What game will you play next in 2026?

If you're one of those rare gamers who have somehow managed to get through their 2026 backlog and are looking for something new or trendy to play, there are some games that are perfect to get into right now. Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon recently received a major update in early March. Cozy Grove is about to go free on Epic Games on March 12th. And if you're a Pokemon fan still looking for a Switch 2, Pokopia might just be the reason you ditch your old Switch.

These three and so many more are worth getting into in 2026. There's a solid mix of different genres here, whether you're more into action-packed FPS games or want to add a brand new horror title to your collection.

We only consider games that are already out, so you can jump right into these titles without having to wait.

Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon

The March update brings polish to an overlooked RPG

Starting, for anyone looking for a new one Skyrim or medieval fantasy RPGs to sink your teeth into, Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon is one to try. There are some decent options like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2which provides a grounded, unimaginative experience, and Avowedif you like the modern Obsidian Entertainment formula. If none of these tickle your fancy, this might be the next thing to turn to The Elder Scrolls 6or even Outward 2 if you are not afraid of a little challenge.

The world is more gothic and a little darker thematically than anything like this Skyrimtakes a page out of the Arthurian legends in its story and lore. You have a whole open-world environment to explore, and the latest update added some much-needed substance to its endgame, which was criticized for not having enough meat on its bones. One thing to keep in mind is that the combat borders on Soulslike, so you won't be mindlessly hacking and slashing your way through everything in Tainted Grail. Get ready to be challenged, for better or for worse.

inZOI

KRAFTON's life swim has come a long way

We are about to complete the one year anniversary inZOIsince its Early Access release in March 2025. At the time, the gameplay was barebones, although the world and character models looked really good. Since then, the team working on it at KRAFTON have really put a lot of work and love into the game, and it definitely shows. An entire free expansion was added, which threw in a new place to live, swimming in the ocean, and tons of activities and cosmetics.

As an Early Access project, inZOI is constantly evolving, but if you jumped in a year ago and were let down, I highly and strongly recommend giving the game another shot now. Personally, I was really struck by how much more depth has been added, and how much better the UI feels right now. Clearly, there is still work to be done, however inZOI already provides a pretty solid life simulation experience for players hungry for something more in 2026.

Pokemon Pokopia

Pokemon meets life simulation in a cool spin-off title

If you are only slightly familiar with Pokémon or a longtime fan of the franchise, Pokemon Pokopia is the hot new spin-off you should sink your teeth into — if you can afford the Switch 2 price tag. It's the game that seems to have many people making the leap to the new handheld, as it sheds the charm of Pokemon games and the addictive gameplay of life sims that Animal Crossing in a blender. What comes out is surprisingly good, and undeniably cozy, as you take part in all the classic life-sim activities of farming, crafting and building your perfect little nook after taking on the role of a humanized Ditto and collecting friendly Pokémon for you.

That's right, you're technically a Pokemon too, and the point of the game, for once, isn't to catch and battle other trainers and wild Pokemon. Honestly, it makes me want to jump for the Switch 2, and it's a genre combination I personally never thought I'd see Pokémon franchise does with such impressive success. If you're more of a cozy and relaxed gamer, or if you just can't pass up a new one Pokémon game ever, Pokopia should be your next stop.

Slay The Spire 2

Highly addictive Deckbuilding Roguelike returns

Kill the Sprout was already a phenomenon when it came out, and its second part, Slay the Spire 2delivers something even bigger already in its Early Access phase. If you don't mind backing a game early, definitely give this one a try, especially if you're a hardcore fan of all deck building games and roguelikes.

The premise of the game, if you're new, is deceptively simple: your job is to climb a spire full of enemies, all of whom run differently and unpredictable, while building a deck and various consumables against your foes. This means you really have to be ready to adapt to any challenge at every turn. Good news, though: you can jump into the game with up to three other players in co-op, for a maximum of four players total. So choose a character, start your ascent and get ready to go over and over again. Chances are you'll be addicted to the game loop after the first run alone.

Marathon

It's been ages since Bungie released a brand new game on the market and mostly leaned on it Fate content franchise. However, Marathon marks the studio's return to a more “pure” FPS experience in a grueling and highly competitive extraction game. If you are a fan of games that Escape from Tarkov and ARC Raidersthis will definitely scratch the right itch. Marathon you have taken on the role of a runner on Tau Ceti IV, picking the planet for resources and loot while completing quests for various factions, as well as challenges. You can jump in as a trio or solo as a Rook.

Just be careful, Tau Ceti IV's maps not only pit other players against you, but also PVE enemies that can absolutely destroy your crew if you don't play it safe. There are currently seven runner skins, including the lone Rook, each with their own abilities. Whether you prefer to play the tanky Destroyer or the more support-oriented Triage, you have plenty of builds and playstyles to experiment with. Just don't get too precious about your loot, because this game is brutal, and if you die before extraction, you'll be sent packing to the title screen. It's the perfect next game for players who want a high-stakes, competitive first-person shooter experience a la Bungie.

Reborn animal

A unique horror game that is best experienced in Co-op

Maybe it's not just you looking for the next game to play, but you and your friend or someone else. In that case, Reborn animal is an amazing co-op game recently released that puts you in the role of a brother and a sister on a mission to rescue their friend from a familiar island. But things aren't quite as they remember, and you're both forced to navigate a completely twisted new environment full of dangers, puzzles, and sometimes nail-bitingly tough platformers that encourage you to work perfectly together.

If you liked games like SplitFiction, a way outor It takes two, Reborn animal is a natural next step, but keep in mind that it leans more towards a dark horror atmosphere. You have to avoid ghostly enemies and stay stealthy, as well as help each other out when things are about to get boring. The atmosphere is tense in a way Little nightmares games are, so if you enjoyed those, you'll find a lot of mileage out of this one, too.

Cozy Grove

Help the spirits of the island in this cozy game

Cozy Grove is another perfect relaxing game for anyone looking to unwind and indulge in some casual gaming. It's been out for a long time, but the reason to get into it now is because of the good news: starting March 12th, 2026, it will be available as an Epic Games free-to-play game, so be sure to go get it if you can. The game takes place on an island where your job is to help the local spirits while doing everything cozy, like decorating, gardening, fishing, gathering resources or just exploring the world and finding all its secrets.

A big draw this title has is its art style, something many players will fall in love with. Think Do not starve togetherbut without the grueling survival elements and terrifying world. If you're limited on time and prefer to play games that keep your cortisol levels under control, definitely check this out.

Resident Evil Requiem

The iconic Survival Horror Franchise makes an epic return

A terrified FBI agent ill-suited to field work and a veteran worker who pulls trashy dad jokes wander into the same game, and the result is Capcom's latest take on its survival horror series. Resident Evil Requiem provides plenty for hardcore fans to sink their teeth into, with a new protagonist to experience the game's spookier sections, and a returning fan-favorite, Leon, who's got some new kicks in his arsenal. It's the first time for the franchise to be able to blend these two different experiences into one cohesive story.

The game recommends playing it in first person as Grace and third person as Leon, but you can switch between these modes freely for both depending on your preference. Requiem starts with a bang and then takes you deep into the ruins of Raccoon City for some interesting flashbacks and new revelations. It has an excellent balance between the high-octane action you get to experience with Leon and his impressive arsenal of weapons, and spooky stealth sections you need to get through as Grace with a greatly reduced inventory size. Anyone with a taste for horror should give this one a try.