Gamescom 2020: Biggest Games And Reveals From Opening Night Live

Gamescom 2020 may not be taking place as a physical event as usual, but it has been replaced with an online event that is still packed full of new game information, announcements, and trailers. It began with Gamescom Opening Night Live, a two-hour show that featured more than 30 different games, including some completely new titles.

Some of the biggest reveals included Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, which will be a PS5 exclusive, as well as Fall Guys, which previewed Season 2. We also got a look at the new Dragon Age game and another peek at Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.

Geoff Keighley hosted the event, and has said the annual Game Awards would follow similar production methods to maintain social distance amid the coronavirus. The Opening Night Live show itself has concluded, and you can check out a recap of the biggest news and announcements from the stream below. Make sure to stay tuned to GameSpot for continuing coverage of Gamescom.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

The first game shown during the Gamescom Opening Night Live event proper, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is a direct sequel to the original Black Ops game. At the height of the Cold War in the '80s, the campaign features several familiar characters, including fan-favorites like Frank Woods and Jason Hudson. There will be optional objectives and multiple paths in certain missions, separating it from many of the other games in the series. There are also narrative-shaping moments near the beginning and end of the story, and the developers showed an early clip from the story involving Ronald Reagan.

Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Gets More Story Details At Gamescom

Unknown 9

A world premiere action-adventure game from Reflector, Unknown 9 is a narrative-driven game that features a protagonist able to manipulate the world around her--seeing them as specters of sorts that cannot hurt her. It looks like it will contain plenty of secrets, as she removes a brick from a wall to look inside.

Unknown 9: Awakening Revealed, A Next-Gen Adventure Game From Reflector Entertainment

Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods Part 1

The first part of a story expansion for the game, Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods Part 1 is a beefy addition to the shooter featuring plenty of demons to slaughter and terrifying areas to explore. They include giant demon skeletons that have become part of the environment, and the Doom Slayer has some devastating weapons in his arsenal to deal with them. Somewhat surprisingly, you'll also be able to play the expansion even if you don't have the base game. However, we suggest doing so to better understand the bonkers story.

Doom Eternal "Ancient Gods" Campaign Expansion Debuts

New Dragon Age

The next game in the BioWare series Dragon Age was teased, with developers talking about how the team is looking to innovate with new characters and concepts. It will feature original wildlife and architecture, and there will be places you have never seen before in the series. The story will see an oppressed group who are struggling to survive against those in power. We didn't see any gameplay, however, so it appears this title is still fairly early on. The last Dragon Age game, Inquisition, released about six years ago to critical acclaim.

Dragon Age 4 Details And Concept Art Revealed During Gamescom

World of Warcraft: Shadowlands

World of Warcraft: Shadowlands was teased with an impressive short animated film, which is one of four parts Blizzard has planned as the expansion approaches launch. Fans won't have to wait much longer, as WoW: Shadowlands will release on October 27.

World Of Warcraft: Shadowlands Launches This October, First Afterlives Animated Short Revealed

Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time

After Geoff Keighley palled around with Crash Bandicoot earlier this summer, the famous platforming mascot had to make an appearance for Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time. The game features "Flashback Tape" levels that are a peek back to the '90s era of the series.

Crash Bandicoot 4 Reveals Flashback Tapes Stages At Gamescom

Star Wars Squadrons

The first-person pilot game Star Wars Squadrons was shown during the presentation. The demonstration featured a look at a single-player mission, with the Empire fighting against the Rebel Alliance in this particular mission. It will be fully playable in VR, making the intense dogfights even more immersive. The game won't be full-priced to reflect its smaller scale. It will be launching for current-gen systems and PC.

Star Wars Squadrons Gets New Gameplay Trailer At Gamescom

Mafia: Definitive Edition

In less than a month, we'll be able to play Mafia: Definitive Edition. The presentation shown during Gamescom focused on protagonist Tommy's introduction into a crime family and it gave us a chance to see its gorgeous new visuals. More resembling a new game than a remaster, it's developed by Mafia 3 studio Hangar 13.

Mafia: Definitive Edition Narrative Trailer Debuts At Gamescom 2020

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Available next spring, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga features content from all nine main films. In a gameplay teaser, we saw Luke Skywalker wield a lightsaber, Anakin pilot a pod racer, and his eventual transformation into Darth Vader. The game will also feature X-Wing combat and plenty of goofy humor not in the films.

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Gameplay Debuts At Gamescom

Fall Guys Season 2

Breakout hit Fall Guys premiered its Season 2 content during Gamescom. New mini-games will come to the game, with medieval-themed costumes to match the castles and other obstacles in your way. Season 2 is still in development, but you can expect plenty of goofiness and other players knocking you off the map. The content will be available this October.

Fall Guys Is Getting Medieval Minigames And Costumes In Season 2

Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond

A narrative-driven first-person shooter from Respawn Entertainment, Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond is directed by the lead on the original game from two decades ago, and it features several acts, including a battle on D-Day. There are elements of espionage, and it will be available on both Oculus Rift and Quest via Oculus Link with impressive action. There are no edits or cutscenes, with the whole story told from your perspective.

Medal Of Honor: Above And Beyond Shows VR WW2 At Gamescom

Destiny 2: Beyond Light

Destiny 2: Beyond Light will add a new elemental power--Stasis--to the game for the first time. You'll be able to temporarily freeze enemies with frost in order to deliver deadly finishing blows, launching storm attacks in deadly bursts, or crash into your targets as a living avalanche. It could seriously change how both PvE and PvP gameplay works in Destiny 2.

Destiny 2 Beyond Light Gamescom Trailer Gives More Details On How You'll Wield Darkness

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

We got our second gameplay look at Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart for the PS5 during the presentation, showing uninterrupted footage of the title. Captured from a PlayStation 5, the gameplay demo begins with the two heroes chasing down Dr. Nefarious after falling through a portal, immediately transitioning to combat. Classic zany weapons such as the Burst Pistol are on display, allowing you to defeat enemies while staying mobile. The demo also featured "Rift Tether" gameplay, allowing Ratchet to reach inaccessible areas through interdimensional manipulation.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart makes heavy use of the PS5's SSD, and it will be exclusive to the system. The game will feature no loading screens and is releasing during the PS5's launch window, though an exact release date remains unannounced.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Is Releasing In PS5's Launch Window