This week, Gamescom 2012 was held in Cologne, Germany. Despite no appearance from Microsoft, the convention was filled to the krempe (that’s German for “brim”) with announcements and new peeks inside the games we all can’t wait for. These are the ten that excited us the most.

UNTIL DAWN MAKES ITS MOVE

While sci-fi and action games have always felt akin to their filmed brethren, horror games have managed to stay separate from movies, in my mind. Perhaps that will change with Until Dawn, a new IP from Supermassive Games. Until Dawn plays in a linear fashion, giving it that hip, cinematic feel, while remaining highly divergent in its story, which is affected by your decisions. And FINALLY, this slasher-inspired screamer gives me a reason to buy the PlayStation Move, since it is required. The wand is your flashlight and you move forward in the direction you point. You’re basically always running away, but you have plenty opportunities to interact with the environment and alter the characters’ fates. No release date yet.

BUY ONE GET IT FREE

Sony announced the customer friendly “Cross Buy,” and a sigh of relief was heard all the way to Belarus. If you buy the PS3 version of PlayStation All-Stars, Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time, or Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault, you’ll get the Vita equivalent for free.

REMEMBER ADRIFT

The former Sony title Adrift has reemerged under the name Remember Me, thanks to Capcom. It looks like an Uncharted-influenced sci-fi thriller based largely in the mind. Infiltrate the memories of your enemy to manipulate them into doing your bidding – all in the quest to rediscover your own past. Look for this in 2013, or in other words, whenever it’s done.

MAKE IT RAIN

Who isn’t a sucker for a downloadable title with a unique art design these days? Sony Japan Studio debuted Rain, its imaginary world filled with invisible people and creatures made visible by rain. That’s probably where they got the title. No word on when this platform/puzzler will be playable, but we’re keeping our umbrellas ready.

WORLD OF PANDAS

I thought this was a joke when first announced last year, but Mists of Pandaria is actually the next expansion World of Warcraft. Get ready for kung-fu pandas all up in your guild. The expansion brings a new race, the Pandaren, and a new class, the monk. Level your character up to the new cap of 90, and I’ll permit you to make Jack Black jokes. The release date is September 25, 2012.

NOT PAPER MARIO

Media Molecule, the wonderfully inventive developer behind Little Big Planet, announced a new IP called Tearaway for the Vita that will charm you to the core. You guide a messenger named Iota through a world made out of paper while interacting with the environment. Something in Iota’s way? Touch the back of the Vita and poke a hole through the world and clear the way. Who knows what other ways we’ll get to interact with this world, but all of this will be done in the effort to get Iota out of the game and into the real world. Expect this game as soon as they feel like it’s worthy of a release.

MAKE SPACE FOR DEAD SPACE 3

The spring just got a little bit more full… of necromorphs. Dead Space 3 is hitting the streets on February 5^th, 2013. This time around, Isaac will be able to craft new weapons at workbenches to better face of those spooky creepers ruining space for the rest of us. And most importantly, there’s co-op! That’s right – you and a friend can tackle the horrific campaign together. Go to DeadSpace.com and enter the “Tools of Terror” competition for a chance to have your dream weapon in the game. Pick up the limited edition and get two special bundles that come with advanced suits and some powerful new weapons.

NEED FOR THE SAME GAME

Criterion heard everyone’s description of the Vita and took it seriously – it’s practically a PS3 in your pocket. Need for Speed: Most Wanted will be exactly the same on the Xbox 360, the PS3, and the Vita. Nothing has been changed for the Vita build. I just hope that means there’s no motion control. Get ready to yell “INCEPTION!” from your friend’s passenger seat on October 30^th, 2012.

ROUTINE MOON-TENANCE 

Three guys got together to make a new company called Lunar Software. They’ve developed what they call a “first person horror exploration” game named Routine. Everyone has disappeared from a moon base. It’s your job to investigate. The only objective is figuring out the mystery without dying. If you do die, prepare to start all over. Death is permanent in Routine and don’t expect any help from a HUD or a reticle. It’s just you, the Moon, and the heebie-jeebies. Expect this game in 2013 or whenever the planets align.

LET ME PLAY THE LAST OF US ALREADY

At E3, I kept staring down the developers of The Last of Us, silently judging them for not having a playable demo of the game on the floor. We all want it. This week, Naughty Dog took advantage of Gamescom to continue teasing us with brutal footage of the future in-store for Joel and Ellie. You know things are going to go wrong when Hank Williams, Sr. is playing over it. Expect this game in 2013. Right? Right? I can’t wait much longer!