25 Games We Can’t Wait to Play in 2026

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2025 was a fantastic year for gaming with a huge variety of titles, but 2026 is a fresh start. We’re expecting completely new games and sequels we’ve been waiting for, including some surprising ones that will really showcase the latest technology in graphics, story, and gameplay. Many games will conclude existing stories while others will begin brand new adventures, letting us revisit familiar tragedies or explore exciting new worlds. While it’s easy to get carried away with excitement, we’re incredibly eager to share 25 games we’re most anticipating. Let’s get started with…

Control Resonant

As a huge fan of the first Control, I’m really excited about this sequel! It seems like Remedy is doing something totally different this time around. Instead of being stuck inside The Oldest House, we get to explore the entire city of Manhattan, which sounds amazing. And instead of Jesse’s gun, you’re using a close-combat weapon called the Aberrant. Plus, the story focuses on Jesse’s brother, Dylan, and his journey. It’s a big shift from the first game, and I’m eager to see if it can capture the same unique vibe, but Control Resonant definitely has me hooked already.

Nioh 3

Team Ninja’s latest game builds on its popular action RPG series in exciting ways. Players will journey through different periods of Feudal Japan, fighting Yokai creatures while effortlessly switching between Samurai and Ninja combat styles. The game features large, expansive levels – though not a fully open world – and offers a lot to discover. With its quick and challenging combat, similar to the ‘Souls’ games, it’s shaping up to be a top contender in 2026, and likely to keep players engaged for a long time as they strive for perfection.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis

Lara Croft is back! While the next main Tomb Raider game isn’t due until 2027, in 2026 players will revisit the original game with a fresh take. It’s not a complete remake, but a reimagining built in Unreal Engine 5, sending Lara to classic locations in search of powerful artifacts. Expect updated environments, modern gameplay, and everything fans love about Tomb Raider – we’re excited to play!

Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties

The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, known for its quality, continues to receive remakes. Kiwami 3 is a major update to one of the earlier games, offering fans new side stories, extra scenes, and an even more detailed Dragon Style fighting system. Meanwhile, Dark Ties tells the story of Yoshitaka Mine, following his journey from a typical office worker to a figure in the criminal underworld. Players will explore Kamurocho and experience Mine’s transformation as they utilize his unique boxing skills.

Reanimal

Imagine a devastating disaster has struck. Would you risk everything to rescue your friends? That’s the question at the heart of Reanimal, the new co-op platformer from Tarsier Studios, offering both online and local multiplayer. You can also play alone, controlling two siblings as they explore a series of islands, solve puzzles, and try to avoid a grim destiny. While the game’s spooky atmosphere feels similar to Little Nightmares (Tarsier Studios created those games!), Reanimal has a uniquely unsettling quality, hinting at something even more disturbing hidden within.

Resident Evil Requiem

That leads perfectly into discussing the biggest Resident Evil game so far. There’s a lot to take in – we’ve seen Leon revealed, a Porsche, and learned he’ll have as much gameplay as Grace, just to name a few things. But with its Resident Evil 2style survival horror, complete with Grace and Leon taking on enemies with chainsaws, Requiem* is looking incredibly promising. We’ve only begun to understand how the gameplay works and all the mysteries it holds, but we’ll have plenty of time to learn more before the game comes out.

Replaced

After a long development process, Sad Cat Studios’ cyberpunk action game, Replaced, is finally set to launch. It’s been amazing to watch the game transform from a promising 2D title into a visually stunning experience, especially with its fluid combat system and unique take on an alternate 1980s America. Despite the game’s melancholic atmosphere, the intriguing story of R.E.A.C.H. and his fight against the Phoenix Corporation is captivating. Replaced will be available on March 12th, so be sure to save the date!

Saros

Even though Returnal 2 has been delayed until April 30th, we’re still incredibly excited about it, especially after seeing the latest trailer. The game looks fantastic, with beautiful and strange environments, and the new characters add a lot of tension. The enemies are both terrifying and otherworldly. As a fan of the first game, I’m hoping for even more ways to customize the experience, more gameplay modifiers, a wider variety of environments, and – most importantly – really tough boss battles.

