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We saw and played these games at Gamescom

24/8/2023

Translation: machine translated

We're at Gamescom and playing our fingers to the bone. In this article, we summarise our gaming sessions in text and video form. Let the games begin!

There's a lot going on at Gamescom in Cologne. We are on site for two days and are playing through as many game demos as possible. In the following, we record our impressions of the most exciting games in short videos and texts. You can also find the videos in the Gamescom 2023 Playlist on our YouTube channel.

"Like a Dragon Gaiden": Complete sensory overload

The demo includes numerous crazy gadgets that I can use in battle.
Source: Ryu Ga Gotoku

"Wow, what the hell did I just play?". That's what's going through my head as I walk out of the Gamescom press event for "Like a Dragon Gaiden". I've spent around 20 minutes with the open-world fighting game and am absolutely overwhelmed. "Gaiden" is now the fifteenth game in the long-running Japanese game series. The developer studio Ryu Ga Gotoku describes it as a smaller side story that is intended to shorten the waiting time for the next big game.

In the demo, I take on the role of ex-Yakuza Kiryu Kazuma, who is now working as a secret agent. I am flown by helicopter to a huge ship. There is a dubious amusement park full of illegal activities for adults. What am I doing there? I have no idea. But the glittering lights motivate me to explore. The game series is known for its numerous side activities. In the short demo, I visited a casino, played darts and flirted with hostesses in a cabaret club, among other things. Finally, I ventured into the huge Colosseum, where I had to take on nasty opponents with a motley crew. As a secret agent, I have some absolutely crazy weapons at my disposal in battle - including a swarm of killer drones and rocket boots. Yes, rocket boots. An insane demo full of wacky gameplay elements. I'm hyped!

Played by: Domi
Released for: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
Released on: 08.11.23

"Mortal Kombat 1": The story makes the difference

The fights are as bloody as ever.
Source: Netherrealm Studio

Once again, the bloody fighting game series has surprised me. Not because of the excessive level of violence. I've long since got used to the X-ray view when Sub-Zero's ice spear pierces an opponent's head. But rest assured, Netherrealm has once again come up with numerous gruesome fatalities.

No, what surprises me is how good the story is again. In this reboot, Shang Tsung is not the leader of the underworld, but sells placebo healing potions to the gullible country folk. Liu Kang created this alternative universe at the end of the last instalment. It promises to be an interesting story, with lots of fights in between. I also got to see the new board game-like single-player mode "Invasions". Challenges, small stories and cosmetic items await you there. It is intended as a change from the campaign and the sweaty multiplayer duels.

Played by: Phil
Released for: Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Nintendo Switch, PC
Released on: 19.09.23

"Total War: Pharaoh" - Mass battles in the shadow of the pyramids

This game is definitely for history fanatics.
Source: Creative Assembly

The latest instalment in the strategy series sends you to ancient Egypt. The developers have devoured history books galore, explains the communications manager at Creative Assembly. The game is intended to be correspondingly authentic. With a smile, she adds that they have taken certain creative liberties. Unfortunately, she doesn't reveal what these are.

The basic game principle remains the same. "Total War Pharaoh" consists of a turn-based strategy part, similar to "Civilisation". You control your generals across a colourfully decorated map, develop your cities and plan raids. This part appeals to me the most. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to try it out in the 45-minute session. Instead, I got to play as Pharaoh Ramses III in three real-time battles - each against a different opponent, on a different map and a different difficulty level.

One of the new features is the dynamic weather. This can change during a battle. Sandstorms impair visibility and the speed of movement. Rain makes the terrain muddy, which also slows down the troops. Conversely, good weather can dry the ground and open up flanks for fast horse units. I'm not much of a tactician and usually rely on the superior strength of my army. When the going gets tough, I flank and try to stab the enemy in the back with horse units. This comes in handy in the defence mission of Memphis. The historic city is being attacked from four sides. My troops are spread too thin to defend all the positions. However, once I have repelled the first attacks, I can take on the enemies who have already stormed into the city. The game makes a good first impression. Visually, "Total War: Pharaoh" looks a little pale. I would have hoped for more detail, but displaying the hundreds of units certainly takes a lot of effort. Even if the changes compared to its predecessors seem manageable, you can expect another strategy spectacle.

