If you thought 2025 was a strong year for video games, 2026 could easily top it. Big studios are preparing the return of legendary franchises and projects that have been in development for years. The expectations of the players for this year are quite high, but considering the titles that have been announced, this should not surprise us. It is already clear that 2026 will be a year that will be talked about for a long time. Here's an overview of just some of the many game titles coming out in 2026 and everything we know about them so far.
Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem has been officially announced and is already being hailed as one of the biggest gaming titles of 2026. Capcom has released several trailers and specific details, and the release is scheduled for February 27, 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2. The date is no coincidence, as the game appears right next to the 30th anniversary of the franchise. The plot partially returns to the roots of the series, but with a new female protagonist in focus. The main character is Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst investigating the mysterious death of her mother, and her search leads her to an abandoned hotel in post-nuclear Raccoon City. At the same time, Leon S. Kennedy returns, now an experienced DSO agent investigating new bioterrorist threats in the same region. Although they have separate playable sections, their paths occasionally intertwine, creating a more dynamic narrative. Antagonists include Victor Gideon, a scientist connected to the remains of Umbrella, while the story also hints at the return or at least mentions of famous characters like Jill Valentine, Claire Redfield and Sherry Birkin. Capcom describes Resident Evil Requiem as "a new era of survival horror". The game offers a choice between first-person and third-person perspectives and features a more open environment design, with larger zones within the ruined Raccoon City that encourage exploration instead of strictly linear corridors. Combat and stealth have been expanded, with players able to use bottles for distraction, lighters to temporarily light up areas, and a more advanced crafting system that includes smoke bombs, mines, and improvised tools. Enemies include modernized versions of the Licker, G-Type mutants and classic zombies, but also new threats associated with the Elanthropus virus, which brings different mutations and behavior patterns. The Standard Edition brings the basic experience, while the Deluxe Edition includes additional cosmetic content such as alternate costumes, VHS and vintage filters, and the Raccoon City Classic audio pack with music from the original Resident Evil 2 from 1998. Pre-orders also bring an additional "Apocalypse" costume for Grace. Judging by what we've seen so far, Resident Evil Requiem has the potential to become one of the most significant sequels in the history of the series.
Crimson Desert
Crimson Desert has grown into one of the most ambitious projects in 2026 after years of silence, changes in direction and multiple postponements. The game was originally conceived as an MMO prequel to Black Desert Online, but over time it evolved into a massive single-player open-world action RPG, with a clear ambition to position itself alongside the biggest names in the genre. Pearl Abyss has confirmed that the game will be released on March 19, 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The action is set on the continent of Pywel, a dark fantasy world characterized by wars and political conflicts. The player assumes the role of Kliff, the leader of the mercenary group Greymanes, who is left almost alone after a devastating attack by the enemy faction Black Bears. His journey focuses on gathering the survivors, rebuilding the clan, and seeking revenge, while uncovering a wider threat that threatens the entire continent. The game world is divided into diverse regions, from snowy tundras and deserts to dense forests and flying islands. Gameplay is often compared to games like The Witcher 3 and Elden Ring, but with a more pronounced focus on dynamic, cinematic combat. Sustav borbe kombinira mačevanje, fizičko hrvanje i magiju, uz spektakularne kombo napade i snažnu interakciju s okolišem. Players can knock down trees on enemies, climb giant creatures and bosses, and use a grappling hook to explore the world vertically. An additional level of freedom is brought by the confirmed possibility of riding dragons and flying, while numerous side activities are available in addition to the main story. Pearl Abyss has announced multiple editions of the game, including Standard, Deluxe and Collector's Edition, with PS5 players, regardless of version, getting the exclusive Grotevant Plate Set armor.
