Coming to PC and consoles, Honor of Kings: World was announced in 2001 and sees players embarking on a new story in the MOBA’s universe. As a Jixia Academy student, you’ll encounter various heroes and venture through the world, encountering various dangers and learning more about “the Flow.” Combat is real-time, and players can switch between two unique fighting styles.

While the general public won’t get their hands on it anytime soon, Gamescom attendees can play the action RPG for the first time at Hall 9, Booth B040 from August 20th to 24th on PC. For even more gameplay, head here. It’s also worth noting that despite co-op support, Honor of Kings: World is playable solo with AI companions.

Silent Hill f Trailer

We’ve seen and heard a lot about Silent Hill f, whether it’s the heavier focus on combat (and even stat upgrades) or the multiple endings. And yet, given the proclivities of writer Ryukishi07 and artist kera towards the unsettling, it feels like we’ve barely even scratched the surface. A new trailer debuts at Gamescom Opening Night Live, and it’s also scheduled for day 2 of Xbox’s broadcast. Maybe some of that insanity will break loose before it launches next month.

ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X Release Date and Prices

If the rumors are true, Microsoft will announce the release date for the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X on August 20th, with pre-orders opening on the same day. Both handheld PCs will reportedly launch on October 16th for €599 and €899, respectively. It’s plausible enough, and hopefully, it goes the extra mile on really selling us on their features.

Hollow Knight: Silksong (Anything)

Doubters in shambles, once again? Potentially, because Hollow Knight: Silksong might get a release date announcement, maybe even a new trailer. Not only is it playable at both the Xbox and Nintendo booths, but Team Cherry has explicitly stated that it will launch before the ROG Xbox Ally. Plans could always change, but for now, the stars may finally align on one of the most anticipated games of all time.

Resident Evil Requiem

An “exclusive” new look at the next big title in the celebrated horror series? Don’t mind if we do. Set for August 19th at Gamescom Opening Night Live, there’s no telling what secrets it could reveal. And while a playable demo will be available on the show floor for attendees, known leaker Aesthetic Gamer alleges new screenshots, gameplay, and preview impressions on August 20th. Suffice it to say that you should prepare for an influx of new information (and maybe a Leon reveal?) regardless.

Ninja Gaiden 4’s New Trailer

One of my most anticipated games of the year, Ninja Gaiden 4, has looked absolutely incredible in nearly every showing. Would a new trailer at Gamescom Opening Night Live really offer more, especially after all the gameplay and previews? Probably not, but some more stylish, combat is a guarantee, and that’s all I can ask for.

Where Winds Meet

With its final beta wrapped, the odds of Everstone Studio’s massive open-world action RPG receiving a release date are greater than before. And what better place than Gamescom, where it was first announced about three years ago? All the pieces are in place, and based on everything we’ve seen thus far – the combat, the world size, the attention to detail – it could be another breakout hit for NetEase.

Honor of Kings: World Trailer

By comparison, Honor of Kings: World is in a somewhat weird spot. It saw some updates earlier this year from GDC, including solid-looking gameplay, but there’s been very little since. Regardless, with a new trailer at Opening Night Live and a playable demo on the show floor, maybe Tencent has a big announcement lined up, like a release window or even a beta.

The Division 2’s “Big Project” Announcement

As other live service titles falter or fall by the wayside, Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 is chugging along just fine. Massive has some pretty significant panels planned for Gamescom week, but we’re most interested in the “big project” announcement for the looter shooter. A big new expansion could be it, especially after the launch of Battle for Brooklyn. Here’s hoping it offers a brand-new region to explore and expands on the end-game further.

Crimson Desert Gameplay

Speaking of long-delayed, Crimson Desert was pushed from late 2025 to Q1 2026, but it’s still on track for a playable demo at Gamescom. New gameplay also wouldn’t be surprising, either at Opening Night Live or Future Games Show, but Pearl Abyss could release it online during the week to appease fans who can’t go hands-on. A release date reveal is unlikely, especially at this point, but at the very least, we’ll get to see how much further it’s progressed since the last gameplay showing.

