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Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · 1d

Paris Games Week is coming up next week and I'm SO EXCITED!

I've got two days there and I know my way around.

I'll be doing a photoblog here as usual when the time comes.

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Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Sep 12

Looking at the Nintendo Direct, the stand outs for me were:

New Yoshi game
Metroid Prime 4 looking good
Monster Hunter Stories 3 looking good

...yeah. I'll take it. I guess.

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Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

To all the new eyes on my account, welcome!

I'm just a fuzzy little guy who wants to share his silly little game convention stuff so that some indie games can be celebrated properly.

I won't be too active on the account outside big events (I think), but I'm happy to have you here.

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Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

All in all, I had a wonderful time with Gamescom this year, and I'm excited to come back.

Cologne was a very nice city to visit, and who knows what I'll find next year with a few more days.

Last photo of all my swag.

Catch y'all next time!

#Gamescom2025
#GamescomPoodle2025

Photograph of assorted Gamescom 2025 merchandise laid across a white table

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Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

How on earth did I miss the Thai games showcase?! HOW? Argh I hate the lack of a map.

I blame everyone involved in Gamescom that isn't me. Worst convention ever (joke).

Photograph of Gamescom 2025 Announcement for the Thailand Pavilion in Hall 3.2

Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

In conclusion, I had a blast at Gamescom 2025 and I'm really looking forward to coming back next year. I guess I missed the French games section but with Paris Games Week just around the corner, that not too bad a stall to mis- WAIT! WHAT'S THAT?!

#Gamescom2025
#GamescomPoodle2025

Photograph of Gamescom 2025's Entrance to Hall 3.2

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Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

BONUS: Oh yeah, Kurzgesagt made/published/whatever'd a video game. Didn't get the chance to try it on the way out, but I could definitely see a puzzle game or something with this artstyle. I can dig some bird characters.

#Gamescom2025
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Photograph of Gamescom 2025 Star Birds booth

Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

BONUS: On my way out, I saw Fuga 3 being used to promote the Japan Pavilion" exposition.

Good for them!

Still need to play the 3rd one.

#Gamescom2025
#GamescomPoodle2025

Photograph of Gamescom 2025 Japan Pavilion booth with Fuga 3 gameplay on the reel.

Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

I got to play an anime metroidvania roguelite called Bloodreaver - Labyrinth of the Witch, "As I Began To Dream", a cute puzzle platformer, and "Grim Trials" a mix of Hades and Cult of The Lamb.

The puzzle platformer was the most engaging one for me, but they were all pretty good for their genres.

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Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

My final booth before the end of my Gamescom Day was the Soft Source publisher's booth, showcasing some Singaporean games.

#Gamescom2025
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Photograph of Gamescom 2025 Grim Trials demo station from the Soft Source publisher's booth.

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Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

This one is near and dear to my heart, not only because I love all the games that inspired it, but also because I've been fiending for a gladiator game ever since Gladius and Shadow of Rome.

Very excited about this one. I really wish the best for this.

Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

Follow up hit after hit, Bloodgrounds is next.

It's a gladiator management game with heavy influences from Darkest Dungeon and tactical combat à la Banner Saga.

#Gamescom2025
#GamescomPoodle2025

Photograph of Gamescom 2025 Bloodgrounds play booth.

Photograph of Gamescom 2025 Bloodgrounds gameplay footage

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Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

It gave me a lot of Papers Please vibes in all the best ways, with so many interesting game choices all accompanied with exceptional medieval art.

Absolutely impressed by the showing. Looking forward to the release.

Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

Now, back to some high quality indie demos.

Bloodletter is an incredibly stylish deck builder management sim where you treat a small town of villagers to maintain their health, sanity, and trust to withstand the forces of one evil god among many.

#Gamescom2025
#GamescomPoodle2025

Photograph of Gamescom 2025 Bloodletter game play booth.

Bloodletter showcase with QR codes for Steam and Discord.

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Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines 2.

Truck.

Y'know, I think I would have been really intrigued about this game about 5 years and 2 controversies ago.

#Gamescom2025
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Photograph of Gamescom 2025 Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines 2 truck exhibit.

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Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

I've heard so much conflicting information about this game, so I'm a bit disappointed I didn't get the chance to try it out.

Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

Lords of the Fallen 2.

I think this was just a tattoo parlour exhibit.

I dunno if this was an actual permanent tattoo or a temporary henna thing, but it was weird to see.

#Gamescom2025
#GamescomPoodle2025

Photograph of Gamescom 2025 gate to the Lords of the Fallen 2 exhibit.

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Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

I am super looking forward to this (and should probably knock out my stealth strategy games from my backlog).

Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

And you'll never guess what's being prohibi- it's meat. It's obviously meat.

Thanks, Beastars.

Jokes aside, the art design is absolutely immaculate and the enemy types are all super engaging. The characters are unique and their synergies work so well together, and I only got to play 2 of them!

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Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

Back to the indie section because I want to actually play games instead of queuing and I come back to an absolute banger.

"Prohibeast" is a top down real time stealth game with pause (see Desperados) starring animal people during the American prohibition era.

#Gamescom2025
#GamescomPoodle2025

Photograph of Gamescom 2025 Billboard advertisement for "Prohibeast".

Photograph of Gamescom 2025 gameplay for "Prohibeast".

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Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

I also dodged 2 due to its mixed reception and it doing the thing were we have two ideologically opposed faction that the game wants to treat as equal except only one faction actively tries to kill you as their introduction.

So.

I dunno about this one. Wish I could have tried it honestly.

Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

Dying Light The Beast.

So.

I played the first game's base game and loved it despite one story instance that ruined the protagonist for me.

I dodged the DLC because I knew it was depressing as hell and enjoyed my happy ending without it getting overwritten.

#Gamescom2025
#GamescomPoodle2025

Photograph of Gamescom 2025 Entrance to "Dying Light - The Beast"

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Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

Again, time constraints and lines prevent me from taking this golden opportunity to try it out, so a second day ticket is definitely planned for next time.

Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

Dune Awakening.

This is the MMO thing right? I actually have very little information about this besides hearing about it a lot.

#Gamescom2025
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Photograph of Gamescom 2025 Billboard for Dune Awakening.

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Siam Poodle PRO @siampoodlepro.bsky.social · Aug 31

I heard that it's in a good(?) spot right now? With Early Access, who knows at this point?

Didn't take a photo because I hate selfies.