CGMagazine had a trio of team members present on the gamescom 2025 exhibition floor, and with that number of individuals exploring the Koelnmesse halls, we accrued a multitude of gameplay demos. We have previously published our [Best of Gamescom 2025](https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/features/the-best-of-gamescom-2025/), and we have released extensive coverage for several of the standout titles showcased, such as [The Blood of Dawnwalker](https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/previews/the-blood-of-dawnwalker/), [The Outer Worlds 2](https://www.cgmagonline.com/interviews/the-outer-worlds-2-rpg-lover/), [REANIMAL](https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/previews/gamescom-reanimal-horror/) and more, with additional reports still on the way. With that said, there are a few more games we wanted to ensure you are aware of!

The titles featured in this list made a significant impact at gamescom 2025. Whether it’s an endearing village simulator with a twist, a follow-up to an Xbox classic, or a new addition to the *World of Tanks* franchise, these games offered something unique to Cologne this year. Here is CGMagazine’s Gamescom 2025: The Best of the Rest!

## Black State

**Played By:** Brendan Frye
**[Game Link](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3051160/Black_State/)**

After getting wind of the game prior to Gamescom 2025, I was eager to uncover what *Black State* had in store and to spend some hands-on time with it. After around 20 minutes of gameplay, I felt it necessary to highlight it for its captivating mix of third-person action and bizarre, ever-evolving environments powered by portal doors. Developed using Unreal Engine 5 by the Motion Blur team, the game impresses with ray-traced graphics and cutting-edge NVIDIA technology, including DLSS 4 and Reflex 2, ensuring performance and quality typically associated with major studios. Even from the brief demo, *Black State* already demonstrated itself as visually striking. In under half an hour, it showcased innovative ideas and an engaging world, making it hard not to be excited about what else the game has to offer.

While the developers still have much to achieve, the alpha demo of *Black State* hinted at a world evidently influenced by *Metal Gear Solid* and *The Matrix*, where gadgets, brutal finishers, and a powerful arsenal—including the fusion gun—propel tense, strategic combat. Over 110 takedowns and distinctive boss encounters introduce variety and flexibility, while the ever-changing realms behind each portal instill a feeling of continual discovery. No release date or PC specifications have been established, but *Black State’s* ambition and technical flair make it one to keep an eye on from Gamescom, and even at this preliminary phase, it already seems promising.

## Bye Sweet Carole

**Played By:** Brendan Frye
**[Game Link](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2428980/Bye_Sweet_Carole/)**

It’s difficult not to be captivated when a game challenges the norms of modern gaming in both appearance and tone, achieving this through a uniquely presented concept. *Bye Sweet Carole* is a 2D narrative-horror adventure characterized by a striking Disney-inspired art style and moody, surreal landscapes that evoke the films of Don Bluth, such as *The Secret of NIMH* and *Anastasia*. Set in early 1900s Britain, the game follows Lana Benton as she explores the unsettling Bunny Hall orphanage, deciphering clues about her missing friend Carole and inadvertently entering the enigmatic world of Corolla, teeming with bizarre creatures and shape-shifting rabbits.

After spending approximately 20 minutes with the game in the indie section, *Bye Sweet Carole* unveiled a mix of slow-building horror tension akin to *Limbo* and *Inside* combined with classic point-and-click elements, including platforming, object gathering, and inventory management. Lana’s journey unfolds through cinematic, hand-drawn animation, with each move and threat illustrated with precision. It’s challenging to predict how the overall experience will materialize, but based on my playtime, I was left wanting more. Even judged solely on its animation and style, *Bye Sweet Carole* is visually stunning and makes you eager to unveil what else the game has planned. Penned by *Remothered* creator Chris Darril, *Bye Sweet Carole* is set to launch on Oct. 9 for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox, promising a uniquely haunting yet enchanting horror experience worthy of attention from Gamescom’s indie showcase.

## Blind Descent

**Played by:** [Dayna Eileen](https://www.cgmagonline.com/author/daynaeileen/)