2026 is almost halfway done, and now is as good a time as any to start thinking about which game is going to take the coveted Game of the Year award in December. In just a few short months, the gaming world has become incredibly stacked in just about every genre imaginable, with unreal sequels, spin-offs, and new IPs all sprinting towards the finish line to claim the prize for themselves.
Picking a winner at this point is pretty difficult, especially given how many more games are coming out between now and the award season, but what is clear is that the top spot is going to be anything but a cakewalk for everyone involved. No matter if players are fans of horror, action, farming, or something else entirely, they can’t deny that 2026 is already one of the best years for gaming and a true testament to how passion and talent really do lead to exceptional experiences.
Pragmata
A Story For The Ages
Details:
- Emotional, character-driven narrative
- Unique puzzle-like combat
Pragmata is emotional, funny, and incredibly satisfying to play, covering all bases in one fell swoop, whilst doing so as a completely original IP. The story follows two very different characters, one a human from Earth, and the other a childish android that knows nothing about the world, but despite everything, they form an unlikely bond that only becomes stronger as the game progresses.
When it comes to the gameplay, rather than following the typical third-person formula, the game presents players with a sort of hacking mini-game that allows them to pick apart their enemies from the inside using a variety of different node abilities. Both aspects combined means than players are physically and emotionally engaged from start to finish, and as far as single-player story games go, this is easily one of the best released in a very long time.
Resident Evil Requiem
The King Of Survival Horror
Details:
- Incredible dual story
- Stellar map design and layout
RE9 somehow manages to perfect the survival horror formula even more than its predecessors, bringing back so many iconic characters, locations, and enemies to deliver an experience that stands among the best in the franchise. This time around, the dual narrative centers on Grace Ashcroft and Leon Kennedy, as the two cross paths and work together to uncover the truth behind a strange series of deaths that they suspect is related to Raccoon City.
Taking many notes from the modern entries and remakes, the game has continued the trend of blending action and horror into one, having segments that heavily focus on scares, and others where Leon gets to show why he is the king of the zombie genre. It’s a load of fun and has everything a fan of the series could ever want, whilst also serving as a great entry point for anyone who is yet to delve into the greatness that is Resident Evil.
Crimson Desert
Extending The Open-World Genre Further
Details:
- Breathtaking landscape
- Unreal depth in mechanics
The open-world space is hotly contested by some pretty unreal games, so when a newcomer arrives that can stand toe-to-toe, it is beyond impressive. When Crimson Desert was shown for the first time, it was clear players were in for something special, and now that it is here, the scale, variety, detail, and depth are all just about as good as everyone expected.
Kliff’s story across the factions is captivating and strong enough to hold the player’s attention for dozens of hours, but the main draw comes from the sheer amount of content available in the game. Players get to ride dragons, farm crops, scale bosses, and complete virtually any task and activity they could think of, setting the bar even higher for future single-player games to follow.
Saros
Pushing Those Mechanical Limits
Details:
- Fast-paced third-person shooting
- Bullet-hell bossfights and enemy encounters
In a lot of ways, it feels like Returnal walked so Saros could fly, as the two games share so many similarities, yet the latter goes even further to deliver a challenging and rewarding shooter experience unlike any other. The gameplay loop takes notes from roguelikes and bullet-hells, but the perspective makes the action hit a lot harder and ensures every moment feels far more intense than traditional games in the genre.
The world design does a lot of the heavy-lifting here, having a mysterious yet alluring aesthetic that keeps players guessing long into the story. It’s no wonder critics are already hailing it as a crowning achievement for the studio, and in terms of the wider industry, it could definitely make some waves during this year’s awards season.
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