Here's the Rundown of Everything (I mean EVERYTHING) at the PC Gaming Show [13/06/2020]

Within a chaotic summer of streams and pre-recorded announcements, the PC Gaming Show was a comfortingly regular affair. Returning with its trademark zany humour and a ton of content packed into a two-hour livestream, hosted by the usual suspects, Sean ‘Day9’ Plott and Frankie Ward. With the addition of a robot known as Devbot and Greg Miller making a special guest appearance

So, not everything was normal. Such as the way with 2020.

Regardless, here’s the rundown of everything announced at the show this year To begin we were treated with a brief advertisement for a documentary series called ‘Totally Game’, ran by PC Gamer to highlight some of the “most incredible” gamers in the community covering all sorts of individuals. Wonderful. Now that’s done, let’s run through every single game as quickly as an Intel i9 processor.

Valheim

We began with Iron Gate Studios and Coffee Stain’s MMO set in a procedurally-generated world (prepare to hear this phrase a few times). Valheim looks to combine the graphical charm of a Runescape with plenty of deep open-world mechanics, including smithing, hunting, building of houses and tree chopping. Lots and lots of tree chopping. It would be remiss to not mention there will also be wolves, skeletons, and other enemies to battle. Looks like a game with solid premise for a long lifetime of content. Let us see if it finds an audience.

While they’re no Bugsnax, Ooblets are still pretty great.

Ooblets

Ooblets was next out, which despite knowing plenty about there was still plenty of excitement for. With its dancing creatures, fish owning stores and a completely absorbing visual style, Xbox One and PC players have a potential easy-going title that could not come at a better time.

Torchlight III

The Torchlight franchise is back for a third instalment after a slight juggling of the IP in amongst publisher Perfect World. A lengthy trailer included some snippets of gameplay that will look familiar to fans of the dungeon crawler. Additionally, Echtra Games CEO, Max Schaefer, was the first interview of the presentation and dropped some details about the game. We learnt Torchlight III will take place “in the same world [as previous games], a century in the future”. Classes include a steam-powered robot as well as sharpshooter and new mage classes. On top of that, Torchlight III will bring in customizable forts, which can be explored by fellow players.

And don’t worry. Pets are back and can be collected to keep in the fort. The fortunes are looking good for this entry.

Elite: Dangerous Odyssey Expansion

A cinematic trailer with more qualifiers on it than a Rustlers Burger was the next thing shown. Regardless, Elite: Dangerous looks to add to its universe by allowing its players to set foot on the planets they have found. As game director Piers Jackson explained, it’s not just new planets that will take advantage of this but “you can visit old planets and we have refreshed the visuals on them”. A promising update looking to add to the universe in 2021.

*Everyday is a great day at the PC Gaming Show*

Persona 4: Golden

The aforementioned Greg Miller’s appearance brought with it the biggest surprise of the show, the release of Persona 4: Golden on Steam right now! The PC version brings with it updated HD graphics and the ever-present choice of either English or Japanese audio. A huge announcement for a franchise rapidly gaining even more popularity worldwide.

In Sound Mind

A bit of an oddity was next as an incredibly dark trailer, both literally and figuratively, for a horror game, In Sound Mind, premiered. A first-person horror with some gunplay mixed in scheduled to release in 2021. Doesn’t sound amazing, until you learn the game has a petable feline companion and music provided from popular YouTube musician The Living Tombstone. Might be worth keeping in mind(pun very much intended).

Airborne Kingdom

A short trailer for Airborne Kingdom displayed plenty of aerial cities built in the style of aerial versions of Mortal Engines’ mobile cities. Not much to say here apart from the detailed turbines indicates a high level of intricacy ahead of its fall 2020 release window.

Definitely not a bird. Kind of a plane. It’s an Airborne Kingdom

Dwarfheim

Dwarfheim just sounds good to say. Dwarfheim. Dwarfheim. Go on say it. Dwarfheim

The second game with heim in the title was Dwarfheim, which looks to apply the classic RTS gameplay known on many PC gamers to an appealing Dwarvish aesthetic. A good combination, hopefully, there is more to this though.

New Blood Package

New Blood games next had a package of updates for their various FPS games. One of the biggest announcements of this package was Unfortunate Spacemen going free-to-play.

Humankind

Amplitude’s upcoming historical game Humankind, last seen at The Game Awards, next unveiled a trailer asking for players to participate in an open-development program for players to influence the game’s creation. To do this, players can apply to try three limited-time scenarios before Amplitude releases in 2021.

