Gamescom 2025: Exclusive Hands-On Demos of Hollow Knight: Silksong, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree Expansion Confirmed for Nintendo Booth
Gamescom 2025 is shaping up to be an unprecedented showcase of gaming’s most anticipated titles, and Gaming News can exclusively confirm that Nintendo is set to bring a trifecta of critical darlings and highly-awaited sequels to the Gamescom show floor. Attendees at the massive German gaming convention will have the exclusive opportunity to play Hollow Knight: Silksong, the highly anticipated sequel to Team Cherry’s beloved Metroidvania, alongside playable demos of the recently released Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the second part of Square Enix’s ambitious Final Fantasy VII Remake project, and an early hands-on experience with Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, FromSoftware’s first major DLC for its critically acclaimed action RPG. This monumental announcement solidifies Gamescom 2025 as the premier destination for gamers seeking early access to some of the industry’s most significant releases.
The presence of these three titans at the Nintendo booth is particularly noteworthy. While Hollow Knight: Silksong has been a persistent question mark regarding its platform availability and release date, its inclusion as a playable demo at Gamescom strongly suggests an imminent launch, with the Nintendo Switch 2 platform being a likely primary target given past trends. The sheer demand for Silksong has reached astronomical levels since its initial announcement, with fans eagerly awaiting any new information or playable builds. The Gamescom demo will undoubtedly be a crucial moment for the game’s final push towards release, offering players their first tangible interaction with the new mechanics, environments, and characters that await them in the kingdom of Pharloom.
Furthermore, the inclusion of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth in a playable format at a major European convention like Gamescom is a significant coup. While the game has already launched to widespread critical acclaim on the PlayStation 5, its appearance at Gamescom 2025 signals Nintendo’s commitment to showcasing major third-party partnerships and potentially hints at future cross-platform strategies or even a future release on Nintendo’s upcoming hardware. For those who may not have had the chance to dive into Rebirth’s expansive world and narrative on its initial release, Gamescom offers a compelling second chance to experience the continuation of Cloud Strife’s epic journey.
Perhaps most surprising, yet equally exciting, is the confirmation of a playable demo for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. FromSoftware’s masterful expansion to its open-world phenomenon is one of the most anticipated DLCs in recent memory. The opportunity to get hands-on with this new content at Gamescom 2025 will provide invaluable insights into the new challenges, lore, and world design that Miyazaki and his team have crafted. Given FromSoftware’s reputation for challenging gameplay and intricate world-building, this Elden Ring demo is expected to be a major draw for fans eager to test their mettle against the formidable new threats that await them in the Land of Shadow.
Hollow Knight: Silksong - A Glimpse into the Hornet’s Domain
The return to the dark, intricate world of Hallownest, or rather, the new kingdom of Pharloom, in Hollow Knight: Silksong has been met with unparalleled anticipation. Team Cherry’s masterful approach to atmosphere, challenging combat, and expansive exploration set a high bar with the original Hollow Knight, and every subsequent update regarding Silksong has only amplified the excitement. The confirmation of a playable demo at Gamescom 2025 provides a critical opportunity for players to finally experience the evolution of the Hollow Knight formula firsthand.
We anticipate that the Gamescom demo will focus on showcasing Hornet’s distinct gameplay style, which is expected to be faster and more agile than that of the Knight. Her ability to wield a silk-based weapon, coupled with her inherent acrobatic prowess, promises a fresh and dynamic combat experience. Players will likely get to explore a small, curated section of Pharloom, offering a taste of the new environments, enemies, and potential boss encounters that await them. The demo is expected to highlight Silksong’s new crafting system, a significant addition to the gameplay loop, allowing players to create new tools and upgrades to aid Hornet on her perilous journey.
The narrative tease for Hollow Knight: Silksong suggests a more active protagonist in Hornet, who is captured and brought to a mysterious, alien land. Her quest for survival and escape will undoubtedly be intertwined with the lore and secrets of this new kingdom. Gamescom attendees will be among the first to witness this narrative unfold, even in a limited capacity, and to experience the unique artistic direction and evocative soundtrack that have become hallmarks of Team Cherry’s work. The sheer detail in the original Hollow Knight was astonishing, and we expect Silksong to push those boundaries even further, particularly with the potential of new hardware to leverage. This playable experience will be crucial for gauging the progression of the game’s development and for satiating the immense hunger for new content from the Hollow Knight community.
