Top Games I'm Excited About in 2026 (and Future)

As someone who participates in writing the weekly news about the upcoming top games and hidden gems, I found my wishlist bloating excessively. I've always kept it at around 400 games at a time, but no matter what I do, I can't lower it from 900... and it keeps growing!

So, I figured I could do something with the excitement I have for all the upcoming games releasing in 2026, which is to shed light on them so others can't wait either. 

Without further ado, here are a few titles I'm on the edge of my seat for! And why leave the best for last? Let's begin in order of excitement (though no game is a failure in my eyes).

Tides of Annihilation

• Developer: Eclipse Glow Games
• Publisher: Eclipse Glow Games
• Genre: Action, Adventure
• Tags: Action-Adventure, Action, Female Protagonist
• Release Date: Coming soon
• Steam Link

My wife, Artura Dawn, is a massive fan of anything to do with Arthurian legend. She's introduced me to it (I only really ever knew the Disney movie, The Sword in the Stone), and I've begun to love it as passionately as she has because of that!

That's why Tides of Annihilation is the game I am most excited to play, especially because the main character reminds me so much of my beloved. The hardest part? There's no release date set yet!

Animula Nook

• Developer: LilliLandia Games
• Publisher: LilliLandia Games
• Genre: Adventure, Casual, RPG
• Tags: Adventure, Life Sim, Simulation
• Release Date: To be announced
• Steam Link

Despite my love for Animal Crossing, I have slowly begun to move on (what with the gazillion playthroughs I've done of it), and I haven't found anything to properly replace it... Well, except maybe Hello Kitty Island Adventure, but there's still something missing.

That same puzzle piece is one I found in a game that made me physically gasp when I saw — Animula Nook! The cosy (and jaw-droppingly stunning) graphics are just one of the many absurdly exciting features of this upcoming cosy title. If you're also a wholesome games lover, I highly suggest checking it out! There's no date yet, but we can show our support through wishlisting.

Outbound

• Developer: Square Glade Games
• Publisher: Square Glade Games
• Genre: Adventure, Indie, Simulation
• Tags: Open World Survival Craft, Cozy, Exploration
• Release Date: Q2 2026
• Steam Link

While I was excited about Outbound from the moment I saw it because it looks so in-depth and cosy, playing RV There Yet? made me downright impatient for its release. Thankfully, the Kickstarter was an astounding success, gaining nearly 90% more than needed: from a goal of €30,000, it garnered a whopping €265,679!

It’ll be a dream come true when I can log in and take a roadtrip with my wife! Although I’ll miss the shenanigans we had during RV There Yet?, I think we’ll do just fine in the wholesome experience. 

Forsaken Lands

• Developer: Lunisky Studio
• Publisher: Lunisky Studio
• Genre: Adventure, Casual, Indie
• Tags: Adventure, RPG, Roguelike Deckbuilder
• Release Date: Q2 2026
• Steam Link

I love spending as much time as I can physically muster with my wife, so I've been delighted that there have been so many new co-op titles on the rise lately, like RV There Yet?, R.E.P.O., and PEAK! But the upcoming co-op roguelite deckbuilding adventure seems downright cosy.

One of my favourite genres (that I definitely don't play enough of) is deckbuilding because I find the gameplay so satisfying! Forsaken Lands sprinkles some modes, cute & cool heroes to play as, and co-op with up to two others!

Bloody Hell Hotel

• Developer: Unfold Games
• Publisher: Unfold Games
• Genre: Simulation
• Tags: Simulation, Building, Management
• Release Date: 2026
• Steam Link

My wife showed me Bloody Hell Hotel a few months ago, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. What gameplay we've seen looks smooth and punchy, mixing the satisfying House Flipper with beautiful gothic graphics that remain within the spooky cartoon style.

I've always loved the idea of running a hotel, but the real highlight is actually the adorable undead cow! She stole my heart the moment I saw her for the first time, and I won't die in peace until I play this game.

Witchbrook

• Developer: Chucklefish, Robotality
• Publisher: Chucklefish
• Genre: Indie, RPG, Simulation
• Tags: Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Immersive Sim
• Release Date: 2026
• Steam Link

Next up is Witchbrook — an upcoming life simulator (that is also co-op for up to four players) that I've been following for what seems like years now! This pixelated adventure is all about being a witch and living out a cosy life, finding love, friendship, and secrets.

I don't think I ever tire of playing life and farming simulators, and having it be based on witches is like a dream come true! The graphic style is amazing, and the gameplay looks very satisfying from the glimpses we've been given. I can't wait!

