Another year, another set of games to look forward to, from racing and strategy, to shooter and open-world, there is something for everyone. Whether or not high-profile releases slip into 2027 remains to be seen, yet my wish list is already full of promising titles that I can’t wait to try. Today, let me share with you those I am most excited about, which include some well-known names and some newcomers that have caught my attention.
Before I get started, let’s get the elephant out the room: GTA VI isn’t on my list. That isn’t to say I don’t want to play it – I’m as eager as the next gamer – but it’s so highly anticipated it’s bordering on stating-the-obvious territory, hence its omission. With that out of the way, let’s dig in, and don’t forget to share your suggestions with us all on social media; I’m always on the lookout for hidden gems I might have missed.
007 First Light
Release date: May 27, 2026
Developer: IO Interactive
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series S/X
The 007 series is finally coming back after a 13-year absence with a fresh start free from any movie or previous game attachments. This time, we get to play as a young James Bond who has not yet earned his 007 stripes. It will be a nice change from the highly-experienced Bond, who let’s face it, always feels overpowered compared to his enemies.
Since the game is being developed by IO Interactive, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some gameplay elements borrowed from Hitman. I just hope IO won’t go full-on with that, as it could make the game stale. A James Bond title needs planned action sequences to grasp the franchise feel, as fighting and infiltration are just a part of the ensemble. Parts that I have no doubt IO will excel at.
The trailer showed a varied gameplay including guard distraction, gunfights, hand combat and car pursuit. As long as there is a goodly amount of these, things should be fine. You can also expect multiple ways to finish your task, giving you more freedom and making you feel part of the game’s universe. While I don’t expect it to be as revolutionary as Goldeneye, I have great hopes for this reboot.
Control Resonant
Release date: 2026
Developer: Remedy Entertainment
Platforms: macOS, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series S/X
I had a great time playing through Control, so much so that this sequel had me intrigued prior to the trailer landing. The original game’s weird and unsettling atmosphere was top-notch, providing a lot of intense moments that I crave more of.
Resonant seems keen to follow the same formula, offering a lot of mysteries to solve while ploughing your way through waves of dangerous enemies. That said, I must say that the focus on close combat makes me a bit worried. From what I could glean from the trailer and developer talk, Resonant will ditch firearms for melee weapons that transform on demand into a hard-hitting sledgehammer, sharp dual blades, and more. On the other hand, it gives me Prototype vibes, a game I also throughly enjoyed. What is sure is that the developer isn’t afraid of trying new things, which is respectable.
The game will seemingly be open-end, taking place in a paranaturally-ravaged Manhattan. Players will be able to explore different zones across the city, each hiding missions, events, and enemy encounters. The universe is built to be replayable with curiosities to find and strange places to discover. Most importantly, the game will keep its signature approach to exploration, where you can either rely on manipulating your surroundings or go full-on brute force.
I love Remedy’s storytelling and the links it makes with other franchises like Alan Wake, so I can’t wait to see what references are hiding here. While we don’t have a precise release date, looking at previous Remedy releases, an August to October time frame seems plausible.
Forza Horizon 6
Release date: 2026
Developer: Playground Games
Platforms: Windows, Xbox Series S/X, PlayStation 5
Having visited the USA, France, Italy, Australia, UK, and Mexico, it’s finally Japan’s turn to host Forza Horizon. Considering the number of car-related games and movies taking place in Japan, I am surprised it took this long to have a Forza Horizon taking place in the land of the rising sun.
In addition to plenty of iconic Japanese locations such as Mount Fuji and Tokyo’s urban area, the map is expected to be the largest ever in the Horizon series. We will likely also get a good dose of Japanese highways and villages with seasonal changes that further vary the atmosphere and colour palette.
Gameplay-wise, we can expect the same semi-arcade driving style, offering realistic-enough car handling without becoming too strict, enabling players to relax and have fun. The EventLab should also be available for those who like to create custom races and challenges, providing plenty of replayability. Seeing the cultural reach of car tuning in Japan, I also hope car customisation will be highly detailed, perhaps to the level of Need for Speed Underground 2. Hey, don’t judge me, I have the right to dream.
