The Most Anticipated PC Games of 2026

It might not be the best time to upgrade your PC – thanks to AI – but there are still plenty of great games on the way. The even better news? Many of them won't require a monster PC to play or enjoy.

The rest of the year will bring releases we've been waiting ages to get our hands on. Expect sequels and remakes of beloved classics, potential indie standouts, and big-budget blockbusters from major studios.

From kicking chickens in Albion and exploring James Bond's origins, to driving supercars across Japan and commanding Orks and Space Marines in a grimdark future, here are our most anticipated games of 2026.

007: First Light

First Light has been building hype for years, and now that IO Interactive is finally ready to unveil its take on James Bond, it feels like we could be looking at the most exciting 007 game since GoldenEye.

Rather than leaning on an existing movie, First Light tells an original origin story, charting Bond's early days before he becomes the martini-sipping super-spy we know.

IO's pedigree with the Hitman series is immediately apparent in the game's social stealth, globe-trotting locations, and the freedom to approach objectives in multiple ways. Think less linear shooter, more sandbox spy thriller.

The tone appears to blend the grit of Casino Royale with classic Bond spectacle – luxury casinos, shadowy organizations, explosive set pieces – while still giving players the option to ghost through missions or go in guns blazing. Gadgets, disguises, and improvisation should all be key tools in your arsenal.

If IO nails the balance between cinematic storytelling and gameplay, 007: First Light could finally give PC players the modern Bond game they've been waiting for.

Replaced

Replaced has been in the works for a very long time – development started in 2018 – but now that the launch date is almost upon us, it appears the wait has been worth it.

It's hard to think of a game that blends retro-style pixel art with modern graphics as well as Replaced does – it looks spectacular, both in the gritty cyberpunk cities and the wastelands beyond. It's like Flashback and Another World for today's generation.

Replaced is set in a dystopian, alternate version of America in the 1980s, where the US dropped nukes on its own soil instead of Japan at the end of WWII. You play an artificial intelligence unwillingly trapped in a human body. Think of it as a mix of Blade Runner, The Running Man, and a big helping of Upgrade.

The 2.5D gameplay mostly involves platforming mixed with Batman: Arkham-style fighting, but there are also puzzles, mini-games, and a lot more. It also has an excellent synthwave soundtrack.

Replaced could be a sleeper hit, one that appeals to both fans of classic games and newcomers alike. If you want to try it early, there's a short demo on Steam.

Fable

I fondly remember playing the original Fable on my Xbox around twenty-odd years ago. It's been more than fifteen years since the launch of Fable III, which wasn't particularly well received, and series developer Lionhead Studios sadly closed in 2016. Can the reboot capture the old magic?

The next Fable game is being developed by UK-based Playground Games, which, since its founding in 2010, has focused exclusively on the Forza Horizon series, but that pedigree should still lend itself well to capturing the dry British humor that defined the early games.

Rather than continuing the original trilogy, this entry serves as a fresh start, preserving the franchise's tone while modernizing its systems and world design. Players can create their own custom hero whose journey begins in a quiet village before a catastrophic event sets them on a path that could reshape Albion's future.

The open world is described as fully explorable and reactive, with hundreds of enterable buildings and NPCs who remember and respond to your actions. Instead of a simple good-versus-evil meter, the reboot introduces a nuanced reputation system where different characters judge your behavior through their own perspectives. Property ownership, relationships, and life choices, including marriage and home building, also return.

Combat blends classic melee, ranged weapons, and magic disciplines, while the trademark comedy and fairy-tale absurdity remain intact – from bizarre creatures to irreverent side activities. Built using the ForzaTech engine, the new Fable aims to deliver a richly detailed Albion with modern visuals and depth.

Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 4

Good things come to those who wait, and never has that proverb been truer than with Dawn of War 4. Almost ten years after the incredibly disappointing DoW 3, the RTS set in Games Workshop's grimdark future returns – and it already looks like something special.

King Art Games appears to be steering the series back toward what fans loved most: large-scale warfare, base building, and the brutal battlefield spectacle that defined the original Dawn of War and its beloved expansions. Early footage suggests sprawling maps filled with fortified positions, armored columns, and waves of infantry.

