We are well aware that it’s a bit early to discuss the Game of the Year at the end of March. However, instead of waiting, there’s a certain appeal in taking stock as the year unfolds.
This article aims to highlight the games that have garnered the most critical acclaim so far this year. Below, you’ll find a selection – primarily consisting of the concluding paragraphs from their respective reviews – showcasing the titles that are currently considered the frontrunners.
The gaming landscape will undoubtedly shift throughout the year – we’d bet on it – but the question is whether we can already identify certain games that will still be a significant part of discussions by the end of November, when the more critical year-end deliberations begin.
So, we ask you: what’s your favorite game of 2026 to date?
Resident Evil Requiem
Score: 9/10
Review Excerpt:
‘Regardless of your stance on this spectrum, and no matter how particular you are about the Resident Evil formula, it’s abundantly clear that Resident Evil Requiem is a brilliant and memorable horror game, a well-crafted final chapter that will leave fans eagerly anticipating Capcom’s next adventure. It’s only February, and we already have some excellent horror games to enjoy. With Capcom’s latest offering, there’s a very strong chance we’ll be discussing Grace and Leon’s journey again later in the year when awards season begins, as this is a wonderful title you absolutely should not miss. Bravo, Capcom, bravo!’
Pokémon Pokopia
Score: 9/10
Review Excerpt:
‘Overall, I had a very enjoyable time in Pokopia, which constantly fed me new things to do. There are Pokémon living conditions to improve, items to build, and properties to plan. We’ve probably all experienced that kind of game where you repeat the mantra “I’ll just do this one more thing” over and over until you finally look up and realize it’s five in the morning and you haven’t slept a wink. That pretty much sums up my experience with Pokopia, and I already feel the urge to dive back in. If Nintendo continues to experiment with Pokémon in this way, the brand’s future looks very promising!’
Reanimal
Score: 9/10
Review Excerpt:
‘It’s wonderful while it’s happening, and fortunately, the experience stayed with me as I continued to ponder the symbolism and how everything fit together in the days after finishing. I now have a clear theory and can’t wait to discuss the details and the bigger picture with you once you play Tarsier’s latest game. And all of you who have any love for Little Nightmares, cinematic platformers, or simply horror in general should do so, because Reanimal is already a contender for the best horror game of 2026. And it even made me laugh like an idiot.’
Mio: Memories of Orbit
Score: 9/10
Review Excerpt:
‘If you’re looking for a Metroidvania experience with a slightly more forgiving difficulty curve, without being easy by any means, then I highly recommend checking out Mio: Memories of Orbit. The game is priced very reasonably at £15 and will also be available on Game Pass on launch day, so it’s hard to find an excuse not to give this game a shot.’
World of Warcraft: Midnight
Score: 9/10
Review Excerpt:
‘Overall, Midnight is a very solid expansion. Leveling remains exciting, gear acquisition feels less tedious, and Blizzard clearly understands what makes the game tick. This is World of Warcraft almost at its best once again.’
Cairn
Score: 8/10
Review Excerpt:
‘I enjoyed my time with Cairn, I really did. However, I wish Aava had exposed a bit more of her character. Going back to how the game positions her, there’s a lot of talk about her, and while it’s subtle and understated, it might have benefited from her revealing a little more. That said, she’s not exactly a superficial character, and Cairn isn’t a forgettable story about personal pride, toxic ambition, and the ability to identify bad motivations in oneself and others.’
Romeo is a Dead Man
Score: 8/10
Review Excerpt:
‘If, like me, you’re inexplicably drawn to the mad brain of Goichi “Suda51” Suda, then you absolutely must play Romeo is a Dead Man, because there’s simply nothing else like it in terms of the overall gameplay experience. The game can be completed in 12-15 hours, depending on your thoroughness and the difficulty level you play on. Romeo is a Dead Man is probably a good starting point if you want a glimpse into this man’s twisted world – not because it isn’t crazy and absurd, because it is – but because it’s the most digestible and functional game he has created.’
Mewgenics
Score: 8/10
Review Excerpt:
‘The game’s literal name – besides the questionable pun – comes from cat breeding. This is accompanied by cartoonish but explicit animations, which can be turned off in the Settings menu. You can try to influence who mates with whom, but the final outcome is always a game of chance. If all goes well, the kitten inherits the best qualities from its parents and can thus beat tougher opponents. This is one of the most innovative parts of this unusual game, which elsewhere might feel a bit identical and traditional, even if the amount of content matches the affordable price tag.’
Docked
Score: 8/10
Review Excerpt:
‘In first-person, everything becomes much harder, but also more realistic, of course, but I must admit that I prefer to see the machines from different perspectives from the outside. Above all, the feeling of having fun when I’m sitting in the cabin of a machine is what’s most important here. Docked may essentially be about moving heavy things, but it does it brilliantly, and sitting behind a joystick on one of the machines is, as we know from an old internet legend, what gives you power. So I find it hard to see how this type of simulator could be made more entertaining than what Docked achieves. Despite a few undeveloped parts and suffering somewhat from the fact that their previous title, Roadcraft, is better in almost every aspect. If you enjoyed the developer’s previous games, this is definitely something you should check out.’
Crimson Desert
Score: 8/10
Review Excerpt:
‘Too many unresolved details that don’t ruin the experience or make me want to stop playing, but certainly don’t elevate it to Game of the Year contender status. Crimson Desert can be a place where you lose yourself for months as a player, but don’t expect all those hours to be spent on a rewarding adventure in a world that, I repeat, is wonderful. I can overlook some technical issues given the scope of the project and because they can be fixed with a patch, but there are simply too many design conflicts across all simultaneously functioning systems for me to call it a “masterpiece.” If you can simply live with that and enjoy the journey, even without necessarily understanding where it leads, then this open world is worth trying.’
Esoteric Ebb
Score: 9/10
Review Excerpt:
‘I still loved playing as the Cleric, and tearing through Tolstad with my finely dressed goblin companion by my side. Esoteric Ebb is simply an adorable RPG that puts player agency front and center. Its world is fantastically immersive, deep, and invites you to stay a while with charming visuals, characters, and a story so detailed that I would gladly take another game or two set in this world. If you want to roll dice, fight skeletons, and try to flirt with every creature that has a heartbeat, then you’ll have a great time with Esoteric Ebb. A video game delight for tabletop players.’