The Game Awardsis an event where the best in the gaming industry is celebrated. This year’s ceremony was, as usual, a star-studded event with plenty of surprises.Deathloop, the time-twisting first-person shooter by Arkane Studios, snagged two awards while the cute indie gameKena: Bridge of Spiritsalso won two awards. To the surprise of many,It Takes Two, a heartwarming co-opgame by Hazelight Studios, won Game of the Year, beating blockbuster titles likeRatchet & Clank: Rift ApartandResident Evil Village.
The Game Awardsis also a place for developers to make big announcements and share some trailers that will hopefully entice players. Although the major reveals are usually kept for the main event, several important reveals also took place during 2021’s pre-show. Judging by the number of varied games that made an appearance, the future of gaming looks bright.
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Big Games at The Game Awards Pre-Show
Thefighting gameThe King of Fighters 15made an appearance. As the trailer revealed, although the game will only be officially released on June 13, 2025, a second open beta will be available for gamers this year. The open beta will allow players to choose from eight available characters. It will also feature access to casual matches and room matches, as well as offline versus and training. Open Beta will be accessible from December 17 at 19:00 PST on PS4 and PS5, and it will remain accessible until December 20 at 06:59 PST.
For more action, gamers canlook forward toEvil West, a flashy third-person shooter being developed by Flying Wild Hog. Players are tasked with ridding the USA of a growing vampire threat, either alone or in co-op with a friend. The blend of the Wild West aesthetic and supernatural horror creates an interesting and unique style. It is set to release in 2022 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Another pre-show premiere with an interesting aesthetic isHave a Nice Deathwhich has gamers playing as Death. In a dreary-looking world, players must restore order to the balance of souls after Death’s employees disrupt it. It is a 2D action roguelike that is set to release in March 2022.
A surprising game that premiered isThe Texas Chainsaw Massacre, an upcoming multiplayer horror game. It is being developed by Gun, and according to the official website, the game will strive for authenticity and will attempt to remain faithful to the classic horror movie. Details are scarce, but the trailer leads one to believe that it will be a bone-chillingly terrifying experience.
Fans of sci-fi can look forward toHomeworld 3, developed by Blackbird Interactive, and it is expected to release in late 2022 on PC. Shortly afterHomeworld 3was shown, another sci-fi game was also premiered. This one, titledThe Expanse, is a Telltale game being developed by Deck Nine. The game is based on the popular television series of the same name. After Deck Nine’ssuccess withLife is Strange: True Colors, it will be interesting to see what the studio does with this IP.
Babylon’s Fall, an upcoming game being developed by PlatinumGames, was showcased. Featuring intense combat and colossal foes,Babylon’s Fallis a co-op game that is set to release on June 10, 2025. It will be available on PS4, PS5, and PC. For even more combat, gamers cancheck outChivalry 2, a game that also made an appearance at The Game Awards pre-show. The game has been out since June 2021, and the trailer revealed that the House Aberfell update will be released in early 2022. Players can jump into the game for free from December 9 until December 12.
The gaming juggernaut Capcom showed up during the pre-show to shine aspotlight onMonster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak, which is an upcoming expansion forMonster Hunter Rise. The massive expansion is expected to arrive in summer 2022.
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The show closed off with areveal ofPersona 4 Arena Ultimax.The fighting game is a spin-off from the popularPersonaseries, and it was originally released in 2012. Fortunately, it is being ported to modern systems. It will be released on PC, PS4, and Switch on June 27, 2025.
Indie Games at The Game Awards
Astitles likeKena: Bridge of Spiritsshow, AAA studios are not the only ones capable of delivering impactful games. The indie market is one where a lot of creativity is allowed to flourish thanks to fewer restrictions. Several indie games showed up during The Game Awards pre-show, and they are sure to have gamers waiting impatiently for their release.
An indieaction-adventure game calledTunicwas the first to make an appearance. Developed by Finji,Tunicfeatures a cute, sword-wielding fox. Although there were not many details revealed, it seems to be a game filled with interesting worlds to explore and treacherous enemies to slay. Featuring bright colors and action-packed gameplay,Tunicappears to be a game that gamers should keep their eyes on. It is set to release on March 16 on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One, and a PC release is also planned.
In 2013, the indie studio Hopoo Games surprised the world withRisk of Rainwhich was met with critical acclaim. It took a few years, but asequel,Risk of Rain 2, was released in 2020. Like its predecessor, it was well-received by both critics and gamers. A trailer for the game showed up at this year’s The Game Awards, just to remind gamers to check out the addictive roguelike third-person shooter.
Another already released title that wasshowcased isTribes of Midgard. Often—somewhat unfairly—compared toGod of War, it is a roleplaying survival game that takes players on Viking adventures as they go up against mythical foes. During the game’s trailer, it was revealed that the game will be on sale for up to 30% off in select stores.
Perhaps the most interesting indie game that appeared during the pre-show isThirsty Suitors, a colorful turn-based RPG about a girl named Jala who has broken too many hearts and must now deal with all her exes ganging up on her. No release date has been given, but it appears to be a stylish game that packs a lot of humor.
The last indie title to make anappearance isPlanet of Lana, a beautiful sci-fi game about a young girl and a strange creature. The composer is Takeshi Furukawa, who is perhaps most known for his work onThe Last Guardian. Visuals for the game are as intriguing as they are stunning, and it is set to release in 2022.
Before The Game Awards had even truly started, a cornucopia of great games was showcased. From quirky indie games to epic AAA titles, there was something for everyone. While some may not agree with some of the award winners, the number of exciting game reveals made The Game Awards an event worth watching.
