The Highlights of Gamescom 2026: A Roundup of Our Hands-On Experiences
Gamescom 2026 has officially descended upon Cologne, and the Game Informer editorial team has been working around the clock to bring you the latest news from the show floor. With a schedule packed with back-to-back appointments—from the sprawling strategy of Total War: Warhammer 40,000 to the highly anticipated The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past expansion—we have been diving deep into both indie gems and AAA juggernauts.
Whether you are looking for in-depth previews or quick impressions, our Gamescom 2026 coverage is your primary destination for all things German gaming. Below is a curated look at the most compelling titles we’ve played so far.
Control Resonant
Remedy Entertainment is pushing boundaries with Control Resonant, a bold departure for the studio that introduces melee-focused combat and RPG elements. While our hands-off demo—which featured a bizarre, mold-infested Manhattan—left us wanting to get our hands on the controller, the mechanics look promising. Between gravity-shifting exploration and the strategic “Falter” stagger system, Remedy appears to be delivering the kind of surreal, high-octane experience fans expect.
No Law
Perhaps the standout of the show, No Law from The Ascent developer Neon Giant, is a masterclass in immersive sims. Set in a gorgeous, airy Mediterranean take on a cyberpunk future, the game offers incredible player agency. Whether you choose to play it as a direct FPS or utilize creative environmental interactions—like using shop security systems to create proximity traps—the depth on display is staggering.
Hellraiser: Revival
Despite the unconventional genre choice, this first-person shooter adaptation of Hellraiser proved to be a dark, visceral delight. Taking cues from the legendary P.T., the game features claustrophobic hallway sequences and a satisfying puzzle-solving loop involving the iconic Lament Configuration. It’s shaping up to be an essential play for this upcoming Halloween season.
Showa American Story
If you enjoy the Tarantino-esque blend of hyper-violence and dark comedy, Showa American Story is a must-watch. Developed by Nekcom Entertainment, this action RPG explores an alternate history where Japan has colonized America. The combat—which involves everything from katanas to American flags used as spears—is as fluid and brutal as it is hilarious.
Total War: Warhammer 40,000
Creative Assembly has successfully translated the massive scale of the 40k universe into their signature strategy format. From commanding Space Marine detachments to navigating the tactical chaos of Ork-infested battlefields, the game feels appropriately grand. The integration of high-tech weaponry and vertical unit deployment suggests this could be the most ambitious Total War title to date.
Other notable highlights from the show floor include:
- About Fishing: A brilliant indie effort from The Water Museum that turns the meditative act of fishing into a deep, physics-based challenge.
- Agni: Village of Calamity: An Indonesian-developed survival horror title that breathes new life into the genre through its unique cultural setting.
- Cosmo Tales: A breezy, retro-futuristic roguelite that aims to be the perfect entry point for younger players looking to get into the genre.
- Crimson Moon: A budget-friendly, co-op focused Soulslike that prioritizes accessibility and replayability.
- Nekome: Nazi Hunter: A grindhouse-inspired action game that delivers exactly what it promises: brutal, cathartic justice against the 1940s Nazi regime.
Stay tuned to Game Informer throughout the week as we continue to roll out detailed previews and interviews from the show floor. Cologne is buzzing, and we’re just getting started.