007: First Light
007: First Light is the official title of the long-awaited Project 007, which is being worked on by IO Interactive, the studio known for the modern Hitman trilogy. The game is intended as the beginning of a new trilogy and brings a completely original story about the origin of James Bond, without relying on movie plots. The release is scheduled for May 27, 2026, and the game is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2. The plot focuses on the young James Bond, who is just at the beginning of his career in MI6. Bond is portrayed by Patrick Gibson, and he is a 26-year-old ex-naval member who is still learning, making mistakes, and does not have the status of a legendary agent. It is this approach to the character that should bring freshness and a deeper characterization of Bond. Among the antagonists, Bawma, the charismatic pirate king played by Lenny Kravitz, stands out, while Bond's side is held by Dr. Selina Tan, head of tactical simulations at MI6, played by Gemma Chan. Familiar names also appear in the line-up, including M, Q, Miss Moneypenny and Bond mentor John Greenway. Gameplay combines the freedom of access from Hitman with cinematic presentation and Uncharted-style action sequences. The game offers two basic gameplay styles: Spycraft, focused on espionage, concealment and alternative approaches to missions, and Instinct, a special mechanic that allows enhanced reflexes in key moments of combat and interaction with enemies. The plot will take players through exotic locations around the world, using iconic gadgets and vehicles, including the Aston Martin Valhalla and Bond's Omega watch. The relationship system further deepens the experience, as Bond's decisions can lead to alliances, rivalries or romantic relationships. If IO Interactive manages to combine its experience from Hitman with the cinematic identity of James Bond, 007: First Light has the potential to become one of the best spy games in recent years.
Grand Theft Auto VI
Grand Theft Auto VI is currently the most followed and most important topic in the world of video games. After years of rumors and delays, Rockstar Games has confirmed that the game will be released on November 19, 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, while the PC version is not expected until late 2027 or early 2028. The action is set in the fictional American state of Leonida, inspired by Florida, and the map is according to available information almost twice the size of GTA V. The center of the world is a modernized Vice City, with additional regions such as Leonid Keys, marshy Grassrivers, industrial Port Gellhorn and mountainous Mount Kalaga National Park. For the first time in the history of the series, GTA VI brings two main protagonists. Lucia is a strong and intelligent criminal who often takes on the role of "brains" of operations, while Jason is her partner, an ex-soldier stuck in the world of crime. Their relationship follows a trust system that affects dialogue, missions, and possible story outcomes. On a technical level, Rockstar uses an upgraded RAGE engine that brings an exceptional level of detail. One of the biggest novelties is the much more accessible interiors, as well as social networks within the game that show viral events from the world of Leonidas. Realism is additionally emphasized by advanced physics, more realistic driving and detailed vehicle damage, while the AI system has been significantly improved. Combat brings a limited arsenal, with excess weapons stored in the trunk of the vehicle, and new stealth mechanics such as crawling, body carry, and more advanced cloaking. Everything known so far suggests that GTA VI is not intended only as the biggest continuation of the series, but as a game that wants to set new standards of open-world design.
The Blood of Dawnwalker
The Blood of Dawnwalker is the debut project of the studio Rebel Wolves, founded by former key members of CD Projekt RED, known for their work on The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. The game has entered its final year of development and is confirmed for 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC, with Bandai Namco as publisher. The exact date is not yet known, but the release is expected in the second half of the year. The story is set in the 14th century, in the dark fantasy kingdom of Vale Sangora, inspired by the Carpathians. The player takes on the role of Coen, a young man trapped between the human and vampire worlds after being poisoned with silver and afflicted with a curse. This unique Dawnwalker status allows him to operate day and night, but with serious consequences. The main antagonist is Brencis, a vampire lord who rules the kingdom and imposes a blood tax on the people. One of the key systems is the day and night cycle, which strongly affects the gameplay. During the day, the emphasis is on swordsmanship, diplomacy and survival, while at night, Coen gains superhuman abilities, but becomes the target of hunters and more dangerous enemies. The fight is tactical and brutal, inspired by Kingdom Come: Deliverance, with a focus on parrying and precise timing. Special tension is brought by the hunger for blood system, ignoring the need to feed can lead to loss of control and lasting consequences in the story. The game also rejects the classic structure of the main story; there is no mandatory main quest, instead the narrative branches depending on the player's decisions within the 30-day limit. Everything seen so far suggests that The Blood of Dawnwalker is aiming for a more mature, demanding RPG that emphasizes decisions, timing and their consequences, rather than a quick and easy experience.
The year 2026 promises top gaming titles that cover everything from survival horror and dark fantasy, through spy adventures, to the most ambitious open-world titles so far. With the return of legendary franchises, talented studios and sequels to long-awaited series, players can expect a rich, diverse and deeply engaging year in the world of video games.
