I know, we are also counting the days to finally get the chance to put our hands on a copy of the long-awaitedGTA VI– it has been ten years since we did not have a new entry in the Grand Theft Auto franchise, for God’s sake.
With so many high expectations, the year 2026 seems to already have an owner of the coveted title of “Game of the Year”. But does it really?
Although Rockstar’s new game promises to redefine the open world once again and expand the legacy of one of the greatest gaming franchises, it will not be the only big contender to take the stage.
There are also some ambitious titles that are preparing to compete for everyone’s attention in the coming year, so we have highlighted some of the most promising games slated for 2026 with enough potential to stand up to the phenomenon of GTA VI – or at least share the spotlight.
We are considering only games that are already unambiguously confirmed to be launching in 2026 for this article.
8007 First Light
Release Date: 2026
007 First Light
IO Interactive (the studio behindHitman) is developing a spy game based on the 007 franchise while presenting an origin story for the iconic James Bond – it seems like a perfect fit to me.
I mean, 007 First Light’s description alone makes this a top priority for every gamer (including myself), especially with havingstealth-heavy gameplayand a third-person camera perspective to make you come back to the franchise’s origins.
If they pull everything right, just like they do with every Hitman title, this one could be a really, really special experience.
7Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydrais the next big single-player superhero experience coming in 2026 — and it could very well be for Marvel what Batman: Arkham Asylum was for DC Comics, if done right.
First, the project looks pretty ambitious on paper, putting Captain America to literally fight against the Black Panther in the middle of World War II, while players can control them both (probably alternately). So we can expect multiple protagonists, a historical setting, and a Captain America: Civil War vibe.
And we also have Amy Henning, known for creating the acclaimed Uncharted series, as the main director and writer of the project, meaning it has a lot of potential to surprise us all.
6Onimusha: Way of the Sword
Onimusha: Way of the Sword
After quite a long hiatus,Onimusha: Way of the Swordmarks a promising return for Capcom’s classic franchise, yet with a slightly renewed focus on action (making it less Souls-esque) and tone (giving it a little more humor).
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From the trailers and previews, this could well be a nice mix of classic Onimusha with a modern take, offering more accessible mechanics without losing its challenging aspect. Also, as the new Onimusha is not connected to other titles in the franchise, it may turn into a good gateway for new players.
The idea of playing with the legendary figure of Musashi once again through a corrupted Kyoto already makes me very excited – and finally get rid of the bitter taste left by the remastering of Onimusha: Warlords.
5Gears of War: E-Day
Gears of War: E-Day
It is true that we are not seeing much marketing forGears of War: E-Day, but as a prequel to the original trilogy, I hope to finally get a more gory, dark (near horror-esque, if possible) aesthetic like the very first Gears.
Because we are talking about a scenario where humanity is on the brink of extermination by monstrous enemies they know nothing about, we need an oppressive atmosphere and visceral combat.
For the story, I expect a strong focus on the brotherhood between Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago in the early days of the Locust War, with groundbreaking visuals, since it is built from the ground up with the powerful Unreal Engine 5.
Pragmata, or “The Last of UsmeetsAlien”, is a brand-new, promisingsci-fi experiencefrom Capcom that has been in development for approximately five years.
The story is as crazy as you would expect from the genre, following Hugh, a spacefarer who gets lost from his team after a Lunar quake, exploring a mysterious research station overrun by a killer AI.
He also receives unexpected help from an android girl named Diana, making the player control both main characters simultaneously to find a way to survive. Sounds pretty original, and could start a new franchise if it gets it right.
It has been more than five years since the Fable reboot was announced by Playground Games, but our expectations are still alive and breathing – and quite high, I must say.
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From what I have seen so far, it may be everything that we are hoping for: an RPG hit with stunning visuals, smooth gameplay, and a nice mix of humor and fantasy. What is not to love if we really get that, right?
Also, I am excited to see Playground’s take on this iconic franchise, since they are known especially for Forza Horizon games.
2Phantom Blade Zero
Release Date: Fall 2026
Phantom Blade Zero
I got the chance to test a couple of bosses fromPhantom Blade Zeroat the Summer Game Fest in 2024 – and, boy, I can not wait for more. Seriously. When I finished the demo, I was jealous of those who were still in line to play.
It genuinely has some of the most impressive gameplay I have seen in years, mixing a Souls vibe with an irresistiblehack-and-slash combat, resulting in fast and extremely stylish combos inspired by Chinese martial arts.
Add all of that to a charming aesthetic that fuses elements from cyberpunk and steampunk styles (what the developers call “kungfupunk”, which is perfect), a semi-open world with non-linear exploration, multiple paths to follow, and a mysterious story of an elite assassin.
1Resident Evil Requiem
Release Date: July 06, 2025
Resident Evil Requiem
Capcom is well set for early 2026 with the upcomingResident Evil Requiem, which is already making my horror fan side very happy for allowing players to switch between first and third-person camera perspectives.
That said, it is the ninth mainline entry in the franchise, with a brand-new, unexpected protagonist (the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, fromResident Evil Outbreak) and a promising return to the iconic Raccoon City.
It looks like Capcom is not holding back for this one, and we will probably see a horror experience that takes full advantage of the power of modern consoles – probably being a new peak forthe survival horror genre. Just shut up and take my money!