Moonlight Peaks

• Developer: Little Chicken
• Publisher: XSEED Games
• Genre: Casual, Indie, RPG
• Tags: Casual, Simulation, Farming Sim
• Release Date: 2026
• Steam Link

As I said, I'll never be tired of life/farming sims, but I do feel like there's a lack of innovation when it comes to the setting. That's why I've been feverishly impatient for Moonlight Peaks — a title where players embody a vampire, spend their time casting spells and crafting potions, and meet a cast of supernatural characters!

The style is incredible, bringing all the spooky goodness I have ever dreamed of. It might only be single-player, but at least the dating pool looks fantastic!

Resident Evil Requiem

• Developer: CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
• Publisher: CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
• Genre: Action, Adventure
• Tags: Survival Horror, Third-Person Shooter, Horror
• Release Date: the 27th of February, 2026
• Steam Link

I've become a massive fan of the Resident Evil titles; I think it's one of the few franchises that I own almost every game I can on Steam. Resident Evil Requiem is the very first original entry (read: non-re-release) that I'm around for alongside the community, and that's awesome!

The gameplay looks stunning and eerie, offering a necessary bite of Halloween to sprinkle throughout the year until October. I genuinely hope to boot it up on day one!

CODE VEIN II

• Developer: Bandai Namco Studios Inc.
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.
• Genre: Action, RPG
• Tags: Action, RPG, Souls-like
• Release Date: the 29th of January, 2026
• Steam Link

While I haven't got around to playing the original entry, I accompanied my wife during the first bit of it until we realised it was co-op. The game looks smooth, the graphics are stunning, and the gameplay is amazing!

So, although CODE VEIN II won't have the ability to play together, I'm still very excited. The story sounds interesting (especially being able to affect the characters' future), and the combat seems as flashy as ever.

Vampires: Bloodlord Rising

• Developer: Mehuman Games
• Publisher: Toplitz Productions
• Genre: Action, Adventure, RPG
• Tags: Early Access, Single-player, Story Rich
• Release Date: the 30th of January, 2026
• Steam Link

As you can tell, vampires are one of my favourite creatures; I've always been a fan of the gothic aesthetic! Now that developers are offering the chance to play as one instead of being haunted by them, I'm all on board!

Vampires: Bloodlord Rising is all about managing the clan and building up a castle to keep a hold on Sangavia. And the best part? Well, I guess you can probably tell by now... but it has co-op!

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era

• Developer: Unfrozen
• Publisher: Hooded Horse
• Genre: RPG, Strategy
• Tags: Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy, Simulation
• Release Date: 2026
• Steam Link

One of the most prominent memories I have of my childhood is watching my mom, dad, and grandma spend hours and hours playing Heroes of Might and Magic 3: Complete. I never liked the game back then — the graphics were "boring", and it was too complex — but my wife is a big fan.

We've tried to play it before, but it's been difficult, what with my mom losing the original CD and it always slipping our minds to buy it digitally. Now, with the upcoming release — which looks stunning — my wife and I will finally get to try it out properly.

Blight: Survival

• Developer: Haenir Studio
• Publisher: Behaviour Interactive
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Indie
• Tags: Medieval, Online Co-Op, Survival Horror
• Release Date: To be announced
• Steam Link

I love DARK SOULS because it combines one of the best eras (mediaeval) with a ton of intense action; it's one of my favourite games. Blight: Survival may not be a soulslike title, but it does bring with it that same dark and dreary feeling to the world with the gorgeous aesthetic of the era.

The title is also a co-op adventure, and I can't wait to see how long my wife and I will survive against the myriad monsters waiting to tear our faces off.

Total Chaos

• Developer: Trigger Happy Interactive
• Publisher: Apogee Entertainment
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Indie
• Tags: Action, Psychological Horror, Adventure
• Release Date: the 20th of November, 2025
• Steam Link

Last but not least, Total Chaos looks like a mix of many of the games I have on this list. It throws the player into a crumbling reality in a survival horror game where they're led only by a mysterious voice on a walkie-talkie!

The environments look gnarly and amazing, the gunplay satisfying. The idea of having to follow a stranger while attempting to survive makes me think of Firewatch, which I thoroughly enjoyed! Sure, it won't be comedic and mostly lighthearted, but it'll bring its own spin.

This, of course, isn't the entire list of ALL the games I can't wait to play — I had to keep it on the shorter end so I can actually write about them! But they're the ones I can't wait for the most for sure. Thanks for reading! Let's hope the year goes by quickly.