Gamescom 2026 brings new Rainbow Six, Metro, Witcher 3 and Heroes of Might & Magic reveals

Gamescom 2026 commenced with an inaugural ceremony featuring an array of new game trailers and reveals. Among these, a highly anticipated title was a new single-player Rainbow Six game, absent from the series for nearly two decades. Additionally, a Dungeons & Dragons game, a free update for The Witcher 3, and a co-op action game titled Nodus Fall were unveiled.

HoYoverse, the creator of Genshin Impact, showcased Nodus Fall, a game whose art style and gameplay resemble Souls-like titles, though it will likely be free-to-play. Meanwhile, Iceflake Studios, developers of Cities: Skylines II, announced a LEGO-inspired version of their city builder with a focus on customization.

The first-ever single-player Rainbow Six game in the series, set to release in 2027, is a turn-based tactics game. This title, Rainbow Six Tactics, involves strategic team assembly and management through an overhead perspective, reminiscent of XCOM games and the upcoming Star Wars Zero Company.

Microsoft unveiled the first campaign trailer for its upcoming Gears of War prequel. The game, slated for October 6 release, follows the story mode's progression after its initial multiplayer and Horde mode beta.

Microsoft also released the first impressions of its Gears of War prequel, a story-driven game. Following its initial launch, one of the year's fastest-selling games, Crimson Desert, received a significant free update. This version added an enhanced progression system, new main story content, additional languages, and Arabic text support.

Invoke Studios' third-person action game, to be released next year, puts players in the shoes of a powerful magic user in the Dungeons & Dragons universe. The trailer suggests abundant freedom to manipulate environments and enemies in this game.

Metro 2039, the latest entry in 4A Games' Metro series, returns to the tunnels of post-apocalyptic Moscow. The game, set to launch in February, initially appeared similar to Cyberpunk 2077 but is developed by Neon Giant, the creators of The Ascent.

Frictional Games, known for Penumbra, Amnesia, and Soma, announced Ontos, a first-person adventure game with a unique, reality-bending storyline set on the moon. The game, expected to launch next year, promises multiple solutions to its mysteries.

Grinding Gear Games revealed Path of Exile 2, a popular co-op action RPG sequel. The game will transition from early access and become free-to-play on December 11. Additionally, a 1999 strategy game will receive a remake in 2027, featuring refreshed graphics, animations, audio, and unified campaigns. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered and Songs of the Past CD Projekt Red concluded the ceremony with a substantial preview of its upcoming Witcher 3 expansion and a second free overhaul to the original game.