- The game Battle Waves: Mobile had 160,000 pre-registrations on Google Play and became the #1 Card Game in iOS pre-orders worldwide.
- Six critical gameplay crashes were identified and resolved during a two-week Open Beta.
In 2026, PC gamers can expect a diverse lineup of highly anticipated titles across various genres, including action RPGs, strategic games, and open-world adventures. Notable upcoming games include:
1. "Light No Fire" - A large-scale exploration title with ambitious world design.
2. "Phantom Blade Zero" - An action game known for fast-paced combat and stylish visuals.
3. "Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis" - A continuation of the franchise focusing on exploration and puzzle-solving.
4. "007 First Light" - A cinematic spy adventure blending action with storytelling.
5. "Atomic Heart 2" - A sequel expanding on its surreal setting and action gameplay.
6. "Onimusha: Way of the Sword" - A revival of a classic series focusing on sword-based combat.
7. "Fable" - A fantasy RPG known for humor and choice-driven gameplay.
8. "Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000" - A strategy title combining large-scale warfare with sci-fi lore.
9. "Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2" - A fast-paced sequel with retro-style shooting gameplay.
10. "Kingmakers" - A unique concept mixing modern weaponry with historical battlefields.
11. "Tides of Annihilation" - A fantasy action title with a focus on cinematic combat in a dark fantasy world.
The variety of these anticipated titles ensures that players will have experiences tailored to their preferences, whether they enjoy story-driven adventures or strategic battles. Players can track upcoming releases by focusing on preferred genres, following official trailers, and utilizing release calendars and wishlists.
In 1998, Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate was released as a turn-based tactics game featuring the Ultramarines and Chaos. In 2022, Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters was launched, focusing on the Grey Knights and their battle against Chaos, drawing inspiration from the XCOM series. Daemonhunters received feedback regarding limited enemy diversity, primarily featuring Nurgle's minions. A sequel is announced to introduce seven distinct enemy factions. The Warhammer Skulls showcase revealed updates including a release date and DLC roadmap for Dawn of War 4, a new Skitarii class for Darktide, a platformer with a ratman protagonist, and tiger warrior DLC for Total War: Warhammer 3. Updates will be available on Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Creative Assembly is developing Total War: Warhammer 40k, leveraging its experience from Total War: Warhammer. The game will feature destructible elements like buildings and forests, altering battle dynamics. Maps will reflect different planetary biomes and allow for various deployment options, enhancing tactical depth. Players can navigate maps in multiple orientations and engage in both assault and defense scenarios. The studio aims to make the gameplay engaging and replayable, with more information expected in June.
The costs associated with PC gaming are rising, with new GPUs priced like used cars and AAA games exceeding high prices. However, there are many high-quality free games available.
Marvel Rivals is a team-based hero shooter featuring characters from the Marvel universe, offering tactical gameplay and vibrant art.
Valorant, developed by Riot Games, blends tactical shooting with character-specific abilities and remains popular five years after its launch, emphasizing team composition and skill.
Delta Force has returned as a free-to-play tactical shooter, combining expansive battlefield modes with extraction gameplay, satisfying gunplay, and a robust player base.
Wuthering Waves is an open-world action RPG with an anime art style and dynamic combat, allowing players to enjoy the game without spending money despite a gacha system.
Dota 2, launched in 2013, remains one of the most played games on Steam, known for its depth, over 120 unique heroes, and a steep learning curve, along with a large esports scene.
There are many more free PC games available across platforms like Steam and Epic, with new titles launching regularly and opportunities for players to discover quality games.
Bit Reactor's tactical game, Star Wars Zero Company, is set in the Clone Wars era and is projected to launch in 2026, though a specific release date has not been disclosed. The game features tactical combat mechanics similar to XCOM and allows players to command a mercenary group made up of former operatives from the Separatist and Republic factions. Players control a custom protagonist named Hawks, accompanied by a clone buddy named Trick, and can choose from a diverse cast of squadmates, each with unique abilities. Character customization is extensive, allowing players to select from various classes and alien species for their mercenaries. Combat involves controlling a squad of four characters with three action points per turn, and players can engage in tactical missions and non-combat operations that affect squad morale and narrative outcomes. The home base, called the Den, serves as a hub for research, gear upgrades, and mission selections. The game will not include player-centric romance subplots. Developed by Bit Reactor and published by Respawn under EA, the narrative direction is led by Aaron Contreras.
Ex Sanguis is a turn-based strategy game showcased during Steam Next Fest, featuring a grid-based system similar to XCOM. Players control a team of soldiers called Stillae, utilizing Action Points (AP) and unique abilities to execute commands. The game has a narrative centered around saving a dying planet and is noted for its stylish execution and visually striking aesthetic, characterized by a blood-themed color palette. It incorporates robust gameplay mechanics, including destructible environments, roguelike elements, and RPG-style builds. Ex Sanguis is set to launch in early access soon, and players can wishlist it and explore the demo on Steam.
Hytale, developed by Hypixel Studios, shares similarities with Minecraft, including expansive, procedurally generated worlds and block-based environments. The game features a more nuanced combat system with special movesets and ultimate attacks, distinguishing it from Minecraft's melee system. Hytale's crafting is streamlined, allowing players to select items from a menu rather than arranging resources in a grid, and includes a progression mechanic for crafting stations. Additionally, Hytale introduces mantling, enabling players to jump and grab onto edges of blocks, enhancing mobility and exploration.
The US edition of PC Gamer magazine awarded The Temple of Elemental Evil a score of 79% in 2003. The game faced criticisms for issues such as NPC companions hoarding loot, poor pathfinding mechanics, and various bugs. The re-release of the game on Steam serves as a bridge between classic RPGs and modern user-friendly experiences, offering a faithful representation of D&D's 3.5 ruleset. The gameplay features deep tactical options, strategic movement considerations, and unique skills that enhance encounters. The new release is described as a thoughtful repair rather than a mere remake or remaster, with curated improvements that maintain the charm of the original.
Deadlock's invite-only beta has introduced significant gameplay changes, particularly in lane creep mechanics, now called Troopers. Players must manually secure the first half of the souls from defeated Troopers, promoting a more aggressive playstyle. Additionally, players can collect souls from Troopers that have perished even if they arrive late to the lane, ensuring a consistent income. Nearly every hero has undergone balancing, with some receiving substantial updates, such as Mirage's ultimate ability allowing him to teleport to friendly objectives.