The best games of 2026 so far
Since we’re already half way through 2026, we’ve been looking back on the games we’ve played since January and remembering the ones that have stood out to us most. It’s been a great year for games, and so narrowing down a list of the best games of 2026 so far hasn’t been so easy. But we’re confident in saying that these are the best games we’ve played.
It’s a very varied list, with games covering all kinds of genres. The games of 2026 so far have had us racing around Japan, climbing a mountain, wildly battling against monsters with powerful cards, living our best secret agent life, and a whole lot more. If the second half of the year is even half as kind to us, it’s going to have been a very good year for games indeed. (Not much else, mind, but the less said about anything else, the better!)
Games are presented below in order of release.
TR-49
- Release date: 21st January
- Available on: PC and Switch
- Developer/publisher: Inkle
Kim said: “Beautifully presented and intelligently put together, TR-49 is a masterclass in puzzle games done right – although coming from the developer of Heaven’s Vault, that’s not at all surprising. This delve into curious and forgotten literature is far more compelling than it has any right to be, and it’s a must-play for any puzzle fan.”
Cairn
- Release date: 29th January
- Available on: PS5 and PC
- Developer/publisher: The Game Bakers
Kim said: “Frustrating and relaxing in equal measure, there’s something quite special about Cairn, a game all about climbing a mountain. It perfectly captures the tension and peril of every hand and foot movement while also weaving in some light-hearted story sequences along the way. While every misplaced foot might make you swear, the elation of reaching each incremental goal is quite unlike anything else.”
Nioh 3
- Release date: 6th February
- Available on: PS5 and PC
- Developer/publisher: Koei Tecmo
Rich said: “With its new open field format, Nioh 3 is undoubtedly the best entry in the series yet, giving players more freedom to explore and making the experience feel more seamless. Add on top of that additional new features, such as the ability to switch between samurai and ninja styles on the fly and being able to freely respec, and you have a stellar example of just how good the Soulslike genre can be. This is an early game of the year contender, without a doubt.”
Resident Evil Requiem
- Release date: 27th February
- Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2 and PC
- Developer/publisher: Capcom
Rich said: “With its dual-protagonist setup, Resident Evil Requiem caters to both those who love traditional survival horror as well as action horror. Throw in a fantastic range of truly terrifying enemies, including zombies that feel freakier than ever thanks to their unique behaviours, and you have one of the best Resident Evil games yet, especially for those who can appreciate both of its distinct gameplay styles.”
Life is Strange Reunion
- Release date: 26th March
- Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
- Developer: Deck Nine Games
- Publisher: Square Enix
Kim said: “A fitting end to Max and Chloe’s story, it’s a real joy to have these two iconic characters back together again. While the story, revolving around Caledon University and Abraxas, might not be quite as gripping as it should be, this is still a very strong entry into the series, with brilliant visuals, stellar voice acting, and a great mixture of puzzle-solving, evidence-hunting and exploration.”
Tombwater
- Release date: 31st March
- Available on: PC
- Developer: Moth Atlas
- Publisher: Midwest Games
Kim said: “Zelda meets Dark Souls, Tombwater is a fantastic action adventure set in a Lovecraftian reimagining of the Wild West. Tricky combat is king here, but thanks to difficulty options you can choose to focus on exploring the rich world around you and uncovering its secrets. This is a real hidden gem, and one that really should be on any action-adventure fan’s radar.”
Pragmata
- Release date: 17th April
- Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2 and PC
- Developer/publisher: Capcom
Rich said: “Capcom has taken a gamble with Pragmata, blending together multiple genres to create something that feels fresh and unique. At the heart of it is hacking-infused third-person shooter combat, which remains engaging and exciting throughout. And when paired with a story that tugs on the heartstrings, the result is something rather special. Ultimately, Pragmata is not only game of the year material, but also one of the most exciting new IPs in recent years.”
Vampire Crawlers
- Release date: 21st April
- Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch and PC
- Developer/publisher: Poncle and Nosebleed Interactive
Kim said: “Vampire Crawlers is a weird spin-off, as it has almost nothing to do with Vampire Survivors other than it exists in the same world and contains the same characters and items. And yet somehow, this fast-paced dungeon crawler manages to be just as moreish as the game it is derived from.”
Saros
- Release date: 30th April
- Available on: PS5
- Developer: Housemarque
- Publisher: Sony Interactive
Rich said: “Housemarque is back with yet another fantastic fast-paced third person shooter. Saros builds on Returnal, delivering deeper and more enjoyable gameplay, as well as a new permanent progression system and modifiers which allow you to tweak the difficulty to your preferences. All in all, it’s Housemarque’s best game yet.”
Directive 8020
- Release date: 12th May
- Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
- Developer/publisher: Supermassive Games
Rich said: “Supermassive Games takes the Dark Pictures series into space with Directive 8020, and with the introduction of new gameplay elements such as stealth, you’re more immersed in the action than ever before. Add in its brilliant presentation and gripping story and you have one of the best Dark Pictures games yet, and a must play for fans of space-horror.”
Forza Horizon 6
- Release date: 19th May
- Available on: Xbox Series X/S and PC (coming to PS5 later this year)
- Developer: Playground Games
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Rich said: “As you’d expect, Forza Horizon 6 is the biggest and perhaps best entry in the series yet. Its recreation of Japan is absolutely brilliant too, with some truly scenic locations to visit and race across. It’s just a shame that Playground Games plays it a little too safe, with this essentially feeling like Forza Horizon 5 and Forza Horizon 4 before it – but with a new map.”
007 First Light
- Release date: 26th May
- Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
- Developer/publisher: IO Interactive
Rich said: “007 First Light has everything you could want from a Bond game: fist fights, shootouts, epic set-pieces, car chases, subterfuge, and more. There are some minor issues, such as the game’s cover system being a little finicky at times, but on the whole this is a must-play for Bond fans as well as those who simply enjoy a good action game.”