Phantom Blade Zero’s New Trailer

Perhaps the most high-profile title at the Future Games Show on August 20th, Phantom Blade Zero is set to receive a new trailer. But it already received some extensive footage recently, so what gives? S-Game previously confirmed that attendees could play an hour-long demo on the show floor. Maybe this is an announcement for the long-sought public demo? It would certainly warrant a spot like this and, if nothing else, build on the hype even further.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s Release Date

Predicting Nintendo’s next move is always challenging, especially when it comes to Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, a project that’s been in the works since 2019. Nevertheless, it has reiterated a launch this year and with a playable demo for the title confirmed at Gamescom, a release date announcement seems all but a given. Whether it will happen at Opening Night Live is another question entirely.

Little Nightmares 3 Returns to the Carnevale

The other high-profile title appearing at the Future Games Show is Supermassive Games’ Little Nightmares 3. We already know the release date, and if anything, keeping much under wraps as possible would be fitting. That may explain why it’s venturing back to the Carnevale level from the Little Nightmares Showcase, offering up a familiar setting but with new thrills. Either way, we can’t wait to see what’s in store.

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando

Where in the world has Toxic Commando been since its announcement in 2023? Granted, Focus Entertainment said it would launch sometime this year, but there’s little else besides. That doesn’t mean closed playtests haven’t been underway, as evidenced by a leak last July. Saber Interactive has a lot on its plate lately, but if Toxic Commando does appear at, say, Opening Night Live, an open beta announcement is the very least it could offer.

Dying Light: The Beast

Techland’s sequel isn’t just about freerunning and those nerve-shredding nights, it’s dialing up the splatter, too. The studio is touting far more realistic dismemberment and damage modeling, and a fresh gameplay slice is slated for the Xbox Gamescom showcase ahead of launch on September 19 for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC, with PS4 and Xbox One versions following later this year.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Set to appear during the Xbox Showcase at Gamescom 2025, the next Onimusha is poised for a proper reveal with new details and footage. Expect a roughly 20-hour adventure that returns to classic, stage-by-stage progression and tells a standalone story, rather than an open-world follow-up to earlier entries.

Black Myth: Wukong — DLC Tease

As Black Myth: Wukong arrives on Xbox Series X|S on August 20, all eyes are on Opening Night Live for what looks like the game’s first DLC reveal. The timing suggests an add-on targeting a 2026 window, while the base game remains available on PS5 and PC.

When asked about the same, he replied, “You can if you want. We actually provide quite a lot of a single-player experience. It’s an option. We provide a non-invasive multiplayer experience for you. At some point, it’s always convenient to play with others. Let’s say that you feel like a boss fight is too difficult. As a player, you can always call for help, but it’s not going to be disruptive.”

Matchmaking with similarly ranked players is available when heading into a dungeon, though it’s unknown if there are any restrictions. Of course, you can also bring in AI companions, which Simon describes as an “assistant function.”

“If you can’t find a friend or just want to play alone, then there are options for AI companions in the dungeons or stuff like that. So it’s more like an accessible assistant function to that.” It’s unknown if you can temporarily recruit other players’ characters as support units with the AI controlling them.

Amid all the new details, Honor of Kings: World still lacks a release date, with the development team “working really hard to bring it online as soon as possible.” Private playtests are ongoing, and the title is coming to consoles and PC. Stay tuned for more details, and check out the latest trailer here.

TiMi Studio Group has confirmed a behind-closed-doors playtest for registered media members. The official website is also live, outlining different locations in Jixia, including the Tower of Enlightenment in Jixia Academy, the Springbrook Plains with its ancient ruins and wetlands, and the mountains.

There are also more dangerous places like Dragon Valley (which gets its name from the remains of a giant dragon) and Caelumpila Ruinsaa, previously a soldier enhancement facility with untold secrets.

It’s all very intriguing, though time will tell if we’re any closer to a release. Stay tuned for potential updates in the coming days, and check out more gameplay here.

