Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Hello and welcome back to the Hot List. This week we will turn our attention to the videogame industry, previewing for you loyal readers the most exciting videogames set for release in 2026.
Looking back at our 2025 preview, it stands out just how many of the more prominent expected releases ended up being pushed to 2026. The fact that 2025 still ended up being a genuinely exceptional year for gaming in spite of these delays speaks to the quality and depth of talent in the industry today. GTA VI may have been pushed, but we still had Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Avowed, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. Of course, we all wish that top level games could be developed in 1-2 years as in the old days, rather than a decade or more, but it's hard to get too upset about it when there is such abundance of content available.
For this year’s list, I’ve tried to cut through the noise and settle on the 15 games that look most likely to matter in 2026. The focus this time has been on titles that genuinely seem on track for a 2026 release, even if a handful are still open to question. With that in mind, here are the 15 videogames to watch in the year ahead, starting with number 15 (trailers linked in the titles where available):
15. Zero Parades: For Dead Spies (PC)
We start things off with a juicy one. Zero Parades: For Dead Spies is the new game from ZA/UM, developers of Disco Elysium. Disco Elysium is generally viewed as one of the greatest games of all time, a landmark in writing and storytelling, and arguably the best of the 2010s. So you may be wondering, why so low on this list? Well how much time have you got?
We start things off with a juicy one. Zero Parades: For Dead Spies is the new game from ZA/UM, developers of Disco Elysium. Disco Elysium is generally viewed as one of the greatest games of all time, a landmark in writing and storytelling, and arguably the best of the 2010s. So you may be wondering, why so low on this list? Well how much time have you got?Long story short (and you can find the details of the long version in this Reddit post), shortly after the release of Disco Elysium, ZA/UM splintered into an effective civil war between the creatives and executives of the company, the result of which is that most of the people responsible for that game's success have now left the company, the IP remains in limbo, and there's a good half dozen or so companies vying to create the "true successor" to Disco Elysium.
Of these potential successors, first out the gate is Zero Parades, developed by what remains of ZA/UM. This title leans very much into the legacy of Disco Elysium, clearing aiming for a similar visual style, tone and text-heavy design. The plot is still mostly under wraps, but we do know that this is a tale of espionage, promising the same kinds of philosophical and political ruminations that characterised the narrative of its predecessor.
It's a somewhat controversial pick as you can imagine. Such is the animosity regarding the ZA/UM fracture that many fans of Disco Elysium are calling for boycotts of Zero Parades, a move that personally I find unfair on the remaining developers at the company who, of course, had nothing to do with all the drama. At the end of the day, can they craft a good game without so many of the key personnel behind Disco Elysium? We shall soon find out.
Release Date: Late 2026
14. Mixtape (PC, Playstation, Xbox)
I have a great soft spot for Annapurna Interactive. In my view one of the most artistically interesting publishers out there with an array of highly talented development studios under their belt. This latest game Mixtape is the new title from Beethoven & Dinosaur, developers of the excellent The Artful Escape.
Ostensibly a narrative adventure in the mould of a Dontnod or Telltale title, Mixtape invites players into a nostalgic coming-of-age story set on the last night of high school. Players follow three friends as they embark on one final adventure together before parting ways, reliving key moments of their youth through a series of dreamlike, gameplay vignettes, all tied together by a generational soundtrack of legendary music that shapes the tone and atmosphere of the experience.
The game blends heartfelt storytelling with a rich, evocative soundtrack and promises a deeply personal journey through memory, friendship, and the bittersweet end of an era, with a planned release in 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Release Date: TBD 2026
One of the more delightful unexpected surprises of the past year's gaming reveals. Once upon a time, Bryan wrote a pretty good graphic novel series, which then became a pretty good movie, and more recently a pretty good anime.
At the time of the film's release, a tie-in videogame was released, Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game. A side-scrolling beat-em up with a nostalgic pixel art style and chiptune music from some of the most iconic musicians in the genre. It was surprisingly awesome for what appeared, at first, to just be a simple movie tie-in. It developed a bit of a cult following and is remembered fondly, but I don't think anyone expected a sequel after all these years.
