Gamescom 2026: Soulslike Westerns and Creature-Collecting Roguelites

Gamescom 2026 in Cologne, Germany, solidified its position as the industry's premier showcase, offering a glimpse into the next wave of gaming trends. Polygon attended the event, playing a wide array of titles from AAA blockbusters to indie projects to identify the standout experiences on the show floor.

Among the highlights was the return of Fable from Playground Games and Xbox Game Studios, which remained a focal point of the event. Saber Interactive showcased Stuntman: Hollywood, a revival of a PS2-era cult classic that emphasizes cinematic driving. The title features high-octane sequences, including a Jurassic World-themed level where players ride motorbikes over and under dinosaurs. For those seeking genre hybrids, Herobeat Studios and Kabam Games presented Wilderings: The Lost Spring, a creature-collecting roguelite.

The Rise of the Soulslike FPS

A notable trend at this year's event was the integration of "Soulslike" mechanics into the first-person shooter genre. Eschatology Entertainment and 4Divinity showcased Guns of Eschaton, an apocalyptic Western FPS based on the vision of Viktor Antonov. The title blends the punishing combat loops of the Soulslike genre with a desolate frontier setting. Similarly, 4Divinity collaborated with Hangzhou Hoothanes Entertainment on The Defiant, a WWII FPS that focuses specifically on China's War of Resistance.

Expanding Horizons

Industry giants are also experimenting with new gameplay styles. HoYoverse presented Nodusfall, a co-op action game centered on extravagant battles against mythical beasts. The shift toward cooperative, boss-centric combat suggests a diversification of the developer's portfolio beyond its established formulas. These titles collectively illustrate a broader industry move toward blending high-fidelity production values with niche mechanical depth.

Industry Implications

This snapshot of the 2026-2027 pipeline indicates that developers are increasingly comfortable mixing disparate genres to find new hooks. The success of the "Soulslike" formula is no longer confined to third-person action games, as seen with the FPS entries. Furthermore, the revival of cult classics like Stuntman: Hollywood suggests a growing market for nostalgic IPs that offer specific, high-concept gameplay loops rather than generic open-world experiences.

What to Watch

As these titles move toward launch, the industry will be watching to see if the Soulslike FPS hybrid can find a mainstream audience or if it remains a niche appeal. While many of the titles showcased at Gamescom have established developers behind them, the actual execution of these ambitious genre blends will be the true test. Further details on release windows for several of these titles remain to be fully confirmed as they move from the show floor to final production.