by Soiltek
Gamescom 2025 has come and gone, and what a whirlwind it was! For those of us who appreciate the heart and soul of indie development alongside the cutting edge of tech, this year’s convention offered a unique blend of experiences along with hands-on impressions with XBOX ASUS ROG Ally and X variants of Xbox’s and Asus’ new handheld.
Our very own K Asante was boots on the ground in Cologne, Germany. He brings us his unique “Technologist” perspective and insights to a special Gamer Circle Podcast episode, from a quaint outdoor pub. Along with A-aron aka <>, (trust me, he’s a big deal), we got a unique perspective of this year’s show from this amazing duo. Everborn Saga must be jealous. 😉
You can check out the video here.
Advice for Gamescom
Both Aaron and K Asante advise future attendees to plan their goals meticulously! The vastness was only manageable through advanced planning of interviews and game demos. Evenings were dedicated to networking, a crucial part of any convention, with a notable stop at a vibrant Nordic party. Cheers!
ROG Xbox Ally
One of the anticipated tech highlights was the ROG Xbox Ally, and both K Asante (video below) and Aaron had a chance to get hands-on. While they attended a smaller-than-expected but notably crowded Xbox booth reception, they attended during the early weekdays of Gamescom, where attendance had not reached its peak.
Overall, the duo concluded that the lighter, white version of the Ally stood out as a strong competitor to the Switch for playing smaller PC games, especially when paired with a Game Pass subscription. This makes it an appealing option for the on-the-go indie gamer. The heavier X variant, however, seemed to be designed for a more niche market of enthusiasts who prioritize playing AAA games on a handheld. (Pay-pigs ahem.)
The Games
No Gamescom recap would be complete without diving into the games themselves! Here are the standout titles that caught K Asante’s attention.
Aaron seemed particularly delighted with High on Life 2, which he praised for its tight, well-directed demo and humorous dynamic between the bounty hunter gun and the knife characters.
Of Peaks and Tides struck a chord with K with its Monster Hunter-like feel blended with captivating Eastern mythology. As a Monster Hunter fan, I’ll be looking forward to this one.
K Asante also demo’d The Last Caretaker. Drawing comparisons to Subnautica and Lone Echo, this title impressed K with its detailed, physics-based gameplay, promising an immersive underwater or space exploration experience.
Daimon Blades: For those who appreciate a challenge but want a more accessible entry point, Daimon Blades is described as an approachable Soulslike game.
Hela: A delightful cooperative game where two mice embark on an adventure to assist a witch. This sounds like a charming indie gem.
Phantom Blade Zero: This game’s fluid, animation-prioritized combat immediately brought to mind the intensity of Sekiro and the frenetic action of Ninja Gaiden.
Both Aaron and K Asante also teamed up to play Exoborn, an extraction shooter that they both thoroughly enjoyed, highlighting its potential for cooperative fun.
From the looks of it, K Asante had so much fun at Gamescom, we’re lucky he came back.
Stay tuned for more from the Gaming Circle