Top 10 Best Video Games of 2026, Ranked

#10: Phantom Blade Zero

Developer/Publisher: S-Game

Genre: Action RPG

Opening our list at number 10 is the long-anticipated Phantom Blade Zero, a martial arts action-RPG set in a fantastical version of ancient China. After multiple delays, this title is finally ready to deliver its unique “kungfupunk” aesthetic that blends traditional Chinese martial arts with dark fantasy elements. Players take on the role of Soul, an elite assassin framed for murder who has just 66 days to uncover a conspiracy within his own order.

What sets Phantom Blade Zero apart is its combat system that seamlessly blends melee swordplay with supernatural abilities. The developers have created a fighting system that feels both accessible and deep, allowing players to chain together devastating combos while incorporating mystical powers. The game’s striking visual style and fluid animations make every encounter feel like a scene from a high-budget martial arts film.

While the game shows tremendous promise, its somewhat limited scope and shorter campaign length land it at the number 10 spot on our list. Nevertheless, it represents an exciting new direction for action RPGs and deserves attention from fans of the genre.

#9: Arc Raiders

Developer/Publisher: Embark Studios

Genre: Co-op Extraction Shooter

At number 9, Arc Raiders brings a fresh take to the extraction shooter genre. Set on a ruined Earth where mechanical invaders known as “Arc” regularly descend from orbit, players must band together to scavenge resources, defeat these robotic threats, and successfully extract with their hard-earned loot.

What makes Arc Raiders stand out is its emphasis on vertical gameplay and environmental interaction. The world is designed with multiple layers, allowing players to use grappling hooks, jetpacks, and other mobility tools to gain tactical advantages. The game’s dynamic weather system and destructible environments ensure that no two raids feel the same, while the persistent world changes based on community actions.

The risk-reward gameplay loop is addictive, as players must decide whether to push deeper into dangerous territory for better loot or extract safely with what they’ve already gathered. While the game excels in co-op play, solo options feel somewhat limited, which is why it lands at number 9 on our list. Nevertheless, Arc Raiders offers a compelling experience for those who enjoy team-based tactical shooters with survival elements.

#8: Nioh 3

Developer/Publisher: Team Ninja/Koei Tecmo

Genre: Action RPG, Soulslike

Team Ninja’s Nioh 3 secures the 8th position on our list, evolving the series’ challenging combat with new innovations. Set in feudal Japan, players follow a young warrior’s journey to become Shogun while battling supernatural yokai and human enemies alike. The game introduces an ambitious open-world setting that maintains the series’ tight combat mechanics while allowing for more exploration and discovery.

The most significant addition is the dual combat system that lets players switch seamlessly between the traditional samurai fighting style and a new ninja style that emphasizes speed and stealth. This versatility allows for creative approaches to combat encounters, with each style having its own skill trees and weapon specializations. The “Arts Proficiency” and “Deflect” mechanics add further depth to the already complex combat system.

While Nioh 3’s difficulty curve remains steep, making it potentially intimidating for newcomers, the expanded tutorial systems and more forgiving early game help ease players into its complex systems. The game’s stunning visual design and atmospheric Japanese settings create a hauntingly beautiful world that’s as rewarding to explore as it is challenging to survive.

#7: Saros

Developer/Publisher: Housemarque/Sony Interactive Entertainment

Genre: Roguelike, Third-Person Shooter

Coming in at number 7 is Saros, the spiritual successor to Housemarque’s acclaimed Returnal. Set on the mysterious shape-shifting planet Carcosa, players investigate an ominous eclipse while battling hostile alien lifeforms. What sets Saros apart is its innovative “world memory” system – each death permanently alters the planet’s landscape, creating a truly dynamic experience where your failures literally reshape the world around you.

The combat builds upon Returnal’s foundation with an expanded arsenal of otherworldly weapons and a deeper progression system that allows players to retain more resources between runs. The haptic feedback implementation on PS5 creates an unparalleled level of immersion, with players feeling every footstep, weapon discharge, and environmental interaction through the controller.

