Future Games Show is usually a good showcase to watch (here are my highlights from their Not-E3 2023 edition). Yes, there will be lots of shooty-shooty, but there’s generally also some really thoughtful, creative games thrown into the mix. The Gamescom 2023 edition runs for approximately 90 minutes and features over 50 titles. There were major issues with the English stream (it kept popping up and disappearing, but never functioning properly) so I’ve included one in English that also has an ASL translator.

Game highlights

Eternights

Eternights a dating action game where players try to make the most out of life during the apocalypse. Go on dates, clears dungeons, and freak out because the clock is ticking! One day, something – or someone? – turned humans into dangerous monsters. All they want is violence and power. They stand between you, a cure, and the world you’d like to live in. Fight for your survival, and fight for those you love. The game’s release date has been moved up: it will now be released for PC, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4 on September 12.

Tavern Keeper

Build and manage your very own tavern in Tavern Keeper, a charming fantasy business sim. Players can dive into every tiny detail, or relax and go decorating mad. Upgrade the tavern while navigating the light-hearted tales of unlikely heroes. Management-wise, hire staff, keep stock, and more. The game is by the creators of Game Dev Tycoon, so we should be in good hands. Tavern Keeper will be released for PC in 2024.

It’s a Wrap

It’s a Wrap mixes pulpy filmmaking with time-bending puzzle platforming. And it’s super cute to boot. It’s inspired by 1980’s Hollywood, and gameplay can range from intergalactic space battles to high-octane chase scenes… all packaged in a rap performance that cheesy 80’s commercials would be proud of. It’s a Wrap is available now for PC (shadow drop!) and will be released for Nintendo Switch on August 31.

Europa

This isn’t one of those strategic Europa games; rather, it takes its name from the name of the moon it is set on. It’s a lush terraformed paradise in Jupiter’s shadow. An Android named Zee set out in search of answers. Players will run, glide, and fly across the landscape, solving mysteries in the ruins of a fall utopia, all to discover the truth of the last human alive. Europa has been delayed a little bit, and will now be released for PC in 2024.

Wild Country

Off the top of my head, I can’t think of any other cozy-competitive card games with city building elements… can you? That’s Wild Country in a nutshell. The. mayor of Sun City is retiring and looking for his successor. Embark on an adventure to Big Sky Canyon and compete against other animals to show who’s the most tactical, sneaky, and strategic. Collect cards, construct buildings, explore Big Sky, and challenge friends. Wild Country will be released for PC and Nintendo Switch.

Symphonia

Symphonia is an expansive, non-violent musical and poetic platformer. In this land, music acts as a source of life and energy. But the founders and their orchestra have vanished and the inhabitants are divided. The world is slowly falling into silence. Use the power of your violin coupled with platforming to gather an orchestra and bring the musical machinery of the world back to life. Today, it was announced the Headup would be publishing Symphonia; it will be released for PC and consoles in 2024.

Dome-King Cabbage

Dome-King Cabbage has a great name and a great premise: it is a visual novel set in the world of a monster-collection RPG (think Pokémon). Mush is grappling with their ability to perceive reality through an RPG lens, and must navigate their way to a job interview for the title of Dome-King. Dome-King Cabbage will be released for PC and Nintendo Switch “soon.”

Tormented Souls 2

That’s right, Caroline Walker is back in this survival horror sequel. Matt really enjoyed the original (his review here) and I can’t wait to see what Tormented Souls 2 brings to the table. Explore eerie monasteries and other nightmarish locations, bracing yourself to confront terrifying creatures with makeshift weapons as you desperately try to rescue your cursed sister. Tormented Souls 2 will be released for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series in 2024.

Full list of featured games

• Stop Dead (coming to PC on October 5)
• Outrage (coming to PC in Q2 2024)
• Streets of Rogue 2 (coming to PC in 2024)
• Soulslinger: Envoy of Death (coming to PC – early access – later this year)
• Eternights (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4 on September 12)
• Blasphemous 2 (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series on August 24)
• Parcel Corps (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series)
• The Gap (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, and Xbox One in Q4 2023)
• Robocop: Rogue City (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series “soon”)
• Gangs of Sherwood (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series on October 19)
• Star Trucker (coming to PC in 2024)
• Castle Craft (coming to PC in Q4 2023 or Q1 2024)
• Sprawl (available now for PC)
• Tavern Keeper (coming to PC in 2024)
• AK-xolotl (coming to PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox on September 14)
• News Tower (coming to PC – early access – in early 2024)
• Bloomtown (coming to PC and consoles in Q2 2024)
• Wantless (coming to PC – early access – in November 2023)
• Aloft (coming to PC in 2024)
• The Last Faith (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One in November 2023)
• It’s a Wrap (available now for PC, coming to Nintendo Switch on August 31)
• Underlab (coming to PC and consoles “soon”)
• Hellsweeper VR (coming to Meta Quest, PlayStation VR2, Steam VR, and Viveport on September 21)
• The Pirate Queen (coming to Meta Quest 2 and Steam VR in early 2024)
• Vertigo 2 (coming to PlayStation VR2 on October 24)
• Islanders VR Edition (coming to Meta Quest on September 28)
• Tin Hearts VR (coming to PC VR and PlayStation VR2)
• Davigo (launching for PC and Meta Quest later this year)
• Park Beyond + Beyond Extreme DLC (available now for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series; DLC launches September 29)
• Tiny Glade (coming to PC in 2024)
• Pacific Drive (coming to PC and PlayStation 5 in early 2024)
• Warhaven (coming to PC on September 21)
• Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin (coming to PC, PlayStation, and Xbox on November 17)
• Abiotic Factor (coming to PC in 2024)
• Phantom Spark (coming to PC and Nintendo Switch)
• Super Adventure Hand! (coming to PC and Nintendo Switch later this year)
• Corsairs Legacy (coming to PC on October 9)
• Afterdream (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series in September 2023)
• Loddlenaut (coming to PC/Mac later this year)
• Clem (coming to PC and Nintendo Switch in Q4 2023)
• Night Loops (coming to PC/Mac later this year)
• Airship: Kingdoms Adrift (coming to PC later this year)
• Luna Abyss (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series “soon”)
• Europa (coming to PC in 2024)
• Warframe (available now for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One)
• Wild Country (coming to PC and Nintendo Switch)
• Ravenswatch (available now for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Series, Xbox Series, and Xbox One)
• Scorn (available now for PC and Xbox Series; coming to PlayStation 5 on October 3)
• Symphonia (coming to PC and consoles in 2024)
• Dome-King Cabbage (coming to PC and Nintendo Switch “soon”)
• Astronimo (coming to PC – early access – on September 27)
• Hexxen Hunters (coming to PC in 2024)
• Vengeance of Mr. Peppermint (coming to PC)
• HumanitZ (coming to PC)
• Tavernacle! (coming to PC “soon”)
• Sugar Shack (coming to PC on September 14)
• Asterogues (coming to PC)
• Dust Fleet (available now for PC)
• Wayfinder (available now for PC, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4)
• Ad Infinitum (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series on September 14)
• Hellskate (coming to PC in 2024)
• Deathground (coming to PC “soon”)
• Tormented Souls 2 (coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series in 2024)

Watch the showcase