2026 was a year full of surprises. We had a few titles that completely caught the industry and playerbase off guard, and some anticipated releases that broke all sorts of records. The year isn’t over yet, since it is difficult to predict the successes and failures of a game. One thing is for sure: if we look at the trend of the current market, we are in for a lot of surprises.

Nioh 3

Koei Tecmo has mastered the art of blending souls-like with complex gameplay mechanics to deliver a gaming experience that can rival most souls-likes in the market. Nioh 3 is as brutal as its predecessor, with a learning curve that rewards people who get sucked into it; with many websites dedicating a significant chunk of their video game guides for the numerous bosses.

Mewgenics

When I say the year is full of surprises, this is one of the surprises that surprised many. It can be difficult to predict the success of a game, if a game about breeding cats and RPGs can shatter the records on Steam. An excellent game made by Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel from The Binding of Issac, a pure cult classic.

Resident Evil Requiem

Now we step into the shoes of comfort, Resident Evil Requiem also dropped this month, and it broke all records. The game blends the survival horror of Resident Evil 7 with the action element of Resident Evil 4, creating a 10-hour journey back to the best vacation spot, Raccoon City.

Slay the Spire 2

To say this game was a surprise hit would be unfair to the game; it was a chain reaction that launched an explosion in the gaming circles. Many articles were being published about the fatigue of roguelike and card-focused indie games, but then came Slay the Spire 2. It uses roguelikes and card-focused gameplay, but with the magic that only a few games possess.

Crimson Desert

Crimson Desert would be studied for years to come, as it does everything right at the same time, everything wrong. While critics and some of the player base nitpicked flaws, over time, the good parts of Crimson Desert settled in. Many people saw the game for what it is rather than what they expected or experienced in the past. A completely new take on RPG that would leave you wanting more, a pure gameplay-focused game that rewards players for exploring.

These five games created a giant ripple in the industry in 2026, and only time will tell what other surprises are awaiting us in 2026.