I do not remember a year looking this stupidly stacked on paper. Every time I think I have hit the bottom of the list another game pops up and reminds me that free time is a myth and my backlog is already screaming. 2026 feels less like a normal release year and more like the industry deciding to empty the clip all at once. Big names. Weird projects. Long awaited sequels. Remakes that I am not convinced will ever exist until they are installed on my console. I love it. I hate it. I am already tired.
Lets get stuck in.
Resident Evil Requiem
At this point Resident Evil is untouchable and Requiem already feels like the next confident step in that run. Capcom has been firing on all cylinders with both remakes and new entries and this looks like another case of the series understanding exactly what it is again. Horror first. Atmosphere over excess. I do not need to know much more than that to be fully locked in.
007 First Light
Bond games have always lived in the shadow of GoldenEye and never quite escaped it. First Light feels like a real attempt to finally move past that legacy and build something cinematic and modern. If it leans into espionage tone and confidence rather than turning Bond into a generic shooter then this could be something special.
The Legend of Heroes Trails Beyond The Horizon
This is for the people who like spreadsheets of characters and lore recaps longer than some full games. Trails is unapologetically massive and Beyond The Horizon looks like another ridiculous narrative commitment. I am ready to forget what sunlight feels like while playing it.
Cairn
Cairn looks miserable in the best way. Slow methodical climbing where every mistake feels earned and terrifying. This feels like a game that trusts its audience to enjoy tension without constant noise and I am very on board with that.
Code Vein 2
The first Code Vein was rough around the edges but had personality for days. If the sequel tightens combat and fully commits to its anime tone then it could stand out in a genre that is getting very crowded very quickly.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined
Dragon Quest never changes and that is why it rules. A reimagined VII is equal parts exciting and terrifying because that game is enormous. Sometimes you just want a traditional JRPG that does not care about trends and this is exactly that.
Nioh 3
Nioh 2 had some of the deepest combat systems in the genre and I want Team Ninja to keep pushing that complexity. More weapons. More systems. More ways to get humbled by basic enemies.
High On Life 2
High On Life surprised me. Not everything landed but enough of it did to make me genuinely excited for a sequel that knows what works and what to rein in. If the humour is sharper and the shooting tighter then this could be great fun.
Fatal Frame 2 remake
This one feels dangerous in the best way. Fatal Frame 2 is still deeply unsettling and a remake could either ruin that atmosphere or enhance it massively. I am nervous and excited in equal measure which is exactly how horror should feel.
Saros
Saros is one of those projects that feels intentionally vague which only makes it more interesting. Sci fi games live and die on tone and mystery and everything shown so far suggests this knows that.
Lego Batman Legacy of the Dark Knight
Lego games are comfort food and Batman is a perfect fit for that structure. Legacy of the Dark Knight feels like a celebration of the character and honestly sometimes you just want something fun that does not demand everything from you.
Phantom Blade 0
This looks stylish as hell. Fast combat dramatic animations and a strong visual identity. If it plays even half as well as it looks then we could be onto something special.
Grand Theft Auto VI
It almost feels pointless talking about GTA 6 because it will dominate everything regardless. Rockstar releasing a new GTA is an event that bends the industry around it. Whether it lives up to expectations or not it is impossible to ignore.
Cthulhu
Lovecraftian games are hard to get right but when they work they really work. If this leans into atmosphere and psychological horror rather than action then it could be genuinely unsettling.
Danger Mouse
This one feels delightfully unhinged. I have no idea how it will actually play but the sheer novelty of it makes me want to see how far it goes.
Fable
If it ever actually releases. I want to believe. I really do. Fable deserves a proper comeback but until it is in my hands I remain cautiously sceptical.
Marvel 1943
A Marvel game with a historical setting is immediately interesting. If it focuses on character and story rather than just spectacle then this could stand out from the crowded superhero space.
Marvel’s Wolverine
Everything about this screams violent focused and character driven. Wolverine deserves a game that understands restraint as much as brutality and this feels like the right studio at the right time.
Onimusha Way of the Sword
Onimusha coming back at all feels surreal. Way of the Sword looks like it wants to modernise without losing its identity and that balance is crucial. I am very ready to see if it pulls it off.
Prince of Persia The Sands of Time remake
I will believe this exists when I am actively playing it. That said if it does land properly it could be a beautiful revival of a game that absolutely deserves it.
The Blood of Dawnwalker
This is my biggest hype of the year. Everything about it hits my exact tastes. Dark fantasy. Heavy tone. Strong identity. If this delivers on its promise then it could be something truly special.
The Sinking City 2
The first game was deeply flawed but incredibly atmospheric. A sequel that learns from those mistakes could be brilliant. More investigation. Better systems. Same creeping dread.
2026 feels unreasonable. There is no way I am keeping up with all of this and honestly I do not want to. This is the kind of problem I like having.