PlayStation’s 2026 Lineup: What Big Surprises Are Coming to the PS5?

by

Over the last couple of years, it’s been relatively calm for significant first-party releases from PlayStation, with only a few exceptions. In 2023, Insomniac Games’ Spider-Man 2 was launched, but the entire year of 2024 passed without any major AAA first-party games being released by PlayStation. However, Astro Bot and Helldivers 2 did become unexpected sensations, even though they weren’t marketed as big-budget titles like God of War or Horizon. But 2022 has been a standout year for PlayStation’s first-party releases this console generation so far, with highly anticipated games such as Gran Turismo 7, Horizon Forbidden West, God of War Ragnarok, and The Last of Us Part 1 all being released within the same year.

2025 seems to have a more limited selection of PS5 exclusive first-party games so far, with only “Ghost of Yotei” set for release on October 2. Another highly anticipated game, “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach,” is a 2025 PS5 exclusive, but it’s not technically a full-fledged first-party title since its intellectual property (IP) belongs to developer Kojima Productions. There are rumors of a potential spin-off of “God of War” planned for later this year, though nothing has been officially confirmed yet. This leaves fans wondering what the future might hold for PS5’s first-party games in 2026.

PlayStation’s 2026 Game Lineup is Poised to Be One of Its Best Yet for the PS5 Generation

Sony tends to keep quiet about the projects its internal studios are developing, and the release timeline for PS5 exclusive games often varies significantly. For example, Astro Bot was announced in May 2024, four months before its September 2024 debut, while Ghost of Yotei made its appearance in September 2024 and is scheduled for a launch around a year later. On the other hand, Naughty Dog unveiled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet in December 2024 without any hint about its release date. Nevertheless, there are several PS5 exclusive games that seem to be targeting a 2026 release.

Rumors suggest Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet won’t be out before 2027.

Housemarque’s Saros is the Only PS5 First-Party Game Confirmed for 2026 So Far

Recently, Housemarque officially unveiled its upcoming title, “Saros,” during PlayStation’s first State of Play event in 2025. “Saros” is a fresh concept that takes the popular roguelike elements from Housemarque’s successful 2021 release, “Returnal,” and expands upon them. Unlike “Returnal,” resources and progression will carry over after each playthrough in “Saros.” Additionally, Housemarque announced an “ensemble cast of NPCs” for “Saros,” suggesting a stronger emphasis on narrative compared to the more solitary approach of “Returnal.” The release date for “Saros” is set for 2026, with gameplay demonstrations scheduled for later this year.

Haven Studios’ Fairgames May Finally Launch Next Year

Haven Studios, a fresh team within PlayStation and led by experienced Assassin’s Creed producer Jade Raymond (who joined Sony in 2022), presented their debut title, “Fairgames,” during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase. This live-service multiplayer heist game involves teams of players competing to steal from wealthy individuals and similar targets. The cinematic trailer didn’t offer many details about the gameplay mechanics of Fairgames, and Haven Studios has not yet specified a release date. However, whispers suggest that Fairgames could hit shelves in 2026, with potential updates on its features coming later this year.

There’s Reason to Believe Insomniac’s Wolverine is Coming in 2026

Without a doubt, among Sony’s exclusive titles that are long overdue for new information, Insomniac’s Marvel’s Wolverine was unveiled during the 2021 PlayStation Showcase and has been quiet ever since, nearly four years passing without significant updates. Pre-alpha footage of Wolverine, along with story details and cast information, surfaced online in late 2023 as part of the massive Insomniac data breach. In addition to this, Insomniac’s entire game schedule for the next decade was also leaked, suggesting a 2026 release for Wolverine. It remains uncertain if the data breach has affected Wolverine’s launch date, but for now, 2026 seems plausible.

Could PlayStation Have a Surprise or Two Up Its Sleeve?

Instead of focusing solely on Saros, Wolverine, and Fairgames, which make up a strong initial lineup, let’s explore potential PlayStation projects that might join them in 2026. One intriguing prospect is another live-service game – a cooperative multiplayer Horizon title being developed by Guerrilla Games for several years now. Given the lengthy development period of this Horizon co-op game, it’s possible, if not probable, that Guerrilla might be aiming for a launch as early as next year or even 2025 itself.

Beyond speculation, it’s widely whispered that Firesprite, the creators behind “Horizon: Call of the Mountain” and “The Persistence,” have been secretly working on “Until Dawn 2.” Hints in the re-made version of “Until Dawn,” set for release in 2024, suggest a potential continuation of the horror game’s story. As summer nears and game developers and platform owners prepare to unveil new titles, fans eagerly await a definitive announcement from PlayStation, hoping they’ll provide insight into what’s to come in 2026 and beyond, perhaps during a grand Showcase event.

Read More

2025-05-05 20:35