Marvel’s Wolverine

Wolverine is known as the best at what he does, and the first trailer for Insomniac’s upcoming game shows he’s incredibly good at brutal things. Think dismemberment and claw attacks – it’s packed with violent action, and fans are excited! While the story details are still under wraps, the game will feature classic villains like Mystique and Omega Red. You’ll fight the Reavers across locations like Canada, Tokyo, and Madripoor in a brand new story. The game is scheduled to release in Fall 2026, and will only be available on PS5.

Forza Horizon 6

It’s hard to imagine a more surefire success for Microsoft than a new Forza Horizon game set in Japan. The upcoming title promises the most detailed open world yet, specifically with a sprawling version of Tokyo, and dynamic seasons that will significantly change the gameplay experience. This could be Playground Games’ best work to date, and that’s even before we know anything about the cars or activities included. Even without the highly anticipated Japanese setting, Forza Horizon 6 is shaping up to be an unforgettable game.

Fable

Playground Games is also working on a large open-world game, a revival of the classic Fable RPG series. Originally announced in 2020 with a planned 2025 release, it’s been pushed back to 2026. Despite the delays, the most recent trailer looked fantastic, giving fans a glimpse of the gameplay and combat. If Playground Games succeeds, Fable has the potential to revitalize the franchise – no easy task!

Gears of War: E-Day

There’s nothing wrong with starting small, especially when it’s the beginning of the Human-Locust War. This new prequel to Gears of War takes place in the days following Emergence Day and promises to recapture the scary feeling of the earlier games. It’s also going back to a more straightforward, story-driven campaign, unlike the more open levels in Gears 5. Plus, it will finally reveal how the iconic Lancer weapon came to be. With Marcus and Dominic leading the charge during such a pivotal time in the series, it’s shaping up to be something special!

Crimson Desert

While many open-world games focus on size, the developers of Crimson Desert want to create a truly immersive world called Pywel. They envision players doing everything from simple tasks like herding sheep to epic adventures like storming castles and exploring floating islands with challenging puzzles. You’ll battle metal dragons, fight possessed soldiers, destroy gigantic monsters, and even control your own steam-powered mech! Beyond all that, the combat system is deep and complex, with a variety of magic, combos, throws, and weapons. Crimson Desert aims to be an unforgettable gaming experience, and after a long wait, we’re excited to finally play it this March.

007 First Light

Before becoming the iconic 007, James Bond embarks on a thrilling international adventure, balancing sophistication with a bit of recklessness. If that sounds appealing – and IO Interactive is definitely making a strong impression – 007 First Light looks set to be another hit for the studio. Like the Hitman games, the environments offer open-ended gameplay, but it’s not just about stealth. You’ll also be running, shooting, fighting, deceiving, driving, and using gadgets to achieve your goals. It’s a combination of elements that feels both fresh and familiar – exactly what fans expect from a Bond adventure.

Grand Theft Auto 6

It feels like we’re getting closer and closer to the release of the new Grand Theft Auto game, but it still seems distant. Maybe it’s because of all the excitement, or perhaps it’s due to the fact that it’s been ten years since the last one. After multiple delays, we’re not just anticipating GTA 6 – we’re really counting on it. We can’t wait to explore the beautiful open world of Leonida, from its islands to its swamps, and get caught up in the story of Lucia and Jason – a modern take on Bonnie and Clyde, perhaps. More than anything, we just want to immerse ourselves in the game’s world, soak up the atmosphere, and lose ourselves in the experience. Let’s hope 2026 is finally the year it arrives.

The Duskbloods

No one expected a Nintendo Switch 2 game combining player-versus-player and player-versus-environment combat from FromSoftware, but the studio is known for taking risks. In The Duskbloods, players fight each other as the world falls apart, or they can cooperate – it all depends on the backstory and skills of the character you choose. With over a dozen different characters, each with their own story and abilities, The Duskbloods builds on the foundation of Nightreign while still feeling fresh and original, which should be enough to excite players when it releases in 2026.

Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls

A new Marvel fighting game is bringing together heroes like Captain America, Spider-Man, and Iron Man – something fans have been waiting a long time to see! Developed by ARC System Works, Marvel Tōkon isn’t just a throwback to older Marvel games. It features exciting 4v4 team battles with dynamic elements like wall breaks and stage transitions. Teams share a single health bar, and the game has a distinctive anime art style. It might sound unusual, but the game is shaping up nicely – now we’re just hoping to find out when it will be released.

Invincible VS

We’re also excited about the new comic book fighting game, Invincible VS, which really captures the intense action of the source material. It features a wide range of beloved characters, including Robot, Atom Eve, Battle Beast, Omni-Man, Invincible, and a new addition, Ella Mental. With smooth online play thanks to rollback netcode, team battles, and a full Story Mode, it’s a solid tag fighter and a fun option for fans, especially at a price of $49.99 – offering a great alternative to Marvel Tōkon.

Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

Since Rocksteady’s next Batman game is still a ways off, Traveler’s Tales has really delivered with LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. The game features a huge, open-world Gotham City with gliding, lots of Batmobiles and other vehicles, and smooth combat. It also has a great selection of playable characters with surprisingly well-developed stories – better than Gotham Knights, even! It’s exciting to see a game that both honors Batman’s past and tells a fresh, original story.

Lords of the Fallen 2

Following the success of its engaging first installment, CI Games is building on that foundation with a sequel that promises to expand on the challenging, Souls-like gameplay. The stakes are higher this time, as a dark force threatens to engulf the human world. Players can expect more options for character builds and combat styles, tougher bosses with striking designs, and plenty of opportunities to die trying. We’re eager to see how this new game improves on the original, and Lords of the Fallen 2 could be a surprising success for CI Games.

Pragmata

2026 is shaping up to be a year for games that have been in the works for a long time, and Pragmata is one of the most captivating. First revealed in 2020, its release has been pushed back several times to ensure the gameplay is just right. The recent demo showed off solid third-person shooting and clever real-time puzzles, but the story remains largely a mystery. Still, the game looks stunning, and the connection between the characters Hugh and Diana has us eager to see how the plot unfolds – and what secrets the Moon holds.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Miyamoto Musashi isn’t afraid of facing single opponents, but large groups of enemies, known as Genma, are a real challenge. The future of Kyoto during the Edo period rests on his shoulders, particularly when wielding the powerful Oni Gauntlet. Early gameplay looks fantastic, with skillful blocking and quick attacks, and the game, Way of the Sword, promises a substantial 20-hour experience that’s both action-packed and well-paced.

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy

It’s a bit unusual that Asobo Studio revealed a trailer for the next Plague Tale game and then stayed quiet for six months, but that’s what happened. Still, Requiem’s sequel, Resonance, is coming out this year and will tell a new story – a prequel focusing on Sophia as she explores the labyrinthine Minotaur Island. While the game will feature beautiful scenery as usual, Sophia will be better prepared for close-quarters fighting.

Halo: Campaign Evolved

Halo Studios is revisiting the original Halo with a new remake. While we’ve seen similar updates before, this version really showcases impressive graphics. The character models, cutscenes, and environments all look fantastic – a definite step up from some other recent Unreal Engine 5 games. There are still some unknowns, like the planned prequel episodes featuring Master Chief and Sergeant Johnson, but the game promises a strong campaign, four-player co-op, and is even coming to PlayStation for the first time, making it something to be excited about.

Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter

Few things are as exciting as revisiting a classic role-playing game, but in this case, fans are even more thrilled about the sequel! Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is coming before September 2026. Considering how much Falcom improved the first game, it’s hard to imagine what they’ll do next, but this sequel promises to be even bigger and more ambitious than before.

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2026-01-02 23:15