PC games keep proving why the platform remains the go-to choice for serious players. Between mod support, mouse-and-keyboard precision, and hardware that can be upgraded piece by piece, PC gaming in 2026 has delivered one of its strongest years yet, a mix of blockbuster sequels, tactical shooters, sprawling RPGs, and indie games doing things no big studio would dare try.
Denshattack
Denshattack is a vibe–specifically, an early 2000s blast of color that pulls no punches and delights in making you sit forward in your chair as you lock into an anime-inspired thrill-ride. Each run in the game will leave you breathless as you juggle jumps, grinds, and wallrunning with a locomotive that spits in the face of physics, but once you get over that learning curve, Denshattack is hard to put down. It takes skill and practice to master the rails in this delightful love letter to a bygone era, but you’ll love every second of it once you hit the tracks.
Fields of Mistria
Stardew Valley might rule the roost when it comes to lo-fi farming and relationship-building, but a new challenger has emerged; Fields of Mistria. After spending some time in early access, Fields of Mistria has steadily transformed into a delightful blend of nostalgic farming games, ’90s anime-inspired aesthetics, and highly polished gameplay. While it looks like a retro treat, the game has a very modern feel to how it plays, as well as one of the best gameplay loops around as you combine farming, bug-catching, magic progression, and much more into a satisfying session of fun.
ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs
There’s a joy that comes from the art of repair, a sense of satisfaction that few things in life can compare to. Restory taps into that gratification, as it expertly balances a chill approach to giving beloved electronics a second lease on life with quirky characters and a gripping mystery at its core. Effortlessly charming and relaxing in equal measure, it’s one of the coziest games released this year. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have a few Nony PolyStations to scrub clean and check if their connections need to be resoldered.
GameSpot Recommends
As mentioned above, this is where we’ll put the games we didn’t review on the site. With hundreds of new releases every month, it’s hard to find the time to play every single title out this year, but we still enjoy finding new releases to kick back and relax with in our spare time. Like the games listed above, these score a minimum of 8/10 in our personal books, and this is where we can also spotlight games that might have flown under your radar.
Carcass Clad
Mouthwashing is one of my favorite horror games ever, so I was more than delighted to see that its developer, Wrong Organ, was working on something new. But instead of an atmospheric horror game, Carcass Clad is a three-player co-op game where you and two friends pilot a tank through the city of Vhorgorod. It’s a substantial pivot, so. It’s not the project I asked for, but I like Mouthwashing enough that I’m more than willing to give Wrong Organ’s next project a chance
Vampire: The Masquerade – Eternal Whispers
Vampire: The Masquerade fans have no shortage of video game adaptations to check out, but for a series born from a tabletop RPG, it’s surprising how few true RPGs the series has in video game form. Eternal Whispers, a new CRPG from Flyos, seems to be exactly what fans of the tabletop mechanics have been waiting for. It’s a single player, choice-driven RPG based around the game’s stat systems, complete with on-screen dice rolls. Developed by “a hybrid team experienced in both board games and video games,” it looks great, and while I’m certain the final game will be more nuanced than this, it will likely satisfy fans who have hoped for “Baldur’s Gate, but built with Vampire: The Masquerade.” Time will tell if it lives up to that promise; for now, until it emerges from its torpor. – Charles Harte
Big Walk
Big Walk is a delightful and refreshing jaunt across a digital frontier that reminds you why video games are at their best when friends are involved. Untitled Goose Game developer House House has put together a charming combo of walking sim, puzzle-solving, and friendslop, and it leaves you to your own devices when you first set foot into a wilderness inspired by the legendary Australian outback. That hands-off approach, clever co-op communication channels, and simple gameplay make for a game that nails the idea of exploration and experimentation.
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred
Diablo expansions are a big deal, as these add-ons have given rise to some of the best moments in the franchise. Lord of Hatred can proudly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Lord of Destruction and Reaper of Souls, as it brings fantastic quality-of-life improvements, two new classes that make you feel like a powerhouse, and a thrilling narrative to the table. Diablo 4’s Hatred Saga comes to a satisfying conclusion, while the new Warlock and Paladin classes offer explosive fun honed by major changes to the core gameplay.
Marathon
Marathon is admittedly a lot to take in the first time you boot it up, but stick with it, and you’ll find an extraction shooter that captures the highs and lows of the genre. Its art direction is a visual feast, the gunplay packs a punch, and there’s a surprising amount of depth in each 20-minute excursion to Tau Ceti IV. How Marathon will shape up over the long term remains to be seen, but Bungie has delivered an exciting game with strong fundamentals, rich lore, and tactical gameplay that could get even better in time with post-launch DLC drops.
Mina the Hollower
Now that it’s finally out of the gate, Mina the Hollower is proving that is well worth the wait. A masterclass in design that combines the retro aesthetics of Game Boy-era Zelda games with souls-like gameplay, Mina the Hollower is a love letter to the path that feels refreshingly modern. Developer Yacht Club Games has come out swinging with an ambitious game, one that’s densely packed with content and charm, while demanding combat ensures that your attention.
Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf
Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf sticks to the winning formula of the first game, giving players a beautiful world to explore and savor, thanks to its strong art direction and fantastic soundtrack. While it takes a while for the story to truly get going, the second half of this adventure is a bold and stunning collection of fascinating puzzles and platforming, all built around a central mystery that keeps you hooked to your screen.
Rhythm Heaven Groove
Nintendo might be looked at as a publisher of kid-friendly games, but the company isn’t afraid to get weird from time to time. Rhythm Heaven Groove continues that tradition for surprisingly goofy games, and similar to WarioWare, offering a collection of zany microgames, there’s plenty to dig into here. The big difference is the emphasis on music and timing in Rhythm Heaven Groove, but once you find your groove, you’re in for a heck of an experience. It looks and sounds great, Remix Sections are downright magical, and the game is unapologetically weird.
Every other GameSpot review in 2026
Not every game released this year is a winner, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not worth playing. If you can overlook some of their issues, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised, and we’ll be running a list of the games that didn’t make the cut above. These will be arranged alphabetically so you can quickly find what you’re looking for.
Stacklands
This is a surprisingly (considering its minimalist look!) deep village builder where you stack cards to create resources, manage your settlement and survive dangerous threats. A simple but genius concept that manages to combine puzzle and idle management game, making it a dangerously addicting experience in which you can lose a lot of hours of your precious time.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel is the definitive version of the cult card game that allows both veterans and newcomers to compete with each other and have fun. Master Duel is one of the best card games on Steam, has stunning animations, intricate game mechanics and it’s also being updated very frequently. It’s a must-play card game for anyone who is a huge Yu-Gi-Oh! fan or just wanted to duel like they do in the anime.
Dune: Imperium
Spice must flow, and so is this list! This game is an absolute prime example of blending deckbuilding with “worker placement” board game mechanics, creating a rewarding strategy game set in the beloved Dune universe. If you’re fighting for political power or controlling spice flow, every decision you make feels meaningful, which establishes Dune: Imperium as a favorite among modern board gamers and one of the best strategy card games.