically important new game releases of the year.

• Platforming: More nimble and fluid, featuring new mantle-up mechanics.
• Combat: Faster-paced, emphasizing Hornet’s needle attacks and dashes.
• Key Feature: The ‘Bind’ healing system forces tactical engagement.

IO Interactive’s Stealth Hit: 007 First Light

Easily the biggest surprise package of the show, 007 First Light from the creators of the Hitman franchise, IO Interactive, left a spectacular impression. The game is not merely an action title but a sophisticated espionage adventure that masterfully blends the studio’s renowned stealth mechanics with bombastic, cinematic action sequences that capture the essence of a classic James Bond film.

Our preview included high-octane car chases and gripping gunfights in an airport, all woven together with IO Interactive’s trademark attention to detail. The game’s presentation is sleek, the gadget repertoire is deep, and the dual focus on stealth and open-combat gives players real control over their approach. This title is a strong contender for the “Best of Gamescom Award” and is positioned to be a massive commercial success, making it one of the highest CPC keyword attractions of the show. We foresee 007 First Light becoming a dominant force in the action-adventure games market.

Next-Gen RPG Powerhouses That Dominated the Show

While action titles grabbed the headlines, the RPG and JRPG genres showed incredible depth and ambition. Several titles made our “Most Dope” list for their stunning visuals, intricate worlds, and compelling narrative previews:

Resident Evil Requiem (Capcom)

Capcom continues its survival horror renaissance. The footage for Resident Evil Requiem, which secured the Gamescom Award for Best Visuals, demonstrated a return to Raccoon City with FBI agent Grace Ashcroft. The blend of first- and third-person perspectives promises to deliver a uniquely terrifying and visually spectacular experience. The sheer quality of the graphical presentation was a major talking point and a testament to modern AAA game development.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 (Paradox Interactive)

After a long and turbulent development cycle, Bloodlines 2 showed a level of polish and kinetic action that alleviated many fan concerns. The latest quest demo highlighted the dark, moody atmosphere of the Seattle setting and the visceral thrill of its action-RPG combat system. This title is shaping up to be a true narrative and mechanical successor, proving that good things are worth waiting for in the RPG games space.

The Blood of Dawnwalker (Rebel Wolves)

An unexpected but powerful entry, The Blood of Dawnwalker from former Witcher developers, Rebel Wolves, impressed with its vast open-world, medieval setting where vampires rule. The game’s most innovative feature is its day/night cycle, which fundamentally changes quest dynamics and combat strategies. It offers a fresh, bloody twist on the open-world fantasy RPG formula, suggesting this new IP could be a major competitor upon its launch.

The Best of the Rest: High-Value Demos

No Gamescom would be complete without a diverse array of hits:

• Pokémon Legends: Z-A: The new footage solidified the franchise’s successful ‘Legends’ formula, focusing on urban planning and a massive, explorable city. A clear Nintendo Switch highlight.
• Phantom Blade Zero: The new demo reinforced its position as a stunning, martial arts-inspired hack-and-slash with a Soulslike edge, leaving a profound impression with its fast-paced, stylish combat.
• Anno 117: Pax Romana: Ubisoft’s new city-builder, set during the Roman Empire, was a tactical masterclass, offering an engaging mix of grand strategy and meticulous resource management.

The overall takeaway from Gamescom 2025 is clear: the industry is firing on all cylinders. From the massive blockbuster Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 reveals to the finely tuned indie masterpieces, the quality across all genres is exceptionally high. For gamers, 2025 and 2026 are shaping up to be years dominated by some of the most innovative and dope games ever created.

Keep following our gaming news and game reviews for the latest updates on these major new releases and all things Gamescom 2025.