These upcoming games prove 2026 won't just belong only to GTA 6.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is going to be the biggest game of the year, the decade, maybe even the century. Since it’s such a massive title, and will suck up all the oxygen when it comes out on Nov. 19, other publishers moved their games to August, September and October, making these three months the most stacked stretch for gaming ever.
As it’s going to be a busy few months of game releases, we thought we’d highlight a few titles that stand out. These games offer something new or build on an already amazing series, and considering they release within weeks, if not days, of each other, it’s worth planning where you’re going to spend your money after you save up the $80 to buy GTA 6.
The tidal wave of game releases starts in August, but the title that stands out the most is Star Wars: Zero Company. This is one of two major Star Wars games coming out before GTA 6, with the other being Star Wars: Galactic Racer on Oct. 6. Zero Company, however, offers something never before seen in a Star Wars game: a tactical, turn-based experience.
Developed by new studio Bit Reactor, the game has you assume the role of Hawks, the leader of a mercenary unit called Zero Company during the Clone Wars era. A turn-based tactical game may sound strange for Star Wars, but it comes from former developers of the XCOM franchise. Just like in XCOM and other similar games such as Fire Emblem, players begin with characters from basic classes such as Medic, Sharpshooter, Soldier and Scout. During battles, you issue orders to pew-pew enemies, complete objectives and achieve victory.
There are a variety of classes, including a few more “exotic” ones inspired by some of Star Wars’ most iconic characters. And yes, there will be a Jedi thrown into the mix, letting you use Force powers and lightsabers to turn the tide of battle. You can also customize the look and loadout of your characters from a huge range of species, costumes (including tons of Clone armors) and weapons. One interesting element is permadeath, meaning that if a character is taken down in battle and isn’t revived under certain conditions, they’re gone for good. That adds another layer of tension to every encounter.
Star Wars: Zero Company will be released on Aug. 27 for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series consoles.
When the first Onimusha game came out for the PlayStation 2 in 2001, it could easily be summed up as “Resident Evil but with a samurai.” It was a popular franchise for Capcom throughout the 2000s, but in the following decade, the company largely abandoned it. Now, a new entry in the series is revamping the formula for modern audiences.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword follows Miyamoto Musashi, a samurai in a darker version of Kyoto during Japan’s Edo period. Miyamoto wants to prove he’s the greatest swordsman in the land, but after being defeated, he awakens wearing the Oni Gauntlet. He must now discover why he was chosen to wield this powerful yet evil artifact and who’s behind the plot to take his life.
While the earlier Onimusha games blended action with survival horror, the combat was on the slower side. That’s not the case with Way of the Sword, as players can unleash fast strikes and execute powerful parries, making it feel more in line with modern samurai games such as Sekiro and Ghost of Tsushima.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword comes out on Sept. 4 for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series consoles.
Developer Insomniac Games established itself as one of the industry’s elite studios with Marvel’s Spider-Man in 2018. It stayed in the Spideyverse for two more games, but now it’s expanding into the X-Men universe with Marvel’s Wolverine.
Wolverine’s story is unlikely to wow many gamers, as it follows a familiar comic book formula – mutants are being targeted, and it’s up to Ol’ Canucklehead to stop those responsible. Where Wolverine is likely to excel, however, is its gameplay, and based on the trailers, it hits all the right notes. Logan does what he does best: slashing enemies with his adamantium claws. Unlike the Spider-Man games, Insomniac isn’t shying away from the violence, letting the blood flow and making sure Logan’s attacks are as gruesome as they are in the comics.
Marvel’s Wolverine comes out on Sept. 15 and only on the PS5.
Remedy Entertainment’s Control was a sleeper hit when it came out in 2019, but once people actually played it, it quickly became a fan favorite. It took what could have been a standard action game and injected it with the bizarre, pairing it with a story that firmly established what’s become known as the Remedy-verse, which includes the Max Payne and Alan Wake games. It did all of this with style, and now the sequel looks poised to outdo its predecessor.
