For better or worse, the video game industry is all about the "next big thing." What's great is how these next big things can sometimes come out of nowhere, with indie games (Expedition 33, Silksong, Hades 2) dominating the awards season this year. Meanwhile, the safest bet for the "big thing" of 2026 is GTA 6, yet smaller-scale indie and AA games may still more than satisfy and even surprise. Luckily, there's a plethora of games coming in 2026 for gamers the world over to keep their eyes on.
This list is ordered by release date. When we get to the general 2026 release windows, it is then ordered alphabetically. A game must have a 2026 release window to qualify.
Nioh 3
Releases February 6 for PC and PS5
Nioh 3 follows Tokugawa Takechiyo, a young would-be shogun whose brother Kunimatsu is consumed by darkness, unleashing deadly yokai across Japan. Forcing Takechiyo to confront both supernatural threats and human conspiracies, the story spans multiple historical eras from Edo to Bakumatsu. As the third main game in the series, Nioh 3 expands on its predecessors by deepening the narrative, raising personal stakes, and widening the world while keeping the franchise’s signature challenging combat and dark fantasy tone.
- Deep, stance-based (Ninja/Samurai) combat with a wide variety of weapons and builds
- Brutal enemy encounters that emphasize timing, positioning, and skill
- Expansive, interconnected levels filled with secrets
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 85 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
- Released
- February 6, 2026
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Koei Tecmo
- Publisher(s)
- Koei Tecmo
WHERE TO PLAY
High on Life 2
Releases February 13 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S (day one on Game Pass)
High On Life 2 drops players back into the absurd, chaotic universe five years after the first game, with players stepping into the shoes of an intergalactic bounty hunter on a mission to save their sister from Big Pharma. The sequel cranks everything up, giving you bigger hubs to explore, wilder characters to meet, and a roster of allies and villains that makes the story feel alive. The game doesn't let go of its talking guns or over-the-top sci-fi humor, but it does layer in new tricks like skateboarding and other surprises.
- Fun, over-the-top combat with unique, talking guns
- Bigger, more vertical worlds to explore with a skateboard
- "Meaningful" interactions that affect the story and add humor
High on Life 2
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 76 /100 Critics Rec: 60%
- Released
- February 13, 2026
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Squanch Games
- Publisher(s)
- Squanch Games
WHERE TO PLAY
Resident Evil Requiem
Releases February 27 for Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S
Resident Evil Requiem throws players back into Raccoon City, where FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft investigates mysterious deaths at the Wrenwood Hotel that tie to her late mother’s past. Leon is also playable, bringing his veteran skills as his investigation intersects with Grace’s. As the 9th mainline entry, the game blends horror and action while connecting modern events to the classic Raccoon City storyline.
- Gameplay revolves around Grace’s stealth-focused investigations and Leon’s action-heavy combat
- Manage limited resources, solve puzzles, and avoid powerful enemies
- Tense exploration around locations like Wrenwood Hotel
WHERE TO PLAY
Pragmata
Releases April 24 for Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S
Pragmata drops players into a near-future lunar disaster where spacefarer Hugh Williams wakes up alone on a mysterious research station and is saved by Diana, an enigmatic android with secrets of her own. Together, they must survive hostile forces and uncover the mystery behind the station. A new IP for Capcom, Pragmat a carries a lot of risk as an unproven idea, but its focus on a story-driven adventure, unique sci-fi take, a playable demo, dual-character features, and a fun marketing strategy have catapulted the hype surrounding it.
- Switch between Hugh and Diana, each with unique abilities that impact exploration and combat.
- Navigate a mysterious lunar research station, solve environmental puzzles, and avoid or confront hostile forces.
- Utilize futuristic weapons and gadgets to outsmart your foes.
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure, Science Fiction, Third-Person Shooter
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred
Releases April 28 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S (requires base game)
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred delivers the moment players have been waiting for: the rise of Mephisto. Players journey to the island of Skovos, face deadly cults and monsters, and team up with faces like Lilith to stop Mephisto from reshaping reality. As a major expansion to Diablo 4, Lord of Hatred raises the stakes with a new campaign, a new region, and new story developments that push the eternal battle between Heaven, Hell, and humanity to the next level.
- Lord of Hatred updates all classes, while adding another to Diablo 4 (besides the Paladin)
- Skill trees, loot filters, and gear mechanics like Talismans and the Horadric Cube make customization and item hunting easier and more rewarding.
- Tackle revamped endgame features like War Plans and challenges like the Echoing Hatred gauntlet.
