2026 has already proved itself as an exceptional year for gaming, but there are still plenty of new games around the corner that people simply can’t wait to get their hands on. One glance at the top Steam wishlists, and it is very clear that things are just warming up, and in a few short months, there will be many more incredible games for players of all kinds to enjoy.
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There are long-awaited sequels from some incredibly popular franchises and several entirely new IPs from existing and newbie developers, many of which already have hundreds of thousands of followers and wishlists on Steam. For players looking to join the hype train early, now is a great time to watch some trailers, explore the universes, and support these games before they eventually launch later this year.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Easy (5)
Medium (7)
Hard (10)
Start
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)Start
1
Subnautica 2
The Wait Is Almost Over
Details:
- Entirely new world to explore
- Cooperative gameplay for up to four players
It may have been announced back in 2022, but Subnautica 2 is finally entering the release stage, much to the delight of countless hungry fans who have been waiting all this time. A new world and a new set of mysteries to uncover, players will once again be diving deep underwater. Only this time, they can experience the adventure with a group of friends.
The gameplay loop looks to be mostly the same, where players need to scan their surroundings and slowly build a more impressive base over time, with more tools and freedom to create the perfect aquatic home for them and their partners. The publishing side of things may have had some issues along the way, yet despite those hurdles, the game is almost ready for early access, allowing players to step back into a fan-favorite universe as if they never left.
2
Forza Horizon 6
True Next Generational Racing
Details:
- Returning progression system
- Gorgeous new Japanese setting
Taking the franchise to maybe its most exciting location yet, Forza Horizon 6 will allow players to explore the beautiful Japanese countryside and cityscapes with more detail than ever before. The open world is bigger than ever, and players have a huge range of real-world cars to choose from, giving them more control over exactly how much speed and class they have when they find themselves blasting over the finish line.
The new entry not only brings in a different setting and a large array of vehicles, but it is also looking to incorporate all the finest graphical technology to ensure every setting looks as gorgeous as it does in reality. The franchise has always been a frontrunner in the driving world, and this entry looks to reaffirm that position by delivering the best Forza experience to date.
3
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era
Returning To The Strategic Roots
Details:
- Classic turn-based action
- Focus on large-scale map control
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era aims to revive one of PC gaming’s most respected strategy franchises by returning to the core design principles that made the tactical spin-off so great in the first place. Built around methodical exploration and turn-based combat, the campaign aims to be longer and more epic than ever, ensuring that as players progress, they feel genuinely connected to the world and the people within it.
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The gameplay may call back to the early days, but the visual presentation is far from dated, with improved graphics and a higher level of fidelity that allows each individual unit to stand out more than ever. The series’ name itself is a good enough reason to wishlist it, but even without a huge legacy on its shoulders, Olden Era looks to be one of the best strategy games of the year and a must-play for fans of classic turn-based gameplay.
4
Witchbrook
Simulating A Magical Life
Details:
- Cozy sandbox RPG
- Multiplayer option for a more communal feel
Placing players in the role of a witch attending college in a coastal town, Witchbrook lets them feel fully immersed in the magical world around them right from the start. Players can build relationships, attend classes, and develop magical abilities through various structured and unstructured activities, and they have all the freedom to live whatever whimsical life they could ever desire.
The inclusion of cooperative multiplayer expands the experience, allowing multiple players to inhabit the same world, giving it a cooperative feel that many other games in the genre lack. Far from a Stardew Valley clone, Witchbrook is looking to bring a fresh take to an already incredibly popular space, ensuring that players of all kinds have something new to learn and discover.
5
Pragmata
Capcom’s Next Big Hit
Details:
- Long-awaited new IP
- Cute, funny, and very different to everything else on the market
Capcom’s Pragmata introduces a unique gameplay structure centered on two very different characters and their fight to survive a hostile, AI-infested world. Set on a lunar research station, players take on the role of Hugh, aided by his companion Diana, and their goal is to escape by any means necessary, whether that means solving puzzles, hacking machines, or simply shooting anything that gets too close.
