Gamescom, Cologne's annual video game and entertainment trade fair, is usually a mild-mannered European affair where gaming journalists kick back with a slice of Black Forest cherry cake and muse over the games vying for Christmas dominance.
For Gamescom 2013, the niceties were left at the airport. While Sony has sought to gain yet more column inches praising their PlayStation 4, Microsoft has been on the desperate offensive to win back the hearts and minds of disappointed fanboys. As a result, a dizzying stream of news has flooded out of the Germany city, along with a glut of shiny new trailers.
We've collected the best of the trailers and game demos for you to flick through.
(Images: Microsoft, Sony)
Fable Legends
Release date: Beta test 2014, release most probably 2015
Platforms: Xbox One
In brief: A bold new direction for Lionhead's Fable, this new title sees you take control of an already defined character, rather than the build-your-own heroes of old. A heavy emphasis on multiplayer co-op, teams of four will take on a lone villain opponent in quests, battles and challenges.
________________________________________
Fighter Within
Release date: November 2013
Platforms: Xbox One
In brief: Remember those fighting games for the Wii? The ones that were brilliant for all of seven minutes until you realised you could fight just as well reclined on the sofa? Fighter Within hopes to refine this experience, using the fancy black magic of the Xbox One Kinect to capture your feeble punches and kicks and translate them into a fluid beat'em'up. Just be sure to move the coffee table/cat first.
________________________________________
Killzone: Shadow Fall
Release date: November 2013
Platforms: PlayStation 4
In brief: Set 30 years after the events of Killzone 3 (it's never 31 is it?), Shadow Fall focuses on the bang-whiz conflict between two rival colonist factions. Massive guns, giant space ships, heaps of glowing eyes, will this finally tempt Halo fans onto the PlayStation platform? Probably not.
________________________________________
Gran Turismo 6
Release date: November 2013
Platforms: PlayStation 4
In brief: Continuing the long established law that "if a PlayStation console is coming out, there'll be a Gran Turismo launch title", here's the PlayStation 4's Gran Turismo launch title. It's got lots of cars and takes itself very seriously. There's not a lot else we can say. Don't the wheels look nice?
________________________________________
Dead Rising 3
Release date: November 2013
Platforms: Xbox One
In brief: Could this be the trailer that turns the Xbox One's fortunes around? This exclusive title is hoping to lure gamers over to the One thanks to its winning combination of zombies, funny swear words and customisable weapons. And vehicles with flame throwers. Probably because of those the most.
________________________________________
Fifa 14
Release date: 27th September 2013
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
In brief: What number are we on now? Fourteen? It's got new ball physics, fancy lighting and players that look a little bit more like actual humans. Oh, and Gareth Bale is on the front of the box wearing a Tottenham shirt, which is really embarrassing considering his immanent departure for Real Madrid. We'd have gone with Van Persie, but no one asked us.
________________________________________
Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag
Release date: 1st November 2013
Platforms: (Deep breath) Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PC and Wii U
In brief: Another glimpse of the gorgeous looking Assassin's Creed IV, this latest trailer highlights some of the stealth abilities you'll have in your arsenal. A game with assassins and pirates? Take our money this instant.
________________________________________
Batman: Arkham Origins
Release date: 25th October 2013
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Wii U, PlayStation Vita and Nintendo 3DS
In brief: We know we've already covered this one, but we just couldn't help ourselves from including it again. Batman takes on a murder of assassins (it's a collective noun we're hoping will catch on) in a single night with his usual level of honest brutality. A new multiplayer mode and an even bigger campaign are lining this title up to be one of the biggest games of 2013.
________________________________________
Watch Dogs
Release date: 22nd November 2013
Platforms: Xbox 360, Xbox One , PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PC and Wii U
In brief: An open world action-adventure, Watch Dogs is one for the Anonymous generation, allowing players to hack into various municipal systems and make the system work against 'The Man'. In development since 2009 and first revealed back in 2012, Watch Dogs promises to redefine open world gaming.
________________________________________
Ryse: Son of Rome
Release date: November 2013
Platforms: Xbox One
In brief: Showing off the Gladiator mode of this Xbox One exclusive, the chaps at Crytex appear to be big fans of Ridley Scott's smash hit of 2000. Surely we're not alone in wanting to push a Roman slave into a pit fire before chopping a barbarian's head off in front of a screaming crowd?
________________________________________
Call of Duty: Ghosts
Release date: 5th November 2013
Platforms: Xbox 360, Xbox One , PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PC and Wii U
In brief: Set to outsell almost everything ever, Call of Duty: Ghosts is more of the same from Infinity Ward. This latest multiplayer trailer whets the appetite for what will be many early morning death matches. Frag on.
