Vote Now: The Best Games of 2026 (So Far)
As of mid-2026, critics have compiled a list of notable video game releases from the first half of the year. The selection includes games across various genres and platforms, with players invited to vote for their favorite. Below is a summary of each featured game:
Pokémon Pokopia
- Developer/Publisher: Nintendo / The Pokémon Company
- Gameplay: Players control a human-shaped Ditto, restoring environments and building habitats for Pokémon. The game focuses on restoration, community, and creature collecting, with no battles or trainers. Includes a shared online location called Palette Town for cooperative building.
A peaceful twist on Pokémon, emphasizing creativity and cooperation over combat.
Marathon
- Developer/Publisher: Bungie
- Gameplay: A live-service extraction shooter set in a far-future extra-solar colony. Players loot ruins while facing hostile players and NPC enemies. Features a high difficulty level and an abstract art style. Critics noted UI frustrations but praised shooting mechanics and visual design.
Bungie returns to its roots with a punishing, stylish extraction shooter.
Cairn
- Developer/Publisher: The Game Bakers
- Gameplay: A single-player adventure about rock climbing up Mount Kami. Players control Aava, managing limb movements, stamina, and supplies. The game balances challenge and reward, with a focus on perseverance and atmospheric presentation.
A meditative, physically demanding climb that rewards patience and skill.
Mixtape
- Developer/Publisher: Beethoven & Dinosaur (Melbourne studio)
- Gameplay: A music-centric game following teen protagonist Stacey Rockford. Features a soundtrack including Devo, Silverchair, and Joy Division. Gameplay includes camcorder filming, driving sequences, and a first kiss scene. Levels are designed to amplify music through tailored mechanics.
A nostalgic, rhythm-infused coming-of-age story driven by its soundtrack.
Titanium Court
- Developer/Publisher: AP Thomson / Fellow Traveller
- Gameplay: A match-3 puzzle game with minimalist pixel graphics, inspired by Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Players match tiles to gather resources while exploring narrative themes. Features a distinctive soundtrack and metaphorical storytelling.
A literary puzzle game that layers Shakespearean themes onto classic match-3 mechanics.
SAROS
- Developer/Publisher: Housemarque / PlayStation Studios
- Gameplay: A sequel in spirit to Returnal, players control Arjun Devraj on the planet Carcosa. Incorporates roguelike elements with improved progression systems, including more checkpoints and varied weapons. Draws from cosmic horror themes. Developers include Australian contributors Gregory Louden and actor Ben Prendergast.
A cosmic horror roguelike that refines the Returnal formula with deeper progression and dread.
Players can vote for their favorite game among these and additional unlisted titles.