That sequel is Scott Pilgrim EX, a brand new story in this world with these characters. It looks like more of the same game that we all loved, but bigger, with more scope, more playable characters, multiplayer, etc. For gamers of a certain age, or fans of the source material, this looks to be a highlight of 2026 in games.
Release Date: Spring 2026
The Deliver Us series began as something of a novelty. The first title, Deliver Us the Moon was a clever, but simple puzzle game in a realistic space setting. The sequel, Deliver Us Mars dialled things up a notch with more ambitious storytelling and presentation, and more complex gameplay. Now, the final chapter to the trilogy, Deliver Us Home is coming, and it looks to be a culmination of everything that has come before.
For this third title, developer KeokeN took to crowdfunding in lieu of a traditional publisher. But if that gives you pause as to the potential scope and ambition of this title, you can put those thoughts aside. This one is going bigger. Big, open environments for exploration, vehicles to drive, and survival/crafting gameplay.
With the Kickstarter successful, this title is now expected to release some time in 2026.
Release Date: TBD 2026
11. Control: Resonant (PC, Mac, Playstation, Xbox)
The latest title in the Remedyverse of horror games that includes the Alan Wake and Control series (and kinda Max Payne), Control: Resonant is the follow up to Remedy Entertainment's excellent 2019 title, Control.
The latest title in the Remedyverse of horror games that includes the Alan Wake and Control series (and kinda Max Payne), Control: Resonant is the follow up to Remedy Entertainment's excellent 2019 title, Control.Control: Resonant expands the enigmatic world of the Federal Bureau of Control with a new standalone story that blends mind-bending mystery, telekinetic combat, and the series’ trademark supernatural intrigue. Players once again step into a fractured reality where the ordinary bends to the uncanny, exploring shifting environments, unearthing cryptic artifacts, and confronting echoes of the Bureau’s deepest anomalies while unraveling a narrative that bridges familiar faces and fresh threats.
With refined gunplay and psychic abilities, richly atmospheric locations that pulse with both danger and discovery, and a deeper dive into the metaphysical forces that define the Oldest House, Control: Resonant promises to deliver an immersive fusion of action and narrative depth when it arrives in 2026.
Release Date: Summer 2026
10. Fable (PC, Xbox)
The Fable franchise returns in a highly anticipated reboot from Playground Games, reimagining the iconic series with modern storytelling and cutting-edge visuals.
The Fable series takes place in the whimsical yet dangerous world of Albion, a high fantasy world which draws heavily on European folklore, and the fantastical stylings of authors like Terry Pratchett and JK Rowling. Combine this with a distinctly British sense of humour, and you get some idea of what has made the setting so enduring.
Players can expect a mix of open-world exploration, dynamic combat, and moral decision-making that will shape the fate of their character and the world around them.
A formal release date has yet to be set, but is said to be targeting the Q4 2026 window.
Release Date: TBD 2026
The lower budget, lower risk of indie game development provides ideal opportunity for creative risks. As far as artistically ambitious indie games go, 2021's Genesis Noir is one of the more memorable.
A heady blend of metaphysics, bauhaus illustrations and jazz music, that first game left an indelible impression. The sequel, Nirvana Noir is a narrative detective experience in the same vein that blends atmospheric storytelling with surreal mystery, placing players in the shoes of a hard-boiled investigator navigating a city steeped in retro-inspired visuals, jazz-tinged soundscapes, and existential intrigue.
As you unravel a tangled web of secrets, missing persons, and hidden agendas, the game challenges you to interpret cryptic clues, solve puzzles, and make choices that reshape both the case and the world around you, all while questioning what’s real and what’s illusion in a world where truth is ever elusive. With its moody art direction, rich character interactions, and an emphasis on mood and deduction over brute force, Nirvana Noir aims to deliver a compelling fusion of classic noir sensibilities and modern narrative design when it arrives in 2026.
Release Date: Summer 2026
I like to imagine that the conceptual process for The Expanse: Osiris Reborn started with "well if EA won't make a new Mass Effect game, we'll do it ourselves." The comparisons between Owlcat's ambitious new title and the celebrated RPG series are unavoidable, and that is no bad thing.
But Owlcat's upcoming third person sci-fi action RPG has more going for it than just nostalgia. The Expanse IP is an exciting enough hook in its own right, and the promise of a title that can bring the rich political and hard-science universe of The Expanse to life, is a very tantalising prospect indeed.
