Best Games of 2026 So Far

The best-reviewed popular games released in 2026 so far, ranked by player reviews. A game makes the list with at least 80% positive out of 500+ Steam reviews (or 100+ Metacritic user ratings for games not on Steam), and only popular games count. See all 2026 game releases.

1. 

   #1

   Dressmaker

   Sep 21, 2026

   98% of 17,082 Steam reviews positive

   PC

   SimulatorIndieHistoricalSandbox

   Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
2. 

   #2

   Endacopia

   Jul 27, 2026

   99% of 7,919 Steam reviews positive

   PC

   Point-and-clickAdventureIndieHorror

   Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
3. 

   #3

   Iron Nest: Heavy Turret Simulator

   Aug 6, 2026

   97% of 14,661 Steam reviews positive

   PC

   PuzzleSimulatorIndieActionWarfare

   Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
4. 

   #4

   The Mermaid Mask

   Jul 16, 2026

   99% of 3,028 Steam reviews positive

   PCPlayStationNintendo Switch +1

   PuzzleAdventureIndieActionMystery

   Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
5. 

   #5

   Fields of Mistria

   Aug 5, 2026

   96% of 33,332 Steam reviews positive

   PC

   Role-playing (RPG)SimulatorIndieSandboxOpen world

   Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
6. 

   #6

   TCG Card Shop Simulator

   Sep 15, 2026

   96% of 48,280 Steam reviews positive

   PCPlayStationXbox +1

   SimulatorStrategyIndieCard & Board GameBusiness

   Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
7. 

   #7

   Resident Evil Requiem

   Feb 27, 2026

   95% of 109,044 Steam reviews positive

   PCPlayStationXbox +1

   ShooterPuzzleAdventureActionHorror

   Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
8. 

   #8

   Pragmata

   Apr 17, 2026

   96% of 34,049 Steam reviews positive

   PCPlayStationXbox +1

   ShooterAdventureActionScience fiction

   Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
9. 

   #9

   Shapez 2: Factory

   Apr 23, 2026

   96% of 14,052 Steam reviews positive

   PC

   PuzzleSimulatorStrategyIndieSandbox

   Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
10. 

    #10

    Dead as Disco

    May 5, 2026

    96% of 13,296 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationXbox +2

    FightingMusicHack and slash/Beat 'em upIndieAction

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
11. 

    #11

    Well Dweller

    Sep 22, 2026

    98% of 3,996 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationXbox +2

    PlatformRole-playing (RPG)AdventureIndieAction

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
12. 

    #12

    Timberborn

    Mar 12, 2026

    95% of 39,009 Steam reviews positive

    PC

    SimulatorStrategyIndieSurvivalSandbox

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
13. 

    #13

    Big Walk

    Aug 4, 2026

    95% of 39,626 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationNintendo Switch 2

    PlatformPuzzleAdventureIndieComedy

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
14. 

    #14

    Denshattack!

    Jul 15, 2026

    98% of 3,179 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationXbox +1

    PlatformRacingSportAdventureIndie

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
15. 

    #15

    Bills Must Be Paid

    Jul 29, 2026

    96% of 12,799 Steam reviews positive

    PC

    SimulatorStrategyIndieArcadeAction

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
16. 

    #16

    Town to City

    May 26, 2026

    97% of 6,272 Steam reviews positive

    PC

    SimulatorStrategyIndieSandbox

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
17. 

    #17

    Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard from Vampire Survivors

    Apr 21, 2026

    96% of 18,864 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationXbox +3

    StrategyTurn-based strategy (TBS)AdventureIndieCard & Board Game

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
18. 

    #18

    Palworld

    Jul 10, 2026

    94% of 416,351 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationXbox

    ShooterRole-playing (RPG)Hack and slash/Beat 'em upAdventureIndie

    Steam Steam reviews: Very Positive
19. 

    #19

    Waterpark Simulator

    Jul 31, 2026

    96% of 13,848 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationXbox

    SimulatorIndieComedySandbox

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
20. 

    #20

    How to Fish

    Aug 20, 2026

    95% of 75,144 Steam reviews positive

    PC

    ShooterSimulatorIndieActionComedy

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
21. 

    #21

    Far Far West

    Apr 28, 2026

    95% of 32,333 Steam reviews positive

    PC

    ShooterAdventureIndieAction

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
22. 

    #22

    Order of the Sinking Star

    Oct 8, 2026

    96% of 3,032 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationNintendo Switch 2

    PuzzleAdventureFantasy

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
23. 

    #23

    Retro Rewind: Video Store Simulator

    Mar 17, 2026

    95% of 10,551 Steam reviews positive

    PC

    SimulatorIndieBusiness

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
24. 

    #24

    Final Fantasy Resonance

    Oct 22, 2026

    97% of 2,472 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationXbox +2

    Role-playing (RPG)AdventureFantasy

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
25. 

    #25

    Bombanana!

    Sep 2, 2026

    96% of 4,015 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationXbox +1

    PuzzleIndie

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
26. 

