Gamescom 2025 – Biggest Announcements From Black Ops 7 to Black Myth Zhong Kui

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025, hosted by Geoff Keighley in Cologne and streamed worldwide, brought a packed showcase of reveals and updates for both blockbuster franchises and emerging titles.

From Call of Duty’s latest chapter to the unexpected reveal of Black Myth – Zhong Kui, the event highlighted how the gaming industry is leaning into ambitious sequels, cultural milestones, and cross-platform strategies.

Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the major announcements.

Call of Duty – Black Ops 7 — The Headline Reveal

Activision headlined the event with Call of Duty – Black Ops 7, set to release on November 14, 2025, for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.

• Campaign – Playable solo or in four-player co-op, featuring a replayable Endgame section with customizable loadouts and abilities.
• Story – Set in 2035, ten years after Black Ops 2, the campaign brings back Raul Menendez as antagonist and David “Section” Mason as protagonist.
• Gameplay – A mix of traditional missions and surreal, mind-bending sequences.
• Multiplayer/Zombies – A deeper reveal is planned for Call of Duty – Next on September 30, with an open beta beginning October 5.

Xbox Showcase Connection

Microsoft used its stage time to emphasize Black Ops 7’s scale and star power.

• Cast – Hollywood actors Milo Ventimiglia and Kiernan Shipka join the campaign.
• New Modes – The co-op Endgame PvE mode was spotlighted.
• Hardware & Ecosystem – Xbox also presented Game Pass expansions, cross-platform accessibility, and hardware pushes, including the ROG Xbox Ally X handheld.

Black Myth – Zhong Kui — Expanding a Chinese Gaming Phenomenon

Game Science announced Black Myth – Zhong Kui, a follow-up to its global hit Black Myth – Wukong.

• Inspiration – Based on Zhong Kui, the demon-quelling hero of Chinese mythology.
• Format – A single-player RPG in early development for PC and modern consoles.
• Trailer Impact – The reveal teaser, featuring Zhong Kui riding a tiger, has already surpassed 9 million views on Bilibili, signaling major anticipation.

Developer Direction

• Game Science confirmed no DLC is planned for Wukong. Instead, the studio chose to pursue a new mythic story, characters, and technologies.
• Founder Feng Ji stated the focus is on innovation and building a larger interconnected mythic universe.

Cultural Significance

• Black Myth – Wukong, released in August 2024, sold millions of copies, reached 1.4 million concurrent players on Steam, and became the first globally recognized AAA title from China.
• With Zhong Kui, Game Science is positioning itself as a standard-bearer for China’s growing presence in global gaming.

Lords of the Fallen 2 — Darkness Returns

CI Games revealed Lords of the Fallen 2, continuing its Soulslike legacy.

• Setting – A kingdom where the living and dead collide.
• Combat – Tactical Soulslike gameplay featuring melee, ranged, and magical builds.
• Bosses – Large-scale encounters with distinct and brutal designs.
• Traversal – Players can shift between realms of the living and the dead.
• Release – Expected in 2026 for PC (Epic Games Store), PS5, and Xbox Series S/X.

Lego Batman – Legacy of the Dark Knight

TT Games announced Lego Batman – Legacy of the Dark Knight, an open-world action-adventure coming in 2026.

• Story – Traces Bruce Wayne’s journey to becoming Batman.
• Gameplay – Gotham exploration with classic Lego humor.
• Features – Includes iconic allies and villains.
• Platforms – PC, PS5, Xbox Series S/X, and Nintendo Switch 2.

Warhammer 40,000 – Dawn of War IV

Relic Entertainment unveiled Dawn of War IV, marking the return of the long-running RTS series after eight years.

• Campaign – The largest in series history, spanning 70 missions.
• Factions – Four confirmed, including the Adeptus Mechanicus.
• Modes – Playable solo, in co-op, and with Last Stand, Skirmish, and multiplayer modes.
• Release – Scheduled for 2026 on PC via Steam.

Other Notable Announcements

Gamescom ONL featured a wide range of additional reveals, including –

• Zero Parades (ZA/UM, PC – Steam)
• Onimusha – Way of the Sword gameplay trailer (2026, PC/PS5/Xbox Series S/X)
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle for Switch 2 (2026) + Order of the Giants DLC (Sept 4, 2025)
• Silent Hill f gameplay trailer (Sept 25, 2025, PC/PS5/Xbox Series S/X)
• Resident Evil Requiem story trailer (Feb 27, 2026, PC/PS5/Xbox Series S/X)
• Ninja Gaiden 4 story trailer (Oct 21, 2025, PC/PS5/Xbox Series S/X)
• Ghost of Yotei trailer (PS5 – Oct 2, 2025) + Legends DLC (2026)
• Sekiro – No Defeat anime (Crunchyroll – 2026)
• Fallout Season 2 trailer and release (Prime Video – Dec 17, 2025)
• Moonlighter 2 early access (Steam/PC Game Pass – Oct 23, 2025)
• The Outer Worlds 2 companions trailer (Oct 29, 2025, PC/PS5/Xbox Series S/X)
• Vampire – The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 release trailer (Oct 21, 2025)
• World of Warcraft – Midnight cinematic trailer (2026, PC)

Gamescom 2025 as a Strategic Showcase

The event emphasized sequels and franchise extensions, reflecting the industry’s reliance on established IPs alongside select new projects. With over 300,000 attendees and global reach, Gamescom ONL has grown into a leading industry stage, often compared to the now-defunct E3.

While the event delivered scale and star power, some analysts noted a lack of surprise announcements and risk-taking, with much of the spotlight going to familiar franchises.