The Game Awards is 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

A trailer for the somewhat polarizing game Godfall: Challenger Edition showed up during the pre-show. Although Godfall, originally released as a PS5 launch title, was met with a lukewarm response, Counterplay Games has not stopped supporting the game. Recently, Godfall: Challenger Edition was released, and it takes players straight to the late stage of the game while removing the single-player story mode content. The trailer reminded gamers that Godfall: Challenger Edition is free to download for PlayStation Plus subscribers from December 6 to January 7, and it will be free to claim on Epic Games Store from December 9 to December 16.

The fighting game The King of Fighters 15 made an appearance. As the trailer revealed, although the game will only be officially released on February 17, 2022, 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 can look forward to Evil 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 is Have a Nice Death which 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 is The 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 to Homeworld 3, developed by Blackbird Interactive, and it is expected to release in late 2022 on PC. Shortly after Homeworld 3 was shown, another sci-fi game was also premiered. This one, titled The 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’s success with Life 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 Fall is a co-op game that is set to release on March 3, 2022. It will be available on PS4, PS5, and PC. For even more combat, gamers can check out Chivalry 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 a spotlight on Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak, which is an upcoming expansion for Monster Hunter Rise. The massive expansion is expected to arrive in summer 2022.

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The show closed off with a reveal of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax. The fighting game is a spin-off from the popular Persona series, 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 March 17, 2022.

Indie Games at The Game Awards

As titles like Kena: Bridge of Spirits show, 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 indie action-adventure game called Tunic was the first to make an appearance. Developed by Finji, Tunic features 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, Tunic appears 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 with Risk of Rain which was met with critical acclaim. It took a few years, but a sequel, 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 was showcased is Tribes of Midgard. Often—somewhat unfairly—compared to God 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 is Thirsty 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 an appearance is Planet 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 on The 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.

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