Classic factions return, with Space Marines, Adeptus Mechanicus, Necrons, and Ork forces bringing distinct playstyles and signature units, from towering Dreadnoughts to ramshackle war machines, as well as their own unique campaigns. There are also plenty of familiar faces.

We're promised a full cover system, objectives, powerful stratagem abilities such as orbital bombardments, and plenty more that will make Warhammer 40K fans' pulse quicken.

King Art Games has plenty of expectations on its shoulders with this one. It's a lot of pressure, but early hands-on reviews have been very positive.

Phantom Blade Zero

Phantom Blade Zero has rocketed up wishlists and "most anticipated" lists since its reveal. With its September 2026 launch approaching, S-Game's kinetic action RPG is shaping up to be a potential breakout hit.

Set in a dark "kungfupunk" world that fuses wuxia martial-arts mythology, steampunk tech, and supernatural horror, the game follows Soul – an elite assassin framed for murder and given just 66 days to live – as he hunts for the truth behind a sprawling conspiracy. The rain-soaked rooftops, grotesque enemies, and stylized choreography evoke classic Hong Kong cinema filtered through Unreal Engine 5.

Combat looks blisteringly fast and technical, emphasizing parries, dodges, and fluid weapon switching rather than slow stamina-driven duels. Players can carry multiple weapons, chain combos, and deploy special abilities, with defensive timing and counters playing a crucial role in survival.

Despite its intensity, Phantom Blade Zero isn't a straight corridor brawler. Its semi-open world features interconnected regions, branching paths, and multiple endings influenced by side quests and player choices.

If it delivers on its promise, Phantom Blade Zero could do for wuxia-inspired action what Black Myth: Wukong did for mythic fantasy.

Control Resonant

It's been almost seven long years since Control was released. Since then, we've had to make do with the Alan Wake II crossovers and the disappointing FBC: Firebreak, but fans get to remember what made the first game so great later this year.

Remedy's long-awaited sequel shifts focus from Jesse Faden to her brother Dylan as reality itself begins to fracture beyond the Bureau's containment. Set in a paranaturally warped Manhattan, the story follows Dylan as he searches for Jesse while battling a cosmic force threatening to reshape the world.

Unlike the original's third-person shooter emphasis, Resonant leans into action-RPG territory, prioritizing melee combat and player-driven progression. Dylan wields the shapeshifting Aberrant weapon and uses supernatural abilities to manipulate gravity, space, and the environment in increasingly dynamic encounters.

The Oldest House gives way to larger, interconnected zones across a distorted cityscape filled with side activities, hidden encounters, and optional discoveries, reflecting Remedy's push toward greater exploration and player agency.

The Northlight engine promises a more expansive outdoor setting, enabling reality-bending architecture and physics-driven spectacle on a far grander scale.

Subnautica 2

Subnautica 2 is set on an entirely new ocean world, continuing the series' blend of exploration, base building, and environmental storytelling. Developed by Unknown Worlds, it marks the next chapter in the franchise following Below Zero.

The biggest change is scale – and company. For the first time in the series, players can explore solo or in co-op with up to four people, transforming the experience from lonely survival into shared discovery. New biomes, creatures, vehicles, and tools are planned for Early Access, alongside expanded story elements and upgrades that deepen long-term progression.

Gameplay appears to evolve beyond its predecessors with new traversal mechanics and even DNA modification, allowing players to acquire abilities that enhance survival in the depths. Built in Unreal Engine 5, the sequel aims to deliver more detailed environments and dynamic underwater ecosystems.

Development hasn't been without turbulence. The Early Access launch was delayed from 2025 to 2026 to expand content and polish the experience, but the goal remains to build the game alongside community feedback, a core pillar of the series' success.

If Unknown Worlds can preserve the original's sense of awe and dread while expanding exploration and cooperative play, Subnautica 2 could once again redefine survival adventure.

Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred

Have you drifted away from Diablo 4? April 28 might be a good time to return to Sanctuary when Lord of Hatred arrives. Promising to push the dark saga toward its climax, the sweeping add-on aims to reshape both the world and the endgame.

