The year 2026 is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting periods for the gaming industry. The first six months have brought a host of eagerly awaited debuts, and there are still more high-profile releases in store for gamers. Among the titles generating the most excitement in the second half of 2026 are GTA 6, *The Blood of Dawnwalker* and *Monster Hunter Stories 3*. Find out which games of 2026 have proved to be the biggest hits and which titles are worth looking forward to in the coming months.
[TABLE_OF_CONTENTS]
| Game title | Release date | Property development studio | Publisher | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Evil Requiem | 26 February 2026 | Capcom | Capcom | Survival horror |
| Code Vein 2 | 29 January 2026 | Bandai Namco Studios | Bandai Namco Entertainment | Action RPG |
| Nioh 3 | 6 February 2026 | Team Ninja | Koei Tecmo | Action RPG |
| Pokémon Pokopia | 5 March 2026 | The Pokémon Works | Nintendo / The Pokémon Company | Simulator, RPG |
| Monster Hunter Stories 3 | 13 March 2026 | Capcom | Capcom | RPG |
| World of Warcraft: Midnight | 2 March 2026 | Blizzard Entertainment | Blizzard Entertainment | MMORPG |
| Saros | 30 April 2026 | Housemarque | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Action, Sci-fi |
| Pragmata | 17 April 2026 | Capcom | Capcom | Action, Sci-fi |
| Subnautica 2 | 14 May 2026 | Unknown Worlds Entertainment | Krafton | Survival |
| 007: First Light | 27 May 2026 | IO Interactive | IO Interactive | Action, stealth |
| Gothic Remake | 5 June 2026 | Alkimia Interactive | THQ Nordic | RPG |
| The Blood of Dawnwalker | 3 September 2026 | Rebel Wolves | Bandai Namco Entertainment | Action RPG |
| Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls | 6 August 2026 | Arc System Works | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Fighting game |
| Halo: Campaign Evolved | 28 July 2026 | Halo Studios | Xbox Game Studios | FPS |
| Grand Theft Auto 6 | 19 November 2026 | Rockstar Games | Rockstar Games | Action, open world |
| Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World | 3 December 2026 | Square Enix | Square Enix | RPG |
| Marvel 1943: The Rise of Hydra | 2027 | Skydance New Media | Plaion | Action, adventure |
The first half of the year was exceptionally busy for gamers. Publishers focused both on sequels to well-known franchises and on brand-new titles. As a result, the game release calendar was packed to the brim right from the start of the year.
Among the most significant releases of the first half of 2026 were:
RPGs and action games proved particularly popular, regularly featuring on the bestseller lists.
Although there are still a few months left until the end of the year, we can already highlight the titles that have won the acclaim of players and reviewers.
One of the most talked-about releases of the first half of 2026 turned out to be 007: First Light from IO Interactive. The game was released on 27 May and, in the very first weeks following its launch, attracted the attention of both James Bond fans and action game enthusiasts.
The game combines elements of stealth, spectacular action and exploration, drawing on the studio’s experience gained whilst working on the Hitman series. Reviewers have particularly praised the elaborate missions, the variety of ways to achieve objectives and the cinematic atmosphere inspired by classic James Bond adventures. As a result, 007: First Light is being touted as a contender for the title of one of the best action games of 2026.
The most significant release of June 2026 is undoubtedly the Gothic Remake. This revamped version of the cult RPG from Piranha Bytes, originally released in 2001, launched on 5 June on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The developers at Alkimia Interactive have focused on faithfully recreating the atmosphere of the Miners’ Valley, whilst modernising the graphics, animations and combat system.
The release of the remake generated huge interest, particularly in Poland, where the Gothic series has enjoyed cult status for years. Players appreciated the preservation of the original’s distinctive atmosphere, the expansive world and the numerous improvements that bring the game up to modern standards. As a result, Gothic Remake quickly became one of the most talked-about RPG releases of 2026 and a must-have for fans of role-playing games.
The February release of Resident Evil Requiem is further proof that Capcom’s series remains one of the leading names in the survival horror genre. The developers have combined atmospheric exploration, intense moments of terror and modern graphics to create a game that has appealed to both long-standing fans of the franchise and new players alike. Thanks to its dark atmosphere, polished audiovisuals and an engaging storyline, the game quickly found itself amongst the highest-rated horror titles of 2026 and is being touted as one of the contenders for the title of Game of the Year.
This sequel to the popular action RPG has built on all the elements that players loved in the first instalment. A larger world, a more dynamic combat system and extensive character development options have meant the game has quickly gained popularity.
Fans of Japanese RPGs have been treated to a game featuring an elaborate storyline, an engaging combat system and hundreds of hours of gameplay.
One of the most eagerly awaited survival games of recent years. The developers have expanded the underwater world and added new exploration mechanics, enabling the game to attract both new and returning players.
Not all of the 2026 game releases lived up to the community’s expectations. Some titles struggled with technical issues, whilst others were postponed to later in the year. The most common complaints from players centred on technical glitches on launch day, poor optimisation for consoles, too few new features compared to previous instalments, and delays in the release of DLC and updates. This shows that even the most eagerly anticipated titles are not immune to problems.
The second half of the year looks set to be even more exciting than the first. Many of the biggest studios have scheduled their most important releases for the summer holiday period and the run-up to Christmas.
There is particular interest in *The Blood of Dawnwalker*, which is being developed by former developers responsible for the success of *The Witcher* series.
The end of 2026 looks set to be particularly exciting for video game fans. Among the most eagerly awaited releases are Grand Theft Auto 6, scheduled for release on 19 November 2026, and Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World, due to go on sale on 3 December 2026. Both titles have been the focus of gamers’ attention for months and stand a real chance of dominating the sales charts and the lists of the most popular games of 2026.
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra was also set to be one of this year’s biggest hits. However, the developers have decided to postpone the release to polish the game and ensure the highest possible quality. As a result, the game will not be released in 2026, and players will have to wait until 2027 for its launch. Despite the delay, the title remains one of the most eagerly anticipated action games of the coming years.
It’s hard to find a gamer who hasn’t heard of Grand Theft Auto 6. Rockstar Games’ latest title has been at the top of the most-anticipated releases charts for years. Experts predict that GTA 6 could break the sales records set by previous instalments in the series. Its vast open world, modern graphics and extensive online mode make it undoubtedly one of the most significant releases of recent years.
Computer owners certainly can’t complain about a lack of things to enjoy. Among the most popular PC releases of 2026 are:
More and more publishers are opting for simultaneous releases on PC and consoles, which is good news for PC gamers.
Sony and Microsoft continue to compete for gamers’ attention through exclusive titles and the development of their subscription services.
The most interesting PS5 games of 2026 include Saros, Resident Evil Requiem and further titles from studios belonging to PlayStation Studios.
Meanwhile, amongst the Xbox games due for 2026, it is the new instalments of Halo and Forza, as well as projects being developed by studios belonging to Xbox Game Studios, that are generating the most excitement.
There are many indications that this is the case. The first half of the year alone has already seen several very strong releases, and the biggest hits are still to come. If the announced titles live up to the community’s expectations, 2026 could go down as one of the strongest periods in the history of the games industry. For gamers, this means one thing – it’s worth keeping an eye on the 2026 game release calendar, as the most exciting months are yet to come.
