The year isn't even half over, and already 2026 has hosted tons of great video games. From open world games to shooters, must-play releases come almost every month. We haven't even made it to the busy September release schedule yet, and the backlog is already filling up.
Rearrange the cases in the correct US release order.
Start
Rearrange the cases in the correct US release order.
Light (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
If you are looking for the best of the best when it comes to 2026 shooters, then we have gathered them here for you. Not every game on this list is talked about as much as it should be, while others get hate they may not deserve, but there's a very good chance that when we look back years from now, these will be the shooters that stand the test of time.
Marathon
For The Hardcore
Bungie is always at the forefront of FPS innovation. Halo 1 and 2 was the plan to make competitive online shooters available. Destiny 2 remains the best example of a successful live-service PvE shooter model. With Marathon, the studio has now ventured into the extraction shooting space and done it all over again. The difference here is that extraction shooters were already popular before Bungie's involvement, so innovation had to take a different form.
PSA: Don't blame Marathon for Destiny 2's death
There's a lot of hate going Marathon's way online after the announcement of Destiny 2 facing end of support, but it's detrimental to everyone.
To that end, Bungie made what is arguably the most challenging extraction shooter on the market. Don't let the falling player counts fool you. They are not the indicators of a bad game; on the contrary. Marathon is optimized for the nines, brilliantly balanced and beautifully designed. What it is not is welcoming to newcomers or friendly to casual players. Marathon requires dedication just to get your foot in the door. Let the stunning graphics and unbeatable weapon design draw you in, but stick around for a long time, and it's a game that will reward your persistence. For this purpose, Marathon will be around for a long time, even if it's not as accessible to a wide range of players.
007 First light
Best bond in years
Although IO Interactive has built a stellar reputation over the past decade with its Hitman trilogy, and the public's longing for a new James Bond, there was still some trepidation around 007 First light. Firstly, IOI is not known for its single player story campaigns, and that James Bond franchise hasn't exactly had a great video game record after the legendary Fix on the N64.
Good news, Bond fans. 007 First light is not only the best James Bond game ever made, but it's just a damn good video game, period. Combining IOI's brilliant open-plan sandbox style with a Uncharted-esque cinematic storyline, this game is everything franchise fans could ask for from a gameplay perspective. The cherry on top is that the story is not only good; it is the best Bond story then Rainfall, and maybe even Casino Royale. It's more than anyone expected 007 First Light, but we'll take it.
Pragmatics
Dad Games Are All The Rage
Pragmatics had a strange development cycle after the 2020 announcement. The project was reportedly restarted and delayed indefinitely in 2023, which is never a good sign. Kudos to Capcom for sticking with it, because with the 2026 release, Pragmatics has become one of the most well-received games of the year.
You've probably heard reviewers describe Pragmatics as a “video game-ass video game”, and that's honestly pretty accurate. It's a 15-hour campaign if you plan on tracking down all the collectibles (and you should, because they're awesome), and most of your time is spent fighting crazy monsters and jumping through environments. What history there is is excellent. The surrogate relationship between Hugh and Diana is extremely heartfelt and genuine, making you root for both of them and, more importantly, for them to stick together when all is said and done.
Resident Evil Requiem
Capcom can't miss with RE
It is basically a given now that when a Resident Evil game is released, be it a remake or a new mainline entry, it will rank among the best games of the year. Capcom has a good thing going with this franchise, and it doesn't look like these stories will be slowing down anytime soon. The last post, Resident Evil Requiem, is also the latest example. It takes a few turns, sticks to some franchise staples, and feels like one of the best games in the series, just like RE Village and RE7 did before that.
Grace's story is the latest twist in the narrative here, tying together her mother's murder and the subsequent investigation of the larger Resident Evil myths in unexpected ways that harken back to the earliest games in the series. Then there is Leon, who has returned for the first time since then RE6 and looks older and tougher than ever. The balance between Grace's more survival horror and Leon's action horror segments is pitch-perfect, keeping things moving at a steady clip while maintaining a delicate balance between suspense and fun.
