Horror Highlights: Gamescom 2014

Gamescom, Cologne's largest trade fair and events highlight for interactive games and entertainment, has been and gone for another year. Thousands once again gathered for first-hand reveals and exclusives in the 'next generation of gaming'.

This year was a particularly exciting one for us horror fans, not least because everything from post-apocalyptic survival to the supernatural was represented, in what can only be described as one of the most prolific weeks horror gaming has seen for quite some time. With that in mind, read on to see what all the fuss is about...

Until Dawn

Following its initial reveal two years ago, teen slasher Until Dawn has been severely rebooted and reworked by developer Supermassive Games. Gamescom premiered this swanky new trailer, showcasing significant improvement in the games aesthetics, plot and casting. Check it out below;


Until Dawn will be available on the PS4 and is set for a release in 2015.
Dead Island 2
Another exclusive trailer from this year's Gamescom, showcases the first gameplay footage from the upcoming zombie-smashing Dead Island 2. Up until now we had only seen a CGI trailer, but this latest snippet places the game on a whole new level, reminding us why we all enjoyed the franchise so much in the first place - to gleefully obliterate the undead. Check out the trailer below;

Fast-paced, gun-toting, body-freezing, head-exploding fun appears to be the general message, and now with dual-wielding abilities. Hoorah!
Dead Island 2 is due for release Spring 2015 on the PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
Dying Light
In keeping with the zombie theme, Gamescom also premiered a new gameplay trailer for Techland's Dying Light. This game is hardly groundbreaking in its originality (mind you, neither is Dead Island) however there are some elements which should keep things a little fresh. Check out the trailer below;

In addition to the all-too-familiar open-world concept, gamers can see that Dying Light also has freerunning, multi-player co-op games (in which you can join as a monster) and extensive character progression. Not to mention, the titular clue that things get a little tougher once the sun goes down... Can you live to see the light? Unfortunately you will have to wait a little while, before finding out.
Dying Light is due for release February 2015 on the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. 
The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead here, The Walking Dead there, The Walking Dead everywhere. This phenomenon, very much like the walkers themselves, will not die. In addition to Telltale's successful episodic series (and the not-so-successful Survival Instinct), Gamescom has exclusively revealed the teaser for a new Walking Dead game, developed by Overkill Software. 

Detail about the game is a little scarce, other than it being a co-op shooter set in Washington D.C. As evident from the trailer, The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman is also involved, namely to oversee its production and most likely ensure that this is the game "fans have been waiting for". 
Release date and platforms TBC.
Bloodborne
One of the most exciting horror games to feature at this year's Gamescom was Bloodborne. Developed by From Software and directed by Demon's Souls and Dark Souls' Hidetaka Miyazaki, this horror-fantasy set in the fictional city Yharnam has many gamers positively ecstatic. Yet to feel the same way? Well check out the exclusive gameplay trailer below;

Blending the much-loved elements of Dark Souls with new monsters, treacherous scenery and a violently deranged plot, this epic looks dark, tough and beautiful. 
Bloodborne is set for release in 2015, exclusively on PS4. 
Other Gamescom highlights...
Amidst all of the above, other horror games that we have known about for quite some time also had their moment to shine.
Another trailer for Alien: Isolation (due for release October 7th on PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One) was premiered, just to keep us fans salivating, further showcasing the relentless hunt and survival expected from the much-loved franchise.
A new trailer for  The Order: 1886 (due for release February 2015 on PS4) was also revealed, showing off its intriguing premise of werewolf-fighting and steampunk weaponry, set in Victorian London.
The Evil Within (due for release October 14th on PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One) also had a few announcements up its sleeve at this year's Gamescom. Namely the unveil of a season pass, that will unlock all three of the game's planned single-player add-ons, and the estimated campaign time of a whopping 15-20 hours - without the DLC. 
But of course, there was one reveal this year that took the crown and dominated headlines...
Silent Hills
Good news for some, bad news for others, but whatever your attachment to the Silent Hill franchise, this surprising announcement is undeniably intriguing. Silent Hills is being lead by Hideo Kojima (of Metal Gear fame), in collaboration with Guillermo del Toro, and features Norman Reedus as the game's star. Any further information is not yet known, although a sneaky promo for the game's playable teaser accompanied its reveal at Gamescom. Check it out below;

If you haven't yet seen or played the teaser, I advise you to do so... and preferably not alone. It is mind-boggling, unsettling and a little frightening. Whether or not the actual game will continue such tricks, and indeed persuade hot-on-the-mark skeptics, is yet to be determined. It all appears promising however, so watch this space for further updates. 
Silent Hills is exclusively for PS4. Other platforms and a release date TBC.

So there you have it, Wise Words... Horror Highlights from Gamescom 2014. What are your thoughts on the above? Is there a game that you are particularly excited about? Get involved and post a comment!