Diablo 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash
Saros
Releases April 30, exclusively for PS5
Set on the alien world of Carcosa, Saros sees Soltari Enforcer Arjun Devraj uncover the fate of a lost colony, confront deadly enemies, and face his own inner struggles. The planet's dark secrets come to light through various tried-and-true environmental storytelling approaches. A spiritual successor to Returnal in many ways, Saros blends fast-paced combat with roguelite progression. The genre may have seemed to have overstayed its welcome for many, but with the full support of a PS5 exclusive, it'll be interesting to see how Saros evolves on the roguelite formula.
- Dodge, block, and attack with a mix of human and alien weapons in third-person firefights.
- Earn upgrades between runs to make your character stronger and keep progressing after each death.
- Use the Soltari Shield to absorb enemy attacks and turn them into powerful counterattacks.
- Released
- April 30, 2026
- ESRB
- Teen / Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Housemarque
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
WHERE TO PLAY
007 First Light
Releases May 27 for Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S
007 First Light puts players in the early days of James Bond, showing how he evolves into a skilled MI6 agent while facing a rogue operative and a dangerous conspiracy. The story explores Bond’s first missions alongside key allies like M, Q, and Moneypenny, giving fans a fresh look at his origin. 007 First Light features stealth, espionage, and action, expanding the James Bond franchise while staying true to its spy thriller roots.
- Sneak through enemy installations, gather intel, and use gadgets to complete objectives without being detected.
- Engage in tense firefights with a variety of weapons, from pistols to high-tech spy gear.
- Complete diverse objectives across globe-spanning locations, allowing multiple approaches to challenges and problem-solving
- Released
- May 27, 2026
- ESRB
- Teen / Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- IO Interactive
- Publisher(s)
- IO Interactive
WHERE TO PLAY
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
Releases May 29 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, with a Switch 2 version coming later
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is the next game in the LEGO Batman series, combining TT Games’ signature humor with a story that follows Bruce Wayne from his early training to becoming Gotham’s Dark Knight. Players explore a LEGO version of Gotham, team up with the Bat‑Family, and face iconic villains like Joker, Penguin, Poison Ivy, and Bane. The game delivers a fun, brick‑filled retelling of Batman’s lore while expanding the franchise with a more immersive world and character-driven story.
- Complete missions, find collectibles, and unlock new areas with Batman’s gadgets and vehicles.
- Switch between heroes with unique skills to solve puzzles and defeat enemies.
- Battle villains and tackle environmental challenges with action and humor.
- Released
- May 29, 2026
- Developer(s)
- TT Games
- Publisher(s)
- Warner Bros. Games
- Franchise
- LEGO Batman
- PC Release Date
- May 29, 2026
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure, Superhero, Open-World
Halloween: The Game
Releases September 8 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S
Halloween: The Game turns the 1978 horror classic into an asymmetrical multiplayer game where players can be either Michael Myers or the heroes trying to survive Haddonfield’s darkest night. It features a single-player story from Myers’ perspective and multiplayer matches that capture the film’s creeping terror. Overall, the direction of this new horror title is clear: let fans experience one of horror’s most infamous nights from both sides.
- Control Michael Myers or the heroes trying to survive Haddonfield’s night of terror.
- Experience a story mode from Myers’ perspective or join multiplayer matches with friends.
- Use careful movement, hiding, and planning to survive or hunt in tense, suspenseful environments.
Phantom Blade Zero
Releases September 9 for PC and PS5
Phantom Blade Zero is an upcoming wuxia-inspired action RPG where players control Soul, a deadly assassin framed for murder and hunted as he uncovers a vast conspiracy. The game features semi-open world exploration, intense third-person combat, and branching story paths with multiple endings, blending martial arts and steampunk aesthetics. To date, it has appeared at several events like TGA with stylish and flashy trailers, with previews of Phantom Blade Zero promising intense, fun, and fast fights.
- Engage in fast-paced, third-person battles using melee weapons and powerful martial arts skills.
- Navigate a semi-open world, complete quests, and uncover secrets tied to the main story.
- Make decisions that affect the narrative and lead to multiple possible endings.
- Released
- September 9, 2026
- ESRB
- Unreal Engine 5
- Developer(s)
- S-Game
- Publisher(s)
- S-Game
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
WHERE TO PLAY
Phantom Blade Zero Has More Endings Than Elden Ring
In an interview with The Best War Games, Phantom Blade Zero’s creator detailed how player actions throughout the story lead to more endings than Elden Ring.