The global video game industry is heading into 2026 with a packed release calendar that spans big-budget franchises, narrative-driven adventures, and experimental new ideas. Developers are revisiting familiar worlds while also pushing into fresh genres and formats, making the year one of the most closely watched in recent memory. Here are ten much-awaited games expected to arrive in 2026.
Cairn
Developed by The Game Bakers, Cairn is a survival experience built entirely around mountain climbing. Players take control of a lone climber and must carefully manage stamina, injuries, and limited resources while scaling a dangerous peak. Precision movement and decision-making sit at the core of the gameplay, offering a slower, methodical alternative to action-heavy titles.
Reanimal
Reanimal is a cooperative horror game that follows two siblings navigating a twisted version of their hometown. The focus is on atmosphere, environmental storytelling, and teamwork rather than combat. Players must work together to solve puzzles and evade hostile creatures across unsettling locations.
Resident Evil Requiem
Capcom’s long-running survival horror series returns with Resident Evil Requiem. The game reportedly features two playable characters with different skill sets, offering varied perspectives on a familiar outbreak-ravaged setting. Exploration, resource management, and psychological tension remain central to the experience.
Pokémon Pokopia
Pokémon Pokopia takes the Pokémon universe in a different direction. Instead of battles, the game emphasises building habitats, restoring environments, and interacting with Pokémon in everyday settings. It blends elements of life simulation and crafting, targeting a broader and more casual audience.
007 First Light
IO Interactive’s 007 First Light reintroduces James Bond to gaming with a focus on espionage rather than spectacle alone. Set early in Bond’s career, the game combines stealth missions, investigations, and set-piece action across global locations, drawing on the studio’s experience with the Hitman series.
Saros
From the team behind Returnal, Saros is a science-fiction shooter set on a hostile alien planet. Fast-paced combat is paired with a narrative that explores survival under extreme conditions. Environmental hazards and evolving enemies are expected to play a major role.
Grand Theft Auto VI
After years of anticipation, Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled to expand Rockstar Games’ open-world franchise. Set in a fictional US state, the game introduces a dual-protagonist storyline and a new region designed for modern consoles, with expectations high for its scale and social commentary.
Marvel’s Wolverine
Insomniac Games is developing Marvel’s Wolverine as a standalone, story-driven experience. The game centres on close-quarters combat and character-focused storytelling, offering a darker tone than the studio’s previous superhero projects.
Witchbrook
Witchbrook is a life-simulation role-playing game set in a magical academy. Players balance spell learning with social interactions and town life, either solo or with friends, making it a slower-paced alternative to traditional RPGs.
Halo: Campaign Evolved
Microsoft is revisiting its flagship franchise with Halo: Campaign Evolved, a modern remake of the original Halo campaign. Updated visuals and performance aim to bring the classic story to a new generation of players across multiple platforms.
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