Serving as the second major expansion and the finale of the Age of Hatred storyline, it centers on the growing influence of Mephisto and a looming final confrontation that could determine Sanctuary's fate.

The campaign unfolds in the long-requested region of Skovos, a lore-rich land tied to the origins of Lilith and Inarius. Two new classes headline the expansion: the long-awaited return of the Paladin, bringing holy auras and frontline resilience, and the Warlock, a darker counterpart that channels forbidden magic, curses, and demonic power.

Beyond new heroes, Lord of Hatred promises a meaningful evolution. Expect endgame revisions, fresh progression systems, and new activities designed to deepen customization and keep seasonal characters engaging long after the campaign concludes.

If Blizzard delivers something more than just extra content, Lord of Hatred could mark the moment Diablo 4 fully realizes its long-term potential. It could also provide the definitive endgame experience players have been chasing since launch.

Forza Horizon 6

The Forza Horizon series has long been called the racing game that even people who hate racing games can enjoy. With the action moving to Japan, Forza Horizon 6 looks like it will steal a lot of your time in 2026.

As always, Horizon 6 aims to balance accessibility with depth. Expect an enormous car roster (more than 550 vehicles) spanning tuners, hypercars, classics, and off-road beasts, alongside robust customization and tuning systems that reward players who want to fine-tune performance as much as aesthetics.

From neon-soaked city streets and dense expressways to winding mountain passes and serene countryside bordered by cherry blossoms, Japan offers a strikingly diverse playground built for both high-speed sprints and technical drifting. Dynamic seasons and weather look set to return, potentially transforming familiar routes into entirely new challenges.

The festival structure remains central, blending special events with open-world freedom, social challenges, and online co-op. Whether you're chasing leaderboard times, building the perfect drift setup, or simply cruising scenic routes with friends, Horizon's sandbox design encourages players to create their own fun.

If Playground Games nails this one, Forza Horizon 6 could be the best the series has seen.

Crimson Desert

The biggest concern about Crimson Desert is that it looks too good to be true. After years of trailers and repeated delays, players will finally be able to find out if it really is as incredible as it looks on March 19.

First conceived as a follow-up to Black Desert Online (the MMORPG that put Pearl Abyss on the map), the project eventually evolved into a standalone single-player open-world RPG.

Set on the war-torn continent of Pywel, the game follows mercenary captain Kliff and his Greymane comrades as shifting alliances, political intrigue, and all-out warfare threaten to tear the land apart.

Pearl Abyss's proprietary BlackSpace engine powers a world dense with detail, from windswept mountain ranges and bustling medieval cities to chaotic large-scale battles that unfold with cinematic intensity.

Combat appears weighty, blending grounded melee clashes with wrestling-style grapples, environmental interactions, and physics-driven chaos. Trailers have shown everything from one-on-one duels to full battlefield skirmishes, alongside horseback combat, siege weapons, destructive encounters with towering bosses, and even mechanical-dragon riding.

Beyond the spectacle, Crimson Desert promises a seamless open world packed with side activities, exploration, and encounters.

If Pearl Abyss delivers on even half of what it has shown, Crimson Desert could be one of the most technically impressive and ambitious RPGs in years.

Slay the Spire 2

The greatest roguelike deckbuilder of all time is getting a long-awaited sequel. Slay the Spire 2 arrives this March in Early Access, tasking players to once again climb the spire.

Expect the same addictive loop of building a deck on the fly, battling strange enemies, and making high-stakes choices at branching map nodes. But this time we get new characters, mechanics, and a completely rebuilt engine designed to support deeper systems and long-term updates. Those who don't like playing solo should appreciate the new four-player co-op option, too.

Combat remains turn-based and deceptively simple: play cards using limited energy, chain synergies, buy new items, and exploit enemy patterns. The magic lies in discovering powerful combos and adapting when a run refuses to cooperate.

New card types, relic interactions, and status effects promise fresh strategic wrinkles, while redesigned enemies aim to push players to their limits.

Visually, the sequel retains the hand-drawn aesthetic of the original while introducing smoother animation and more expressive effects, giving battles greater clarity without sacrificing the series' distinctive look.

