2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for PC gaming. With a diverse lineup spanning critically acclaimed RPGs, high-octane action-adventures, and innovative indies, there’s something for every type of gamer. Here are our top picks for the best PC games you should be playing this year.
The Heavy Hitters: 2026’s Biggest Releases
These are the major titles generating the most buzz and critical acclaim.
007 First Light – A Spy Thriller Masterclass
From the creators of the acclaimed Hitman series, 007 First Light is a prequel following a young James Bond on his first missions for MI6 . This is being hailed as the best Bond game ever made, blending stealth, cinematic action, and player choice in beautifully detailed environments. It’s an essential experience for fans of espionage and immersive storytelling .
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – The RPG Phenomenon
This indie turn-based RPG has taken the gaming world by storm, winning nine categories at The Game Awards, including Game of the Year . Set in a gorgeous oil-painting world, you battle the Paintress, a mysterious entity that erases people once they reach a certain age . The combat is a brilliant fusion of turn-based strategy and real-time inputs like timed dodges and parries. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an extraordinary achievement that will linger in your mind long after the credits roll .
Hollow Knight: Silksong – The Long-Awaited Sequel
After years of anticipation, Team Cherry has finally delivered the sequel to one of the greatest indie games ever made . You control Hornet, the princess-knight of Hallownest, as she explores the labyrinthine kingdom of Pharloom. With faster, more acrobatic combat, a massive world packed with secrets, and breathtaking hand-drawn art, Silksong is a triumph and a richer evolution of the original .
Forza Horizon 6 – The Ultimate Open-World Racer
The Forza Horizon series continues its reign as the king of arcade racing. Set in a stunning recreation of Japan, Forza Horizon 6 features over 450 cars, a massive open world, and the series’ signature joyful, festival atmosphere . With exceptional reviews and a 90+ Metacritic score, this is a must-play for racing fans .
Multiplayer and Live-Service Favorites
If you prefer competitive or cooperative experiences, these titles are leading the pack.
Arc Raiders – Tense PvPvE Extraction
Arc Raiders is an extraction shooter with a unique sci-fi twist. You drop into a war-torn landscape, scavenge for gear, fight deadly robotic enemies, and try to extract before other squads ambush you . The punchy gunplay, stylish retro-futuristic aesthetic, and deep progression system make for some of the most spectacular firefights on PC .
Battlefield 6 – Peak Multiplayer Destruction
The legendary franchise returns with a focus on massive, chaotic battles and environmental destruction . Built for high-end PCs, Battlefield 6 promises to deliver the intense, large-scale warfare that the series is known for .
Marvel Rivals – The Free-to-Play Hero Shooter
Marvel Rivals is a free-to-play class-based shooter in the style of Overwatch or Team Fortress 2, featuring iconic Marvel heroes and villains . You can choose from protective Vanguards like Captain America, damage-dealing Duelists like Blade, or tricky Strategists like Loki. It’s a perfect match for the hero shooter genre and a great free option .
Critically Acclaimed Games Worth Your Time
These titles have already proven their quality and are must-plays.
Resident Evil Requiem – Survival Horror Returns
Capcom’s latest survival horror entry is a strong contender for Game of the Year . Players alternate between Leon S. Kennedy in action-packed sequences and new protagonist Grace Ashcroft in tighter, more terrifying survival horror sections . It masterfully blends the tension of classic Resident Evil with the over-the-top action of modern entries .
Dispatch – A Superhero Workplace Comedy
This episodic adventure game was one of the biggest success stories of 2025 . You play as Robert Robertson, a dispatcher managing a team of washed-up superheroes and villains . With a fantastic voice cast and a story that combines the humor of The Boys with the heart of Vox Machina, Dispatch is brilliant and emotionally resonant .
Doom: The Dark Ages – Brutal Combat in a Medieval Setting
The Doom Slayer goes back in time in this prequel set in a medieval fantasy world . Wielding a mace, shield, and your trusty shotguns, you slay demons in a more grounded yet creative combat system. You can even ride a dragon or pilot a giant mech . It gets the blood pumping the way only id Software can .
Ninja Gaiden 4 – The Ultimate Action Game
Koei Tecmo partnered with Platinum Games to revive this legendary action series . While it replaces the original’s complex combat with more arcade-style flash, the creative carnage and demanding challenges make it a must-have for action fans .
Star Trek: Outposts Unknown – Build Your Own Outpost
This is an outpost builder where you terraform planets, manage resources, and fend off alien threats . It offers a unique take on the city-building genre with a sci-fi twist, and there is a demo available on Steam so you can try it before you buy .
Honorable Mentions
- Nioh 3: The samurai action series enters an open world, delivering punishing but rewarding difficulty .
- Pragmata: A mysterious sci-fi action-adventure set on a lunar station, blending hacking mechanics with combat .
- Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater: A gorgeous remaster of the stealth classic, leaving the core masterpiece intact .
- Crimson Desert: An ambitious open-world action-adventure promising deep combat, parkour, and a huge world .
- Valheim 1.0: The beloved survival game finally leaves early access with the new Deep North biome .
- Civilization VII: The classic strategy franchise returns to challenge your empire-building skills once again .
This list represents the best of PC gaming in 2026. Whether you are a fan of deep RPGs, tense shooters, or creative indie experiences, there has never been a better time to be a PC gamer.
