Say hello to the next 5 great single player games

Nothing beats one good single player game. Multiplayer and live service games are cool and all, but they have never been and never will replace a traditional single player experience. Whether someone owns a high-end gaming PC or prefers to play on the Switch 2, they can always look forward to at least a couple of these types of projects, and they come in many shapes and sizes. 2026's single player game will cover pretty much every genre imaginable as they tell epic stories, experiment with original mechanics, or just provide a fun way to spend 10 hours.

This year has already produced a couple of really great titles such as Resident Evil: Requiem, Pragmaticsand even some non-Capcom stuff, but the best is undoubtedly yet to come. So join me as we look into the immediate future to find the single player games that will dominate people's lives for the next two months.

• Only games without any multiplayer will be included. So, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight have skipped because it has co-op.

• I'll stick mostly to the next two months, as I want to avoid mentioning games that are still 6 months away.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book

2026's first major Nintendo exclusive for one player

The Nintendo Switch 2 has had a good enough 2026 so far, but big exclusives have been relatively hard to come by. Fortunately, that is about to change Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, which will see everyone's favorite green dinosaur return for his first solo adventure since 2019. Besides Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's IslandYoshi games have generally been cozy affairs that function as entry-level platformers while offering the Nintendo charm everyone has come to expect.

From all that we have seen and know, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book won't be any different in that respect, and you probably shouldn't pick this one up if you're primarily up for a really big challenge. Go for available previews, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book leans a bit more towards exploration and puzzles than previous editions Yoshi's created worldwhich should make for an interesting shift. One of the confirmed new mechanics is that Yoshi can temporarily adopt another creature's abilities by placing them on his back, a concept that seems reminiscent of Super Mario Odysseyis Cappy.

Honestly, I can't wait to get my Switch 2 out to give this game a try. The console has been gathering dust for the past few months.

007 First light

The first James Bond game since 2012

James Bond's history extends far beyond Ian Fleming's novels or films, and he also has quite an extensive video game resume. Or, at least, that was the case in the 90s and 2000s, but 007 has mostly stayed out of the business since then. The latest new game was 007 Legendsa tribute to the franchise that also happens to be one of the worst games in the franchise. Developed by IO Interactive, 007 First light is exciting for a few reasons, beyond just the fact that it marks Bond's return to action.

First, IO Interactive is an amazing developer who has spent the last decade putting together the ultimate Hitman game. Second, the game will tell an original story set during the beginning of Bond's career. This decision means that IO Interactive is free to weave its own story rather than having to strictly adhere to the source material. Finally, 007 First light is a linear action-adventure game that doesn't try to shoehorn in an open world, even though it should have relatively open levels similar to Hitman game.

Gothic 1 Remake

The return of an all-time great RPG

We live in an age of remasters and remakes, and two of the biggest releases of the coming months fall into these categories. Rough edges aside, Piranha Bytes' Gothic is one of the most beloved RPGs of the early 2000s, offering a level of immersion that still puts most games to shame. The original developer is sadly no more, but Piranha Byte's legacy lives on through the upcoming remake.

Gothic was recognized for creating a living, breathing world in a time that was not seemingly possible. NPCs had independent routines that made them feel like real people rather than mere robots. The aim of the remake is to modernize Piranha Byte's vision without sacrificing anything that made the original game such a beloved hit. Once again, you will find yourself as a nobody thrown into a penal colony defined by a brutal hierarchy. The first game was known for its tough onboarding process, and the 2026 version needs to keep that. Visually, Gothic 1 Remake uses Unreal Engine 5, so it will look great and hopefully work OK.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag resync

The long-awaited return to the Caribbean

Here it is, the most anticipated game of the next two months or so. People have been clamoring for another sequel Black flag for about a decade, just to get Skull and bones instead. As a consolation prize, Ubisoft has decided to stop arguing and actually release a remake of arguably the best pirate game of all time. Assassin's Creed Black Flag resync is an absolutely huge deal, as there are simply no other titles that can fill the same void.

Besides the obvious facelift, the remake will change a lot of other things too, so it won't just be a graphical upgrade. Combat has been reworked and upgraded, and the same can be said for stealth (you can now crouch at any time!). The infamous tailing missions appear to still be part of the campaign, but being spotted won't immediately trigger a game over. Edward Kenway's story will likely be the same, though Restored will include some new content, so it won't just be the same journey as before.

Assuming it starts in good condition, Assassin's Creed Black Flag resync should be an easy home run.

Echoes of Aincrad

Live your own SAO story

There is plenty of Sword Art Online games, but I wouldn't really describe any of them as “good”. Hopefully that will change on July 10, 2026, which Echoes of Aincrad is shaping up to be by far the most exciting game in the franchise. Rather than centering around Kirito, this JRPG lets players create their own hero, who goes on a unique adventure rather than just tagging along with the cast of the source material. While I'm not sure how practical the story will be, the game seems to revolve around a fight for survival, as players are just one of thousands trapped in the game.

Surprising, Echoes of Aincrad will not feature co-op, although it does include a companion system that allows players to explore the world with a partner. The latter are essentially an extension of the main character's arsenal, and it's important to build synergy between the two characters. The progression system will allow players to define their play style, as they will be free to choose skills and choose which stats to prioritize. Also, Echoes of Aincrad will have a permadeath mode. Yes, this is hardcore SAO.