Silksong’s New Mechanics: A Deeper Dive
The introduction of Hornet as the playable protagonist signifies a fundamental shift in gameplay mechanics. Unlike the Knight, who relied on charms and nail upgrades, Hornet’s combat is expected to be heavily influenced by her agility and her ability to manipulate silk. We can anticipate a focus on aerial maneuvers, dodges, and swift, precise attacks. The rumored addition of a silk-based weapon system could introduce a unique resource management element, where Hornet’s silk is used for both offensive capabilities and traversal. This could involve grappling hooks, temporary platforms, or even defensive maneuvers.
The crafting system mentioned in developer updates is another significant new feature. Players will likely collect various resources throughout Pharloom to craft essential items, tools, and possibly even new abilities for Hornet. This adds a layer of strategic depth, encouraging exploration and resourcefulness. The demo might offer a curated selection of craftable items, allowing players to experiment with different builds and strategies, showcasing the versatility of Hornet’s progression.
Furthermore, the world of Pharloom itself is rumored to be more vertical and interconnected than Hallownest, emphasizing Hornet’s acrobatic capabilities. We expect the Gamescom demo to feature environments that specifically highlight these traversal mechanics, perhaps with challenging platforming segments or secret areas accessible only through skillful use of Hornet’s abilities. The evolution of the boss encounters is also a major point of interest, with fans eager to see how Team Cherry translates their intricate boss design philosophy to a faster, more acrobatic protagonist.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Continuing the Iconic Journey
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the latest installment in Square Enix’s monumental Final Fantasy VII Remake project, brings the beloved narrative of Cloud Strife and his companions to a dramatic new phase. Following the events of Final Fantasy VII Remake, Rebirth plunges players into a vast, explorable world beyond the confines of Midgar, promising to expand upon the lore, characters, and iconic moments that have captivated fans for decades. The availability of a playable demo at Gamescom 2025 is a fantastic opportunity for attendees to experience the next chapter of this epic saga.
The Gamescom demo will likely focus on showcasing the overworld exploration and the updated combat system that Rebirth introduces. Players can expect to get a taste of the larger, more diverse environments, from the lush grasslands of the Gongaga region to the bustling streets of Junon. The demo is expected to feature at least one or two major story beats or side quests, allowing players to interact with key characters and experience the narrative progression firsthand. The materia system, a cornerstone of Final Fantasy VII gameplay, has been further refined in Rebirth, and the demo will provide a glimpse into the synergistic potential of combining different materia for powerful offensive and defensive strategies.
We anticipate the demo will also highlight the new Limit Break system, which allows party members to unleash devastating attacks when their Limit Gauge is filled. The strategic implementation of these Limit Breaks, often in conjunction with other party members’ abilities, will be a key element of the Rebirth combat. The visual fidelity and artistic direction of Rebirth are also paramount, and the Gamescom demo will serve as a testament to the stunning graphical presentation that Square Enix has achieved, bringing the world of Gaia to life with unprecedented detail. This hands-on experience is crucial for those who want to immerse themselves in the rich storytelling and engaging gameplay that has defined the Final Fantasy franchise for generations.
Rebirth’s Enhanced Gameplay: World and Combat
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth significantly expands the scope of gameplay compared to its predecessor. The overworld exploration is a key focus, offering vast, open environments filled with secrets, side quests, and mini-games. The Gamescom demo is likely to feature a segment of this overworld, allowing players to experience the freedom of movement and the sheer scale of the world that Rebirth offers. This includes the ability to ride iconic Final Fantasy VII vehicles and interact with the diverse inhabitants of Gaia.
The combat system has also been a major point of evolution. Rebirth builds upon the action-RPG foundation of the Remake, introducing new synergy skills and synergy abilities that allow Cloud and his party members to perform powerful combined attacks. These abilities are often triggered by specific conditions or by building up certain gauges, adding a layer of strategic depth to the real-time combat. The materia system has been further integrated, with new materia types and enhanced capabilities that allow for greater customization of character builds. Players can experiment with different materia combinations to create unique playstyles, focusing on offensive magic, defensive buffs, or unique elemental attacks.
The character progression in Rebirth is also expected to be more robust. Beyond the materia system, players will likely have access to weapon upgrades, skill trees, and other methods to enhance their chosen characters’ abilities. The Gamescom demo may provide a limited opportunity to explore some of these progression systems, giving players a taste of how they can tailor their party to their preferred combat style. The overarching narrative is deeply intertwined with these gameplay mechanics, with each character’s development and their unique abilities playing a crucial role in overcoming the formidable challenges that await them.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - A New Frontier of Challenge
The much-anticipated Shadow of the Erdtree expansion for FromSoftware’s magnum opus, Elden Ring, promises to expand upon the vast and mysterious Lands Between with new locales, formidable foes, and an enigmatic narrative. The confirmation of a playable demo at Gamescom 2025 is a monumental occasion for the legions of Tarnished who have conquered the base game and are eager for more of Miyazaki’s brand of challenging yet rewarding gameplay. This will be one of the earliest opportunities for the public to experience this new content.
