Most Anticipated Games of 2026
As we ring in the new year and update our calendars, it's time to look forward to what new video game titles will be released this year. With big anniversaries this year such as Castlevania and Zelda’s 40th, and Xbox’s 25th to name a few, video game fans know there will at least be something to look forward to this year.
Honorable Mentions
There are No Ghosts at the Grand
Developer: Friday Sundae
Genre: Indie, RPG
Platform(s): Xbox, PC
Of all the trailers we’ve seen for upcoming games, this one surprised me the most by having a unique style compared to all the same grey, washed out-looking action games. The game’s main character inherits a rundown hotel from his missing father and must renovate it. On top of that, the game seems to add a musical twist. This will either be my sleeper hit of 2026 or fail to meet expectations. Either way, this is probably my most anticipated indie game of this year.
World of Warcraft: Midnight
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Genre: MMORPG
Platform: PC
While World of Warcraft has been around so long it's literally ignored by every video game award show, the latest expansion has me interested in the storyline revolving around Silvermoon City. Don’t get me wrong, I am still 100% disappointed in what they’ve done with one of my favorite NPC’s in Lady Liadrin’s new look, but the possibility of seeing Silvermoon in updated, 2026 graphics as a proper city since it was damaged in Warcraft III.
There is also in-game housing which remains on the top of my list of why I’m most excited about the expansion. I’ve already been busy designing my homes in housing’s early access, and I look forward to seeing how the developers continue to push the boundaries of this new game mode.
The Wolf Among Us 2
Developer: AdHoc Studio, Telltale Games
Genre: Adventure
Platform(s): Xbox, Playstation, PC
We have no idea when or if The Wolf Among Us 2 will ever be released, but I maintain hope that it will be this year and thus it has a place on this list. The sequel to the 2013 The Wolf Among Us game based on the Fables comics follows the story of Sheriff Bigby Wolf of Fabletown. This title remains my favorite Telltale Game to date which is why I cannot give up hope until they formally announce the game is canceled. In the meantime, if you haven’t played the first game this is a great time to remind you to play it already!
Top 5 Most Anticipated Games of 2026
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve
Developer: Bandai Namco Aces Inc.
Genre: Action
Platform(s): Playstation, Xbox, PC
I have never played an Ace Combat game, but the trailer for the series' latest installment piqued my interest. A military on the backfoot of losing a war fabricates an unkillable ace pilot legend. The player must step into this role and make the legend a reality. Stories like that can really be something special and I look forward to seeing more of what this franchise is all about.
Control Resonant
Developer: Remedy Entertainment
Genre: Action, Adventure
Platform(s): Xbox, Playstation, PC
It’s no surprise Remedy Entertainment’s latest game is on this list. With Control (2019) being one of my favorite games of all time, Resonant will have some big shoes to fill. From the trailer it looks like we will be playing the other half of the Faden siblings this time around (for at least part of the game) while the Hiss spill out of the Oldest House to wreck havoc on New York City. With the newest entry in their Remedy Connected Universe, hopefully they can build on the momentum from Control and Alan Wake II.
Halo: Campaign Evolved
Developer: Halo Studios
Genre: FPS, Action
Platform(s): Xbox, Playstation, PC
Halo: Combat Evolved will always hold a special place in my heart. I can remember the first time I saw an advertisement for the game and knew I had to buy an Xbox to play it. While there have been many Halo titles since and the series is no longer an Xbox exclusive, I’m still excited to pick up this remake. I’m especially looking forward to going back to the game that started it all with shiny new graphics and some bonus levels.
And hey, maybe this paves the way for an updated version of the greatest of all Halo games, ODST.
007 First Light
Developer: IO Interactive
Genre: Shooter, Action
Planform(s): Xbox, Playstation, Switch, PC
We’ve seen James Bond in countless films and other media, but 2012 was the last time 007 graced us with his presence in a video game. In all of these versions of Bond, we’ve never seen a version of him before he became the suave, shaken, not stirred secret agent we know and love to watch. IO Interactive is taking a huge gamble by showing us a younger, less refined Bond. I couldn’t be more excited to dive in and play First Light later this year.
Gears of War: E-Day
Developer: The Coalition, People Can Fly
Genre: Third-person shooter, Adventure
Platform(s): Xbox, PC
While we still don’t have an exact release date scheduled for Gears of War: E-Day, I find it nearly impossible that Xbox would not release the next installment of its iconic Gears franchise alongside their 25th anniversary this year. Gears 5 released in 2019, and while the direction of the new series remains controversial, every Gears fan can agree that we’d love to see more of Marcus and Dom’s story, especially through the events of the beginning of the Locus invasion.
What are you most looking forward to playing in 2026? Are you excited for any of these same titles, or are you in the GTA 6 waiting room?
Every year, the games industry continues to evolve and shift as it tries to capture the tastes and preferences of the masses. While not every new release or announcement may garner my interest, there are still a handful of games which have captured my interest, spanning from old, familiar IPs to new ones. I have high expectations that 2026 will be a great year for gaming!