Icarus

Dean Hall, of DayZ fame, showed up at the show with a first-person space-based survival game called Icarus. The trailer showed tasks befitting a space colonisation game in which players land on planets, extract ores and defend themselves from the native species. Hall then explained the development process is based in one simple approach “…the first hour in DayZ and Minecraft, we are looking to capture that and do it over the game…”. To achieve this, players ‘drop’ onto planets in limited time sessions to complete tasks, which Hall says results in a “medium-term focus”. Icarus certainly looks like a refreshing entry in the genre, and with it being free to play when it releases, things look exciting.

Evil Geniuses are one thing but have you heard about Sweet Genius?

Evil Genius 2: World Domination

The first gameplay footage for Blofeld Simulator 2020… sorry, Evil Genius 2: World Domination was shown. Displaying base-building large constructions on your evil island, the training of minions around your base and henchmen being employed to take out secret agents and executing missions around the world. A solid, if unspectacular look for this sequel.

Like Dark Souls with way more lens flare.

Godfall

After an underwhelming showing at the Sony event, Counterplay Games impressed with a more extended look at their self-proclaimed “Looter-slasher” Godfall. Set in a “brand new high-fantasy universe”, this trailer displayed a wide range of weaponry and showed off more of the four realms players will travel between. Hopefully, we’ll get a better look at combat before the game’s holiday 2020 release.

Prodeus

A Quake-style shooter with a very nakedly Doom-style soundtrack and an in-game map creator was the name of the game next, with the actual name being Prodeus. The game was successfully kickstarted in 2019 and this homage to the shooters of the 90s will be releasing this year.

Fae Tactics: The Girl Who Destroyed The World

A complex set of mechanics and systems seems packed into the new Fae Tactics, with isometric combat to boot. As you might be able to tell, this didn’t look especially unique but could be a fine game.

Who’s a cute little map? You’re a cute little map!

Carto

One of the nicer entries of the conference was Carto. A single-player puzzler with a relaxed soundtrack and beautiful hand-drawn environments. Gameplay sees you taken through re-arranging the maps to solve puzzles. The concept at play is pretty exciting, hopefully it can deliver.

Project Wingman

A modern aerial combat game next, Project Wingman brings back the tonally serious jet-based combat seen in games such as Tom Clancy’s HAWX. Also wins the award for best quote in a trailer as we hear the phrase “Tally-ho on some new contacts”.

Blankos Block Party

Blankos Block Party is a colourful MMO with zany vinyl figures to collect and own. The developers at Mythical worked with renowned vinyl artists Jon-Paul Kaiser, James Groman and Pete Fowler to create uniquely designed characters in game to be collected in seasonal events. When it comes to gameplay, Blankos Block Party looks to have plenty of different kinds of modes, whether it be racing events or more platforming style things. Certainly an intriguing idea to look out for.

I could count the things I know about Dwarfheim on one finger, which is to say its name. But people sure do seem to like it.

Everspace 2

A further update for Everspace 2’s was announced to be releasing in Alpha. Those familiar with the franchise would know of its expansiveness, but this trailer focused on the space flight more than anything. Hopefully, we get to see more soon since the news of its delayed entry into early access program in December 2020.

Inkulinati

Winning the award for oddest trailer was Inkulinati from Yaza Games. A turn-based strategy in which animals fight on the pages of a medieval manuscript. Certainly a graphically striking idea. With any luck the combat mechanics match the visual stylings in terms of quality.

A Total War Saga: Troy

The next entry in the Total War Saga sees the Trojan War depicted with three different methods of approach based on differing theories around the famed Trojan Horse and what it actually did. Based on either huge siege towers, guerrilla tactics, or taking advantage of earthquakes and storms there’s certainly a worry that these approaches may be somewhat limiting.

Remnant From the Ashes is a very cool game that is currently sitting in my Steam library and I’m definitely going to get around to playing it (I say lying to myself).

Remnant: From The Ashes Subject 2923 DLC

The new update for Remnant follows on from the first DLC package in Swamps of Corsus. Gunfire Games will be adding new frosty areas to explore and brand-new enemies from the game’s villainous species, the Root. A stable update to one of 2019’s sleeper hits.

Mafia Remastered Trilogy

The recently announced remastered trilogy with as much dialogue as Tommy gun action resurfaced here with some utterly gorgeous looking cutscenes coming from the 4k remake of the first entry released in 2002. These cinematics are taking advantage of new performance capture techniques. Animations weren’t the only thing rebuilt as Haden Blackman, president & COO of Hangar 13, explained.

“Everything was rebuilt, so every asset, every cinematic was reshot and all the gameplay was completely redone… in order to meet the expectations of today’s gamers and take advantage of today’s technology.”