The relationship between the two characters drives both the gameplay and the narrative, with each playing a distinct role in how players move through the world and how the story progresses. Since the game is coming from one of the most celebrated studios in the world, players are bound to be in for a real treat, with it already being scouted as a potential GOTY contender.
6
Outbound
Starting A Life On The Road
Details:
- Mobile base construction
- Equal parts exploration and construction
Here is a cozy survival game that will, hopefully, relieve stress through a relaxing journey that can be played both solo and in co-op. Rather than a static base, players find themselves building atop a campervan in Outbound, expanding the structure in all directions and adding more machines and tools to help them on their adventures across the landscape.
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Because players aren’t confined to a single position, they are free to traverse long distances, whilst making a few furry friends along the way. It’s cute, charming, and looks like a load of fun, as in a sea of so many other survival games, Outbbound is proving that there are plenty of new ideas just waiting to be explored.
7
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire
Rubber Hose Meets FPS Action
Details:
- Classic hand-drawn visuals
- Story progression across a range of settings
MOUSE: P.I. is a combination of several different pieces of media into one, and the result is a stylish and comedic FPS game that is looking to make waves in an otherwise hotly contested genre. Mechanically, it is a boomer shooter, but from a visual perspective, the game takes inspiration from rubber-hose animations and places players in a cartoony-noir world full of devious mammals and a boatload of mysteries to solve.
A lot of love has been poured into the aesthetic of the game, as, rather than animating things in a more modern manner, the artists have hand-drawn thousands of different frames to ensure the whole experience feels completely different from anything else in the space. It doesn’t matter if players are a fan of the shooting or the art style; they should certainly keep it on their radar as it just might be one of the standout games of the entire year.
8
Gothic Remake
A Long Time Coming
Details:
- Full overhaul of the original game
- Enhanced visuals, but all within the same world
The Gothic Remake reimagines a cult-classic RPG with modern technology while preserving its core identity, bringing a whole new audience of players into one of the genre’s most influential universes. The world remains reactive, with factions, choices, and progression systems shaping how the story unfolds, and the player’s exploration is central to that progress, with every direction offering a new set of challenges and struggles to overcome.
Combat and systems have been updated to remove some of the original’s clunkiness, but the emphasis is still on immersion above all else, allowing it to stand out in a genre full of gameplay-first titles. This balance between old and new positions it as both a revival and an evolution, appealing to longtime fans and new players who may have missed the initial wave all those years ago.
9
Phantom Blade Zero
Not Just Another Sekiro
Details:
- Unique gameplay styles and approaches
- Emphasis on combos and style
After a long list of trailers and teasers, 2026 is the year players get to finally get their hands on Phantom Blade Zero, one of the most anticipated ARPGs of this decade. Far from just another Eastern Asian Soulslike, the game brings a more story-focused spin to the action space, forcing players to cut, dash, and slice their way toward the truth that controls their fate.
Martial arts is at the forefront, as players aren’t just swinging swords over and over, and instead, they can approach the combat with a variety of styles, each infused with classic action movie goodness. Everything about the game just screams exceptional, from the visuals to the fights, so if players are looking for a truly incredible thrill-ride to look forward to, then Phantom Blade Zero is exactly what they need.
10
Replaced
A Fresh New Cyberpunk Face
Details:
- 2.5D platformer
- Cinematic exploration and cutscenes
Replaced blends side-scrolling action with cinematic storytelling, creating a visually distinct experience that may just shake up the entire platforming world. Its pixel-art style is enhanced by modern lighting and animation techniques, resulting in a world that feels both retro and contemporary, and when it comes to the actual game, there is as much focus on the narrative as the gameplay, with the exploration and combat being closely tied into the story and the events within it.
The setting presents a dystopian future shaped by technology and control, presenting players with a much darker cyberpunk world than they may be used to. And if the presentation and style weren’t enough, the gameplay also appears to be equally engaging, letting players move around the city with a good amount of fluidity, which brings them even closer to an already incredibly alluring universe.
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