While many games try to simulate SWAT teams, few truly capture the fast-paced, high-stakes decisions and risks of real SWAT operations. Ready or Not is widely considered one of the best, and the new Steam game Defect takes a similar approach. It puts players in a role like the MaxTac unit and drops them into a dangerous, futuristic cyberpunk world.
Fighting games are a fantastic way to relieve stress, and it’s even more enjoyable when you play as a flawed, complex character. While playing a traditional hero like Ryu can be fun, it’s incredibly satisfying to win by using cunning strategies and powerful moves.
The best thing about open-world games isn’t necessarily how long they are, but how captivating they can be. Players can easily spend countless hours discovering everything these worlds have to offer, or simply enjoy a faster experience by focusing on the main storyline.
The Common Brimstone is one of the earliest insects you’ll encounter in Heartopia. It’s a simple catch for new players, being Level 1. You can find it in the Suburbs, where its bright yellow-green wings make it easy to spot as it flies low to the ground.
Roronoa Zoro is one of the most powerful fighters in the Straw Hat Pirates, considered part of the crew’s strongest trio. While naturally gifted, he constantly trains to improve his strength and swordsmanship. This dedication has allowed him to defeat many formidable opponents throughout the One Piece series, with a particularly difficult battle taking place in the samurai land of Wano.
Pokemon Pokopia is a life simulation game within the Pokemon universe where you play as a Ditto disguised as a human. It’s aiming to combine the fun of Pokemon with the relaxing gameplay of Animal Crossing, and is scheduled to release on March 5, 2026. Unlike most Pokemon games, this one isn’t being developed by Game Freak, but by Koei Tecmo’s Omega Force, bringing a new perspective to the series. Recently, the game introduced Mosslax, a unique form of Snorlax covered in moss after sleeping for a very long time – a funny idea that’s already excited fans.
Classic roleplaying game series like Final Fantasy, Trials of Mana, Chrono Trigger, The Legend of Dragoon, and The Legend of Zelda remain incredibly popular today. PlayStation and Nintendo consoles have always been great places to find top-notch action RPGs, and while many are now available on PC and PlayStation, the Nintendo Switch has become a particularly successful platform for new RPG releases. There seems to be a strong connection between Nintendo consoles and these older-style RPGs, perhaps due to the console itself or the preferences of its players – they’re a perfect pairing!
Fan-favorite Leon Kennedy returns in the new Resident Evil Requiem, joined by a new character, Grace Ashcroft, who is the daughter of a character from the earlier Resident Evil Outbreak. Players will be able to switch between playing in first-person (as Grace) and third-person (as Leon), which highlights how the newer and older styles of Resident Evil are coming together. To celebrate, Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village, two recent popular installments, are also being released on the Nintendo Switch on the same day. This is exciting because it brings these modern horror games to a new audience on a Nintendo platform.
Later in Resident Evil Village, players face a huge, powerful enemy that resembles a traditional werewolf from movies. This creature, called the Varcolac Alfa, is extremely dangerous. The game suggests avoiding a direct fight and running away, which is a good strategy if you want to conserve ammunition.
This list highlights the most popular and well-developed games available right now. If you’re interested in strategy games beyond the real-time genre, I’ve also recently covered the 10 I’m most looking forward to in 2026 and a selection of great wargames to keep an eye on. However, if you prefer commanding units in real-time, here’s the ultimate list.