Prelude: Anticipation before Gamescom
Every year, before Gamescom, fans start making guesses about the announcements that will drop. This time, the buzz surrounding Xbox has been louder than it usually is. Microsoft has confirmed its full streaming schedule, and instead of just one event, there will be two major Xbox showcases. The first one happens on August 20, and the second follows on August 21.
I have followed the Gamescom reveals over the years, but this year’s feels different. The lineup looks stacked even now, and the fact that Xbox is splitting it over two days just goes to show how much content they have to show.
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Day One – August 20 Showcase
The first event is expected to focus a lot on hardware. For months now, people have been talking about the Xbox ROG Ally handheld. The showcase will finally give us a clear look at it. We can expect live demos, performance tests, and probably some details about price, release date, and pre-orders.
For someone like me who likes gaming on the go, this is exciting. If the ROG Ally can run games directly without cloud-only support, it could compete with handheld PCs and even the Steam Deck.
- But that’s not all. The August 20 show will also feature a big list of games. Titles like:
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
- Dying Light: The Beast Keeper from Double Fine
- World of Warcraft: Midnight from Blizzard
There are also sequels everyone has been waiting for, such as Grounded 2, PowerWash Simulator 2, and Invincible Versus. Plus, some really big hitters will be there too, like Call of Duty Black Ops 7 and Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade.
The event will wrap up with major games like Cronos: The New Dawn, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and The Order of Giants. That lineup alone is huge, and it’s just the first day.
Day Two – August 21 Showcase
The second day looks just as exciting, maybe even better for fans of action and RPGs. August 21 will be pretty much Xbox’s day of old franchises being returned to gamers with a modern take.
- Some of the main titles expected:
- Ninja Gaiden 4: At Fate’s End
- Onimusha: Way of the Sword
- Age of Empires IV (finally coming for strategy fans on console)
- Overwatch 2 updates
- High on Life 2
And it does not stop there. Games like The Outer Worlds 2, Jurassic World Evolution 3, and Mortal Kombat: Legacy Collection will expand popular series.
The second day will also feature surprises like Final Fantasy Tactics, My Hero Academia, Lego Voyagers, and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Honestly, that mix alone could make headlines everywhere.
Why This Gamescom Is So Big for Xbox
What makes this year special is the variety of games and genres. Xbox is not just showing off shooters and action titles. They’re mixing RPGs, strategy games, fighting classics, simulators, and even anime-inspired projects. It really feels like they’re trying to reach every type of gamer.
I also noticed something unusual this time. Usually, before big events, we see leaks all over Twitter and Reddit. But this year, there has been way less leaking. It almost feels like Xbox is hiding some surprises for Gamescom. If that’s true, then the reveals on August 20 and 21 could be even bigger than what we already know.
I will say that it is exciting. I grew up on PlayStation as well as Xbox. As strong as PlayStation’s exclusives have been these last few years, it looks like Xbox is ready to come back strong. I will never forget all of the buzz surrounding Indiana Jones and the Great Circle the first time it was teased. Having it fully revealed at Gamescom will feel like a big moment.
Also, if the Xbox handheld delivers, I might seriously consider picking it up. I travel a lot, and carrying a console-like handheld that runs big titles sounds perfect.
What to Expect
Message: Xbox does not show up at Gamescom 2025; it is about taking over the entire event. Whether it is two showcases, major hardware news, or game reveals from Call of Duty Black Ops 7 to Final Fantasy Tactics, this event is huge in scale.
Gamescom 2025 could be remembered as the year Xbox changed the conversation. Action games, RPGs, and even simulators will all have something worth watching.