Faith of Danschant

Faith of Danschant: Hereafter is a sequel to developer Beijing Joyfun’s 2017 original. The game puts you in the shoes of a warrior who must embark on a quest to cleanse his village of demon presence, and that journey is punctuated by plenty of thrilling battles against a slew of different kinds of beasts. The combat is appropriately flashy with a focus on chaining combos, and that combined with interesting set-piece moments should make Faith of Danschant: Hereafter a really fun time. It will be released for PC sometime in the near future.

Black Myth Wukong

Chinese developer Game Science’s upcoming Black Myth Wukong looks like an excellent adaptation of the popular action genre. Set against the backdrop of a fantasy kingdom with a diverse range of biomes, Wukong’s gameplay is a mix of Soulslike and hack and slash – which makes for a fun yet tactical combat loop. The art direction also looks stellar, and we are excited to see what’s in store when it releases for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on August 20.

Monster Hunter Wilds

Monster Hunter World and Rise enjoyed massive critical and commercial success on their respective platforms, and the upcoming Monster Hunter Wilds is on track to keep that goodwill going with its vast open-world brimming with all kinds of ferocious monsters and new additions like weather calamities. It’s largely the same experience that fans are used to with prior renditions, but we are still here for it. Monster Hunter Wilds comes out for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S sometime soon.

JUMUN – Will on the Blade

Announced in January 2023 by a solo developer revealing little to no details about themself, JUMUN – Will on the Blade is an open-world action RPG developed on Unreal Engine 5 for PC and consoles. Details are scant on the setting, though there’s an influence of samurai and Japanese-style architecture.

As for the gameplay, based on the developer’s WIP videos, it combines fast-paced melee combat with high mobility, as players can dash in and inflict heavy damage with blades and martial arts before quickly retreating. Stealth also plays a role, as you can sneak through tall grass for quick executions, and the enhanced mobility even allows for quick traversal through treetops. There’s even a grappling hook, because why not?

Though it’s too early to say when JUMUN – Will on the Blade could launch, there’s definitely potential.

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers is an odd title. Developed by Leenzee Games, founded in 2016, it’s a historical action RPG set during the end of the Ming Dynasty. The overall direction is supernatural horror as the protagonist, Wuchang, battles overwhelming beasts alongside twisted human soldiers.

While the aesthetic looks promising, some are alleging similarities to the sound effects from FromSoftware’s Dark Souls series and Bloodborne in its 2021 gameplay reveal (and that’s before getting into some of the similarities to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice). Perhaps these were placeholders, and things have changed since then. Regardless, it’s seemingly out in 2024, so maybe we’ll see more updated footage that provides a better picture.

Hellblade 2

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is an excellent continuation of Senua’s adventures across the Scandinavian islands, and it looks exactly what we want from such a sequel. Built using Unreal Engine 5, Hellblade 2 impresses with its high level of fidelity and immaculately rendered facial expressions. The actual combat loop is still pretty simple, but the excellent animation work and the sheer desperation on display as Senua flails her sword at enemies is what makes it worth checking out when it comes out for PC and Xbox Series X/S sometime in the near future.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

FromSoftware’s Elden Ring is the game that catapulted the Soulslike genre into the mainstream, and fans are understandably excited about Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Set to thrust players back to The Lands Between, Shadow of the Erdtree will feature a bunch of new bosses to fight, weapons to collect, and secrets to unfold which should keep you busy for dozens and dozens of hours. It comes out on June 21 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

Dragon’s Dogma is now available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on 22 March 2024. Dragon’s Dogma 2 allows players to craft their journey in a land overrun by all sorts of peril. While the combat isn’t as flashy as other hack-and-slash games on this list, it certainly has its fast-paced moments and the fact that it puts a ton of focus on build customization makes it all the more engaging. These themes of player freedom also extend to the campaign, where your choices during critical moments will decide the conclusion of this setting.

Honor of Kings: World

Currently in development, Honor of Kings: World puts players in the shoes of a warrior who must fight against all odds to save his homeland from the wrath of demons and otherworldly beings. It flaunts some amazing visuals and a combat system that revolves around stringing together hard-hitting combos along with cool traversal tricks like gliding – which should make for an experience that’s a consistently joyous affair. It comes out for multiple platforms which means it should hopefully be out for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S sometime soon.