    #26

    LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

    May 22, 2026

    95% of 9,124 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationXbox +1

    PuzzleAdventureActionComedy

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
27. 

    #27

    ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs

    Aug 6, 2026

    95% of 10,781 Steam reviews positive

    PC

    SimulatorIndieBusiness

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
28. 

    #28

    Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter

    Sep 17, 2026

    96% of 2,387 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationNintendo Switch +1

    Role-playing (RPG)Turn-based strategy (TBS)AdventureActionFantasy

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
29. 

    #29

    Stick It to the Stickman

    Sep 23, 2026

    95% of 8,767 Steam reviews positive

    PC

    FightingPlatformAdventureIndieAction

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
30. 

    #30

    Esoteric Ebb

    Mar 3, 2026

    95% of 9,175 Steam reviews positive

    PC

    Role-playing (RPG)AdventureIndieFantasyComedy

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
31. 

    #31

    Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Master Collection Version

    Aug 27, 2026

    96% of 2,788 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationXbox +2

    ShooterTacticalAdventureActionFantasy

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
32. 

    #32

    Silver Pines

    Oct 8, 2026

    95% of 4,145 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationXbox +1

    AdventureIndieActionHorrorSurvival

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
33. 

    #33

    Cairn

    Jan 29, 2026

    94% of 18,838 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationNintendo Switch 2

    SimulatorSportAdventureIndieAction

    Steam Steam reviews: Very Positive
34. 

    #34

    Lily's World XD

    Sep 17, 2026

    97% of 1,576 Steam reviews positive

    PC

    Point-and-clickPuzzleSimulatorIndieVisual Novel

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
35. 

    #35

    Sledding Game

    Apr 30, 2026

    95% of 3,029 Steam reviews positive

    PCXbox

    AdventureIndieActionSandbox

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
36. 

    #36

    Mouse: P.I. For Hire

    Apr 16, 2026

    93% of 14,975 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationXbox +1

    ShooterAdventureIndieActionScience fiction

    Steam Steam reviews: Very Positive
37. 

    #37

    Desktop Explorer

    Jul 17, 2026

    95% of 2,495 Steam reviews positive

    PC

    PuzzleSimulatorAdventureIndieThriller

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
38. 

    #38

    Moomintroll: Winter's Warmth

    Apr 27, 2026

    97% of 537 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationNintendo Switch

    PuzzleRole-playing (RPG)AdventureIndie

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
39. 

    #39

    9 Kings

    Oct 12, 2026

    92% of 21,680 Steam reviews positive

    PCMobile

    Role-playing (RPG)StrategyCard & Board GameFantasy

    Steam Steam reviews: Very Positive
40. 

    #40

    Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival

    Oct 8, 2026

    93% of 7,558 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationXbox +1

    AdventureActionHorrorSurvival

    Steam Steam reviews: Very Positive
41. 

    #41

    Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2

    Oct 14, 2026

    96% of 822 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationXbox

    ShooterIndieActionFantasyScience fiction

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
42. 

    #42

    Subnautica 2

    May 14, 2026

    91% of 117,849 Steam reviews positive

    PCXbox

    AdventureActionScience fictionSurvival

    Steam Steam reviews: Very Positive
43. 

    #43

    Alabaster Dawn

    May 7, 2026

    94% of 2,229 Steam reviews positive

    PC

    Role-playing (RPG)Hack and slash/Beat 'em upAdventureIndieAction

    Steam Steam reviews: Very Positive
44. 

    #44

    Big Ambitions

    Aug 28, 2026

    92% of 14,466 Steam reviews positive

    PC

    SimulatorStrategyIndieBusiness

    Steam Steam reviews: Very Positive
45. 

    #45

    Gecko Gods

    Apr 16, 2026

    95% of 658 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationNintendo Switch

    PlatformPuzzleAdventureIndieAction

    Steam Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive
46. 

    #46

    Go-Go Town!

    Jul 16, 2026

    93% of 2,521 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationXbox +2

    SimulatorStrategyIndieSandbox

    Steam Steam reviews: Very Positive
47. 

    #47

    Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy

    Aug 27, 2026

    92% of 4,357 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationXbox

    AdventureActionHistoricalDrama

    Steam Steam reviews: Very Positive
48. 

    #48

    Control Resonant

    Sep 24, 2026

    91% of 13,707 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationXbox

    Role-playing (RPG)Hack and slash/Beat 'em upAdventureActionScience fiction

    Steam Steam reviews: Very Positive
49. 

    #49

    Over the Hill

    Oct 14, 2026

    92% of 3,909 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationXbox +1

    RacingSimulatorSportAdventureIndie

    Steam Steam reviews: Very Positive
50. 

    #50

    007 First Light

    May 27, 2026

    90% of 34,879 Steam reviews positive

    PCPlayStationXbox +1

    ShooterAdventureActionStealth

    Steam Steam reviews: Very Positive