Four games we are pumped to play in 2026

Each year the games industry reaches new highs and 2026 is no exception. With the release of long-awaited sequels like GTA VI and new exciting titles like Marvels Wolverine, gamers are spoiled for choice this year.

After the the success of the Marvel’s Spider-Man video game series, comic book fans and gamers are excited for developer Insomniac Games to take a crack at the beloved comic book character, Wolverine. First announced four years ago, the gameplay trailer was the highlight of last year’s Playstation State of Play.

Wolverine is a change of pace from the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man, and it seems Insomniac has captured the dark and gritty tone of his story. His berserker rage, rapid healing and classic adamantium claws feature in some brutally cinematic combat that won’t be suitable for all ages. It’s also exciting to see writer Walt Williams, known for the compelling narrative of Spec Ops: The Line, a game that wonderfully makes players question their morality, contributing to the story of this iconic anti-hero.

The game will likely include heroes and villains from the X-Men universe like Mystique, Omega Red and the Sentinels. Gamers are rightfully concerned that creating a compelling gameplay loop around an immortal protagonist is challenging, and I can’t wait to see how Insomniac will tackle it.

Release Date: 2026, Platform: PlayStation 5.

Control Resonant is the sequel to Remedy Entertainment’s multi-award-winning Control. In this game, you play as Dylan Faden, the brother of the previous game’s protagonist.

Dylan has spent years in confinement at the hands of the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC), a US government body that investigates world altering supernatural events. The game begins as his former captors deploy him at the peak of a supernatural crisis in Manhattan that defies nature, physics, and reality.

Using Dylan’s new powers and a shape-shifting weapon that can switch between dual blades and a giant hammer, you must fight creatures created by the corrupting Hiss, invasive micro-organisms called the Mold, and other para-natural threats.

Players have some influence over how the story progresses; each pathway influences how he grows, changing the playstyle accordingly. This sequel pivots the gameplay from a third person shooter to an action hack and slash adventure. The change of gameplay makes it suitable for new and returning players. Check out the announcement trailer during last year's Game Awards which showcases an expansive game world, stunning graphics and a soundtrack that gave me chills.

Release Date: 2026, Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Windows.

Developed by the Beijing based studio, S-Game's debut title, Phantom Blade 0 is a highly anticipated action-adventure role playing wuxia (a popular Chinese genre of historical fantasy focused on martial arts) game. Dubbed “Kungfupunk” by director Soulframe Liang, it features a unique aesthetic that combines steampunk, cyberpunk with traditional Kungfu.

In this game you play as an assassin named Soul, who's on the run after being framed for killing his master, the patriarch of an organisation called The Order. Soul has 66 days to unravel the conspiracy and clear his name while being hunted by his former comrades.

The game draws inspiration from old-school wuxia cinema, with combat rooted in classic Chinese martial art philosophy. It’s a unique genre of action game with elements from soulslike and hack-n-slash games, with combat design that weaves traditional martial arts with cyberpunk and steam punk elements.

The director's passion in every interview has me pumped for Phantom Blade 0. I hope they can deliver on their vision and create an experience that feels like you’re in a classic Kungfu movie. If not for GTA VI, this would’ve been my most anticipated game of 2026.

Release Date: 9 Sep 2026 Platform: Windows, PlayStation 5

The sequel to the epic open-world crime adventure with iconic gameplay, sharp humour and social commentary was delayed to late 2026. Slated to be the game of 2025, it only fueled the running joke that it would never be released. We now have an official release date, and fans are itching to taste what Rockstar has spent over a billion dollars and 10 years cooking.

The second trailer shows us a Bonnie and Clyde dynamic between the protagonist duo Jason and Luci. Partners in love and crime, fresh out of prison, starting off a new chapter in their life. We can also expect more of the rich, vibrant game world setting of Vice City (fictional Florida) and glimpses of some epic and exciting action sequences. There’s a whole new cast of characters on the game’s website that seem well fleshed out and eerily similar to pop culture icons of the last decade.

Much of what we know comes from insider info, leaks, and speculation. Given Rockstar’s track record with GTA and Red Dead Redemption, the billion-dollar question is: will it live up to the hype and dominate gaming and pop culture like all its prequels?

Release Date: 19 November 2026, Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S (Windows TBD).