5 min read
It is December 20, 2025. As we close the book on a phenomenal year that gave us Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ghost of Yotei, the industry is already looking forward. 2026 isn’t just another year… It is a battleground of titans.
We’ve curated and ranked the top 10 most anticipated games of 2026. This ranking factors in cultural impact, franchise prestige, and the sheer volume of hype generated by delays and trailers.
1. Grand Theft Auto VI
Developer: Rockstar Games
Publisher: Take-Two Interactive
Release Date: November 19, 2026
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Undisputedly the most anticipated piece of entertainment in history. Rockstar Games officially delayed GTA VI to November 19, 2026, to ensure it meets their perfectionist standards. Set in the satirical state of Leonida, you will control dual protagonists Jason and Lucia in a narrative that satirises modern excess. The industry has effectively cleared the Q4 calendar to avoid this juggernaut, which Rockstar claims will be the “largest game launch in history”.
2. Marvel’s Wolverine
Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release Date: Fall 2026
Platforms: PlayStation 5 (Exclusive)
Insomniac Games is trading web-shooters for adamantium claws. Marvel’s Wolverine promises a mature, darker tone significantly different from the Spider-Man series. The story is a standalone drama exploring Logan’s trauma, featuring iconic X-Men characters like Mystique. As a PlayStation 5 exclusive, it is the flagship title for Sony’s 2026 lineup and a massive draw for superhero fans.
3. Resident Evil Requiem
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Release Date: February 27, 2026
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2
Capcom’s horror juggernaut returns to its roots. Resident Evil Requiem takes players back to the ruins of “Raccoon City” with a narrative starring FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft and the legendary Leon S. Kennedy. The anticipation is fueled by the new “Hybrid Perspective” system, allowing instant toggling between first and third-person views. It is also a technical showcase, confirmed as a launch-window title for the Nintendo Switch 2.
4. Fable
Developer: Playground Games
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Release Date: 2026
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S
After a decade-long hiatus, Xbox’s beloved fantasy RPG is back. Playground Games, known for Forza Horizon, has rebooted the franchise using the ForzaTech engine to create a stunningly detailed Albion. Fable retains the series’ signature British humour, featuring a cast that includes Richard Ayoade. Microsoft delayed the game from 2025 to ensure it meets the massive expectations of fans hungry for a premier Xbox RPG.
5. 007 First Light
Developer: IO Interactive
Publisher: IO Interactive
Release Date: May 27, 2026
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2
IO Interactive, the masters of social stealth behind Hitman, are tackling the world’s most famous spy. 007 First Light is an origin story featuring a 26-year-old James Bond before he earns his 00 status. This is not a movie adaptation… It is a fresh narrative that blends espionage, gadgets, and third-person action. The pedigree of the developer alone makes this one of the most exciting projects of the year.
6. Crimson Desert
Developer: Pearl Abyss
Publisher: Pearl Abyss
Release Date: March 19, 2026
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Pearl Abyss is delivering a visual powerhouse. Originally a prequel to an MMO, Crimson Desert has evolved into a massive single-player open-world RPG. Powered by the proprietary BlackSpace Engine, the game features physics and combat fidelity that rivals Western AAAs. You play as Kliff, leading a band of mercenaries in the war-torn continent of “Pywel”. It is the wildcard of 2026 that looks ready to compete with The Witcher.
7. Control Resonant
Developer: Remedy Entertainment
Publisher: Remedy Entertainment / Annapurna Pictures
Release Date: 2026
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Mac
Remedy Entertainment expands its “Connected Universe” with this ambitious sequel. Control Resonant shifts the protagonist role to Dylan Faden, brother of the original hero Jesse, as he navigates a warped “Manhattan”. Featuring a new shapeshifting weapon called the “Aberrant” and open-ended exploration, this title promises to be a mind-bending action RPG.
8. Pragmata
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Release Date: April 24, 2026
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2
Once feared to be vaporware, Capcom’s mysterious sci-fi adventure has a confirmed date. Pragmata follows a spacefarer named Hugh and a young android, Diana, on a dystopian moon. The game emphasises co-op mechanics and next-gen visuals. Its simultaneous launch on Switch 2 makes it a key title for multi-platform gamers.
9. Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio (RGG)
Publisher: SEGA
Release Date: February 12, 2026
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2
For fans of the series, this is huge. Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a Dragon Engine remake of the 2009 classic, but the real draw is Dark Ties. This expansion adds a completely new campaign, allowing players to control the fan-favourite villain, Yoshitaka Mine. It transforms a standard remake into a must-play narrative event.
10. Nioh 3
Developer: Team Ninja
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Release Date: February 6, 2026
Platforms: PS5, PC
Team Ninja returns to punish players with Nioh 3. This sequel expands the scope by spanning multiple historical eras, including the “Edo” and “Heian” periods. While it caters to a more hardcore “Masocore” audience than GTA or Spider-Man, the depth of its combat system makes it a day-one purchase for action RPG fans.
Notable Absences From the 10 Most Anticipated Games List
While these 10 most anticipated games define the year, we must pour one out for Perfect Dark, which was cancelled earlier in 2025. Additionally, CD Projekt Red has confirmed The Witcher 4 will not arrive until after 2026.
2026 is top-heavy with blockbusters. With GTA VI looming at the end of the year, expect the first half to be an absolute sprint of high-quality releases.
