What a year it’s been. Honestly, if you told me back in January that we’d be sitting here looking at a library of games this diverse and technically demanding, I’m not sure I would’ve believed the sheer scale of it. It feels like we’ve been through a decade’s worth of releases in just twelve months.…
The post vGamerz 2025 Game of the Year: The Definitive Ranking of a Legendary Year appeared first on VGamerz.
With 2025 rapidly drawing to a close, it’s fair to say this has hardly been a year in which we’ve been starved of exceptional gaming experiences. From the lightning-in-a-bottle success of the magnificent Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, to the long-awaited resurgence of the Battlefield franchise courtesy of October’s excellent Battlefield 6, the superb Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and the unexpected domination of the extraction shooter genre by Embark Studios’ ARC Raiders, we’ve been well and truly spoiled for choice. Happily, we’re delighted to report that 2026 is shaping up to be even better. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the most anticipated games of 2026.
With it being nearly 14 years since the last James Bond tie-in hit our gaming machines (2012’s utterly risible 007 Legends), it’s safe to say that ol’ 007 has some serious work to do to restore his reputation among players. Thankfully, Hitman developer IO Interactive has stepped up to the plate – and judging by what we’ve seen so far, they look poised to do the franchise some long-overdue justice.
A third-person action-adventure that puts players in control of a younger, less experienced James Bond, 007 First Light sees 007 tracking down the treacherous agent 009. Drawing heavily from IO Interactive’s Hitman design DNA, the game leans into stealth, player freedom, and sandbox-style environments, while significantly expanding the formula with punchy cover-based gunplay and a stronger, mission-to-mission narrative throughline—something the Hitman series has traditionally lacked. Simply put, James Bond has never looked quite so essential, and March can’t arrive soon enough.
The sequel to one of 2019’s standout releases, Control Resonant is a direct continuation of the events of Control. This time, players step into the shoes of Dylan Faden, who awakens in the aftermath of the chaos set in motion by his sister Jesse and must stop the Hiss from completely annihilating downtown Manhattan.
While Control Resonant retains the third-person exploration and eerie atmosphere that defined the original, it meaningfully expands the formula with a stronger emphasis on visceral melee combat and the introduction of a host of new Hiss-possessed enemies. If you loved Control, then Control Resonant is about as close to a no-brainer purchase as you’ll find in 2026.
From the studio behind Black Desert comes Crimson Desert, a markedly different proposition from its sprawling MMORPG sibling. This time, the action moves offline without sacrificing any of the spectacle or ambition.
An open-world action RPG of frankly breath-taking scope, Crimson Desert allows players to explore a gorgeously realised dark fantasy world where they can fly dragons, pilot mechs, unleash Devil May Cry-style melee combos, and ultimately shape the fate of a nation. Powered by the studio’s bespoke BlackSpace Engine, the game also boasts some of the most impressive visuals seen in years. Are we excited for Crimson Desert? You bet your bottom gold coin we are.
Although little has been shown of the Unreal Engine 5-powered Gears of War: E-Day beyond its initial cinematic reveal, that hasn’t stopped excitement from reaching fever pitch. This marks the franchise’s second foray into prequel territory, following the underrated Gears of War: Judgment.
Likely launching toward the tail end of 2026, Gears of War: E-Day places players back into the well-worn size 16 boots of Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago as they face the Locust menace on the very first day of the invasion. While gameplay specifics remain under wraps, it would be genuinely shocking if the game didn’t feature generous helpings of cover shooting, roadie runs, and chainsaw executions. Regardless, Gears of War: E-Day already looks like manna from heaven for fans of the series and horror shooters alike.
Like a vast cosmic black hole, the gravitational pull of Grand Theft Auto 6 on the games industry cannot be overstated. No publisher is brave – or foolish – enough to launch a game in the same week, let alone the same month, as Rockstar’s genre-defining juggernaut. Each delay sparks a curious mix of frustration and celebration, as developers scramble to fill the vacuum left in its wake. That’s before factoring in the impact on booked annual leave and mysteriously timed sick days.
