Mina the Hollower and Schrödinger’s Call Are the Best Games of 2026

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As a gamer, it always seems like truly legendary games come about in one of two ways. Either a huge studio throws tons of cash at development and marketing, or it’s a small, passionate team that just makes it happen with sheer determination. There doesn’t seem to be much in between!

As we near the middle of 2026, we’ve experienced a mix of great and not-so-great games, but independent developers are currently ahead with two excellent and completely different titles.

OpenCritic’s list of the best games of 2026 is dominated by independent titles, with standout contributions from Acrobatic Chirimenjako and Yacht Club Games.

A Hollower and a Confidant Walk Into a Bar

Yacht Club Games’ new game, Mina the Hollower, faced high expectations. The studio is well-known for its previous success, Shovel Knight, a popular retro platformer from over a decade ago. Shovel Knight was a massive indie hit, selling millions of copies and leading to several highly-rated follow-up games.

We recently played Mina the Hollower and were absolutely blown away. Our review gave it a perfect score of 10/10, with our only complaint being that the game eventually finishes! It’s currently tied for the highest score on our list, also earning a 93/100.

Despite its charming, old-school look, Mina the Hollower offers a surprisingly rich story and engaging gameplay. While it clearly draws inspiration from other games, these influences never overshadow what is truly one of the best indie games in recent years.

It takes around ten hours to finish the game – about the same length as the other popular indie game expected to top the charts in 2026.

Acrobatic Chirimenjako is a relatively unknown Japanese studio that’s recently caught our attention. We’ve been following their work for a few months and are impressed with what we’ve seen.

Mina the Hollower features a rich story and engaging gameplay that clearly draws inspiration from other games, but these influences never overshadow what is truly one of the decade’s standout indie titles.

I was really surprised by how good Schrödinger’s Call turned out to be! This visual novel came out of nowhere and is getting amazing reviews – it currently has a 93 out of 100! Honestly, after playing it, I totally get why everyone’s so impressed.

In Schrödinger’s Call, you experience the last moments before the world ends. All you have is a phone and the ability to connect with others, letting you hear their final thoughts and goodbyes as the end approaches.

In a review for Hardcore Gamer, Ivanir Ignacchitti awarded the game 4.5 out of 5 stars, praising its success because it “has a clear message and a distinct artistic style and mood.”

In the game, the main character, Mary, interacts with people who are nearing the end of their lives. We recently had the chance to interview Acrobatic Chirimenjako at Gamescom Latam, just before the game received widespread critical acclaim.

I was reading an interview with the developer, Seishi, and he explained something really interesting about the game’s dialogue. He basically said that talking to characters feels like you’re figuring out who they are, defining their existence as you go. That’s why he chose the title ‘Schrödinger’s Call’ – it just felt right for how the game explores that idea.

Whether it’s Mina battling enemies or Mary rushing to aid those in need, viewers consistently respond to compelling storytelling. No matter how much money a production has, a good story is what truly matters.

AAA Fights Back, But the Real Test is Yet to Come

As a fan, I’m so thrilled to see games like Mina the Hollower and Schrödinger’s Call blow up – it’s amazing for indie developers! But honestly, it’s not like the big AAA games have been slacking either. We’ve gotten some really solid releases from those studios this year, and the reviews definitely show it. It’s just a great time to be a gamer overall!

Forza Horizon 6 comes in at number three with a score of 91/100. Fans had been requesting a game set in Japan for years, and this delivers! Our reviewer, Jake Valentine, gave it a 9.5/10, praising its open world as the best yet in the series. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, that’s because Forza Horizon had already established a winning formula.

Pokémon Pokopia takes fifth place, representing Nintendo’s effort to appeal to fans of both the Pokémon and Animal Crossing series and encourage them to buy the Switch 2. The game generally received a score of 89 out of 100, though our review was slightly higher at 9.5 out of 10. It shares this position with Resident Evil Requiem, which continues to attract players, particularly those interested in the story.

The biggest challenge for major game developers is still ahead. GTA 6 is currently scheduled to launch on November 19th, though another delay is possible. Rockstar has invested an enormous amount of money into its development and marketing, so a failure would be a major upset. However, if the game doesn’t live up to expectations, there are so many excellent independent games available that it might not even be noticed.

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2026-05-30 22:10