The most popular mobile RPG games in 2026 are "Genshin Impact" and "Honkai: Star Rail," which dominate the app store charts and offer deep stories, smooth controls, and regular updates on Android and iPhone.
Netflix has released a trailer for the fourth season of Bridgerton, set to premiere on January 29, with the second part on February 26. A teaser for Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man has also been unveiled, with the film releasing on March 20. A special Minecraft DLC linked to Stranger Things allows players to explore new chapters in the final season and features characters with unique abilities. SEGA and RGG Studio showcased Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, set for release on February 12. Persona5: The Phantom X's Ver. 2.7 update introduces new stages and characters, with an event ending on January 22. Wuthering Waves has launched its Chapter III update, adding new areas and characters. Gachiakuta: The Game has been revealed as a survival action RPG with cel-shaded visuals, focusing on combat and missions in monster-infested zones.
Geoff Keighley is engaging audiences on social media ahead of The Game Awards, teasing announcements and appearances. Confirmed highlights include potential developments for Tomb Raider, a new look at Resident Evil Requiem, the sci-fi RPG Exodus, and a new project from Neon Giant. The preshow starts at 4:30 PM PT, with live updates from staff writer Morgan Park.
Keighley shared coordinates to a mysterious statue in the California desert, leading to speculation about its connection to games, particularly a new project from Larian Studios related to "Divinity." Rumored titles generating buzz include Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Control: Resonant, a Diablo 4 expansion, an Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag remake, and a Max Payne Remake.
Game of the Year nominees include Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has already won Best Independent Game and Best Family Game for Donkey Kong Bananza, as well as Innovation in Accessibility for Doom: The Dark Ages. A demo for Pragmata was announced, set for release in April 2026. Clair Obscur faced its first loss in the Players Voice category but secured the title of Game of the Year, bringing its total awards to ten.
- Focus Friend was chosen as the Best App of 2025 by Google for productivity management and personal growth.
- Pokémon TCG Pocket was named the Best Game of 2025 by Google for its design and experience.
- Luminar photo editing software and Disney Speedstorm were awarded for Multi-Device Excellence by Google.
Google Play has announced its selections for the best Android applications and games of 2025. The Best App award went to Focus Friend, developed by Hank Green, recognized for its gamified productivity features. The Best Game award was given to Pokémon TCG Pocket, a mobile adaptation of the trading card game. Luminar won the multi-device Best App award, while Disney Speedstorm was named the multi-device Best Game. Additional winners included:
- Best for Fun: Edits
- Best for Personal Growth: Focus Friend
- Best Everyday Essential: Wiser – 15 Minute Audio Books
- Best Hidden Gem: Pingo AI Language Learning
- Best for Families: ABCmouse 2: Kids Learning Game
- Best for Watches: SleepisolBio
- Best for Large Screens: Goodnotes
- Best for Cars: SoundCloud
- Best for XR Headsets: Calm
- Best Multiplayer: Dunk City Dynasty
- Best Pick Up and Play: Candy Crush Solitaire
- Best Indie: Chants of Sennaar
- Best Story: Disco Elysium
- Best Ongoing: Wuthering Waves
- Best on Play Pass: DREDGE
- Best for Google Play Games on PC: Odin: Valhalla Rising
Google has announced its best apps and games on the Play Store for 2025. The best overall app is Focus Friend by Hank Green, which gamifies productivity with a "Bean Friend" avatar. The best overall game is Pokemon TCG Pocket, launched in October 2024. Other notable winners include Luminar as the best multi-device app and Disney Speedstorm as the best multi-device game. The best apps of 2025 include Edits (Best for Fun), Wiser (Best Everyday Essential), and ABCmouse 2 (Best for Families). The best games of 2025 include Dunk City Dynasty (Best Multiplayer) and Disco Elysium (Best Story). In 2024, Partiful was the best overall app and AFK Journey was the best overall game.
The Game Awards has announced its 2025 nominees, highlighting a strong presence of French influence. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from Sandfall Interactive leads with ten nominations, including Game of the Year, followed by Death Stranding 2. Fans can vote on the TGA website.