Developer Playground Games is set to reveal more information during the Xbox Developer_Direct event slated for January 26, where we can expect a gameplay showcase and a release date. While Horizon games generally launch near the end of the year, typically October or November, rumours claim that the game may launch sooner to avoid clashing with GTA VI. Either way, it will be available day one on Game Pass.
Frostliner
Release date: 2026
Developer: Nathan Gane
Platforms: Windows
If you watched Snowpiercer and were like, I could have managed the train better than Mr Wilford, well, now is your chance. Frostliner is a survival city‑builder – or train-builder in this case – where you manage resources and survive in a post‑apocalyptic world. As you may have guessed from my Snowpiercer reference, Earth was plunged into a deep freeze after a catastrophic event, forcing humanity to take refuge inside a constantly moving train.
As the person in control, you will have to find and manage resources, build and expand the train, and find new survivors, all while defending against external threats. I hope the game will incorporate some hard decisions like Frostpunk that force you to make unpleasant choices. The game will need a sense of urgency and risk to make it interesting.
Pragmata
Release date: April 24, 2026
Developer: Capcom
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series S/X
After years of waiting and delays, Capcom has finally settled on a release date for Pragmata, scheduled for April 24. This sci‑fi action‑adventure IP takes place in a future where you find yourself stranded on a moon base after an accident, looking for a way to get back to Earth. It reminds me of Dead Space and Prey, but with robot enemies instead of grotesque organic monsters.
Together with your robot assistant, Diana, who’s the little girl on your back, you fight your way through an AI-controlled base that apparently doesn’t appreciate your presence. The gameplay is quite novel, encouraging you to use Diana’s hacking abilities to disable enemy robot shields before engaging in combat. And to do this, you will need to complete mini puzzles while avoiding pesky robot attacks.
The game is already available for preorder on Steam, hinting that there won’t be any more delays. With no Dead Space or Prey sequels in the making, I hope Pragmata will scratch that itch.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer
Release date: 2026
Developer: Fuse Games
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series S/X
I still fondly remember my time playing Wipeout 2097 on PS1 and watching the Oban Star-Racers animated series. So, when I saw a modern take on this genre with the potential of reviving those memories, in the Star Wars universe no less, I was completely hooked. It’s also filling a gap in my gaming portfolio since I never had the chance to play Star Wars: Episode I Racer – a game the older folk at Club386 tell me was fantastic for its time.
Though the developer behind Galactic Racer is a new studio, Fuse Games has some veteran talents who worked on the Burnout and Need for Speed franchises. While not a certification of perfection, their experience is a solid foundation to work from.
The game is set to offer different classes of vehicles, from Landspeeders to Skim Speeders, each with different strengths and weaknesses that must be mastered to win. Looking at the trailer, there seems to be a lot of variety of tracks too, ranging from snowy trails on icy planets to barren deserts and toxic wastelands. And it won’t be just racing for the sake of it; the game will have a story to follow and alliances to build throughout your journey. Here’s hoping the online multiplayer is well-balanced for the game to survive long-term.
Wanderburg
Release date: 2026
Developer: Randwerk
Platform: Windows
Wanderburg is a roguelike game from Randwerk, where you control armed castles on wheels. It reminds me of the movie Mortal Engines, but in a brighter tone. If that doesn’t make you want to try it, well, its charming graphics may do the trick. The simplistic, artsy effects and models are just perfect for such a game, conveying the fun that awaits you.
Wanderburg is like a reverse tower-defence game meeting Agar.io. You destroy, collect, and consume resources to evolve your motorised castle, before looking for bigger fish to smash and consume. You won’t need a degree in physics to play this game, though some sense of cannon ballistics will doubtless be handy. A simple yet addictive gameplay loop that will keep you coming back.
I also don’t expect it to be expensive, so I may be able to buy it between two big titles. What is sure is that it’s a breath of fresh air from the hyper-realistic graphics many games are going for lately.
And that’s a wrap. I hope you’ve discovered a least one title to add to your wish list, and fingers crossed we see all of these, plus GTA VI, before the year is out.
