The 10 Games I’m Most Excited About in 2026 (and Why)

Grand Theft Auto VI

Grand Theft Auto VI is Rockstar’s next open-world crime epic, returning the series to Vice City with a modern lens. It has literally everyone’s attention because GTA always reshapes expectations, not just for scale, but for tone, systems, and how open worlds react to player behaviour.

I am especially curious about how the dual-protagonist structure plays out moment to moment, and whether the satire feels sharper or more restrained this time around. What I am waiting to see next is extended gameplay that shows how missions, exploration, and character switching actually function in play. This is by far the most highly anticipated release of a video game in years. Trailer 2 which you can view below was good, but we need not only more game clips, but also hope that it doesn’t get delayed yet again.

Fable

Fable marks the return of a series built on charm, choice, and British humour, now in the hands of Playground Games. I am watching this closely because the studio has an outstanding technical track record, but Fable is about tone as much as polish. The question for me is whether it still feels playful and mischievous rather than just visually impressive. Early footage suggests humour is front and centre, but I want to see how player choice, morality, and consequence are handled in a modern RPG framework.

What I am waiting for next is deeper gameplay that shows combat, quest structure, and how reactive the world really is. It’s been in development hell, and we haven’t had an update in a minute. It was supposed to arrive in 2025 but hopefully it arrives at some point in 2026. Again, you can view the official trailer below, trailers for all the entries in this article are embedded in each section apart from one which Is a horror game and is 18+.

Marvels Wolverine

Marvel’s Wolverine is a single-player action game from Insomniac, built around one of Marvel’s most violent and emotionally complex characters. This has my attention because Insomniac understands character-led design, and Wolverine demands a very different tone to Spider-Man.

I want this to feel brutal, personal, and grounded, not just another superhero power fantasy. There is real potential here for slower, heavier combat and a story that leans into Logan’s history rather than spectacle alone. This ones heading your way early fall of 2026.

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is a narrative-driven action game set during World War II, focusing on Captain America and Black Panther’s grandfather. The setting is the immediate hook here. A Marvel story framed by a historical conflict opens the door to a more serious, grounded tone than usual. I am interested in how much emphasis is placed on character and story versus combat spectacle, especially with Amy Hennig involved. This feels like a chance for Marvel to tell a tighter, more focused story.

What I am waiting to see next is gameplay that clarifies player control, pacing, and how cinematic moments translate into interaction. Again, this is a title that was supposed to already be with us having been delayed, but due to needing higher polish, will be out at some point in 2026.

007 First Light

007 First Light is IO Interactive’s take on James Bond, promising a fresh origin-style approach to the iconic spy. I am watching this because IO’s Hitman series proves the studio understands stealth, improvisation, and systemic design better than most. Bond should feel clever, not loud, and I am hoping for gadgets, social stealth, and carefully designed set pieces rather than nonstop action. If this leans into player choice and replayability, it could be something special.

The fact that it’s coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and PS5 Pro enhancements with 60 FPS Quality Mode, ray tracing, and PSSR upscaling, means availability platform-wise looks great.

We got a 30 minute + deep dive look at the last PlayStation State of Play event which was solely focused on Bond. So we’ve seen quite a bit already, that deep dive is available for you to view below and 007 First Light arrives March 26th.

Resident Evil: Requiem

Resident Evil: Requiem is going to be the next mainline step for Capcom’s long-running horror series.

I am interested because recent entries have struck an excellent balance between fear and playability, and Capcom has been remarkably consistent. I have already played the game and you can check out my hands-on preview if you haven’t already.

The series is at its best when it makes players uncomfortable without overwhelming them. This is going to offer the best of both worlds, as Grace Ashcroft will effectively be the mouse type character where the jump scares and horror comes in, and playing as Leon S. Kennedy will be where all the action is.

The third trailer which reveals Leon as a playable character is below to watch, the other horror game without an embedded trailer is up next.

Halloween: The Game

Halloween: The Game is a licensed horror title built around one of the most recognisable slasher icons.

Licensed horror is always risky, but it can work when developers respect pacing and restraint. I am watching this to see whether it understands that Michael Myers is about dread, not constant pursuit. Repetition is the enemy here, so strong level design and smart AI will matter more than shock value.

What I and a lot of other horror gaming fans are waiting to see next is extended gameplay that proves the core loop can sustain tension beyond novelty. We recently got the name of the first map which is called Haddonfield Heights, and the horror title is coming soon to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X. As already stated, this is the only game without an embedded trailer, you can easily search for it on YouTube though.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis looks to push Lara Croft back toward myth, exploration, and puzzle-driven adventure. Atlantis is a strong hook, offering a setting that feels mysterious without abandoning the series’ roots. I am interested in how traversal and puzzles are handled, especially after the recent remastered trilogy. This feels like an opportunity to blend classic Tomb Raider ideas with modern design.

We do know that this is a remake, after the remasters, so with more details arriving soon, I hope we get to see gameplay that highlights environmental puzzles, movement systems, and how combat fits into the overall experience.

Crimson Desert

Crimson Desert is an ambitious open-world action RPG from Pearl Abyss, aiming for large-scale battles and flashy combat. It has my attention because it looks bold and technically impressive, but spectacle alone is not enough. I want to know whether the underlying systems support the scale, or if it risks becoming shallow.

The moment-to-moment combat looks kinetic, and if progression and world interaction are deep, this could stand out. What I am waiting to see next is a clearer breakdown of systems, progression, and how the open world actually functions.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of The Dark Knight

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight closes this list on a lighter note, blending superhero spectacle with LEGO humour and co-op chaos. I am always interested in LEGO games when they balance comedy with smart level design, and Batman’s world suits the format perfectly. This feels like a crowd-pleaser, but I still want meaningful variety rather than recycled mechanics. Strong co-op design will be key. What I am waiting to see next is confirmation of how expansive the campaign is and how flexible co-op play will be.

I do want to give honourable mentions to a few I am also looking forward to. The solo Venom Game has always been slated for 2026, it didn’t make the cut because I am not 100% sure it will be released before 2027. Insomniac could shock me, and i’d be pleased, but I can’t see it happening.

Another one that is worthy of a mention is Alkahest. Althought there’s no release date, from what I saw in the insane trailer that was unveiled, it looks like it’s quite far into production. I guess I am more hoping that it is out soon more than anything, but you never know.

This is not a ranking, just a personal watchlist shaped by what feels most promising heading into 2026.

Some of these could slip, some might surprise, and others may change entirely once gameplay is properly shown. That is part of the fun. I am curious what you would add, remove, or swap out as the next year starts to take shape.