If you're one of those rare gamers who has somehow managed to get through their backlog in 2026 and is looking for something new or trending to play, there are a few games that are perfect to get into right now. Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon recently received a big update at the start of March. Cozy Grove is about to be free on Epic Games on March 12. And, if you're a Pokemon fan still on the fence about a Switch 2, Pokopia just might be the reason you retire your old Switch.
Those three and so many more are worth getting into in 2026. There's a solid blend of different genres here, whether you're more into FPS games full of action or would like to grab a brand-new horror title for your collection.
We'll only take into account games that are already out, so you can jump into these titles right away without having to wait.
Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon
The March Update Brings Polish To An Overlooked RPG
Starting off, for anyone looking for a new Skyrim or medieval fantasy RPG to sink their teeth into, Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon is one to try. There are some decent alternatives like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which delivers a grounded, fantasy-free experience, and Avowed, if you're into the modern Obsidian Entertainment formula. If none of those tickle your fancy, this might be the next thing to tide you over to The Elder Scrolls 6, or even Outward 2 if you're not afraid of a bit of challenge.
The world is more gothic and a bit darker thematically than something like Skyrim, taking a page out of Arthurian legends in its story and lore. You have a whole open-world environment to explore, and its recent update added some much-needed substance to its endgame, which was criticized for not having enough flesh on its bones. One thing to keep in mind is that the combat borders on Soulslike, so you won't be hacking and slashing through everything mindlessly in Tainted Grail. Get ready to be challenged, for better or for worse.
inZOI
KRAFTON's Life Sim Has Come A Long Way
We're about to hit the one-year anniversary of inZOI, since it released in Early Access in March 2025. At the time, the gameplay was barebones, even if the world and the character models looked really good. Since then, the team working on it at KRAFTON has really put in a lot of work and love into the game, and it absolutely shows. A whole free expansion was added, which threw in a new location to live in, swimming in the ocean, and a ton of activities and cosmetics.
As an Early Access project, inZOI is ever-evolving, but if you jumped in a year ago and were let down, I warmly and highly recommend giving the game another chance now. Personally, I was really struck by how much more depth has been added, and how much better the UI feels right now. It's clear there's still work to be done, but inZOI already gives a pretty solid life simulation experience for players who are hungry for something more in 2026.
Pokemon Pokopia
Pokemon Meets Life Simulation In A Cool Spin-Off Title
Whether you're only a little familiar with Pokemon or a long-time fan of the franchise, Pokemon Pokopia is the hot new spin-off you should sink your teeth into—if you can afford the Switch 2 price tag. It's the game that seems to be making a lot of people take the leap towards the new handheld, as it throws the charm of Pokemon games and the addictive gameplay of life sims like Animal Crossing into a blender. What comes out is surprisingly good, and undeniably cozy, as you partake in all the classic life-sim activities of farming, crafting, and building your perfect little nook after taking on the role of a humanized Ditto and gathering friendly Pokemon to join you.
That's right, you're technically a Pokemon, too, and the point of the game, for once, isn't to catch and battle against other trainers and wild Pokemon. In all honesty, it's making me want to make the jump for Switch 2, and it's a genre combination I personally never thought I'd see the Pokemon franchise do with such impressive success. If you're more of a cozy and casual gamer, or even if you just can't pass up a new Pokemon game ever, Pokopia should be your next stop.
Slay The Spire 2
Highly Addictive Deckbuilding Roguelike Returns
Slay the Spire was already a phenomenon when it came out, and its second installment, Slay the Spire 2, is delivering something even greater already in its Early Access phase. If you don't mind supporting a game early on, definitely try this one out, especially if you're a hardcore fan of any deckbuilding games and roguelikes.
The premise of the game, in case you're new, is deceptively simple: your job is to climb a spire full of enemies, each run different and unpredictable, all the while you build up a deck of cards and various consumables against your enemies. This means you really need to be ready to adapt to any and all challenges at every turn. Good news, though: you can jump into the game with up to three other players in co-op, to a max of four total players. So, choose a character, start your ascent, and get ready to go again and again. Chances are, you'll be addicted to the gameplay loop after the first run alone.
Marathon
Bungie's Step Into Extraction Shooters
It has been ages since Bungie dropped a brand-new game on the market, leaning mostly into its Destiny franchise for content. However, Marathon marks the studio's return to a more "pure" FPS experience in a grueling and highly competitive extraction shooter package. If you're a fan of games like Escape from Tarkov and ARC Raiders, this will definitely scratch the right itch. Marathon has you take on the role of a runner on Tau Ceti IV, picking the planet for resources and loot while completing quests for different factions, as well as challenges. You can hop in as a trio or solo as a Rook.
Just beware, Tau Ceti IV's maps don't only feature other players against you, but also PVE enemies that can absolutely demolish your crew if you don't play safe. There are seven runner shells right now, including the solo-only Rook, each with its own abilities. Whether you prefer to play the tanky Destroyer or the more support-oriented Triage, you have a ton of buildcrafting and playstyles to experiment with. Just don't get too precious about your loot, because this game is brutal, and if you die before extraction, you'll be sent packing to the title screen. It's the perfect next game for players who want a high-stakes, competitive first-person shooter experience a la Bungie.
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This article originally appeared on GameRant and is republished here with permission.
