DualShockers’ Most Anticipated Games of 2026

2025 was a great year for video games, with both big-budget titles and independent games receiving a lot of praise and selling very well. Popular examples include the online hit ARC Raiders and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which won multiple Game of the Year awards.

This year also brought exciting new gaming devices, including Xbox entering the handheld market with the ROG Xbox Ally and the Nintendo Switch 2 having a hugely successful launch.

As 2025 ends, it’s a great time to start looking ahead to 2026 and discover the exciting new games developers and publishers are planning for gamers everywhere.

Okay, so the whole DualShocker team and I have been talking, and we’ve put together our list of the 10 games we’re most hyped for in 2026. These are the titles currently slated to come out next year, as of right now, that we’re all really looking forward to.

10. The Blood of Dawnwalker

Eric Warner

I was immediately captivated when I first saw the trailer for Rebel Wolves’ debut game, The Blood of Dawnwalker, in January 2025. Since then, I’ve been following every update, watching all the livestreams, and reading every lore piece posted about the game on X.

Dawnwalker is a new third-person RPG created by the talented team behind acclaimed games like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Cyberpunk 2077. Set in the 14th century, the game takes place in the beautiful Vale Sangora valley, nestled in the Carpathian Mountains of southeastern Europe.

In this game, you play as Coen, the Dawnwalker, who must use his vampire powers to protect his homeland. He has just 30 days to defeat Brencis, a powerful Roman vampire leading an army of ancient vampires, before he himself is overcome by the curse of vampirism and the effects of silver poisoning.

I’m really excited about Dawnwalker, a new game franchise that looks fantastic. It has a unique day-night cycle, a deep and interesting backstory, and incredibly creative dark fantasy creatures. I can’t wait to play it when it comes out in 2026.

9. Slay The Spire 2

Ethan Krieger

I absolutely loved Slay the Spire when it came out in 2019, and it really sparked my interest in roguelike deckbuilding games. I usually don’t have a lot of time for video games, but I found myself playing this one constantly on my Switch, PlayStation, and PC.

Honestly, after sinking a ton of hours into this game, my biggest issue is just that I’m already craving more! That’s why I’m counting down the days until Slay the Spire 2 hits Early Access in March – I need that fix!

I want to connect with my friends and family before I get really busy this spring. I’ll be focused on playing a lot of games for several weeks, so I won’t have much time to talk. If you’re new to this type of game, these are some great ones to start with.

I can’t wait to see how Slay The Spire 2 attracts new players to the deckbuilding genre. Until it comes out, I’m still working on defeating The Heart in the original game to get ready for the sequel’s challenges.

8. Control Resonant

Daniel Trock

I’m a big fan of the world Remedy has built, and Control especially stands out. It’s a great mix of strange, intriguing world-building—similar to the SCP Foundation—and really enjoyable action.

I wasn’t sure Control would lean so heavily into action, especially with Control Resonant seeming to focus on that, but I have faith in Remedy Entertainment. And honestly, the strange reality shifts shown in the trailer look really intriguing.

It’s going to be fascinating to find out if the strange effects shown in the trailer affect everything, or if the story involves multiple universes.

I’d also like to include some nods to Alan Wake 2 since the story of Control was so important to that game.

7. 007 First Light

Maddie Fisher

I’ve been eagerly waiting for 007 First Light – it’s the first new James Bond game in over ten years.

I’m not a huge fan of the James Bond movies themselves, but I always really enjoy playing the video games based on the franchise.

Some of my favorite games are Bond games.

As a fresh take on Bond’s beginnings, completely separate from the films and developed by IO Interactive, First Light is the game I’m most looking forward to in 2026.

6. Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era

Shane Limbaugh

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era introduces the classic Might and Magic universe to a new audience of players.

With this new game serving as a direct lead-in to the classic Heroes of Might and Magic series, now is the perfect time to discover or revisit that world.