The Perceiver

17ZHE Studio is hard at work on The Perceiver, an upcoming open-world action RPG that is highly inspired by FromSoftware’s works like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice or even Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Tsushima. Set in a huge open world that’s brought to life with great attention to detail, The Perceiver is all about taking part in frantic sword fights that are a careful dance of swift strikes and last-minute dodges – making for a flashy yet tactical gameplay loop that forces you to pay attention to your enemy’s movements and come up with strategies on the fly.

Where Winds Meet

Where Winds Meet seamlessly blends Chinese history and fantasy elements together, making for a game that feels pretty unique in terms of the art direction. It’s a really ambitious game that juggles different gameplay types from traversal to combat and even puzzles, and that should culminate in a consistently engaging experience through and through. It releases for PC soon, though there is a possibility that it might come out for Xbox Series X/S and PS5 as well.

Marvel’s Wolverine

Insomniac Games has rightfully established its reputation as Sony’s top talent off the back of the excellent Spider-Man games, and the developer is now hard at work on Marvel’s Wolverine which will be released for the PS5 at some point in the future. There’s not much information on what the story or the gameplay might entail, but it’s almost certain that it’s going to be a hack-and-slash-styled experience given the developer’s past projects and Wolverine’s primary mode of attack. More details will probably surface soon, and we are really stoked to see how Insomniac adapts its learnings from past projects into this new realm.

Rise of the Ronin

Team Ninja has delivered smash hit after smash hit with its take on the Souls games, and Rise of the Ronin should have felt like a natural evolution of what we have seen in its prior projects. Set in an ancient era ravaged by war and conflict, Rise of the Ronin tasks you to forge your destiny through your choices in an open world ripe with opportunity. However, the game turned out to be a mixed bag with various gameplay issues. The combat, however, is flashy and methodical, and that combined with great traversal options could make a fun experience for some players.

Lost Soul Aside

Lost Soul Aside is the upcoming action RPG from developer UtilZeroGames. Its high octane gameplay mechanics are apparent at first glance, and it feels absolutely exhilirating. It flaunts some excellent visuals that are built using Unreal Engine 5 and combining that with a combat loop that prioritizes personal expression should make for a consistently engaging and action-packed experience. It’s set to release for PS5 sometime this year, though it’s likely that it might be pushed back to a later date.

Crimson Desert

Of all upcoming hack-and-slash titles, Pearl Abyss’s Crimson Desert is perhaps the most exciting. Set in the universe of Black Desert Online, it’s coming to consoles and PC. Players control Macduff, a mercenary who ventures through the continent of Pywel and faces numerous obstacles. Work-in-progress gameplay debuted during Gamescom Opening Night Live last year, showcasing fast-paced combat with extensive environmental destruction, stunning environments, massive battles and a large-scale open world.

Along with taking on tasks for NPCs, players could also hijack wagons, fish, explore surreal locations, climb almost anything (including massive monsters and even use supernatural abilities to fly through the air. It’s a lot to take in, and how extensive the scope and fidelity (especially on previous-gen consoles) can be remains to be seen. Nevertheless, Crimson Desert looks exciting, and we can’t wait to see how it turns out.

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

The Last of Us Part 2 is already a stellar-looking game, and the Remastered version further improves that. Launching on January 19th for PS5, it adds Performance and Fidelity modes like 1440p and native 4K on PS5 while improving the sampling rate of animations, shadow quality and level-of-detail distance. We’ll need detailed comparisons, but it still looks great on its own.

