PC Gaming Show has been very eventful. I was literally overwhelmed by an incredible amount of announcements and gameplay trailers. I think that PC Gaming Show is comparable with Microsoft or even Sony ones. And definitely the E3 cancellation was good for the event. I heartily desire that PC Gaming Show would embrace a new form of development to be at the same level as the big guys like Sony, Microsoft and E3.
But at the same time, I want its cozy and warm setting to persist, which is so lacking in larger conferences or exhibitions. And in order to that to be done, PC Gaming show needs to make a little change – replace Sean Plott and find somebody with a proper sense of humour. Sorry. No offence Sean. And as for the second host Frankie Ward, if by any chance you are reading this, you’re the best host I’ve ever seen!
Okay, let’s move on to our field plan.
Persona 4 Golden
Persona 4 Golden was released on Steam prior to the PC Gaming Show. I know that everybody, including me, was waiting for Persona 5, but it’s better than nothing. Overall the game has strong graphics, 1080p resolution and frame rate support, so no more vows. Additionally, you can choose between English and Japanese voice acting, which is a nice perk in a very-very Japanese game.
Torchlight III
Besides, Torchlight III is now available on early access on Steam. There’s a lot of stuff in it: wild classes, customisable forts, an infinite quantity of Legendary items and of course dozens of quests. And this is just a beginning.
Humankind
To put it simply, Humankind is Civilization by SEGA and Amplitude – a historical tactical game to be released in 2021. In addition to the trailer showcase, the developers encourages gamers to join their Open Dev for feedback and gather new ideas.
The Chosen Ones would have access to three scenarios: the first one is based on exploration and early development of the settlement, the second focuses on battles and tactic, and finally the third emphasises on defense of civilization and globalization.
Icarus
The creator of DayZ Dean Hall revealed his new game, Icarus. It is a survival game with building elements and a bunch of non-friendly aliens. In fact, the developers wanted to reproduce the feeling of the first 30-40 minutes in DayZ, in order to keep tension and the fear of death.
Death in Icarus has a totally different concept – it depends mainly on the time after landing. If you won’t get back in time on the spaceship, you will lose all your ammo. So time is the main antagonist here and an absolutely merciless one. However, if you’re running of oxygen or being attacked by a monster, you can be revived and continue your mission.
Icarus will support co-op, is free to play and it set to be released in 2021.
Evil Genius: 2
Rebellion Games pleased us with an Evil Genius sequel and this time, or rather once again, you try on the role of a supervillain, who is trying to dominate the world. As always, minions are doing all the dirty job for you. So wisely recruit and train your minions and at the same time improve your HR skill.
Evil Genius 2 would be released this year on PC.
Mafia: Definitive Edition
Mafia: Definitive Edition is not a remaster, nor a reboot. Rather, it is a remake of the 2002 original game, built entirely from scratch.
The developers didn’t tell us anything new, but I think so far that is the best look on the original game. And, interestingly the remake was created on Mafia III engine – just look at the rendering process and some other technical features.
The remake will deepen the original story – we will see some huge new storylines and gameplay options, learn the hero’s backstory and even ride a motorcycle. So, in short, “Everything was rebuilt” just like Haden Blackmen said to PC Gamer.
Mortal Shell
Cold Symmetry presented Mortal Shell, an action RPG which looks like Bloodborne or Dark Souls in slow-motion. As well they demonstrated the gameplay trailer, in which we can see actual fighting with a boss. And this particular shady individual will continue to appear throughout the campaign and constantly improve his own skills.
Among Trees
Among Trees is a cozy survival sandbox (yes, survival can be cute), which has a clear vibe of Firewatch, in a good sense of course. The setting is splendid, but remember that you are surrounded by wildlife. So be prepared for some handiwork: cooking, growing and gathering plants, crafting tools and so on.
Among Trees is already in early access on Epic Games.The game itself set to be released sometime this summer.
Remnant: From the Ashes
Remnant: From the Ashes gets his huge final DLC, Subject 2923, coming out on 20 August. Traditionally, we’ll face new bosses and explore or conquer new locations.
Godfall
Godfall is a looter slasher game, which was also shown on PlayStation 5 reveal event. We know very little about the game so far, but the world of Godfall is based on four elements – Water, Fire, Earth and Air.
Godfall will be available in Holiday 2020 on PS5 and PC.
Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer’s
The main feature of the sequel of roguelite RPG Unexplored: The Wayfarer’s is the world itself – it’s not reloading after your death, but is continuing to evolve.
Moreover, every action has its consequence, which would affect your subsequent playthroughs. Unexplored 2 will have a beta testing prior to its launch on Steam and Epic Store Game this year.
Twin Mirror
The studio behind the fantastic series Life is Strange Dontnod Entertaiment showed a new trailer for the upcoming thriller Twin Mirror, in which you have to investigate a mysterious murder and of course confront your alter-ego. That is not a new concept of confrontation between the hero and his doppelgänger, for instance we saw it in Alan Wake, for example. But I think that the developers will try to come at it from a different angle.
The first episode will come out before the end of the year on PC.
Red Sails
Red Sails is a meditation adventure game in the spirit of Journey. Basically, you’re a sailor, but not a usual one, since you travel not an open sea or ocean, but an endless desert full of mysteries.
The Last Campfire
The Last Campfire is a cute adventure from the developers of No Man’s Sky Hello Games. The new trailer revealed more of the fantastic setting and we learn about the main game idea – bring some light in a hopeless world.
The Last Campfire would be released this summer on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
Escape from Tarkov
Battlestate Games demonstrated a brand new map that is the game’s largest and more detailed one.
The Outlast Trials
First of all, I would like to make one thing clear: The Outlast Trials is a co-op spin-off and has nothing to do with the mythical Outlast 3.
So, in short, The Outlast Trials is a four-player co-op experience in the context of a “Cold War mind control“. The developers didn’t abandon the idea of night vision and I hope this game would be creepy as hell. Literally.
The Outlast Trials would be released in 2021.
Surgeon Simulator 2
Surgeon Simulator is physics-based medical sim, in which you have to perform surgeries with a very creative approach. I bet everybody played Operational Electronic Board Game as a kid and if not, seize the opportunity right now.
Surgeon Simulator 2 is a big step for the series, since now you are “untied from” your patient and you are free to move around the area. In total 12 levels will be available on 22 August, however for more “advance users” there is a level editor, which allows you to create as many crazy challenges as you want.
You can already pre-order Surgery Simulator 2 on Epic Game Store.
Everspace 2
Everspace 2 received a new trailer and is going into closed alpha testing on Steam on June 15 and later on in Early Access in September. In addition, developer Rockfish Games showed us more of the spaceship action, but still, it is just not enough to judge the gameplay and the story.
Prodeus
Prodeus is a good old school first-person shooter in a spirit of Quake and Doom with some modern features. Personally, I’m not a big fan of this type of game, but I can say that it looks like a great tandem of old and new.
Prodeus will arrive on Early Access this Fall.
New World
New World is a new MMORPG game from Amazon, to be released at 25 August, but those who pre-order it will gain access to it already on 20 July.
But frankly, it seems to be hard for the game to find its own identity. All I saw during the presentation seemed to me like a mixture of Destiny 2, Bloodborne and Dark Souls. So until I don’t see any creativity behind it, but I would be happy to be wrong. It seems like the PvP side of things is strong enough, but the PvE one remains in question.
Valheim
Valheim is a Nordic-inspired survival adventure about Vikings (thank you, Captain Obvious). Your routine consists of fighting trolls and rival clans throughout your journey. You can sign up for a Beta right now.
Ooblets
Without a doubt Ooblets is the cutest title shown on the PC Gaming Show this year. It is a farming simulator game in the spirit of Animal Crossing, which will come on early access on Xbox One and PC (Epic Games Store) until the end of the year and only then will get to PS4 and Switch.
In Sound Mind
In Sound Mind is a first-person psychological horror game (finally!) from the developers of Nightmare House 2. The curriculum includes mindblowing puzzles, unique bosses and some splendid soundtrack by The Living Tombstones.
In Sound Mind is set to be released in 2021 on PS5, Xbox Series X and PC. However, the demo is already available on Steam.
Airborne Kingdom
Airborne Kingdom is a hybrid of strategy and exploration. The game will be already released on 20 June in Epic Games Store.
Dwarheim
Dwarheim is a real-time asymmetric co-op strategy game about dwarfs (thank you once again Captain Obvious). Your main goal is to choose classes to protect your clans. Regarding the gameplay, it looks pretty standard for the genre: gathering resources, expanding settlements and defeating bothersome trolls. That’s pretty much all we know at the moment.