I’m really excited about this new release! I never had the chance to play the original games because they weren’t available on consoles back then.

As a huge fan of fantasy and strategy games, I can confidently say this game is unmatched.

5. Lords of the Fallen 2

Christian Bognar

Of all the games currently scheduled for release in 2026, I’m most excited about Lords of the Fallen 2.

The new game is a larger, more ambitious, and more violent take on the first one – a game I spent over 100 hours playing and couldn’t put down when it came out. While the 2023 version of Lords of the Fallen wasn’t flawless and had some problems, it clearly understood what makes a good Soulslike game.

Although we haven’t seen a lot of actual gameplay for LOTF2 yet, the developers have been sharing details through their “Lifting the Veil” videos on YouTube. Based on what they’ve shown, the game sounds fantastic! Confirmed features include more intense combat, new gameplay mechanics, and an improved version of the Umbral Realm.

Essentially, they’re aiming for an improved take on the original, and if they succeed, it could become one of the greatest Soulslike games ever made.

4. Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Ronald Goncalves

While I’m enjoying more and more independent games, I’m still really excited for Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and it’s currently the game I’m most looking forward to in 2026.

I haven’t really followed the series before, but I’m really intrigued by this new part because it features Miyamoto Musashi, a historical figure I admire – especially since I’m a big fan of the Vagabond manga.

The trailers have created a lot of excitement, reminding me of the Nioh series, but still feeling unique to the franchise that originally gave us Devil May Cry, which is one of my favorite series of all time.

Look, I’m trying to keep my expectations in check – it might not be perfect, and honestly, I’d be happy if it’s just a really solid game. But deep down, I have this feeling it’s going to be something special, maybe even a contender for game of the year! It just reinforces what I already think: Capcom is absolutely killing it this generation and is easily one of the best developers out there right now.

3. Resident Evil Requiem

Elena Chapella

Shocker, the horror fan is excited for the horror game.

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As a longtime fan of the Resident Evil series, seeing it bounce back from near obscurity to become incredibly popular again is really exciting – not just for me, but for all players.

Resident Evil: Requiem is both visually stunning and genuinely scary, and I’m really excited to see where the story goes next.

I’m really excited that horror fans are loving the new content, and I have a feeling Requiem will be one of the best installments in the Resident Evil series so far.

2. Hell Let Loose: Vietnam

Jaime Tugayev

I first encountered the Vietnam War in a video game with Chuck Yeager’s Air Combat in the late 1990s, and that sparked a continuing interest for me.

Hell Let Loose: Vietnam appears to be the first game in nearly ten years to successfully capture the essence of large-scale, realistic Vietnam War combat, and early impressions suggest Team17 is delivering a challenging and enjoyable experience set in the jungle.

Unreal Engine 5 has made the game’s environment incredibly realistic, but it’s the familiar, carefully-tuned movement and shooting mechanics that longtime Hell Let Loose players will appreciate – and that could finally break the cycle of disappointing Vietnam War shooters.

Now to wait and see whether the 2026 release will materialize or if a delay is in the cards.

1. Grand Theft Auto VI

Steve Hannley

Considering the numerous delays Grand Theft Auto VI has faced, and its current release date of November 19th, I wasn’t sure if I should include it on this list—I hope mentioning it doesn’t cause another setback!—but if it does finally come out in 2026, it will definitely be the game I’m most looking forward to, and likely for many others as well.

Grand Theft Auto V was a landmark game, and remarkably, millions of people are still playing it twelve years after it first came out.

Each new Grand Theft Auto game has been fantastic, consistently raising the bar. Given how massive and enjoyable GTA V was, it’s safe to say GTA VI will be an incredibly impressive game, even before we know many details.

The game’s Florida-inspired world is beautiful, the story sounds captivating, and the graphics are amazing for an open-world title. We’re eagerly awaiting its release in November – hopefully Rockstar delivers!

2026-01-02 17:42