Nominees:Game of the Year:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Hades 2
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Best Game Direction:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Hades 2
- Split Fiction
Innovation in Accessibility:
- Assassin's Creed Shadows
- Atomfall
- Doom: The Dark Ages
- EA Sports FC 26
- South of Midnight
Best Independent Game:
- Absolum
- Ball x Pit
- Blue Prince
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hades 2
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
Best Performance:
- Ben Starr - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Charlie Cox - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Erika Ishii - Ghost of Yōtei
- Jennifer English - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Konatsu Kato - Silent Hill F
- Troy Baker - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Best Debut Indie Game:
- Blue Prince
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Despelote
- Dispatch
- Megabonk
Best Action Game:
- Battlefield 6
- Doom: The Dark Ages
- Hades 2
- Ninja Gaiden 4
- Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
Best Action/Adventure Game:
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Split Fiction
Best Role Playing Game:
- Avowed
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
- The Outer Worlds 2
- Monster Hunter Wilds
Best Sim/Strategy Game:
- The Alters
- Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles
- Jurassic World Evolution 3
- Sid Meier's Civilization 7
- Tempest Rising
- Two Point Museum
Best Fighting Game:
- 2XKO
- Capcom Fighting Collection 2
- Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
- Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
- Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage
Best Family Game:
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- LEGO Party!
- Lego Voyagers
- Mario Kart World
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
- Split Fiction
Best Sports/Racing Game:
- EA Sports FC 26
- F1 25
- Mario Kart World
- Rematch
- Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Best Multiplayer:
- Arc Raiders
- Battlefield 6
- Elden Ring Nightreign
- Peak
- Split Fiction
Best Narrative:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
- Silent Hill F
Best Audio Design:
- Battlefield 6
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Silent Hill F
Best Score & Music:
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Hades 2
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Best Art Direction:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Ghost of Yōtei
- Hades 2
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
Best Adaptation:
- A Minecraft Movie
- Devil May Cry
- The Last of Us: Season 2
- Splinter Cell: Deathwatch
- Until Dawn
Best Mobile Game:
- Destiny: Rising
- Persona 5: The Phantom X
- Sonic Rumble
- Umamusume: Pretty Derby
- Wuthering Waves
Best Ongoing Game:
- Final Fantasy 14
- Fortnite
- Helldivers 2
- Marvel Rivals
- No Man's Sky
Content Creator of the Year:
- Caedrel
- Kai Cenat
- MoistCr1TiKal
- Sakura Miko
- The Burnt Peanut
Best Esports Game:
- Counter-Strike 2
- DOTA 2
- League of Legends
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
- Valorant
Best Esports Athlete:
- brawk
- Chovy
- f0rsakeN
- Kakeru
- MenaRD
- Zyw0o
Best Esports Team:
- Gen.G - League of Legends
- NRG - Valorant
- Team Falcons - DOTA 2
- Team Liquid PH - Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
- Team Vitality - Counter-Strike 2
Best Community Support:
- Baldur's Gate 3
- Final Fantasy 14
- Fortnite
- Helldivers 2
- No Man's Sky
Most Anticipated Game:
- 007 First Light
- Grand Theft Auto 6
- Marvel's Wolverine
- Resident Evil Requiem
- The Witcher 4
Arknights Endfield will adopt a more dynamic action-oriented gameplay style, inspired by games like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves. A second beta phase, called Best Test 2, will feature a reworked storyline, new cutscenes, and a new region named Wuling. The beta will introduce nine new characters, including three six-star characters: Ardelia, Late Rite, and Pogranichnik. The game will support cross-platform play and include a Photo Mode. The beta starts on November 28, and there will be a server wipe, meaning no progress will carry over to the final release. Players can participate by completing a survey to demonstrate their interest. An updated voice cast list and in-game bonus codes will also be available.
Resonance Solstice, released at the end of October, is a real-time card-battling game combined with train simulation, set in a fractured continent where players rebuild connections. The game features complex mechanics, including various types of in-game currency, economic strategies, and interactions with anime characters. Initial user reviews on Steam are mixed, citing a lengthy tutorial, stamina limitations, and narrative issues, while some players appreciate the train mechanics and economic management. The game's social media engagement has been low, and it has struggled to generate buzz compared to competing gacha titles. Despite the challenges, the development team has received praise for their previous title and the introduction of a free battle pass may enhance player engagement.