At the start of each year, our Editor sits down to work out the games that should be on everybody’s radar, but this time around, he is doing something different. This year, he is reducing his choices to three games for each genre. These might not be the most anticipated titles or the best releases, but they are games that have huge potential and a chance of doing something exciting or new within their genre. Welcome to “Games to Watch – 2026 Edition.” Today we strap on our shotguns and get ready to face the hordes as we look at the year’s FPS titles.
Games to Watch in 2026 - FPS
High on Life 2
I know that this one might be an odd choice, after all, the first game was solid, if a little off-putting, but hardly world-changing. Stay with me, though, because I have my reasons. I am a firm believer in games needing a sequel to reach their potential. So often, the first game is merely a proof-of-concept that allows the developers to nail the second game. Assassin’s Creed, Mass Effect, Borderlands, the list goes on. The problem being in this day-and-age of risk adverse publishers, getting a sequel if your first game isn’t a huge hit is often impossible so I am glad to see the team get a second crack at High on Life.
It isn’t even like there needs to be too much improvement. A little less obnoxious on the humour, a little more focused on the combat and some more engaging level design and all of a sudden this is a must-play title. I really hope it is the case because I can see the potential. High on Life 2 is coming on the 14th of February, so we don’t have long to wait to find out.
Highguard
It’s pretty well established that I am not much of a competitive FPS player these days, age wearies us all after all. In fact, the last time I got serious about a competitive FPS was Titanfall 2. It just so happens that some of the team behind Titanfall 2 and the mega-hit Apex Legends have split from Respawn and are bringing a game that may just get me to poke my nose back into the online world. That game is Highguard, and it looks like a cracker.
A mix of fantasy and future, the game has a cool aesthetic that will hopefully pull players in from the get-go. The real key, especially in this day-and-age is audience retention, so hopefully the lessons learned by the devs over the years are put to good use here and we get a new shooter to rival the big boys of the genre. I am excited to see how it all turns out when it lands on the 27th of this month.
Mouse: P.I. For Hire
God, it feels like I have been excited for this time for ages now, but this is the year we finally get it. Winning the award for “concept that will upset Disney’s lawyers, but they can’t do anything about it”, Mouse features a style that is riffing on classic cartoons like Steamboat Willie and action that is closer to a ’90s Boomer Shooter. It is, as they say, an odd combo, but some of the oddest combinations have brought about the best games.
It is clear that a lot of love has gone into the making of this one, and that alone is worth the price of entry. I mean, just watch the trailer and look at how much detail is in the animation. It is glorious. My only worry is the feel of the combat, but if the devs can nail that, I have no doubt that Mouse: P.I. For Hire will be a bit of a hit when it lands in March.
