5 Best Video Games Of 2026 (So Far)

2026 has already been a particularly impressive year for new video games. With a mix of great titles from indie developers and major studios alike, we've seen a solid selection of excellent games published this year. From survival horrors to quirky first-person shooters, there's been something for everyone throughout the year.

With so many phenomenal games released already this year, we're highlighting our standout favorites from an increasingly crowded field. Some of the most anticipated games of 2026 have lived up to the early buzz, while others are on the horizon, ready to give them some stiff competition. These are the five best video games of 2026 so far.

"Resident Evil," which gamers voted the scariest horror game franchise back in 2021, received a new entry in February 2026: "Resident Evil Requiem." The title introduces new protagonist Grace Ashcroft, a young FBI analyst who investigates a case linked to her own mother's murder. This places her in the middle of a resurgent zombie threat unleashed from the lingering legacy of Raccoon City's downfall nearly 30 years prior. Helping Grace survive is veteran government agent Leon S. Kennedy, who is suffering from a terminal condition stemming from his own time in Raccoon City.

With its dual protagonists, "Resident Evil Requiem" blends two distinctly different approaches that the franchise has become known for. Grace's sections provide more conventional survival horror gameplay, favoring resource management and evasion, while Leon's sections are considerably more action-oriented. Reviewers responded favorably to this juxtaposition, with 95% of critics recommending the game per Open Critic. As fans of the franchise know, "Resident Evil" has undergone a stunning transformation over the years, and "Resident Evil Requiem" proves there's still plenty of life in Capcom's venerable series.

Capcom had another trick up its sleeve early in 2026 with the sci-fi action title "Pragmata." Released in April, the game is set in a near-future where humanity has established an extensive mining facility on the Moon. The protagonist, Hugh Williams, investigates what has happened to the facility when contact with Earth is severed, only to find its robotic workforce having turned hostile. Helping Hugh restore contact with Earth and alert them of the danger is an android girl named Diana, who hacks into enemies to expose their weaknesses in battle.

Development on "Pragmata" was stalled for years, but, fortunately, Capcom didn't give up on the title and turned it into a dark horse favorite for the year. The game's combination of third-person shooter action and fast-paced puzzle-solving through Diana's hacking makes for consistently engaging gameplay. On Open Critic, "Pragmata" has a perfect 100 player rating and is recommended by 96% of critics. "It's a beautifully made, heartfelt single player adventure with a novel combat idea, and it prioritises storytelling and atmosphere," said The Guardian.

Noir-driven first-person shooters get a period-appropriate cartoonish twist with the indie game "Mouse: P.I. for Hire," which is set in a black-and-white cartoon world in the 1930s. The protagonist is anthropomorphic mouse private investigator Jack Pepper. After taking on a seemingly routine missing persons case, Jack finds himself uncovering a conspiracy involving the fate of Mouseburg. Armed with a plethora of wacky weapons, Jack fights to save the city and topple the corrupt schemers.

Even just from an art design standpoint, there's nothing quite like "Mouse: P.I. for Hire" on the market. While the key appeal is the throwback environment, violently subverted by the action, the first-person gunplay is richly implemented. 87% of critics recommend" "Mouse: P.I. for Hire" per Open Critics, with the game receiving near-perfect ratings from Nintendo Life and Eurogamer. "Part chaotic retro shooter, part stylish cartoon noir, Mouse P.I. for Hire goes beyond its stellar artistry to deliver an invigorating, imaginative hard-boiled romp," Eurogamer said.

2021's "Returnal" is a sci-fi game that deserved more love. Developer Housemarque followed it up with "Saros," which dropped in April 2026. The game has protagonist Arjun Devraj investigating a mining colony on a faraway planet. Exploring the ancient ruins around the planet, he fights hostile wildlife and abandoned technology as he delves deeper into the mystery around the colony. As he does, Arjun unlocks memories from his own personal history, which is tied to what happened on the planet.

With "Saros," Housemarque provides another immersive bullet hell experience, with players absorbing and evading color-coded energy attacks to power up and survive. These gameplay qualities really excel in the game's boss fights, which feel like showstoppers punctuating the experience. 91% of critics recommend "Saros" per Open Critic, with the vast majority of reviewers raving about it. "'Saros' builds and improves upon its spiritual predecessor in spectacular fashion, seducing you every step of the way with an enthralling marriage of mechanics and story that's not to be missed," GameSpot said in its write-up.

Developed by Beethoven & Dinosaur and published by Annapurna Interactive, 2026's "Mixtape" is one of the most beautiful indie games of recent memory. Set in a small North California town during the '90s, the game follows three friends on their final day together as they graduate from high school. Curating a pitch-perfect mixtape of contemporary music, the trio get into one last burst of teenage mischief around town. Along the way, they reevaluate and reaffirm their friendship as they embrace the reckless abandon of youth.

True to its title, the music in "Mixtape" is an integral part of the experience, offering a cozy small-town adventure where the stakes are informed by the many curveballs of growing up. The game is a sort of lo-fi, slice-of-life adventure, with conversation and skateboarding-driven gameplay moments that evoke more of a feeling to live in and enjoy. 91% of critics recommend the game per Open Critic, with "Mixtape" scoring plenty of plaudits. "A musical delight from start to finish, 'Mixtape' sets a new standard for coming-of-age stories in video games and does so with a masterful sense of style," said IGN in its 10/10 review.