As we move into 2026, the gaming landscape is shifting. We are seeing a massive resurgence in “Old School” design philosophies—deep systems, unapologetic difficulty, and true player agency—powered by the technical might of Unreal Engine 5. From the return of legendary 2000s-era reboots to the first-ever “Galactic Scale” Total War, the next few years promise a golden age for the “thinking person’s” game.
Here is our definitive list of the titles we are watching most closely as we cross the threshold into 2026.
Solasta II
Tactical Adventures has officially moved into full production on the successor to their 5E powerhouse. While the first game was celebrated for its faithful D&D combat, Solasta II aims to fix the original’s “Achilles’ heel”: the narrative. We’re expecting a more expansive world and a story that isn’t just a backdrop, but a branching epic where your background tags radically alter how NPCs perceive you.
Underrail 2
Styg has finally broken the silence on the sequel to the most brutal isometric RPG of the last decade. Underrail 2 is moving into a “Post-Underrail” world. Expect a transition to a new engine that allows for more verticality and larger-scale battles, while retaining the “Stygian” difficulty that makes every bullet feel like a precious resource.
The Logic Artists Mystery Project
The team that gave us Expeditions: Rome has rebranded as Dynasty Studios. Their next-gen project is rumored to be a “Historical-Fantasy” hybrid where folklore and alchemy are as real as musket fire. Expect their signature turn-based tactical combat to be refined into a more personal, character-driven experience.
The Witcher IV (Project Polaris)
2026 marks the year CD Projekt Red moves into peak development on Project Polaris. Built on Unreal Engine 5, this “new saga” moves past Geralt. The “School of the Lynx” teaser suggests a focus on more agile, stealth-oriented Witchers. We anticipate 2026 to be the year we finally see the first gameplay vertical slice.
The Blood of Dawnwalker
This is the dark horse of 2026—a narrative-heavy RPG that focuses on “Vampiric Political Intrigue” in a gothic high-fantasy setting. It promises a “thirst” mechanic that isn’t just a survival meter, but a social tool used to dominate the high courts of a dying empire.
Clockwork Revolution
InXile is aiming for a 2026 launch for this first-person steampunk RPG. The core hook is Time Travel: you can travel back in time to change the city of Avalon’s history. You might prevent a fire in the past, only to return to the present and find the entire political structure of the city has shifted based on your interference.
Exodus
Developed by Archetype Entertainment, Exodus is a sci-fi epic where the central mechanic is Time Dilation. You travel at near-light speeds to save humanity; when you return from a mission, days have passed for you, but decades have passed for your family. It creates a heartbreaking narrative loop where you see your choices ripple across generations.
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn (Owlcat Games)
Breaking from their isometric roots, Owlcat officially unveiled Osiris Reborn at the end of 2025. You play as a Pinkwater Security mercenary on Eros Station during the early days of the protomolecule outbreak. It balances third-person cover-based gunplay with deep “crew management” on the most advanced ship in the solar system.
Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy (Owlcat Games)
Following Rogue Trader, Owlcat’s Dark Heresy is “Street Level” 40K. You aren’t a lord; you are an Acolyte of the Inquisition. The 2025 Alpha just concluded, and 2026 will see the game move into Beta. It is a gritty, investigative CRPG where you hunt cults in the depths of Hive Cities.
Project Moon Beast
The minds behind Diablo II and Hellgate are using 2026 to launch a public demo for their unnamed ARPG Project. It seeks to combine the addictive loop of a looter with “innovative social systems,” focusing on procedural continents that players must colonize and defend.
Pathfinder: The Dragon’s Demand
Ossian Studios are back! Following their successful Kickstarter in late 2024, The Dragon’s Demand is set for a 2026 release. It is a tighter, “tabletop-style” CRPG focused on a single town and a legendary dragon. It features a unique 3D grid system and adaptive miniature poses that look like a physical board game come to life.
Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic
Announced at the 2025 Game Awards, this is the “spiritual successor to KOTOR” led by Casey Hudson. While release is still years away, 2026 will be the year of development diaries. It is set in the Old Republic era (not the High Republic as previously rumored) and features a narrative-driven focus on the struggle between light and dark.
Hellgate: Redemption
Bill Roper is back. Hellgate: Redemption is a AAA Unreal Engine 5 reboot of the 2007 classic. It aims to fulfill the original promise of a “Diablo in first-person” with modern looter-shooter sensibilities. 2026 is the year of the closed Alpha, focusing on the demon-infested streets of London.
GreedFall 2: The Dying World
Technically a prequel, GreedFall 2 is much larger than its predecessor. You play as a native of Teer Fradee taken to the “Old World.” In 2026, we expect the full implementation of the new tactical combat system, which moves away from action-combat toward a strategic “Tactical Pause” system.
Titan Quest II
The legend returns. Grimlore Games is targeting a Late 2026 full release. The game features a “Nemesis” system where your actions draw the ire of specific Greek gods who will send divine hunters to ambush you in real-time.
New Arc Line
A steampunk RPG set in a world resembling 19th-century New York. New Arc Line explores the conflict between Magic and Technology. 2026 is the “make or break” year for this title, featuring a unique “Social Status” system where your equipment determines which city districts you can access.
Darksiders 4
THQ Nordic finally teased the fourth main installment. Darksiders 4 is expected to be a third-person “Gun-Fu” action epic starring the final Horseman, Strife. 2026 will likely bring the first gameplay trailer, focusing on ranged combat and series-classic puzzling.
Starfinder: Afterlight
A sister project to Pathfinder, Afterlight is a “Sci-Fantasy” CRPG using the Starfinder 2E ruleset. Developed by Epictellers, it enters Early Access in 2026. Expect tactical combat in space stations and a heavy emphasis on “Technomancy” and branching storylines.
Total War: Warhammer 40,000
The “Open Secret” of the strategy world was finally made official at the end of 2025. Creative Assembly is bringing its signature massive-scale battles to the 41st Millennium. 2026 will be the “Year of Factions,” as they reveal how they’ve overhauled the engine to handle squad-based cover and orbital bombardments.