Visually, Saros is a technical showcase with its ray-traced lighting, volumetric fog, and particle effects creating an alien world that feels genuinely unsettling and alive. The narrative unfolds through environmental storytelling and fragmented memories, rewarding observant players with a deeper understanding of Carcosa’s mysteries. While the high difficulty and roguelike structure might not appeal to everyone, those who embrace its challenges will find one of 2026’s most unique gaming experiences.

#6: Marvel’s Wolverine

Developer/Publisher: Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

Genre: Action-Adventure

Slashing its way to number 6 is Marvel’s Wolverine, Insomniac Games’ mature take on the iconic X-Men character. Following their success with the Spider-Man franchise, Insomniac brings Logan to life in a story that explores his troubled past and violent nature. Set in a period before he joined the X-Men, the game follows Wolverine as he hunts down those responsible for experimenting on mutants while dealing with his own inner demons.

The game’s combat system is a visceral tour de force that makes full use of Wolverine’s healing factor and adamantium claws. Players can choose between stealthy approaches or berserker rages, with a dynamic injury system that showcases Logan’s regenerative abilities in real-time. Environments react realistically to Wolverine’s claws, allowing for creative combat and traversal options.

What truly elevates Marvel’s Wolverine is its character-driven narrative that doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of Logan’s personality. The mature storytelling, combined with outstanding motion capture performances, creates an emotional depth rarely seen in superhero games. While it may not be suitable for younger players due to its M-rating, Marvel’s Wolverine delivers an authentic experience that both comic fans and newcomers will appreciate.

#5: Resident Evil Requiem

Developer/Publisher: Capcom

Genre: Survival Horror

Breaking into our top 5 is Resident Evil Requiem, Capcom’s triumphant return to Raccoon City 30 years after its destruction. The game masterfully balances nostalgia with innovation by following two protagonists: series veteran Leon Kennedy and newcomer Grace Ashcroft, an FBI technical analyst investigating mysterious deaths linked to the original outbreak.

Requiem’s dual-protagonist structure creates a fascinating dynamic, with Leon’s combat expertise contrasting Grace’s analytical skills and vulnerability. Players must switch between characters to overcome different challenges, with Leon handling combat-heavy sections while Grace focuses on investigation and puzzle-solving. The game’s “Memory Resonance” system allows Grace to visualize past events, revealing new insights into the original Raccoon City incident.

Visually, Requiem is a showcase for Capcom’s RE Engine, with photorealistic character models and environments that bring the overgrown ruins of Raccoon City to life. The atmospheric lighting and sound design create a palpable sense of dread, while the adaptive difficulty system ensures that the tension remains high regardless of player skill level. With its perfect blend of action, horror, and storytelling, Resident Evil Requiem proves that even after decades, this franchise continues to evolve in exciting ways.

#4: 007 First Light

Developer/Publisher: IO Interactive

Genre: Action-Adventure, Stealth

Securing the 4th position is 007 First Light, IO Interactive’s fresh take on James Bond that explores the spy’s first mission as 007. Set in the early 1960s during the height of the Cold War, the game follows a young and somewhat brash Bond as he embarks on a globe-trotting adventure to prevent a shadowy organization from triggering international conflict.

What makes First Light exceptional is its sandbox approach to espionage. Drawing from IO’s experience with the Hitman series, each mission offers multiple paths to success, whether through social stealth, gadget usage, or direct confrontation. The game’s “Adaptive Reputation System” tracks Bond’s actions, with excessive violence or exposure affecting how NPCs and targets react to his presence.

The attention to period detail is remarkable, from the fashion and architecture to the geopolitical tensions that define the era. The game’s narrative captures the essence of Fleming’s original character – a complex agent who’s both sophisticated and ruthless when necessary. With its branching mission structure, cinematic presentation, and authentic Bond experience, 007 First Light successfully modernizes the spy genre while paying homage to its literary and film roots.