Tekken 8

Built from the ground up on Unreal Engine 5 for current-gen platforms, Tekken 8 is drop-dead gorgeous. From the environments with extensive details and destruction to the clothing physics on characters, it’s superb, which is saying something, given how well it performs on consoles and PC. Tekken 8 is out on January 26th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

Complaints against the writing, combat and live-service elements are justified, but Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League does showcase Rockstar’s visual prowess. Metropolis looks fairly meticulous, whether it’s the superhero references or draw distance. The characters also look good, particularly the facial animations, and the chaotic combat showcases some nice effects. Whether it defies expectations or not, Suicide Squad should at least be a pretty journey.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons wasn’t exactly on top of anyone’s list of desired remakes, despite being a great game. Nevertheless, Avantgarden SRL’s remake, launching February 28th on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC, is stunning. The abject detail on each brother with their revamped models, the meticulous environmental textures, and the incredible use of lighting confer a fantasy mood to the adventure without taking away the soul of the original.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Perhaps the biggest jump in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is the scale of its environments. The world beyond Midgar is dotted with details, with improved levels of detail, textures, draw distances and stunning skyboxes. All of that fidelity doesn’t detract from the characters, which look better than ever, and it’s simply a feast for the eyes. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth arrives on February 29th for PS5.

Rise of the Ronin

Team Ninja’s Nioh series and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty look good but didn’t quite take that next-gen graphics leap. Cue Rise of the Ronin, exclusive to PS5 and launching March 22nd, with its realistic environments, character models and intricate effects. The detail and draw distance are also impressive, and we can’t wait to see more.

Black Myth: Wukong

While its reveal was impressive enough, Black Myth: Wukong shifted to Unreal Engine 5 several years ago. The support of 4K at 60 FPS and ray tracing is great, but its near photo-realistic environments, lighting, and effects make it a force to reckon with. It’s out on August 20th for PS5, PC and Xbox Series X/S.

The Alters

This War of Mine and Frostpunk showcased 11 bit Studios as a stickler for details. While Frostpunk 2 is going for a larger, more vibrant city, The Alters opts for a more personal connection when it launches this year for PC. With protagonist Jan Dolski interacting with alternate versions of himself, the presentation with the character models, facial animations and cutscenes looks exceptional. That’s not to discount everything else, whether it’s the atmospherics of the hostile planet that Jan must escape or the sheer goings-on of the base.

Ark 2

Even after going from ARK: Survival Evolved to Survival Ascended, Ark 2 looks like a bigger step forward. Developed on Unreal Engine 5, it promises more realistic foliage, weather systems and real-time ambient lighting with its expanded sandbox and massive environment. Extensive gameplay has yet to be showcased, but Ark 2 will launch in late 2024 for Xbox Series X/S and PC. An extensive reveal could very well be around the corner.

The First Descendant

Nexon is known for various titles, from Dungeon Fighter Online to Dave the Diver. With The First Ascendant, it jumps into the world of looters, using Unreal Engine 5 to deliver a sci-fi third-person shooter. It has looked good thus far, from the models and the lighting to the scale of its levels, with a plan to launch this Summer for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Little Nightmares 3

If you played the previous games, you know what to expect with Little Nightmares 3, even with Supermassive Games now in charge of development. Moody lighting, intricate shadows, dilapidated levels – it’s all here and looks better than ever. There are even some impressive particle and weather effects, as seen in the Necropolis. Thankfully, we won’t have to wait long to play it, as Little Nightmares 3 launches this year for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, PS4 and Nintendo Switch.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

Ninja Theory’s Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice has received extensive acclaim, partly due to its status as an independent studio and mostly due to its presentation. Under Microsoft, it’s stepping up in every department that matters, from its cloud-generation tech for more atmospheric scenes to its impeccable facial animations. It’s billed as the studio’s biggest project yet and launches for Xbox Series X/S and PC this year.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

It’s astounding that GSC Game World is offering the kind of scope and scale of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl despite the ongoing issues. It’s even more incredible when you consider how good the game looks, leveraging Unreal Engine 5 to deliver exceptional effects, animations, lighting and shadows. The fact that it’s targeting 60 FPS in Performance Mode on Xbox Series X with this level of fidelity is just the cherry on top. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is planned to launch in Q1 2024 for Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Star Wars Outlaws

The Snowdrop Engine has provided great success for Massive Entertainment, from its introduction in Tom Clancy’s The Division to its recent use in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. Star Wars Outlaws is the latest title to leverage its lighting, rendering system and fidelity to deliver its visuals. Thus far, it’s looking good, with seamless planet-to-space transitions and impressive draw distances, en route to its launch for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown

It may not beat out Forza Motorsport or Gran Turismo 7, but Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown sports detailed vehicles (with their chassis offering realistic reflections), weather effects and environments. Offering a 1:1 recreation of Hong Kong Island, from extensive foliage to sharp skylines, the sensation of racing is also on point. Launching in early 2024 for PS5, PC and Xbox Series X/S, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown should be a worthwhile resurgence for the franchise.