Set amid the fraught tensions between Earth, Mars, and the Belt, you’ll assemble and command your own crew and the most advanced frigate in the system, tackling real-time tactical combat, branching choices, and squad-driven encounters across iconic locations like Ganymede, Ceres, Luna, and Mars, with player origins (Earther, Martian, or Belter) shaping how the world reacts to you. Inspired in part by cinematic RPGs like Mass Effect yet grounded in the gritty realism fans expect, Osiris Reborn promises a narrative-rich journey of survival, loyalty, and political intrigue.
Release Date: TBD 2026
7. Witchbrook (PC, Xbox, Switch)
Now here's a blast from the past. First announced almost a decade ago, Witchbook (previously "Spellbound") has been on our watch list for an awful long time. But after a prolonged development cycle, the game is finally set for release in 2026.
Now here's a blast from the past. First announced almost a decade ago, Witchbook (previously "Spellbound") has been on our watch list for an awful long time. But after a prolonged development cycle, the game is finally set for release in 2026.Developed by Chucklefish, developers of the flawed but ambitious Starbound and original publisher of Stardew Valley, the hook of Witchbrook is an alluring one: a cosy pixel art life-sim RPG set in a Harry Potter-esque magical school. Unfortunately, for the longest time that hook was all they had, and the extended development time is apparently due to their efforts to try and figure out how to actually turn that hook into a compelling game.
That's totally fine of course, I am all in favour of game developers taking the time they need to get it right, and one way or another, they seem to have managed it. Blending life-sim staples like seasonal progression, character relationships, and world exploration with a rich fantasy twist, the game lets you customize your character, attend classes, cultivate friendships (and perhaps romance), take on tasks around town, and even play with up to four friends in online co-op as you work toward graduation and beyond.
Release Date: Spring 2026
6. Planet of Lana II (PC, Playstation, Xbox, Switch)
Alright, now we're talking. Initially, Planet of Lana looked just like the latest in a long line of artistic indie platformers. But what we got was a surprisingly compelling cinematic narrative experience, with characters, intriguing world-building, and excellent audio and visual presentation. The announcement of a full sequel, Planet of Lana II, is thus a reason for excitement.
Planet of Lana II continues the heart-felt journey that captivated players in the original Planet of Lana, blending emotional storytelling with lush, hand-painted worlds and puzzle-driven exploration. Players once again step into a beautifully crafted alien landscape, accompanied by loyal companions, as they uncover the mysteries of a planet under threat and confront challenges that test their bond, courage, and wits.
Building on its predecessor’s strengths: evocative atmosphere, minimal text design, evocative music, and clever environmental puzzles, Planet of Lana II is expected to expand the scope of adventure with new biomes to explore, deeper narrative resonance, and heightened environmental interaction, all while preserving the serene yet poignant tone that made the first game memorable. With a planned release in 2026, the sequel aims to deliver an even more immersive and emotionally rich experience for fans of cinematic exploration games.
Release Date: Late 2026
Ion Lands' debut title Cloudpunk placed them as one of the new darlings in indie gaming. But while the cyberpunk taxi simulator was blessed with tight driving mechanics and surprisingly adept storytelling, what really elevated the game to prominence was its setting, a stunning voxel cyberpunk dystopia oozing with atmosphere. Follow up project Nivalis builds on that strength. A slice of life sim set in that same immersive setting.
In Nivalis, players control a new character aiming to build a life in this city. The game will feature business management, social simulation and home decorating. Like a cyberpunk version of Stardew Valley, with more life-sim features. Ion Lands recognise that the biggest asset of Cloudpunk was its world, and Nivalis aims to capitalise on that asset by turning it into a fully immersive experience in which players can live and explore, and really feel a part of the setting.
This is another one for the list of seemingly perennial Hot List entrants, having featured some three times with no release. But after many years of development, Nivalis has been confirmed for a spring 2026 release.
Release Date: Spring 2026
4. Aphelion (PC, Playstation, Xbox)
Now here's a tasty prospect. Dontnod are a developer known for delivering cinematic, character-driven stories, most notably with the Life is Strange series, but also in last year's Lost Records: Bloom and Rage. While their stories typically do feature some supernatural element, one thing they all otherwise have in common is a relatable, real-world modern-day setting. In that respect, Aphelion marks something of a departure.