#3: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Developer/Publisher: Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment

Genre: Action, Adventure

Bronze medal goes to Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, which expands upon the original’s revolutionary concepts while taking the story in bold new directions. Set in a post-apocalyptic Australia, Sam Porter Bridges returns to find his Bridge Baby kidnapped, setting him on a journey across a fractured continent to save both his child and humanity itself.

The sequel enhances the “Strand” gameplay with a more robust connection system that allows players to build and maintain larger infrastructure projects collaboratively. The new “Chiral Network Expansion” mechanic enables players to terraform sections of the wasteland, gradually restoring life to barren areas through sustained community effort. Combat has been significantly improved with more options for both stealth and direct confrontation.

Visually, On the Beach is nothing short of spectacular, with Australia’s diverse landscapes rendered in breathtaking detail. The game’s surreal elements – from the otherworldly BTs to the mysterious figures that appear during timefall – create an atmosphere that’s simultaneously beautiful and unsettling. Kojima’s signature storytelling is in full force, blending philosophical themes with emotional character moments and unexpected plot twists. For players willing to embrace its unconventional nature, Death Stranding 2 offers one of the most unique and thought-provoking experiences in gaming.

#2: Grand Theft Auto VI

Developer/Publisher: Rockstar Games/Take-Two Interactive

Genre: Action-Adventure, Open World

The silver medal in our ranking goes to perhaps the most anticipated game of the decade: Grand Theft Auto VI. Rockstar’s return to Vice City follows criminal duo Jason and Lucia as they build their empire in a fictionalized Miami that’s as beautiful as it is dangerous. The game’s scope is unprecedented, with a map that includes not just the city but surrounding Everglades-inspired wetlands, smaller towns, and even explorable Caribbean islands.

What elevates GTA VI beyond its predecessors is the dynamic world that feels truly alive. The “Evolving City System” means that neighborhoods change over time based on player actions and in-game events, with businesses opening or closing, gang territories shifting, and even weather patterns affecting the economy. The relationship between Jason and Lucia forms the emotional core of the narrative, with players able to switch between them at will and experience their unique perspectives on the unfolding story.

Technically, GTA VI sets new standards for open-world games with its photorealistic graphics, seamless transitions between interiors and exteriors, and unprecedented NPC density. The attention to detail is staggering, from the way mud accumulates on vehicles during rainstorms to the complex routines of the city’s inhabitants. With its compelling narrative, technical achievements, and boundless opportunities for both structured missions and player-driven chaos, Grand Theft Auto VI would be a worthy number one on almost any other year’s list.

#1: The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon

Developer/Publisher: Nihon Falcom/NIS America

Genre: JRPG

Claiming the crown as 2026’s best video game is The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon, the culmination of Falcom’s two-decade-long saga that began with Trails in the Sky. This ambitious JRPG serves as both a satisfying conclusion for longtime fans and an accessible entry point for newcomers, with a narrative that addresses the series’ biggest mysteries while introducing fresh elements.

Set as the prophesied “X-Day” approaches, the game follows a new protagonist from the “Spriggan” organization as they investigate the launch of an Orbal rocket that may reveal the truth about the world of Zemuria. What makes Trails beyond the Horizon exceptional is how it weaves together narrative threads from previous games while maintaining its own identity, with returning characters from across the franchise making meaningful appearances without overshadowing the new cast.

The battle system represents the pinnacle of turn-based combat, combining strategic depth with spectacular visual flair. The “Orbital Link” mechanic allows for unprecedented party customization, while the “Cross-Era Combat” feature lets players call in assistance from heroes of previous games during critical moments. The world-building is unparalleled, with a fully realized setting where politics, technology, and magic intersect in compelling ways.

With its emotionally resonant storytelling, complex characters, refined gameplay systems, and stunning presentation, The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon isn’t just the best game of 2026 – it’s a landmark achievement in the JRPG genre and a fitting capstone to one of gaming’s most ambitious narrative undertakings.