The Chinese Room’s next big horror, Still Wakes the Deep, launches in 2024 for Xbox Series X/S and PC. Inspired by Suspiria and The Thing, it’s set on an oil rig amid a storm, with a hostile presence hunting the player. Its claustrophobic environments and pathways offer plenty of opportunity for the lighting and textures to shine, to say nothing of the realistic water. As harrowing as it looks, Still Wakes the Deep could be one of the better-looking first-person horror titles this year.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

You can’t count out Ichiban Kasuga, and his adventure to Honolulu City is shaping up to be the series’ biggest yet when Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth launches on January 26th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC. Visuals and presentation have never been an issue for the Like a Dragon franchise, but the new locales allow for all kinds of flexing, from the aquatic life to the realistically rendered ocean. Everything else looks fantastic, from the characters and facial expressions to the towns, cities and over-the-top summons.

Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 maintains the first game’s four-player co-op and unforgiving shooting, right down to the friendly fire. The visual fidelity is something else, especially from the new third-person perspective. The environments feel like proper alien worlds with unique vegetation and realistic textures, while the bugs are downright terrifying. It’s out on February 8th for PS5 and PC.

Skull and Bones

To say that Skull and Bones is cursed would be an understatement, simply due to the sheer number of delays and rumored reboots. It’s launching on February 16th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC, and say what you will, but at least the graphics look nice. The gorgeous ocean, lighting and material details sell the pirate fantasy. Now, the rest of the game has to measure up.

Pacific Drive

Part supernatural adventure, part rogue-lite driving title, Pacific Drive launches on February 22nd for PS5 and PC. The usage of lighting and atmospherics is impressive, alternating between moody and over-the-top, as players navigate the Olympic Exclusion Zone, avoiding anomalies and diving into its surreal lore.

Nivalis

ION LANDS’ Nivalis may not win the award for most realistic-looking humans, but that doesn’t matter. The slice-of-life sim uses voxels to excellent effect, mixing ambient neon lighting and weather effects (including snow blanketing the city). There is a lot to love, whether managing a restaurant or fishing on the docks, and it’s out this year for PC.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is reportedly coming out this year if we can believe PlayStation’s trailer. Based on the in-engine look from last October, it’s coming along nicely, capturing the essence of the original while updating the visuals. Realistically drying and dripping mud, intricate vegetation and wildlife – it’s all here, and coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Silent Hill 2

You can say plenty about Bloober Team’s approach to horror games (I know I have), but there’s no denying its visual prowess. Silent Hill 2 is built from the ground up on Unreal Engine 5 and features Lumen and Nanite with dynamic global illumination that realistically interacts with the environment. Of course, there’s more to Silent Hill than lights and shadows, and that’s where motion capture comes in, offering the “best facial expressions” in the series per creative director Mateusz Lenar. PlayStation hyped a release window for this year. If true, Silent Hill 2 could be one of the best-looking games on PS5 and PC.

Death Stranding 2

Kojima Productions is again using Decima Engine for Death Stranding 2, which is perfect given how the first game delivered on every front. If anything, the sequel will look even better since it’s a current-gen exclusive. However, it also utilizes Unreal Engine 5’s MetaHuman, meaning the character models will look even more realistic than before. A release window is still up in the air, but 2024 could be the year when we see more.

Unrecord

One of the most intriguing and controversial games revealed last year was DRAMA’s Unrecord, a tactical FPS using the perspective of a police officer’s bodycam. Its photo-realistic visuals (courtesy of Unreal Engine 5) gained significant attention, though there’s also been scrutiny over its legitimacy and unsettling realism. Time will tell if the game delivers this level of fidelity, but thus far, it’s impressive, if nothing else.

