The best games of 2026 so far
The year has started brilliantly, and looking ahead, we can expect many highly anticipated games in 2026. How well they will fare remains to be seen. For now, we’re focusing on the games that are absolute must-plays. Among the best games of 2025 were Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Silent Hill F, as well as titles from smaller studios such as The Séance of Blake Manor, Dispatch and Blue Prince.
Cairn
Cairn sets a new standard for mountaineering games by blending a vivid sense of wonder with a feeling of real danger. You stand against the world as you guide protagonist Aava up sheer cliffs, searching for that one handhold that doesn’t mean certain death the moment you shift your weight. With balance being a central part of the gameplay experience, Cairn also knows exactly when to give players a breather, offering moments of silence and reflection to re-establish equilibrium when you encounter a metaphorical—and literal—wall on your ascent.
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred
The Diablo expansions are of great importance, having delivered some of the series’ best moments. Lord of Hatred easily holds its own against Lord of Destruction and Reaper of Souls, offering fantastic quality-of-life improvements, two new classes that transform you into true powerhouses, and a gripping story. The Hatred saga of Diablo 4 finds a satisfying conclusion, while the new Warlock and Paladin classes deliver explosive fun thanks to fundamental changes to the core gameplay.
Available for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
Esoteric Ebb
What happens when you combine a Dungeons & Dragons session with Disco Elysium? You get Esoteric Ebb, a charming fantasy game where sweaty dice rolls determine your fate. Esoteric Ebb transports you to an original fantasy world brimming with personality and is charming and surprisingly funny. You take on the role of a bumbling wizard—all accompanied by a fantastic soundtrack.
Marathon
Admittedly, a marathon is a bit of a challenge the first time you start one. much It takes some getting used to, but sticking with it is worth it. You’ll be rewarded with an extraction shooter that perfectly captures the highs and lows of the genre. The graphics are a true feast for the eyes, the gunplay packs a serious punch, and each 20-minute mission on Tau Ceti IV offers a surprising amount of depth. How Marathon will develop in the long run remains to be seen, but Bungie has delivered an exciting game with solid foundations, a rich backstory, and tactical gameplay that could be further enhanced by future DLC after release.
Available for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Mewgenics
Mewgenics offers all the joy of breeding a feline army without the responsibility of managing a fortune in food and litter. It’s a challenging gaming experience with unparalleled depth. The developers of The Binding of Isaac and The End is Nigh, Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel, have created a complex game that combines the pleasure of managing an ever-growing cat collection with the nerve-wracking “just one more turn” feeling found in the best roguelites.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection impressively demonstrates just how good a spin-off of a main series can be. This charming third installment fulfills all the criteria for a great gaming experience. A captivating story, a diverse cast of characters, and a spectacular combat system combine to create a true classic in the Monster Hunter series, easily holding its own alongside some of the best games in the main series.
Available for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2.
Nioh 3
Team Ninja’s Nioh series of Souls-like games has established itself as fast-paced and challenging adventures. Nioh 3 doesn’t deviate from this proven formula, but offers compelling innovations and improvements that make the gameplay even more immersive. With the introduction of an open-world design that offers more exploration and discovery, quality-of-life improvements, and a solid combat system, Nioh 3 is the best installment in the series to date, and Team Ninja is at the top of their game.
Pokémon Pokopia
The idea of a cozy life simulation in the Pokémon style sounds like an interesting spin-off and was discussed in Pokémon Pokopia Masterfully executed. A successful combination of the design style of Animal Crossing and Dragon Quest Builders – with a touch of Viva Piñata – makes Pokémon Pokopia an elegant homage to the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon series.
Pragmata
Pragmata, a contender for the “Game of the Year 2026” title, is a refreshingly original franchise amidst countless sequels and remakes. It offers anything but one-dimensional content: the constantly evolving hacking minigames, the challenging gameplay that grows increasingly difficult as you progress, and the touching story combine to create an outstanding gaming experience on PC and console.
Available for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2.
