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Which 2026 games can already be called the best? Those that pulled us into new worlds and kept us hooked until the final credits. The year is just gaining momentum, but we’ve already seen a few real gems.
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Old favourites like Assassin’s Creed and Yakuza have returned with fresh ideas, while bold newcomers (yes, that French indie hit!) have stormed the charts. And this is only the beginning — more big releases are still ahead.
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We’re sharing our impressions now, in May, so you know what’s worth your time before the next wave of games arrives. All titles on the list earned high praise from critics and players. We’ve ranked them by Metacritic score — from simply good to truly unforgettable. Looking for a specific genre? Don’t miss our picks for the best JRPGs and simulators.
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10. Dynasty Warriors Origins
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- Metacritic: 79 (critics), 8.1 (users)
- Developer: Omega Force
- Release date: 17 January 2026
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series, Xbox One
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After a mixed ninth installment, Origins is a breath of fresh air for Dynasty Warriors fans. The series has triumphantly returned to its roots — epic ‘one against a thousand’ battles — but has managed to avoid falling into self-plagiarism. Instead of a kaleidoscope of heroes, we have a single protagonist, Ziluan, and his personal drama set against the backdrop of the classic Three Kingdoms.
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His ability to read the ‘winds of battle’ makes him almost a demigod on the battlefield, forcing you to decide on the fly which of the three kingdoms to give your power to.
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The combat, which mixes light and heavy attacks, has become even more responsive and tactile thanks to juicy counterattacks, and the scale of the battlefields with their thunderous cavalry is simply breathtaking. Origins didn’t just revive the franchise, it breathed new life into it, focusing on pure action and an engaging storyline.
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9. Assassin’s Creed Shadows
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- Metacritic: 81 (critics), 6.3 (users)
- Developer: Ubisoft Quebec
- Release date: 20 March 2026
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series
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Shadows continues the line of large-scale open-world RPGs à la Valhalla, but for some reason feels closer to the first games in the series, transporting us to an incredibly beautiful and detailed feudal Japan. The game centres around two heroes: the shinobi Naoe and the brutal samurai Yasuke.
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This allows you to complete missions either stealthily or by charging in with your katana at the ready. The developers are particularly proud of how Naoe hides in the grass and uses his surroundings — this is almost revolutionary for the series (no kidding!), and the Japanese castles are real labyrinths where you can get lost and find a couple of new quests.
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And while the plot could have delved deeper into both characters, the scope and atmosphere of ancient Japan make Assassin’s Creed Shadows a game not to be missed.
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8. Avowed
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- Metacritic: 81 (critics), 6.9 (users)
- Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
- Release date: 13 February 2026
- Platforms: Xbox Series, PC
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Obsidian Entertainment has rolled out one of this year’s biggest Xbox exclusives, the first-person fantasy RPG Avowed, set in the Pillars of Eternity universe.
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We are a godlike emissary tasked with dealing with a mysterious plague, the ‘Sleep Curse,’ that is ravaging the people of the Living Lands. Avowed is classic Obsidian: a compelling storyline, a well-written world, and a focus on exploration. Every corner holds secrets and rewards, and side quests have a serious impact on the story.
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The combat is flexible and suits any playstyle. Yes, there are some minor issues with the companions and the plot, but it’s still a deep and addictive RPG that you can get stuck in for dozens of hours.
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7. Two Point Museum
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- Metacritic: 84 (critics), 8.1 (users)
- Developer: Two Point Studios
- Release date: 27 February 2026
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series, PC
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The latest release from Two Point Studios, Museum has already been hailed by many as the best game in the series, and for good reason. You’ll be running museums (or creating your dream exhibition in a ‘sandbox’), sending experts on dangerous expeditions for artefacts and, of course, earning millions.
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The game is filled with trademark humour, irony and puns, while new features such as expeditions with unpredictable (and sometimes fatal for employees) consequences, building aquariums or haunted rooms add to the excitement. If you love simulators and the idea of seeing a floppy disk in a prehistoric exhibition makes you laugh, Two Point Museum is just for you.
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6. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
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- Metacritic: 86 (critics), 7.4 (users)
- Developer: Jump Over the Age
- Release date: 20 March 2026
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch
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The sequel to the acclaimed Citizen Sleeper throws us back into a dark cyberpunk world where corporations own even our bodies (if they’re synthetic, of course).
