Lots of games are planned for release in 2026, as you’d expect. Now that January is over, new games will be coming out quickly, making it hard to keep track of everything. To avoid getting overwhelmed, let’s focus on action games and highlight some of the most promising titles – both from independent developers and major studios – that are scheduled for release in the next few months.
Throughout the Power Rangers series, many of the most memorable Rangers have taken on different roles. For example, Jason Lee Scott is famous as the original Red Ranger, but he also became the powerful Zeo Gold Ranger. He’s not alone – several other prominent Rangers have transformed into multiple forms, showcasing their connection to the morphing grid and unlocking unique abilities.
Let’s consider who else could have beaten Pain in the Naruto story. While characters like Sasuke Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake became incredibly strong later on and might have had a chance, many other powerful shinobi would likely fall short, even if they put up a good fight against Pain’s Six Paths technique.
Xbox Game Pass subscribers had a packed February 2026, with popular titles like Indika, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Madden NFL 26, and Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship all becoming available. More games are planned for release soon, and subscribers should also be aware that one game will be leaving the service on February 15th, so there’s still time to play it if they haven’t already.
If you haven’t heard of it, Stardew Valley is a game where you play as a young farmer who moves to their grandfather’s old farm in a peaceful town. You can grow crops, fish, gather resources, mine, make things, and even fight monsters! It’s known for its heartwarming story and interesting characters. Players have loved the big updates the game has received, like Update 1.6 and the upcoming 1.7 patch, and the creator, ConcernedApe, plans to continue supporting Stardew Valley for a long time. That’s why it’s surprising to learn he’s already thought about making a completely new sequel that could reimagine the world of Stardew Valley.
Although several decent games came out in 2026—including Arknights: Endfield, Cairn, Pathologic 3, Highguard, Code Vein 2, and most recently, Nioh 3—none have become truly essential titles. Many appeal to very specific tastes, preventing them from achieving widespread appeal. However, Mewgenics, launching on Steam February 10th, is quickly gaining that ‘must-play’ reputation. Early reviews for the game, created by the developers of The Binding of Isaac and The End is Nigh (Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel), are excellent, and it’s already proving very popular.
The popular “Where are the Gifties?” event is back! You’ll be searching for hidden Gifties throughout the game world, and as usual, they’re not always easy to spot. If you get stuck, this guide will help you complete the “Where are the Gifties?” challenge in Infinity Nikki’s 2.2 update.
Despite high expectations fueled by a producer with a background in Grand Theft Auto, the action-adventure game MindsEye was a critical and commercial failure. Starring Alex Hernandez of Mafia 3 as Jacob Diaz, the game was so poorly received that it became one of the lowest-rated games of 2025. Players and critics cited technical problems, poor performance, and a generally disappointing experience. In a rare move, PlayStation even offered refunds to those who purchased MindsEye. The last time Sony offered such refunds without question was for the troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020. While Cyberpunk 2077 eventually recovered to become a highly-regarded RPG, it seems unlikely that the creators of MindsEye, Build A Rocket Boy, will be able to achieve a similar turnaround.
First-person shooter (FPS) games have evolved a lot over time, and the DOOM series was a key part of that development. Games like DOOM, Quake, Duke Nukem, and Wolfenstein on MS-DOS created fast-paced, imaginative experiences in unreal settings, prioritizing fun over realism. However, things shifted with games like Rainbow Six, Medal of Honor, and Call of Duty, which aimed for a more realistic feel. Instead of playing as a powerful hero, you became a soldier or special operative – often in the US military. While these realistic shooters had their strengths, they began to emphasize visuals and atmosphere over interesting gameplay, which eventually paved the way for a return to fast-paced action with games like DOOM Eternal.
While PlayStation Plus Essential hasn’t had many major free games this year, Subnautica: Below Zero is one of the highlights. However, the original Subnautica was previously offered for free during the Play at Home event. The expansion’s reception has also been slightly affected by the mixed reaction to the announcement of Subnautica 2, which will heavily feature AI.