Gamescom is one of the biggest gaming events of the year, often showcasing the biggest upcoming titles and revealing brand new games. Gamescom 2021 will be no different, with the event already well on track to living up to its reputation as the European equivalent of E3.
There will be multiple Gamescom events for fans to tune into, with one of the main ones being Gamescom Opening Night Live on Tuesday, Wednesday 25 at 11am PT. Hosted by The Game Awards' Geoff Keighley, Gamescom Opening Night Live will have plenty of world premieres and other reveals. And as it so happens, many of the big games that will be featured at Gamescom have already been confirmed, so those tuning in have a good idea of what to expect.
Here are all of the video games confirmed for Gamescom at the time of this writing. Please note that other games could be revealed between now and when the show goes live on August 25.
Call of Duty: Vanguard
After months of leaks and rumors, Activision finally pulled the curtain back on Call of Duty: Vanguard. The Call of Duty: Vanguard reveal has confirmed that a lot of the leaked information about the game is accurate, with Vanguard having a World War 2 setting, the Modern Warfare engine, and major integration with the Warzone battle royale. Activision has confirmed that Call of Duty: Vanguard has the franchise's recognizable multiplayer experience, a Zombies mode by Treyarch, and a single-player story campaign.
While there are a variety of game modes that will be featured in Call of Duty: Vanguard when the game launches on November 5, the focus at Gamescom will be on the single-player campaign. Call of Duty fans that tune in to Gamescom Opening Night Live will get to see the first full playthrough of one of the game's levels. Information on Call of Duty: Vanguard's various other game modes is being saved for a later date.
Death Stranding: Director's Cut
Death Stranding is making the jump to PlayStation 5 with enhancements and new content, though most of it is still being kept secret for now. That will change at Gamescom Opening Night Live, as Death Stranding: Director's Cut will be on full display in an extended gameplay presentation. Death Stranding: Director's Cut is clearly making some major improvements to take advantage of the PlayStation 5's unique hardware, but it remains to be seen if the port will be worthwhile enough for fans to double dip. We'll have a much better idea of Death Stranding: Director's Cut quality come Gamescom.
Far Cry 6
Far Cry 6 will mark the open world franchise's debut on next-generation consoles, and Ubisoft is bringing out the big guns. Far Cry 6 appears to have a vastly improved story when compared to previous games in the franchise, thanks to protagonsit Dani Rojas having more personality and character development than other Far Cry heroes. Not only that, but Giancarlo Esposito is in the game as the villainous Anton Castillo, and if his other performances are any indication, Far Cry fans are in for a treat.
Ubisoft has already shown off plenty of Far Cry 6 gameplay, so the game's Gamescom presence will be focused on the story mode. The event will feature the world premiere of the Far Cry 6 story trailer in fact, so any fans of the franchise should make it a point to tune in.
Genshin Impact
When it comes to live-service gacha games, Genshin Impact is easily near the top of the mountain. Blending Breath of the Wild-inspired gameplay mechanics with co-op functionality and live service elements, Genshin Impact has proven to be incredibly popular since its launch last year. Genshin Impact's popularity persists thanks to a regular stream of new content that the developers release, with no signs of this support slowing down. Genshin Impact fans will get to learn even more about the plans for the game's future come Gamescom.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
The LEGO Star Wars games were the original LEGO video games in their style, starting a franchise that is still going strong to this day. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is highly anticipated as it will allow fans to relive their favorite moments from the original trilogy, the prequel saga, and even the sequel saga as well, the latter for the first time. While there was a LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens game, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker have yet to get the LEGO video game treatment, though that will change with The Skywalker Saga's release.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga was originally expected to be out earlier this year, but its release date was pushed back. A solid release date for the game still has yet to be announced, but maybe its Gamescom presence will change that. But even if the LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga release date isn't announced as part of the game's Gamescom presence, fans should still be able to expect a new trailer, at the bare minmum.
Saints Row
Gamescom is basically the European equivalent of E3, and so fans expect the show to have big surprises. It seems at least one of the surprises coming at Gamescom has been spoiled ahead of time, as Geoff Keighley has basically confirmed that a Saints Row reboot is going to be announced at the show. Keighley shared an image of a wall with the word "Rebooting" in the Saints Row style font, complete with logo. It's been quite some time since the last main series Saints Row game, so fans of the open world franchise are likely excited to see what's next and exactly what form this reboot will take.
Sifu
PlayStation console exclusive martial arts game Sifu has turned plenty of heads since its reveal, and soon fans will get yet another look at it. It's been confirmed that Sifu will be at Gamescom, though it remains to be seen exactly what fans will get to see from the game.
Splitgate
Splitgate came out of nowhere to take the first-person shooter genre by storm. A throwback to the arena shooters of yesteryear, Splitgate features old school gameplay and combines it with modern conveniences and features. Splitgate's unexpected popularity has seen the game become one of the top-played current FPS titles, with fans and streamers taking a liking to its arena shooter gameplay and portal gimmick.
Splitgate's release date has been delayed indefinitely so that the developers can continue improving the game while it's in beta. It's possible that more specific release date information will be announced at Gamescom, but that remains to be seen. We do know that Splitgate will be at Gamescom, and so fans can expect to learn more about its future, regardless of what form that information takes.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania is bringing the first three Super Monkey Ball games to modern consoles with various enhancements, along with some new content. Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania has guest characters for players to use, including Kiryu from Yakuza, Sonic the Hedgehog, and more. Super Monkey Ball fans that tune in to Gamescom will learn the identity of yet another guest character joining the game's roster.
Xbox
While a lot of attention has been given to Gamescom Opening Night live, Microsoft will actually beat that show to the punch with its own presentation on Tuesday, August 24 at 10am PT. The Xbox showcase is expected to feature the biggest upcoming games from Xbox, though specifics haven't been detailed just yet. Xbox fans will have to tune in to the Xbox Gamescom event on August 24 to find out more.