At Summer Game Fest, the demonstrations were a mix of many titles, some you could play yourself while others were only viewable. However, following the event, just three games have stood out distinctly for me. Although these games differ significantly in their narratives and gameplay, they share two key similarities. First, they might not be on your radar yet, as they didn’t make an impact on mine initially either. Second, unfortunately, all of them are slated for release in 2026, leaving me eagerly anticipating their arrival.
Here are the three games: Spine, Infinitesimals, and End of Abyss. We had some prior knowledge about Spine as its creator, Nekki, has been consistently updating players on its progress. However, Infinitesimals and End of Abyss were recently revealed at Summer Game Fest, so it’s understandable if you weren’t aware of them beforehand. Regardless, with their planned releases in 2026, it would be wise to stay informed about these games, as there may be chances to play them ahead of time.
Spine
- Developer: Nekki
- Release Window: 2026
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
In the world of gaming, “Spine” showcases an intense combat style known as “Gun Fu,” where players effortlessly blend gunfire, high kicks, and takedowns against waves of enemies. This action-packed game exudes the same exhilarating vibe as John Wick (given that composer Le Castle Vania, who worked on the John Wick series, also contributed music to Spine). It further combines elements of cyberpunk and The Raid, resulting in a fast-paced rhythm that guarantees there’s always a target within reach for you to attack.
In the game ‘Spine’, you take on the role of a character named Redline, equipped with only a basic handgun, a can of spray paint, and hand-to-hand combat skills. Much like a superhero using Spidey sense amidst common street thugs, you move from room to room with panache, executing stylish kills while evading gunfire and turning their weapons back against them. The demo reached its climax with an intense boss fight against a stealthy adversary who also possesses a Spine implant similar to Redline’s. Compared to the other enemies, this foe presented a more challenging (yet not insurmountable) difficulty spike.
Incorporating a wider range of adversaries and takedown moves would significantly enhance the gaming experience in a title like “Spine”, as I was informed by Artur Ovchinnikov, Nekki’s community lead during my demo walkthrough. Despite this, he assured me that an abundance of takedowns is indeed on the agenda, and it’s reasonable to expect the diversity of enemies to extend beyond what was shown in the demo. Given my hands-on experience with it thus far and the infectious enthusiasm Ovchinnikov exuded for the game during our conversation, “Spine” seems like a title worth keeping an eye on.
Infinitesimals
- Developer: Cubit Studios
- Release Window: 2026
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Initially, when I encountered the concept of Infinitesimals, my immediate reaction was, “This seems incredibly grounded, even with its fantastical elements,” due to the size comparison between our alien protagonist Captain Awkney Relinrake and the enormous ants and leaves surrounding him. Remarkably, as James McWilliams, founder of Cubit Studios and director of Infinitesimals, revealed, this game has been in conceptualization and development for over a decade. It’s heartening to know that it’s persisted and found a home under the Epic Games label. With its unique blend of realism and fantasy, Infinitesimals promises to be an unexpected treat for many next year.
In this game, you play as an alien captain who is bravely searching for lost team members while uncovering the mystery behind a vanished civilization that was meant to be your initial contact on a planet. The gameplay resembles a third-person shooter, featuring robot enemies and potentially larger organic adversaries such as insects, birds, and more that appear giant compared to Awkney. In the demo, you have the option to shoot passive ants, but since they weren’t causing any trouble, you chose to leave them alone. While I usually avoid expressing opinions during demos until the end when developers may ask, I couldn’t help but comment on how visually appealing the smaller world of Infinitesimals seems according to McWilliams and Cubit co-founder and lead developer Mickaël Fourgeaud.
In the game titled “Infinitesimals“, I found the gunplay, specifically managing recoil, to be more challenging than anticipated for a seemingly casual title. However, when McWilliams and Fourgeaud discussed weapon upgrades aimed at mitigating adverse effects and various types of armor suits to cater to diverse playstyles, it became clear that Infinitesimals offers more depth than its demo suggested. This game, which is set for release next year, manages to be effortlessly humorous at times while boasting surprisingly responsive controls. In essence, “Infinitesimals ” truly understands what it takes to enjoy a video game.
End of Abyss
- Developer: Section 9 Interactive
- Release Window: 2026
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
The distinctive mix of squishy and unsettling elements found in games such as Little Nightmares series enticed me towards End of Abyss. However, what truly captivated me (and made me eager to replay it) was the game’s simplicity and seamless gameplay. By the conclusion of the approximately 30-minute demo, I felt like I had been playing End of Abyss for a considerable amount of time due to its minimal controls.
At the Core of Chaos” places players in charge of a character named Cel, who must battle and traverse a decaying facility teeming with various grotesque, formless creatures. These creatures, while only a handful were showcased in the demo, are designed in such a way that I’m grateful for Cel’s roll mechanic, which provides ample invincibility frames to maintain a safe distance from them.
Delving into the Metroidvania style of the game, I experienced genuine surges of dopamine when engaging with specific genre elements such as exiting a suit-based save point or discovering an item that allows me to revisit previously explored areas on the map. Mattias Ottvall, co-creator of End of Abyss , mentioned during the demo that maintaining 60FPS is their aim, and this focus on smoothness will greatly enhance the game’s combat precision. However, even in its current state, the End of Abyss demo showcased such seamless gameplay that it would undoubtedly captivate players if released today.
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2025-06-12 20:40