GamesRadar+ Summer Preview: The biggest games of Summer Game Fest 2025

Borderlands 4 hands-on preview: A shift to a large non-linear open world brings with it more mobility options, and revised weapon perks means more of a mix of specializations than ever. What remains to be seen is if this dedication to freeform will result in a thrilling mess or a confusing one.

Directive 8020 preview: The Until Dawn studio returns with a new Dark Pictures horror, this time finally marking their first take on sci-fi. Playing like The Thing in space, the visuals are gruesome, and the narrative branches – who you think is a doppelganger and who isn't – are tantalizing.

Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake hands-on preview: Has Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 got you feeling all nostalgic about classic turn-based role-playing games? Then you might want to go ahead and play this new Square Enix collection.

End of Abyss hands-on preview: Coming from the original Little Nightmares devs, this twin-stick shooter still manages to get its horror theming spot on. There's oodles of creepy monsters, while a survival horror edge comes to its mechanics, having us weigh up when to use precious shotgun shells.

Gears of War: Reloaded campaign preview: If playing this classic campaign co-op with one player on a PS5 and the other on an Xbox Series X is wrong, then we don't want to be right. This is shaping up to be the terrific and loving re-release of a true titan that Ultimate Edition missed being back in 2015.

Gears of War: Reloaded multiplayer preview: Both the best and worst thing we can say about returning to the multiplayer mode that once defined our lives is – it's still Gears of War. Chunky, uneven, and punishing at times, it's a tricky proposition in 2025, but we're so glad it's restored and present.

Grave Seasons hands-on preview: This chill farming game hides something dark beneath the surface – the quaint town you've moved to also hides a serial killer. We get a taste of the action, and discover by playing with the dev it channels all of the best horror movies from slashers to werewolves.

Grounded 2 hands-on preview: 30 minutes with a survival game like Grounded 2 is just scratching the surface, but from this perspective oh how detailed that surface is looking. We're already hooked. Talking with the devs, they explain why now was the right time for a numbered sequel.

Hell is Us hands-on preview: With "multi-map spanning secrets" and no shortage of "phantasmagorical" horrors, developer Rogue Factor's Hell is Us is a unconventional action-adventure that already has me on edge – just don't call it a soulslike.

Infinitesimals hands-on preview: Cast as a tiny alien visitor to a dangerous planet resembling our own, combat here is pleasingly detailed, reminding us a touch of Binary Domain with how important limb damage is. Small in theme thought it may be, we're pleased to report this has big ideas.

Marvel Cosmic Invasion hands-on preview: When it comes to the beat 'em renaissance, Tribute Games are where it's at. Already sold by virtue of how much we loved their take on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, getting to play this Marvel take assures us that yes – this very much has the juice.

Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection preview: This might seem like a simple proposition on the tin, but Digital Eclipse always goes above and beyond with their museum-like restorations. Getting the true arcade experience for MK4 here, for instance, was no easy task – and the devs tell us why as we play.

Mistfall Hunter hands-on preview: What if Dark Souls was PvPvE? Oddly, despite all the soulslikes out there, it's not a twist we've really seen before. Essentially an extraction soulslike, melding careful combat and high-risk encounters while also asking us how far we want to push our luck is intriguing so far.

Ninja Gaiden 4 hands-on preview: It's clear from slicing and dicing waves of enemies that, yes, the joys of the best 3D games in this series are back (and yes, we did manage to beat the boss fight). Talking to the devs, we reflect on the evolution of action games over the last decade or so.

Ninja Gaiden Ragebound hands-on preview: This isn't just a retro throwback to the classic 2D Ninja Gaiden games. Playing this feels like a genuine bridge between those iconic originals and the newer 3D action, thanks to clever gimmicks such as your spider clan ally Kumori who wields special powers.

Out of Words hands-on preview: This co-op platformer has a gorgeous stop motion style that's simply wonderful to behold. Speaking with the director, they tell us Out of Words is a culmination of their "boyhood dream" to combine gaming with stop-motion – and it really works.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword preview: This followup to the action-horror series has been a long-time coming, even for the devs who tell us they've wanted to return to the series for years. So far, the deliberate combat is already reminding us of the PS2 glory days, and looks great in RE Engine.

Possessor(s) hands-on preview: The Hyper Light Drifter studio returns to its roots with a side-on mix of precise platforming and satisfying combat, wrapped up in a whole new world we're already obsessing over. Mastering our demon legs is just the start – this feels terrific to play.

Pragmata hands-on preview: Having the chance to play this long-awaited shiny sci-fi makes it clear this is no escort mission – escaping this deadly moon means controlling this duo in tandem, fights becoming simultaneous shooting/puzzle challenges that excites in our demo.

Ratatan hands-on preview: We speak with the returning Patapon developers who are returning to mix together strategy and rhythm once again with this spiritual successor. Ratatan is gorgeous, but still punishing until you really get the music in your bones, tasking you with juggling some seriously big boss battles.

Resident Evil 9 Requiem preview: Every Resident Evil is a horror game. But Resident Evil 9 Requiem is a horror game from what we've played so far. Our brief demo has us juggling puzzle solving with evading a truly terrifying new enemy that constantly pursues us – and it's a stressful time.

RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business hands-on preview: One tower, several guns, and an army of armed perps awaiting street justice. Teyon's outrageous follow up to Rogue City is as silly as it is violent, and all the better because of it.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance hands-on preview: Lizardcube have a track record of reviving Sega's 16-bit classics and breathing fresh life into them that make them feel slick and modern while retaining what made them special. This new, gorgeous Shinobi is one of our highlights of Summer Game Fest.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds hands-on preview: As if the pace of each race is matching the rhythm of the titular 'hog, every lap in this karter is wonderfully chaotic. At this point, we love not knowing what's going to come next, right the way down to a dimensional journey to a new track mid-race.

Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree preview: Hades and its early access sequel have been a roguelike phenomenon for long enough to sprout plenty of imitators, and Towa feels like another despite the anime visuals. Still, the more combo-oriented fights may set this apart down the line.

The Witcher 4 analysis: CD Projekt RED kicked off the summer of gaming at Unreal Fest, showcasing a new look at the technology powering its next open-world adventure. The Witcher 4 may be years away, but it's already got the world talking.

The Outer Worlds 2 hands-on preview: This sequel feels like one of our favorite RPG devs (they also made Fallout: New Vegas and Avowed) finally got the resources to make a new sci-fi adventure with the scope they deserve. Full of details, choices, and great action, this is shaping up to be exceptional.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers hands-on preview: We finally get to play this Ming Dynasty take on the soulslike genre, and we're already intoxicated with the smart evolutions it brings to the formula, such as a dangerous push-pull that powers you up on death while also awakening a deadly demon.