Played by: Phil & Domi
Published for: PC
Released on: October 2023

"Hyenas": Shooting in weightlessness

Hyenas hasn't convinced me yet.
Source: Creative Assembly

"Hyenas" is an extraction shooter in a futuristic space setting. Four teams of three fight against each other in a huge spaceship. The aim is to collect as many treasures as possible and escape from the spaceship with them. The teams not only fight against each other, but also against computer-controlled opponents. These try to prevent the raids on the spaceship by any means necessary.

The special thing about the game: in some sections of the map you play in zero gravity. These sections are really cool and add variety to the shooter gameplay. Apart from this gimmick, the demo at Gamescom did not convince me. The shootouts feel solid, but also generic. The graphics didn't knock my socks off either. In short: with the exception of the Zero-G sections, "Hyenas" offers nothing that I haven't already seen in other multiplayer shooters.

Played by: Domi
Released for: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
Released: 2023 (closed beta starts on 31/08/2023)

"Starfield": A small taste of a great adventure

Xbox boss Phil Spencer and game director Todd Howard presented Starfield» at the media briefing «.
Source: Domagoj Belancic

Bethesda's sci-fi epic not only makes a very good impression in trailers. The spark was also quickly ignited during our presentation. And not just because Game Director Todd Howard and Xbox boss Phil Spencer himself were beating the drum. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to play ourselves. Visually and visually, "Starfield" knows how to impress. The planets shown appear varied and the design of the spaceships and towns is reminiscent of the "Alien" films, but also of "Fallout 3".

I'm still not convinced by the stiff faces and lifeless eyes of the characters. In a game that consists largely of dialogue, this could be a sticking point. On the other hand, the action is fast-paced, powerful and much less sluggish than in previous Bethesda titles. I am optimistic. Our review of the game is expected to follow on digitec.ch on 31.08.

Released for: Xbox Series X/S, PC
Released on: 06.09.23 (with pre-order bonus 01.09.23)

"Under the Waves": Mysterious psychological thriller in the deep sea

The diving excursions are accompanied by an oppressive atmosphere.
Source: Parallel Studio

In "Under the Waves", you take on the role of deep-sea diver Stan. Following a traumatic experience, Stan has decided to work in an isolated underwater research station far away from civilisation. During the course of the game, you will investigate caves, shipwrecks and other mysterious places in the depths of the North Sea. During your excursions, you will be confronted with seemingly supernatural phenomena. You're never sure whether Stan is going crazy or whether things are actually happening.

In the Gamescom demo, I went on a few diving excursions - including in a small submarine. Fans of intimate, narrative adventure games such as "Firewatch" can look forward to an exciting underwater psychological thriller.

Reviewed by: Domi
Released for: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
Released on: 29.08.23

"S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl": Scary, beautiful end-time atmosphere

Ah, how nice. A really cosy post-apocalypse.
Source: GSC Gamework

It's back to the radioactively contaminated zone of Chernobyl. In "Stalker 2", I explore the dangerous but also lucrative area around the destroyed nuclear reactor as one of the eponymous adventurers. The demo lets me explore the eerily beautiful world freely. At the latest when I spot a crashed helicopter in a shimmering green pond, I nod in satisfaction. This end-time atmosphere is just my thing.

While marvelling, I have to be careful not to run into an anomaly. These floating transparent occurrences are deadly. Like a dog that previously wanted to nibble my leg had to learn. It is now fertilising the soil for the next generation. I can temporarily defuse anomalies by throwing screws into them. Unfortunately, the demo crashes when I try to take refuge in a bunker from an apocalyptic storm that bathes the game world in an ominous red colour. Nevertheless, I remain positive. There's still some time before the release to iron out the last bugs.

Played by: Phil
Released for: Xbox Series X/S, PC
Released: 2023

"Party Animals": The perfect couch co-op game

Shocking! The basketball mini-game is played with an electric ball.
Source: Recreate Games

"Party Animals" is a physics-based party game for up to 8 players. In various mini-game disciplines, you compete as a cuddly little animal against other cute creatures. You can punch your opponents, hold them down or give them a headbutt.

In a mini-game, Phil and I played an extremely violent and chaotic version of basketball. The deliberately spongy controls and exaggerated physics engine are reminiscent of games like "Gang Beasts" or "Human Fall Flat Rate". We really enjoyed the colourful chaos in the short play session and are looking forward to future couch co-op sessions with the party animals.