As for the game itself, Grand Theft Auto 6 looks set to fundamentally reshape the open-world genre yet again, much as GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 did before it. Players can expect a meticulously handcrafted version of the fictional state of Leonida, packed with extraordinary micro and macro detail, vastly improved NPC AI, cutting-edge next-gen visuals, and Rockstar’s trademark sharp, satirical storytelling. Add in a dual-protagonist system starring ex-con Lucia and her partner Jason (embarking on a Bonnie and Clyde-style crime spree across a sunshine state that definitely isn’t Florida) and you have something truly special.
Grand Theft Auto has always been a trailblazer in open-world design and cinematic storytelling, and all signs suggest GTA 6 won’t just be the most anticipated game of 2026 – it has a very real shot at being the game of the decade. Hyperbole? Not in this dojo, my friend.
Marking a clear tonal departure from Insomniac Games’ Spider-Man series, Marvel’s Wolverine looks ready to fully embrace the ultraviolence of its comic book roots. And yes, that means an unapologetically brutal video game to match.
Voiced by Liam McIntyre of Spartacus fame, this gruffer, more feral Logan carves his way through mutant hunters, Sentinels, and even the notoriously vicious Omega Red. Visceral, furious, and visually striking, Marvel’s Wolverine is already shaping up to be the next essential superhero game.
A wuxia fever dream brought to life, Phantom Blade Zero has impressed at every turn since its announcement in May 2023. This lavish, third-person, combat-focused experience infuses each frame with rapid, acrobatic swordplay reminiscent of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and House of Flying Daggers.
The result is a balletic showcase of Chinese martial arts, brutal violence, and haunting mythology that stands apart from almost everything else on the horizon. Phantom Blade Zero is simply unmissable.
Essentially Resident Evil 9 in all but name, Resident Evil Requiem takes players to the very end of the series timeline as we know it, delivering an experience that truly feels like a game of two halves.
As FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, players are thrust into classic survival horror territory, where jump scares are frequent, and evasion is key due to Grace’s limited combat abilities. The other half of the game places players in the blood-soaked boots of returning fan-favourite Leon S. Kennedy, who dispatches enemies with explosive kicks, bone-crunching suplexes, and chainsaw carnage that would make Leatherface proud.
Beyond its dual-protagonist structure, Resident Evil Requiem also allows players to switch between first- and third-person perspectives, adding a level of customisation not seen before in the series. With a February 2026 release date, this looks set to be an essential experience for both longtime fans and newcomers to survival horror.
The sequel to one of the finest indie games of the 2010s – and one of the best deck-building roguelikes ever made – Slay the Spire 2 wisely avoids reinventing the wheel. Instead, it builds upon its already rock-solid foundations with meaningful new twists.
Alongside returning characters like Ironclad and Silent, two new playable heroes join the roster: The Regent and The Necrobinder, each with distinct mechanics and playstyles. There are more cards, relics, items, and consumables than ever before, as well as new quests and a stronger narrative focus that expands the game’s lore in ways the original only hinted at. Deck-building fans are going to eat very well when Slay the Spire 2 enters PC early access in March 2026.
A full-fat, full-sugar remake of the original Tomb Raider, arriving thirty years after its debut – and nearly two decades after 2007’s Tomb Raider: Anniversary – Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is already one of 2026’s most anticipated releases.
Built in Unreal Engine 5, the game completely reimagines Lara Croft’s first adventure, modernising its puzzles, refining its platforming, and overhauling combat to meet contemporary expectations. Crucially, it aims to strike that elusive balance between honouring the spirit of the original while presenting it in a bold, refreshed form. If successful, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis could be something truly special.
The post The Most Anticipated Upcoming Video Games of 2026 appeared first on Green Man Gaming Blog.
It’s been a truly incredible year for indie games, with an almost absurd number of releases and more than a few genuine all-timers among them. Nearly every month in 2025 has delivered a new indie game that completely captured players’ attention, and the indie scene has felt more creative, ambitious, and exciting than ever before.