Honor of Kings World

Also developed in Unreal Engine is Honor of Kings World, which has improved significantly since its initial reveal trailer years ago. The fantasy aesthetic looks great, and the environments are almost surreal. There’s a realistic vibe to the overall flow and combat but backed by more realistic characters and effects. It doesn’t have a release window, but given how clean the latest gameplay trailer looked, it could receive more details this year.

Crimson Desert

Pearl Abyss is no stranger to exceptional visuals – see Black Desert Online – and with Crimson Desert, it’s focusing its efforts on a single-player experience. Based on the latest gameplay trailer, there’s much to love, from the impressive destruction to the effects and foliage. Even the sheer scale of the fantasy countryside is something to behold, complete with realistic lighting and fantastic character models. Crimson Desert doesn’t have a release window – it’s reportedly delayed to Q2 2025 – but it’s coming to consoles and PC.

Phantom Blade Zero

From an art perspective, Phantom Blade Zero is intriguing, utilizing greyer tones and darker atmospherics. There’s a subtlety to the lighting while environments, characters and weather effects are painstakingly rendered. It’s almost tough to believe that it’s targetting 2K/60 FPS and 4K/30 FPS on PS5 (with a PC release confirmed), but still exciting.

Grand Theft Auto 6

While it’s only received one barely two-minute-long trailer, Grand Theft Auto 6 has already proven itself in the graphics department. Character models are a massive leap over Grand Theft Auto 5, realistically interacting with lighting effects and shadows. The draw distance and level of detail in environments are also eye-watering. It’s out in 2025 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC, and while there’s a way to go, Grand Theft Auto 6’s graphics are already looking great.

Light No Fire

Hello Games finally revealed its next big title, set on an Earth-sized planet. Light No Fire promises a fantasy adventure with no boundaries, packed with survival mechanics and RPG elements, but we’re already impressed by its various biomes, creatures and aesthetics. The shrubbery, dynamic lighting, shadows – everything comes together. With no release window and only a PC version announced it may be a while before it launches.

Jixia is host to various creatures and ruins, and despite its size, there are ways to get around, like zip lines (with a glider also spotted at one point). Some locations include what seems to be a wrecked ship, a giant mech and a town area with vendors. Of course, plenty of danger also awaits, like Yuange, who uses Mechcraft to control puppets and fight with strings.

It all looks impressive with the stamina bar and character switching akin to miHoYo Games’ Genshin Impact (which is a significant change from when it first had Monster Hunter-like combat). However, there’s no release date or platforms for Honor of Kings: World, so stay tuned for more updates in the coming months.

Story-wise, not much is revealed, save for players embarking “on a journey that will captivate your eyes and heart.” There is “a colorful cast of characters” and “long-lost ruins” to explore, along with numerous skills to master. The player is seemingly looking for a relic which can grant “the answer.” With a story written by Liu Cixin of The Three-Body Problem series, it’s worth keeping an eye on.

Aside from that, several new weapons are showcased, like dual blades, a straight sword, and even a weird frame that allows for hovering and firing rockets. New enemies, including a Teostra-esque foe that spews fire, and a massive tree-like being, are also showcased. In addition to using a glider of sorts to navigate the world, players can also grapple and employ a hoverboard.

Honor of Kings: World will release for multiple platforms worldwide, but a release window and specific platforms haven’t been mentioned. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.

The game seems to lean into Monster Hunter-style battles against enormous monsters with quick dodging and weapon switching. There’s even an AI partner to help out. Perhaps most interesting, however, is that the companies will be collaborating with sci-fi author Liu Cixin. Cixin is best known for The Three-Body Problem series of novels among other works.

Given the popularity of Honor of Kings – which reportedly averages 100 million daily active players worldwide as per the developer – a big-budget spin-off for other platforms seemed a given. The question now is whether the actual gameplay will look as impressive as the trailer. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdUPp68ettI