What games should we be playing in 2026?

If you're one of those rare gamers looking to somehow work through their 2026 backlog and are looking for some new or trending games, here are a few games that are perfect for you to get into right now. Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon recently received a major update in early March. Cozy Grove will be available for free from Epic Games on March 12th. And if you're a Pokemon fan still on the fence about the Switch 2, Pokopia may be the reason you're ditching your old Switch.

These three and many more games are worth getting into in 2026. There's a solid mix of genres here, whether you prefer action-packed FPS games or want to have a new horror title for your collection.

We only consider games that have already been released, so you can start playing those titles right away without having to wait.

Tainted Chalice: The Fall of Avalon

The March update adds Polish to the overlooked RPG.

For everyone who is looking for something new from scratch Skyrim Or maybe you're into a medieval fantasy RPG, Tainted Chalice: The Fall of Avalon Just give it a try. Here are some decent alternatives: Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2Provides a realistic and illusion-free experience, declaredIf you are interested in the modern Obsidian Entertainment formula. If none of those tickle your fancy, this might be the next thing to tempt you. The Elder Scrolls 6or even outside 2 If you are not afraid of a little challenge.

The world is more gothic and thematically a bit darker than the following: SkyrimTake a page from the Arthurian legend in stories and lore. There's a full open-world environment to explore, and the recent update adds some much-needed substance to the final game, which was criticized for not having enough meat on its bones. One thing to keep in mind is that combat is limited to Soulslike, so you won't be mindlessly hacking and slashing everything. Tainted Chalice. Be prepared to take on challenges, good or bad.

Enjoy

KRAFTON’s Life Sim takes a huge step forward

We're approaching our one year anniversary soon. EnjoyAfter being released in Early Access in March 2025. The world and character models looked really good at the time, but the gameplay was basic. Since then, the team working on KRAFTON has put a lot of effort and love into the game, and it definitely shows. A completely free expansion has been added, offering new residences, ocean swimming, tons of activities and cosmetics.

As an Early Access project, Enjoy is constantly evolving, but if you jumped in a year ago and were disappointed, I sincerely recommend giving the game another chance now. Personally, I'm really surprised at how much depth has been added and how much better the UI is now. It is clear that there is still work to be done, Enjoy is already providing a pretty solid life simulation experience for players hungry for more in 2026.

Pokemon Pokopia

Pokemon meets life simulation in this cool spinoff title

If you are at all familiar with pokemon Or a long-time fan of the franchise, Pokemon Pokopia If you can afford the Switch 2 price tag, this is a popular new spinoff you should definitely get into. It is a game that seems to be attracting many people to a new portable device by capturing the charm of the Pokémon game and the addictive gameplay of the life sim. animal forest In a blender. It's incredibly awesome and undeniably cozy as you take on the role of a humanized Ditto, gather friendly Pokémon to join you, and engage in all the classic life sim activities of farming, crafting, and creating the perfect little nook.

you're right. You are technically a Pokémon, and the goal of the game is not to catch and battle other trainers or wild Pokémon. To be honest, it makes me want to move on to the Switch 2, and it's a combination of genres that I personally never thought I'd see. pokemon The franchise has achieved impressive success. Whether you're a cozy, casual gamer or just can't miss out on a new game. pokemon game enemies, Pocopia It must be the next stop.

Slay the Spire 2

The return of the highly addictive deck-building roguelike

Slay the Spire When this work came out, it was already a phenomenon, and the second work Slay the Spire 2is already offering even more great features in Early Access. If you don't like early game support, definitely give this game a try. Especially if you're a hardcore fan of deckbuilding games and roguelikes.

For beginners, the premise of the game is deceptively simple. Your task is to climb spiers filled with different and unpredictable enemies, while also building a deck of cards and various consumables to take on them. This means that you must be ready to adapt to all difficulties at every step. But the good news is that up to three players can play in co-op and up to four players can join in on the game together. So choose your character, start your ascent, and get ready to keep going. After your first run alone, you'll likely become addicted to the gameplay loop.

marathon

It's been quite a while since Bungie has released a new game to the market. fate Content Franchise. but, marathon marks the studio's return to a more “pure” FPS experience with a brutally competitive extraction shooter package. If you are a fan of the same game Escape from Tarkov and ARC RaidersThis will definitely scratch the right itch. marathon Will you take on the role of a runner on Tau Ceti IV, choosing a planet for resources and loot, and completing quests and challenges for various factions? You can participate as a trio or solo as a rook.

The map of Tau Ceti IV not only features other players opposing you, but also PVE enemies that can completely destroy your crew if you don't play it safe. There are currently seven Runner shells, each with their own unique abilities, including the solo-only Rook. Whether you prefer the tanky Destroyer or the more support-focused Triage, there are tons of build creation and play styles to experiment with. This game is brutal, so don't value your loot too much. If you die before being extracted, you will be sent packed to the title screen. This is the perfect next game for players who want to experience high-stakes, competitive first-person shooting at Bungie.

raise animals again

A unique horror game that delivers the ultimate co-op experience

Perhaps it's not only you who's looking for the next game, but also you and your friend or lover. In that case, raise animals again This is a great, recently released co-op game where you take on the roles of a brother and sister tasked with rescuing their friend from a familiar island. But things are not as they remember, and both must navigate a completely twisted new environment filled with danger, puzzles, and sometimes very challenging platforming that encourages them to work perfectly together.

If you enjoyed this game SplitFiction, the way outor You need two things, raise animals again It's a natural next step, but keep in mind that it leans more towards a dark and horror vibe. You'll need to avoid creepy enemies, be stealthy, and help each other when the situation gets dangerous. The atmosphere was somewhat tense. little nightmare So if you liked the game, you'll get a lot of mileage out of this one too.

Cozy Grove

Help the island spirits in this cozy game

Cozy Grove This is another perfect chill out game for anyone who wants to unwind and engage in a bit of casual gaming. It's been a while since it came out, but the reason I'm going in now is because of the good news. It will be available as a free game from Epic Games starting March 12, 2026, so be sure to purchase it if you can. The game takes place on an island where your mission is to help the local spirits by doing all things cozy: decorating, gardening, fishing, gathering resources, exploring the world and finding all its secrets.

One of the main strengths of this title is its art style, which many players will fall in love with. imagine Don't starve togetherBut there are no harsh survival elements or terrible worlds. If you have limited time and prefer games that regulate your cortisol levels, definitely check this out.

Resident Evil Requiem

The iconic survival horror franchise is back.

A terrified FBI agent ill-suited for field work and a veteran agent cracking corny dad jokes are thrown into the same game, and the result is the latest installment in Capcom's survival horror franchise. Resident Evil Requiem With a new protagonist to experience some of the spookier parts of the game, and the return of fan-favorite Leon with a few new features added to his arsenal, it gives hardcore fans plenty to dive into. It's a first for the franchise to be able to blend these two different experiences into one cohesive story.

The game recommends you play in first person as Grace and third person as Leon, but you are free to switch between the two modes depending on your preference. Requiem It starts off with a bang and takes you deep into the ruins of Raccoon City for some interesting past and new revelations. It strikes an excellent balance between the intense action you can experience with Leon and his impressive arsenal, and the eerie stealth sections you have to traverse as Grace with a greatly reduced inventory size. Anyone who likes horror should give this one a try.