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But now the scale is much more serious: instead of a single space station, there is an entire star system to explore. This fits perfectly with the board game-inspired mechanics and provides enormous scope for storytelling. It’s difficult to catch the same lightning bolt twice, and the magic of the first game has faded a little, but Starward Vector is a worthy sequel.
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Survival has become a little easier, but the new system of ‘breaking’ cubes adds tension at key moments. There is no Russian language support yet, but fans are already working on a translation, and overall the game is definitely worth spending some time with a dictionary.
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5. Monster Hunter Wilds
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- Metacritic: 88 (critics), 7.2 (users)
- Developer: Capcom
- Release date: 28 February 2026
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series
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Monster Hunter Wilds resolutely shakes off the routine, focusing on the essence of the series — hunting giant creatures for cool gear. Old-timers may miss the leisurely rituals of the older games, but the new release focuses on intense action and long battles.
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Build-up is deeper thanks to the ability to carry multiple weapons and a revamped skill system. The main feature is the living, breathing ecosystem maps with base camps right on them and nimble mounts called Secrets that will take you where you need to go on autopilot. You can focus entirely on your next victim. Wilds is the new peak of Monster Hunter, and that’s not just big words.
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4. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
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- Metacritic: 88 (critics), 8.7 (users)
- Developer: Warhorse Studios
- Release date: 4 February 2026
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series, PC
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Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a true medieval survival simulator and a paradise for hardcore fans.
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Peasants are eager to spit in your face, guards want to beat you half to death, but you still return to this cruel yet alluring world. Indrich of Skalița is once again at rock bottom, and he must climb the social ladder of Bohemia, remembering to eat and sleep on time.
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At first, the grind and harsh reality may be off-putting, but once you get into it, level up your skills, and immerse yourself in the beautifully written quests, the game becomes truly addictive. It’s a unique experience unlike any other.
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3. Blue Prince
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- Metacritic: 91 (critics), 7.6 (users)
- Developer: Dogubomb
- Release date: 10 April 2026
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series
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Blue Prince is one of those rare gems that managed to surprise in a genre where it seems like everything has already been done.
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The whole point is to explore a mysterious, ever-changing mansion and solve clever puzzles. Your goal is to map all the rooms and find the mythical 46th room, when there seem to be only 45. Each run, limited by your energy, resets the map but throws in new clues to the mansion’s main mystery.
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Just getting to the end is a challenge in itself, and the game constantly intrigues and draws you in. Blue Prince is one of the freshest and most original games of the year, which will draw you in with its atmosphere and clever game design.
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2. Split Fiction
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- Metacritic: 91 (critics), 8.9 (users)
- Developer: Hazelight Studios
- Developer: Hazelight Studios
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series, PC
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We expected nothing less from the creators of It Takes Two: Split Fiction is without a doubt the best co-op game of 2026. Hazelight has once again worked its magic for two players. This time, we play as two writers (one science fiction, the other fantasy) who are stuck in a machine that is devouring their ideas.
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Together with your partner, you’ll have to find ‘glitches’ to escape, jumping through incredible worlds with unique levels along the way. You’ll find a real kaleidoscope of gameplay mechanics, from shootouts and portals to dragon flights and variations on Snake, all based on a polished platformer.
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Split Fiction is pure love for video games, and while the plot is just for show, the game design is pure magic. A clear contender for Game of the Year.
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1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
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- Metacritic: 92 (critics), 9.7 (users)
- Developer: Sandfall Interactive
- Release date: 24 April 2026
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series
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And here’s the ‘French sensation’ itself! Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a passionate declaration of love for classic JRPGs like Final Fantasy and Persona, but with its own unique vibe. The impressive debut from French developers Sandfall Interactive tells a mature and touching story about young heroes saving the world, with innovative combat at its core.
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Yes, we’ve seen RPGs with QTE elements in turn-based combat, but here it’s taken to a new level: a clever parrying system rewards skill, allowing you to come out unscathed even against fierce enemies, while dodges add acrobatics to the battles.
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Each character has their own moves and a bunch of gear with interesting combinations. With 30 hours of story and a sea of side quests in a beautifully drawn world, this is a story you won’t soon forget.
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