The gaming industry is poised for a monumental year. After a packed schedule in 2025, developers are doubling down with some of the most ambitious projects in history. From the return of legendary RPGs to the expansion of open-world titans, the anticipated games of 2026 are set to break records.
Here is our curated list of the 10 biggest titles expected to dominate the charts this year.
1. The Witcher 4 (Project Polaris)
CD Projekt Red is officially returning to the Continent. Codenamed Polaris, this title kicks off a new saga in The Witcher universe. Unlike previous entries which focused on Geralt of Rivia, this game is expected to introduce a new school of Witchers. Built on Unreal Engine 5, it promises to be a visual benchmark for the year.
2. Grand Theft Auto VI (PC Edition)
While console players have likely already explored Vice City, 2026 is the year PC gamers finally join the party. Rockstar Games typically delays their PC ports by a year or more, making this one of the most significant releases of 2026. Expect enhanced ray tracing, uncapped frame rates, and the inevitable explosion of the modding community.
3. The Elder Scrolls VI
It has been nearly 15 years since Skyrim changed the RPG landscape. Bethesda Game Studios is finally ready to unveil the next chapter in Tamriel. While details remain scarce, the game is expected to take players to the regions of Hammerfell or High Rock, featuring a massive simulation-driven world.
4. Mass Effect 5
BioWare is taking us back to the stars. The next Mass Effect will reportedly unite the narratives of the original trilogy and Andromeda. Teasers have shown an older Liara T’Soni, suggesting a return to the Milky Way galaxy. Fans are desperate to see how the studio handles the legacy of Commander Shepard in this next-gen space opera.
5. Project 007
IO Interactive, the studio behind the Hitman trilogy, is tackling the world’s most famous spy. Project 007 will feature a completely original James Bond story, exploring the origins of the agent. Given the studio’s mastery of sandbox stealth and social engineering mechanics, this is easily one of the most exciting action games of 2026.
6. Control 2
Remedy Entertainment is expanding the Weird Place. The sequel to the 2019 cult hit Control will dive deeper into the Federal Bureau of Control and its battle against the Hiss. With a bigger budget and the new Northlight engine, this game aims to blend third-person shooting with mind-bending supernatural horror.
7. Kingdom Hearts IV
Square Enix shocked the world with the reveal of the “Lost Master Arc.” Sora returns in a setting that looks strikingly similar to the real world, specifically Shibuya, Tokyo. The shift to a more realistic art style marks a bold new direction for the franchise, promising evolved combat and less reliance on Disney retreads.
8. Star Wars Eclipse
Set during the High Republic era, Star Wars Eclipse is Quantic Dream’s most ambitious project yet. Known for their narrative-driven games like Detroit: Become Human, the studio is now incorporating action gameplay into their branching storytelling. This game will explore a golden age of the Jedi that has rarely been seen in video games.
9. Marvel’s Wolverine
Insomniac Games has proven they understand Marvel heroes with Spider-Man. Now, they are bringing their talent to the X-Men. Marvel’s Wolverine is expected to be a mature, gritty game that does not shy away from the character’s brutal nature. It shares a universe with the Spider-Man games, potentially setting up future crossovers.
10. BioShock 4
Cloud Chamber Studios has been quietly working on the next installment of the BioShock series. Rumors suggest an open-world setting in a fictional Antarctic city during the 1960s. If true, this frozen dystopian backdrop would provide a perfect contrast to the underwater Rapture and the aerial Columbia.