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.” With so many remakes coming these days, we figured they deserved their own category. So here are three to keep an eye on.
Games to Watch in 2026 - Remakes
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis
Having recently played through the most recent Tomb Raider trilogy (which still holds up amazingly well, by the way), I am keen for some new Lara Croft action. I am also excited to play a version of her original adventure for the first time. I missed the Playstation releases back in the day, so I am keen to see how it all started, even if it is revised to fit in with the modern Tomb Raider canon.
What is really interesting to me is that while Crystal Dynamics is overseeing this remake, it is being developed by Flying Wild Hog, a developer known for their over-the-top action games like Shadow Warrior and Evil West. I will be watching closely to see how that skill set translates into a slower, more puzzle-focused experience. We don’t have a release date outside of 2026 here, but I expect this one around September to avoid that massive GTA-shaped shadow later in the year.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
Oh boy, my man Kiryu is back, and even though it is a game I have already played and finished, I can’t wait for some more Yakzua fisty cuffs. Kiwami 3 is a remake of Yakuza 3, which, in my mind, has the most personal story of all the games. But the original release did have some problems with pacing, so it will be interesting to see how these issues are fixed.
The other big news is that this release isn’t just a graphical update. A new chapter of the story, titled Dark Ties, is now included. This part focuses on the antagonist of the game, Yoshitaka Mine, and focuses on both the differences and similarities he shares with Kazuma Kiryu. I can’t wait to see both the old and new content in action on the 12th of Feb.
Also, remember folks, Subs not Dubs… Always.
Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined
Dragon Quest is a franchise that I have never dipped my toes into, but this year might just be the perfect time to fit that. Dragon Quest VII is getting the full remake treatment, bringing improvements across pacing, graphics and gameplay that make the game more welcoming for newcomers while at the same time fixing the things long-time fans have always wanted fixed.
I have to say, the trailer is impressive, bringing a stunning, whimsical world to life, and it does a great job selling a 2000-era game to the 2026 crowd. I am very interested to see if the nuts and bolts hold up, though. I bounced off quite a few JRPGs in that era, so I wonder if I will still have that resistance to the genre or if my tastes have changed over the years. Regardless, there are thousands of fans ready to dive in again when it is released on the 6th of February.