Set against a richly detailed sci-fi backdrop, you’ll follow a group of compelling characters whose personal journeys intertwine with a larger enigma. It looks oddly reminiscent of another series featured on this list, the Deliver Us series. Frankly, the prospect of a hard sci-fi adventure in that vein, mixed with Dontnod's trademark storytelling pedigree, seems like a win to me.
Aphelion promises deep, choice-driven narrative paths, emotionally charged character relationships, and moral complexity that asks players not just what they will do, but why. Wrapped in a cinematic presentation and informed by themes of identity, consequence, and the human cost of progress, the game aims to deliver a resonant story experience when it arrives in 2026.
Release Date: TBD 2026
3. Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave (Switch)
The history of Nintendo's signature tactical RPG series has been a turbulent one. Historically seeing minimal success in the west, with a number of Japan-only releases, Fire Emblem finally started to achieve greater mainstream success with the release of Fire Emblem: Awakening back in 2012 and, in particular, the wildly successful Fire Emblem: Three Houses, our runner up game of the year back in 2019.
But even then it hasn't been plain sailing. For every Awakening, there's a Fates, for every Three Houses, there's an Engage. Fire Emblem as a franchise suffers from a bit of an identity crisis, with Nintendo struggling to appease all the different fan groups, from the hardcore tactical nerds, to the anime fans, to the multitudes with more mainstream sensibilities that have been brought in by Awakening and Three Houses.
With Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, the hope will certainly be to keep everyone happy. But make no mistake, this is a game very decidedly taking its cues from Three Houses, both narratively and in terms of design. The game expands on classic Fire Emblem combat with refined mechanics, deeper character progression, and intricate weapon affinities, all supported by a lush visual style and a sweeping musical score tailored to its thematic threads of fortune and destiny.
Release Date: Summer 2026
2. Grand Theft Auto VI (PC - eventually, Playstation, Xbox)
Delayed yet again and down from top spot to runner up. Grand Theft Auto VI is the long, long, long awaited sequel to one of the biggest videogames of all time, in one of the most celebrated and well known franchises in gaming.
Delayed yet again and down from top spot to runner up. Grand Theft Auto VI is the long, long, long awaited sequel to one of the biggest videogames of all time, in one of the most celebrated and well known franchises in gaming.More than a decade in the making, GTA VI sees players return to Vice City in the present day, the GTA universe's version of Florida. Taking a page from its predecessor, this title will feature an expansive world, including its main city as well as the surrounding countryside and wilderness, offering the largest and most immersive evolution of the series to date.
The narrative follows a criminal duo, Lucia and her partner (ostensibly a play on Bonnie and Clyde), as they navigate the underworld of this expansive open world. Players can expect enhanced graphics, increased interactivity with the environment, and next-gen destruction physics, with reports suggesting that approximately 40% of buildings will be enterable. While specific gameplay details remain under wraps, Rockstar aims to push the boundaries of immersive, story-driven open-world experiences, building upon the success of its predecessors.
Release Date: November 2026
1. 007 First Light (PC, Playstation, Xbox, Switch)
And new in at number 1 is 007 First Light, and boy does it look good. This is a new fully original James Bond title, developed by IO Interactive, creators of the Hitman franchise.
And new in at number 1 is 007 First Light, and boy does it look good. This is a new fully original James Bond title, developed by IO Interactive, creators of the Hitman franchise.You could see it coming in the recent Hitman instalments. This looks like a match made in heaven, IO's penchant for environmental design, stealth and creative immersion at its very best, combined with James Bond's world of espionage and glamour.
Set early in Bond’s career, the game reportedly emphasizes intelligence work, infiltration, and consequence-driven decision-making over sheer firepower, drawing clear inspiration from grounded entries like Casino Royale. If it delivers on its promise of making players feel like Bond: cool under pressure, dangerously perceptive, and always one step ahead, First Light could mark the most authentic and mature interactive take on 007 yet.
Release Date: May 2026
So there you have it folks: 2026 in videogames. Tune in next week for the most exciting new novels and literature coming this year!