We’ve somehow narrowed things down to ten of our favourite indie games of 2025, which unfortunately means plenty of phenomenal titles didn’t make the cut. We’re also refusing to rank them, because choosing between favourites feels cruel and unnecessary. You wouldn’t ask us to do that. Legally, you can’t ask us to do that. Anyway, let’s get into the list.
Blue Prince had players everywhere slipping into detective mode and learning how to think in entirely new ways. Honestly, notebook and Post-it note sales must have skyrocketed as people tried to connect the dots in this brilliant puzzle game. The constantly shifting manor at the heart of Blue Prince is an absolute joy to explore, and it regularly has you bouncing between feeling incredibly clever and painfully foolish. That balance is the hallmark of a truly inventive puzzle experience.
Skin Deep let us loose in one of the coolest immersive sims we’ve played in years. You creep around a beautifully designed spaceship, using your wits, the mysterious power of cats, and whatever else you can get your hands on to outsmart a crew of space pirates. You can also dispose of the pirates’ floating heads in a bin, which is reason enough to recommend it on its own.
Read our Skin Deep Mini-Review here.
BALL x PIT is sublime, blending brick-breaking, base-building, and roguelike mechanics into a game that’s dangerously hard to put down. You combine balls to create stronger ones, evolve them into devils, suns, and other wild forms, and mix different characters to create entirely unique playstyles. It’s endlessly satisfying, and the soundtrack absolutely rules.
Megabonk was everywhere at launch, thanks to its ridiculous memes, overpowered builds, and pure chaotic fun. This Vampire Survivors-style indie game stands out by being fully 3D, which might sound like a small change but dramatically alters how it feels. The ability to jump transforms the chaos, making the action feel fresh and dynamic, and it’s no surprise that plenty of players are still coming back to it daily.
Read our Megabonk Mini-Review here.
It’s been a standout year for indie co-op games, and Abiotic Factor is right near the top. This survival game has you and your friends trying to stay alive inside a research facility that has gone very, very wrong. You’ll explore multiple strange realms to gather resources and fend off escalating threats. The modernised N64-inspired visual style gives it a distinctive and nostalgic charm.
The original Monster Train was already exceptional, and Monster Train 2 somehow improves on nearly every aspect. Alongside a brand-new set of clans, you’ll face new enemies, experiment with additional card types, and unlock even more strategic depth. Eventually, the original clans return as well, opening the door to an absurd number of builds and combinations that deckbuilding fans will love.
Haste is essentially a Sonic the Hedgehog roguelike, built entirely around mastering momentum and movement. You need to flow through levels at high speed, avoiding hazards while chaining abilities to maintain your pace. Even landing jumps correctly matters, and the whole experience feels like a classic arcade game in the best possible way. The music is outstanding, too.
Read our Haste Mini-Review here.
PEAK is, fittingly, peak chaos. While it’s another co-op experience, this one is mostly about surviving your friends rather than the environment. The goal is simple: climb and explore breathtaking locations. In practice, it’s a disaster, and you’re all going to fall constantly. It’s silly, stressful, and hilarious, evoking the same energy as Overcooked as it turns cooperation into chaos and laughter.
StarVaders takes the roguelike formula and applies it to a new genre: turn-based Space Invaders. That pitch might sound strange on paper, but the execution is phenomenal. It’s one of the most inventive roguelikes in recent memory, packed with deep build variety, clever enemy design, and boss fights that constantly force you to rethink your strategy.
Read our StarVaders Mini-Review here.
Finally, Goodnight Universe comes from the team behind Before Your Eyes, a genuinely stunning indie game you should absolutely play if you haven’t already. Like its predecessor, Goodnight Universe is deeply inventive, using your webcam to let you control a psychic baby facing the unique challenges that come with psychic powers. It’s beautiful, heartfelt, and emotionally powerful. Don’t miss this one.
The post The 10 Best Indie Games of 2025 You Need to Play Right Now appeared first on Green Man Gaming Blog.