Saros
Housemarque excels at crafting captivating roguelite bullet-hell adventures, and Saros builds upon Returnal’s foundation to deliver a rollercoaster ride of fun and challenge. While not quite as unforgiving as Returnal, be prepared to die and try again and again as you master Saros’s extremely aggressive gameplay. The game cleverly subverts Housemarque’s roguelite formula, and the result is an exhilarating rush of power when everything comes together.
Big Hops
What happens when Super Mario meets The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild? You get Big Hops, one of the first big games of 2026. The charming and heartwarming 3D platformer Big Hops captivates with its simplicity and refined gameplay, allowing you to effortlessly jump into vibrant worlds. This makes it accessible to all ages and, thanks to its well-executed gameplay, a consistently satisfying adventure.
Available for PC, PS5 and Switch.
Mario Tennis Fever
Over the years, Mario has evolved into a true athlete, and Mario Tennis Fever is perhaps his best sporting adventure yet. While the core mechanics of Mario Tennis remain largely unchanged, the fun and flexible Fever Hits provide fantastic content and make every match a genuine surprise. Combined with the entertaining Adventure Mode, challenges, and special game modes, Mario Tennis Fever is a surefire hit for Nintendo Switch 2 owners.
Mouse: P.I. For Hire
In a game like Mouse: P.I. For Hire, visuals play a crucial role – and these are an exquisite homage to the rubber-tube aesthetic of classic cartoons, wrapped in a film noir style. But Mouse: P.I. For Hire isn’t just a visually captivating adventure; it also impresses with fast-paced action, dynamic gunfights, and weapons that deliver wonderfully silly slapstick violence.
Available for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch 2 and Switch.
Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf
Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf builds on the successful formula of the first installment, offering players a beautiful world to explore and enjoy thanks to its stunning graphics and fantastic soundtrack. While the story takes a little while to get going, the second half of this adventure is an impressive collection of captivating puzzles and platforming sections, all revolving around a central mystery that will enthrall the player.
Available for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch 2 and Switch.
Reanimal
Critics of the Little Nightmares co-op horror game series have complained that the terror of the original has been somewhat toned down in the sequels. If you agree, you should definitely check out Reanimal. It more than lives up to the legacy of Little Nightmares and even surpasses it with a game design that makes exploring an eerie and disturbing world—especially in co-op mode—a genuine pleasure. While the puzzles aren’t overly difficult, the unsettling visuals leave a lasting impression as you guide siblings through a nightmarish world to freedom.
Available for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2.
Resident Evil Requiem
Imagine the greatest hits of Resident Evil in one deliciously macabre package, and you have Resident Evil Requiem. A highlight compilation of the gripping horror and action that have defined the series for 30 years, Requiem refines the games’ tried-and-true formula and enhances it with small but thoughtful gameplay additions to create a beautifully gruesome experience.
Available for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2.
Vampire Crawlers
Roguelike deck-building games may seem like an oversaturated genre these days, but Poncle, the developers of Vampire Survivors, are breathing new life into it with a captivating spin-off. The game captures all the magic of its hit title and reimagines it as an accessible deck-building experience that improves with each playthrough. So it wouldn’t be surprising if Vampire Crawlers’ “just one more round” feeling keeps you up late into the night.
Available for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch.
World of Warcraft: Midnight
Midnight is the eleventh expansion for World of Warcraft and continues the fundamental changes to Blizzard’s legendary MMO. With enough content for both veterans and newcomers, Midnight builds on this success, offering challenging endgame activities, a revamped user interface, and an extensive housing system that lets you transform a piece of Zeroth into your dream home.
WWE 2K26
While WWE 2K26 doesn’t offer many innovations compared to the tried-and-tested gameplay of its predecessors, this year’s installment in the sports entertainment series addresses a long list of issues. Thanks to numerous improvements, every match feels more enjoyable than ever before, and new match types, a story mode featuring CM Punk, and a revamped island mode put WWE 2K26 in the spotlight.