Other elements have also been rethought according to Blackman, including the world interactions and the driving. Does this mean the infamous race isn’t as dreary and awful to handle this time?

Roguelords

In a nice surprise, a Slay The Spire inspired card game was announced where you take the role of the devil seeking revenge on the world with side characters including the legendary Dracula and Bloody Mary. Roguelords looks to feature a health bar sustained throughout the entire run that is removed when your minions are vulnerable as well as an insane-sounding ‘Devil Mode’ allowing you to change enemy health bars. Everything’s fair game when you’re Satan I suppose.

Unexplored? More like soon to be explored!
(Gimme a break I need to write a lot of these)

Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer’s Legacy

Another exciting looking sequel was shown with a top-down perspective. This beautiful looking world was created thanks to a new visual framework from developer Ludomotion along with updated rogue-like combat, this looks like a good follow-up to 2018’s first edition.

Dauntless: Call Of The Void Expansion

Another expansion this time for Dauntless, the free-to-play action-RPG was previewed. This update brings about a new behemoth in the form of Thrax, a new speedy portal-using enemy as well as the edition of training grounds and new areas to explore.

Firewatch? More like Fogwatch, amiright?

Among Trees

A combining the art-style, tranquillity and forest setting of Firewatch with survival sandbox elements, building homes. Additional features from the trailer include plant watering, fishing and hiding from bears. All the fun of the forest.

Potionomics

A new title from Voracious Games, Potionomics features Sylvia and her pet, a likely judgemental owl, managing a potion store. Gameplay is built around mixing potions, setting up your store and haggling with customers in an intriguing conceptual idea of a card game in which you try different strategies to get customers to buy whilst managing your own stress. It was nice to see a trailer for a small unique game at PC Gaming Show.

Mortal Shell

Shmark Soals?

An action game from indie studio Cold Symmetry which to avoid cliché we’ll say looks like a gothic version of The Surge. The two trailers showed a look at the game’s combat appearing very slow and tactical. A beta will be available on 3rd of July. The second trailer also showed off a persistent boss known as the Hadern, which gets more powerful as your character levels and stalks the player through the game, a fascinating twist on an established formula.

Shadow Man

A strange trailer for a remastered version of a 1999 cult classic in Shadow Man. Based on a comic book series in which the titular character is part of a lineage of warriors protecting the world from evildoers from the land of the dead. This remake will come with a 4k resolution and will also add the original’s cut content.

Blightbound

A three-player dungeon crawler with both local and online multiplayer was shown with Blightbound. Consisting of puzzle elements, several dungeons to raid through across and three different. This trinity of features should result in a fun dungeon crawler.

Shadows of Doubt & Paradise Killer

Two games grouped in here as both share the common theme of investigative-style games. Shadows of Doubt is set in a pixel-noir world where you solve cases in an atmospheric thriller by trespassing to gain clues. Meanwhile, Paradise Killer takes an open-world approach with a more upbeat tone, playing as Lady Love Dies (I promise that’s her name) in a world inhabited by funky characters any of whom could be your killer. It will be up to you to put together clues to solve this crime.

Haven

For me, the sleeper hit of this conference in terms of purely intriguing game, Haven takes the form of a love story as two characters travel a gorgeously varied and colourful land and battle enemies in turn-based combat. A game that looks to have a strong narrative drive and a wonderfully calm atmosphere but within a higher-stakes story could prove uniquely resonant with today’s gaming audience.

Cartel Tycoon

Ever wanted to play a business sim in which you control the local crime cartels in a fictional version of 1980’s South America and try to avoid attention from the authorities and your rivasl? A simple (early in development) trailer indicates that’s exactly what you’ll be doing in Cartel Tycoon.

Trash Sailors

An intriguing game with a co-op rafting in a survival game full of hand-drawn adventures on the high seas. Repair your ship following attacks from rockets and crocodiles and any other thing you can think may cause a problem for a raft in stormy seas. It looks like a fun little indie game that could be especially good in local multiplayer.

Cris Tales

Returning after being the sleeper hit of last year’s PC Gaming show, Cris Tales remains an exciting love-letter to JRPGs with a glorious visual style and its high concept perspective of viewing the past, present and future at once. All we saw here was what we could presume to be the game’s opening cinematic, but what’s key is we have a release date of November 17th across all major platforms.

Alaloth: Champions of the Four Kingdoms

Another game with an isometric camera and combat with numbers popping out of enemies’ heads. Whilst not the most interesting looking thing, Alaloth certainly has the medieval flavouring to potentially be a solid, if unspectacular release.

