Microsoft kicked off the first day of Gamescom with a trailer and announcement-filled event. Among the announcements and trailers were some of the expected showings like Forza Horizon 5 and Flight Simulator. Surprisingly, more info or another trailer for Halo Infinite was absent. If you missed the hour and a half event, we’ve rounded up the best trailers and announcements for you all in one place.
The Forza Horizon 5 cover cars
Earlier this year at E3, Microsoft showed us it’s putting more emphasis on landscapes and biomes of Horizon 5. Nowt Gamescom, we’ve seen what the featured cars will be. The Forza series likes to make a big deal out of the cover cars, and this year there will be not one, but two. The 2021 Ford Bronco Badlands and the Mercedes AMG One. While they are no doubt some of the coolest automobiles out there, don’t expect to see them on our shores (or streets).
This will be the first time a hybrid makes the cover in the Horizon series, for what that’s worth. Microsoft is also releasing a limited edition Forza Horizon 5 Xbox controller, we might get that here in SA, but that’ll depend on our distributors. Maybe if we ask really nicely. The game will be launching on 9 November this year.
Dying Light 2
Ahead of the next episode of Dying 2 Know, scheduled for later today at 20:00, we were shown a new trailer for Techland’s much anticipated zombie-killing parkour sequel. Both of those things, zombie killing and parkour, featured heavily. As was the conflict between the various factions, one of which the player will inevitably have to side. We look forward to seeing more before the 7 December launch.
Flight Simulator
The latest flight sim from Microsoft will be receiving a few updates which include a racing mode, additional historic planes, a world update for Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Electric air taxis will also be added to the game, although we don’t think they’ll come with passengers.
Age of Empires IV and the superior siege weapon
The newest Age of Empires title, Age of Empires IV, is only a few months away so the developers took the opportunity at Gamescom to highlight “the king of all siege engines”, the trebuchet, and rightly so. It is no small feat to launch and 150kg projectile up to 300m. Those castle walls won’t stand a chance come 28 October when the game launches on PC.
Introducing Stray Blade
Gamescom saw the reveal of Stray Blade, a new action RPG from 505 Games, the studio that brought you Control, and Point Blank. It’ll be launching next year on the Xbox Series S and X. That’s about all we know for now, but by the looks of the trailer, you’ll need to watch out for that armoured reindeer.
Crusader Kings console port
The strategy game Crusader Kings III will be getting a console port for the Xbox Series S and X with an updated UI and the addition of radial menus. The game will be available through Game Pass when it does launch, but we weren’t given the date just yet. Play Station fans can rejoice as developer Paradox says it’ll come to the PS5 as well.