2026 is already shaping up to be a packed year for game releases, with several big-name franchises lining up new entries and reworks that could dominate the conversation for months. While plenty of projects are still light on hard details, a few confirmed (or heavily teased) titles are already emerging as early front-runners on many players’ “must-watch” lists.
### Resident Evil Eyes Another Big Moment
Capcom’s Resident Evil series remains one of gaming’s most reliable hitmakers, and a new installment on the horizon is enough to set expectations sky-high. Whether it leans into survival horror, action-forward spectacle, or another experimental format, the franchise’s recent momentum makes any new Resident Evil one of the safest bets for a major 2026 release window.
### Tomb Raider Returns—Again
Lara Croft is also back in the spotlight, with yet another reimagining of Tomb Raider 1 being teased as part of the franchise’s ongoing revival cycle. Remakes and remasters have become a dominant strategy across the industry, but Tomb Raider sits at an interesting crossroads: it’s both a nostalgia play and a chance to reintroduce the series’ roots to players who only know the more modern, cinematic era.
### A New 007 Game With Retro Vibes
Then there’s the next James Bond game, which—at least in early impressions—has evoked comparisons to the often-forgotten animated spin-off James Bond Jr. That’s less a knock and more an indication that the tone may be lighter or more stylized than fans expect from a traditionally suave, grounded spy fantasy. With the Bond license historically swinging between serious and playful interpretations, a distinct creative direction could help the project stand out in an increasingly crowded action market.
### Why These 2026 Releases Matter
Taken together, this trio highlights where the industry is headed: evergreen IP, constant reinvention, and risk-managed excitement through familiar names. For players, that likely means a 2026 calendar full of “known quantities”—but also a chance for established series to surprise by taking bolder swings in tone, structure, or presentation.
Source: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/jeremys-most-anticipated-games-for-2026 |