Saros
Buttery Smooth Movement And Shooting
Unfortunately for developer Housemarque, Saros will always be compared to its masterful third-person shooter, Return. is Saros better than Return? No, not really. is Saros still a great game with amazing battles, gorgeous visuals and an amazing tension in a story? Absolutely. It may not come to fruition this year, but this is a game that will no doubt be watched with pleasure in retrospect.
Saros Guide Hub: Bosses, Weapons, Progression and more
A complete collection of Saros guides, from beginner tips to endgame content, all in one place.
Where Saros really shines is in its movement. Return Selene kind of steers like a boat. She is quick and agile, but not exactly mobile. Arjun, meanwhile, can turn on a dime, jump large distances and sprint across vast terrain with ease. Once you get the hang of his footy nature, combat feels less like a desperate survival game and more like an action movie at 1.5x speed. Jumping through environments and wiping out strings of enemies with ease feels amazing. Although it may not pose a steep challenge, Saros offers lots of fun in return.
Father Father West
A multiplayer game that respects your time
It often feels like the goal of modern live service games is to become the only game you play, requiring dedicated hours several times a week to keep up with a shifting meta and gradual content additions. Father Father West is not so. While it's still in Early Access and will likely offer a lot more content when the 1.0 release rolls around, the game's philosophy probably won't change much. Father Father West will not require hours of your time; in fact, you can get a lot out of it in just 30 minutes.
It follows a very similar formula Helldivers 2, but without the quick deaths, long objectives, and development pain. Whether you're playing solo or with some friends, you'll unlock new weapons and spells during each session. Missions take place in open spaces where you can search every corner for side activities, or cut straight to the objective and take it out in under 10 minutes. This is to say nothing of the gameplay itself, which is a lot of fun. Cool weapons and satisfying elemental effects that can be used in creative ways are just the tip of the iceberg. Again, Father Father West is still in Early Access, and we're excited to see what it looks like when it's released in full.
MUS: PI for rent
Come for the visuals, stay for the challenge
MUS: PI for rent is an interesting case. It had a lot of hype before it was released, but when the reviews came out it got 7s and 8s instead of 9s and 10s, and the conversation seemed to die down pretty quickly. It could just be a typical post-release hiatus, or it could indicate a busy release schedule (fair enough), but one way or another, this Cuphead meets DOWNFALL The game will be fondly remembered by all who try it.
The art style and animations immediately catch the eye. Yes, they draw comparisons cuphead, but the style of both games is co-opted from classic Disney cartoons from the 1930s. It looked great when applied to a 2D platformer/shooter, but it looks even better in the chaos of a first person shooter. Weapons are suitably weird (like a gun that melts enemies or a beam that explodes their heads), and the combat is surprisingly challenging. It won't make you pull your hair out, though MUS: PI for rent is more than willing to push back, which makes it all the more satisfying when you survive a tricky boss fight.
Luna Abyss
Straight to the point, and better for it
Linear games are a dying breed. Most triple-A titles today feel the need to add complexity to virtually every aspect, from platforming to photography to narrative design. Credit to Luna Abyss, this simple FPS does things the old-fashioned way, and it's a better game for it. There's no bloat here, just a well-designed shooter that guides you from point to point, throwing in platforming challenges or combat scenarios at regular intervals to keep you on your toes.
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These battle scenarios are the highlight, channel some of them Return bullet hell madness from a first person perspective. It can feel overwhelming at first, but you'll be clearing the rooms of enemies like crazy in no time. Platfomring, meanwhile, has an interesting sci-fi twist that makes it stand out, and if you're not in the mood, there's the option to skip these challenges entirely. Then there's the visuals and atmosphere, which can be Luna Abyss' business card. This is one of the best-looking games of the generation, despite being made by a team of only nine developers. Unfortunately, that team was disbanded after the game was released, but Luna Abyss will be a lasting testament to their talent and creativity.
The Only 2026 Open-World Games That Are 10/10, No Notes (So Far)
From hidden gems to big releases, 2026 has already been a hotbed of 10/10 open world games, and we're not even halfway through the year.
