7 Promising New Early Access Games to Watch in 2026

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Early Access games can be a mixed bag for players. It’s fun to try a game before its official release, but you might encounter bugs or unfinished features. Despite these potential issues, Early Access remains popular, especially for independent developers. It gives them valuable feedback and funding, which can be crucial for smaller games. These developers often find passionate communities willing to help improve their titles. While not every Early Access game succeeds, some have evolved into critically acclaimed hits.

Checking out games in Early Access is a great way to play upcoming titles before they’re fully released. The 2025 Game of the Year nominee, Hades 2, actually started as an Early Access game, and I highly recommend trying both the early and final versions. If you’re interested in promising new games launching in Early Access in 2026, I’ve compiled a list of projects I’m excited about. I’ve included a variety of genres, so hopefully there’s something for everyone.

7) Remnants of Yore

Early Access Release Date: March 22nd

I recently got a sneak peek at gameplay from the upcoming indie game, Remnants of Yore, and I’m really excited about it! The game combines the relaxing experience of running a shop with the challenging combat of a roguelike, and you play as a wizard… who happens to be a cat! It’s a great mix of charming and exciting, and I’m definitely going to follow its development when it enters Early Access on Steam in March.

6) The Legend of Khiimori

Early Access Release Date: March 3rd

I’m really excited about this game called The Legend of Khiimori. It’s a historical open-world adventure where you play as a Mongolian messenger, basically riding across a huge landscape delivering stuff on horseback. It’s not just about the riding though – there’s a survival aspect too. You have to find food and hunt to keep yourself and your horse alive on these long trips. What really grabs me is how different it feels from other open-world survival games, and the graphics look incredible. It’s hitting Early Access on Steam and Epic Games in March, and honestly, a lot of other gamers are hyped about it too!

5) Nested Lands

Early Access Release Date: February 25th

If you enjoy role-playing games with a dark, historical setting, especially those dealing with the Black Plague, you should check out Nested Lands. This upcoming game is a challenging survival RPG set in a medieval world devastated by the plague. You’ll be responsible for building and protecting your settlement, and making difficult decisions to ensure its survival. It’s launching into Early Access with a clear plan for future development, which is a great indication that the game will continue to improve. If you’re a fan of survival games, Nested Lands is worth keeping an eye on.

4) Witchspire

Early Access Release Date: 2026 (TBD)

If you enjoy open-world survival games with a relaxed and charming atmosphere, Witchspire is worth checking out. This Early Access title combines survival elements with creature collecting and a magical adventure. You can explore a large open world either by yourself or with friends, battling creatures, gathering resources, making friends with magical companions (familiars), and even flying around on a broomstick! If you’re eagerly awaiting Witchbrook, Witchspire is a great game to watch as it becomes available in Early Access.

3) Paralives

Early Access Release Date: May 25th

Fans of The Sims have been eagerly awaiting Paralives, and it’s finally launching this summer! Originally scheduled for December 2025, this new life simulation game has been teasing gameplay features that look promising. Importantly, Paralives is designed to run well on less powerful computers, potentially making it a strong rival to The Sims. If you enjoy relaxing, cozy games, you’ll definitely want to check out Paralives when it releases.

2) Solasta 2

Early Access Release Date: March 12th

Solasta 2 is the sequel to the popular game Solasta: Crown of the Magister, which players on Steam have given very positive reviews. The original game is well-regarded for accurately recreating the combat and adventure of tabletop role-playing games, and Solasta 2 appears set to build on that success. It offers strategic, party-based gameplay inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, and I’m excited to see what it brings when the Early Access version is released later this year.

1) Emberville

Early Access Release Date: Summer 2026

I rarely find games that feel exactly made for me, but that’s how I felt when I learned about Emberville. It’s described as a mix of Diablo and Stardew Valley, and that combination sounds perfect! I love both spooky RPGs and relaxing, cozy games, so being able to enjoy both at once is incredibly exciting. Emberville combines action-RPG gameplay with town rebuilding and a mystery to solve, making it the Early Access game I’m looking forward to most in 2026—and I think you should be too.

Do you usually try out games when they’re still in development (Early Access), or do you prefer to wait until they’re fully released? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-19 00:41