Weird West

Weird West? More like Wild West!
(Lemme alone, I’m tired)

An exciting project from a new studio is Weird West, the supernatural wild west action RPG from Wolfeye Studios, the new team formed by former Arkane Studios creative director Raphaël Colantonio and ex-executive producer Julien Roby. Colantonio was on hand to talk about how the game would work. Of course, this isn’t just another Dishonored or Prey entry. Firstly, the isometric perspective means there is an instant difference “instead of seeing through the eyes of the player… you can have a party of people and followers”. With this party results in you playing as five different characters one after the other. As Colantonio explains:

“You are going to play 5 different characters. Once the main quest is over with the first character, you go to the next one. Now, the first one is still in the world so you can go back and recruit him or her”

This paired with the promise of permadeath in harder modes makes Weird West certainly look fascinating. However, we’ll have to wait until 2021 to play.

Story Of Seasons: Friends Of Mineral Town

More games including growing crops/vegetables. This time a farming sim where you have the choices of four playable characters, love stories, pets and horses. The usual farm life.

Quick reminder that Amazon’s proprietary game engine is called Lumber Yard and that is kinda super messed up.

New World

Next up on the docket was Amazon Games’ new MMO New World. A solid trailer with your usual high-fantasy MMO gameplay.

Twin Mirror

With Dontnod Entertainment’s incredible rise over the last decade comes another trailer for the new psychological thriller Twin Mirror. The game will star a protagonist Sam, an investigative journalist, returning to Basswood in West Virginia (insert twisted version of John Denver song here). We didn’t get too many clues from the teaser about the game, aside from some ideas of alcoholism and a woman Sam seems to be looking for both be prevalent throughout the game. Still, the studio has built up enough clout with the Life is Strange series to invigorate fans with the idea of a new adventure from Dontnod.

Metal Hellsinger

An FPS rhythm game with a heavy metal soundtrack certainly could be an impressive achievement. Like if Doom and Crypt of the Necrodancer had a very hardcore, rhythmical baby. It could be a project to keep an eye on, due to release in 2021. 

Red Sails

Yet another narrative game with a cell-shaded art style. Red Sails seeks to differentiate itself by having you set sail in a boat traversing a desert, using the stars above to guide you to locations, whether escorting NPCs or just to sightsee. Red Sails hopes its desolate world will find an audience. Let us hope it can do that and keep the game loop entertaining.

Surgeon Simulator 2

The follow up to 2013’s DIY medical school Surgeon Simulator 2 seems to be influenced by the chaos and madness of recent party games (Overcooked being a prime example) as now 4-player co-op operations are available and incredibly, allow you to move about! As Senior Producer Marc Pick discussed on stream, the sequel will have a “plethora of new mechanics, challenges and gameplay [features]”. Judging by the appearance of catapults to transfer medical equipment across canyons, surgical vending machines and 12 operations including a “take on the bottle-flip challenge”, Surgeon Simulator 2 sounds mad, fast-paced and stuffed to the brim with humour. Everything we could want from a sequel. 

This went so well the first time that we decided to get more people in the room to only use one hand each!

The Last Campfire

More charming narrative tales set in a polygonal world. Hello Games’ incredibly cutesy adventure tale looks to be a heart-wrencher. You play as a small blue ember exploring the world to light the titular flame. Add to this a wonderful sense of discovery that seems to be emerging from the game’s travelling gameplay and The Last Campfire looks to be a strong tale.

Escape From Tarkov

The game that stole eyes of Twitch viewers is back with Twitch drops and in this showcase, Nikita Buyanov, the COO of Battlestate Games, dropped by to talk about Tarkov’s new map. Buyanov made lofty promised of “the biggest and most detailed location ever”. In addition, Buyanov talked about the ideas of new bosses and more content over the next year. Not too much substantial here, but surely enough to get EFT players coming back to the game or at least coming back to Twitch.

The Outlast Trials

The final game of the showcase (aside from a post-credit appearance of New Blood’s next game Gloomwood) was the return of everyone’s favourite franchise involving staring into camcorders and finding AA batteries. Whilst that is a lot of qualifiers, this entry seems certainly as twisted and grim as the other entries, with it set during the Cold War and a number of characters being used as guinea pigs for testing brainwashing and mind control. Lovely...

And with that, the very long, very packed PC Gaming Show wrapped for this year. There was a lot of stuff that may feel like very regular fare, but for the most part the show was packed with some charming narrative experiences, intense gameplay demos and a good mix of AAA and indie. One thing’s for sure. There is something for everyone.