The Most Exciting Games Right Now Aren’t Coming From the Studios You Think

2025 really showed us that the games industry is full of surprises. While we can try to spot upcoming trends and see where the money’s going, it’s impossible to predict what innovative studios – both large and small – will come up with next. A great example is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a brand new studio’s first game that unexpectedly became a huge success at The Game Awards 2025, proving just how dynamic and unpredictable this industry can be.

It’s hard to say if 2026 will bring another breakout hit like Clair Obscur, but many smaller, newer studios are busy developing exciting and unique games. We’re already starting to see what could be the next big indie successes, with these companies planning everything from visually striking 2D platformers to immersive story-driven adventures. Keep reading for a preview of some potential hidden gems coming in 2026.

MIO: Memories in Orbit

Check Out MIO: Memories in Orbit on Steam

MIO: Memories in Orbit studio: Douze Dixiemes
MIO: Memories in Orbit release date: January 20, 2026

Launching later this month, MIO: Memories in Orbit is an impressive first game from French studio Douze Dixiemes. It’s already drawing comparisons to Hollow Knight thanks to its focus on fluid movement, detailed world, and classic metroidvania gameplay. Like modern favorites such as Ori and the Blind Forest, MIO stands out with beautiful graphics and smooth controls. The game tells a sci-fi story about an android with amnesia who’s stuck on an abandoned spaceship, and it hopes to achieve the same success as other popular indie metroidvanias, like this year’s Nine Sols or Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.

Don’t Stop, Girlypop!

Check Out Don’t Stop, Girlypop! on Steam

Don’t Stop, Girlypop! studio: Funny Fintan Softworks
Don’t Stop, Girlypop! release date: January 29, 2026

With a bright, glampunk and early 2000s-inspired style, Don’t Stop, Girlypop! is a fast-paced shooter created by Australian studio Funny Fintan Softworks. The game’s over-the-top, sweet visuals and sounds are instantly appealing, but it also delivers solid gameplay. True to its name, Don’t Stop, Girlypop! rewards players for constant movement with increased damage and healing. The goal is to create a thrilling, movement-focused shooter that can compete with the genre’s best titles.

Don’t Stop, Girlypop! currently has a demo available on Steam.

Cairn

Check Out Cairn on Steam

Cairn studio: The Game Bakers
Cairn release date: January 29, 2026

While games like Resident Evil Requiem and Grand Theft Auto 6 will likely dominate the conversation in 2026, Cairn comes from a well-respected indie developer. The Game Bakers previously created Furi, a fantastic boss-rush game, and Haven, a slower-paced sci-fi game centered around a unique love story. Cairn feels like a natural progression for the studio – it’s a deliberate, methodical game focused on rock climbing, similar to how Haven focused on everyday life on another planet, but with a greater emphasis on intensity. The developers are aiming for a gameplay experience that’s both calming and immersive, with beautiful graphics and challenging moments, and it seems perfectly suited to their strengths.

Cairn currently has a demo available on Steam.

The Legend of Khiimori

Check Out The Legend of Khiimori on Steam

The Legend of Khiimori studio: Aesir Interactive, NightinGames
The Legend of Khiimori release date: March 3, 2026

I think The Legend of Khiimori is a standout game from early 2026. It started as a new installment in Aesir Interactive’s Windstorm series—a line of games focused on horse care—and was initially called Windstorm: The Legend of Khiimori. However, compared to previous Windstorm titles, even the most recent one from 2024, Khiimori represents a significant leap forward in terms of graphics and overall quality.

Let’s be honest, the earlier Windstorm games weren’t very polished. The character movements felt awkward, the graphics were blurry, and the gameplay didn’t go much beyond basic management and customization. However, Khiimori looks much more refined and detailed, and seems to have a more engaging story. It remains to be seen if it’s actually more fun to play, but it’s a significant improvement over previous games, and shows what even smaller development teams can achieve with the power of Unreal Engine 5.

MOUSE: P.I. for Hire

Check Out MOUSE: P.I. for Hire on Steam

MOUSE: P.I. for Hire studio: Fumi Games
MOUSE: P.I. for Hire release date: March 19, 2026

I really love games that have a unique visual style, no matter what else they offer. MOUSE: P.I. for Hire definitely stands out in that regard. It’s a fascinating mix of 3D environments, classic rubber-hose animation, and first-person shooting – I haven’t seen anything quite like it. Beyond its charming graphics, MOUSE is a detective story inspired by the energetic and playful style of 1930s Disney cartoons. It promises a fun, witty story, quick action, and even some exploration elements similar to those found in Metroidvania games. It’s making a great first impression, so I’m hoping it lives up to the hype when it’s released this Spring.

1348 Ex Voto

Check Out 1348 Ex Voto on Steam

1348 Ex Voto studio: Sedleo
1348 Ex Voto release date: TBA 2026

As a huge cinema fan, I’m really excited about 1348 Ex Voto. It feels like it’s taking a page from games like A Plague Tale and Kingdom Come: Deliverance – the developers are clearly aiming for incredible realism and a really cinematic feel. You play as Aeta, a young knight in 14th century Italy, and you’re on a dangerous quest to find someone she loves. The combat seems similar to Kingdom Come, with directional attacks and stances, but maybe a bit more fluid. But what really grabs me is the focus on story and atmosphere. It looks like a fantastic, more intimate experience, and a welcome change of pace from the big, blockbuster-style games we’re expecting next year.

2026-01-12 21:06