With the original still considered the gold standard of deckbuilding roguelikes, Slay the Spire 2 has enormous expectations resting on its shoulders. But if Early Access delivers the same "just one more run" compulsion, it could be one of this year's biggest hits.

Gears of War: E-Day

Few moments in gaming lore are as well-known as Emergence Day, and Gears of War: E-Day takes players back to the horrific beginning of humanity's war against the Locust. Serving as a prequel set 14 years before the original Gears of War, the game follows a younger Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago as Sera's cities collapse in real time beneath a sudden subterranean invasion.

Built in Unreal Engine 5, E-Day looks to push Gears of War's beautiful looks to a new level. Crumbling skyscrapers, collapsing streets, and swarming Locust forces promise to create a sense of overwhelming scale.

Combat is said to retain the cover-based action the series defined, with weighty weapons, close-quarters executions, and squad-based tactics remaining central. Ultimately, Gears of War: E-Day has the potential to be much more than pure nostalgia.

Star Wars: Zero Company

If the thought of XCOM based in the Star Wars universe makes your lightsaber extend, then Star Wars: Zero Company should be at the top of your watch list for 2026.

This turn-based tactics game puts players in command of an elite squad operating in the twilight of the Clone Wars, where precision planning and battlefield positioning matter far more than raw firepower.

Rather than following Jedi heroes, Zero Company focuses on boots-on-the-ground operations, highlighting the grit and danger faced by soldiers navigating a galaxy at war.

Missions appear to emphasize squad composition, cover mechanics, and calculated risk, with overwatch traps, flanking maneuvers, and environmental destruction shaping the flow of combat.

Like XCOM, players manage their team, develop their base of operations, upgrade gear, and create specialized roles between assignments, creating a sense of ownership over soldiers who may be lost permanently if a mission goes wrong. XCOM veterans can expect to experience PTSD when a favorite team member is wiped out.

The Star Wars setting adds an extra layer of excitement: droids, heavy troopers, and alien environments introduce new battlefield tactics, while iconic tech – including blasters, lightsabers, and thermal detonators – provides familiar tools with strategic twists.

For those of us who count our time playing the XCOM games in the hundreds of hours, Star Wars: Zero Company could be a 2026 favorite.

Gothic 1 Remake

Few RPGs inspire the kind of cult devotion that Gothic does, and after more than two decades, players are finally returning to The Colony in a full modern remake.

Developed by Alkimia Interactive and published by THQ Nordic, Gothic 1 Remake rebuilds the 2001 classic from the ground up while aiming to preserve the gritty atmosphere and unforgiving design that made it legendary.

Set in the Valley of the Mines, the story once again casts you as the nameless prisoner thrown into a brutal penal colony where power is dictated by rival camps and survival depends on choosing allegiances carefully.

The world is designed as an organic open environment that reacts dynamically to player actions, with NPCs following daily routines and factions responding to your decisions.

While faithful to the original's structure, the remake introduces modern combat, expanded crafting and armor systems, and deeper quest design intended to flesh out areas that felt underdeveloped in the 2001 release. Built in Unreal Engine 5, it also delivers a sweeping visual overhaul while retaining the harsh, grounded tone that defined the series.

More than a simple nostalgia play, Gothic 1 Remake aims to refine a flawed classic into the experience its original ambition promised. If it succeeds, the game could reintroduce one of Europe's most influential RPGs to a new generation and remind veterans why its harsh world left such a lasting mark.

Honorable Mentions

GTA VI

The most anticipated game of the decade, the next Grand Theft Auto, would be the first name on this 2026 list... only if Take-Two had confirmed its release on PC this fall. But we don't know when the game will hit our favorite platform, and based on Rockstar's previous titles, it's unlikely to be this year. It's anyone's guess when a PC version will get here. Still, here's hoping for a surprise.

Resident Evil Requiem

Resident Evil Requiem appears in this section because it's only days away from launch, which means all the reviews (and leaks) will likely be out by now. The latest entry looks as terrifying and brilliant as earlier installments, so get that extra pair of pants ready.