The Gamescom demo is expected to offer a carefully curated segment of the Shadow of the Erdtree experience, likely focusing on showcasing the new environment and the distinctive combat encounters that FromSoftware is renowned for. Attendees will likely be introduced to a new area within the Land of Shadow, characterized by its unique visual design, enemy types, and environmental hazards. The demo will undoubtedly highlight new weapon types, new spells, and new Spirit Ashes that players can utilize to overcome the increased difficulty and complexity of the expansion’s challenges.
FromSoftware’s commitment to intricate lore and environmental storytelling is a hallmark of their games, and we expect the Shadow of the Erdtree demo to provide subtle hints and clues about the expansion’s overarching narrative. The inclusion of a new major boss within the playable segment would be a significant draw, allowing players to test their skills against a foe designed to push the boundaries of their Elden Ring mastery. The Gamescom demo is not just about showcasing new content; it is about reaffirming FromSoftware’s unparalleled ability to craft immersive worlds and demanding combat scenarios that resonate deeply with players.
Shadow of the Erdtree: Unveiling New Threats and Abilities
The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion introduces a wealth of new gameplay elements designed to challenge even the most seasoned Tarnished. The new environment, the Land of Shadow, is rumored to be a sprawling and distinct region, separate from the existing map of the Lands Between, offering a fresh visual identity and unique traversal challenges. The demo will likely provide a glimpse into the aesthetic and thematic direction of this new area, showcasing new architectural styles, enemy designs, and atmospheric elements.
FromSoftware’s signature approach to combat is expected to be amplified in Shadow of the Erdtree. The demo will likely feature new weapon classes, each with its own unique move sets and combat philosophies, encouraging players to adapt their strategies. Similarly, new spells and incantations will offer players expanded magical capabilities, allowing for even greater build diversity. The Spirit Ash system, a crucial element in managing challenging encounters, is also expected to be expanded, with new Spirit Ashes that offer unique support or offensive capabilities.
The introduction of new enemy types, ranging from common soldiers to terrifying monstrosities, will undoubtedly present fresh combat puzzles. FromSoftware’s talent for designing memorable and challenging boss encounters is legendary, and the Gamescom demo is a prime opportunity to witness the introduction of a new, formidable adversary. This boss encounter will likely test players’ understanding of Elden Ring’s core combat mechanics while also demanding mastery of the new abilities and strategies introduced in the expansion. The lore surrounding these new additions will be just as crucial, with subtle environmental storytelling and item descriptions hinting at the deeper narrative threads of Shadow of the Erdtree.
Gamescom 2025: The Ultimate Gaming Destination
The presence of Hollow Knight: Silksong, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree at Gamescom 2025 underscores the convention’s status as a premier global event for the gaming industry. Nintendo’s commitment to bringing these highly anticipated titles to a playable format for attendees demonstrates a significant investment in engaging directly with the passionate gaming community. This event is not merely a platform for announcements; it is a celebration of interactive entertainment, offering a rare glimpse into the future of gaming.
For attendees of Gamescom 2025, the opportunity to experience these titles firsthand offers invaluable insights into their gameplay, narrative, and overall quality. The hands-on nature of these demos allows players to form their own opinions and build further anticipation for their official releases. We expect massive queues for each of these playable sections, highlighting the immense draw and cultural impact of these franchises. The collective presence of Silksong, Rebirth, and Shadow of the Erdtree at Nintendo’s booth is a testament to the evolving landscape of game development and distribution, showcasing the increasing importance of major conventions for connecting developers, publishers, and players.
Gaming News is committed to providing comprehensive coverage of Gamescom 2025, bringing you the latest updates, insights, and impressions from the show floor. The exclusive hands-on opportunities with these monumental titles are just the beginning of what promises to be an unforgettable event for gamers worldwide. We encourage all attendees to make their way to the Nintendo booth to experience these groundbreaking games and to be a part of gaming history in the making. The synergy of these three colossal releases at one convention, especially at the Nintendo booth, is a clear indicator of the exciting trajectory of the gaming industry and the enduring appeal of expertly crafted, deeply engaging video game experiences. The anticipation for Gamescom 2025 has never been higher, and these playable demos are undoubtedly the crown jewels of this year’s exhibition.