LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight deserves to stand proud as one of the best games of 2026 and within LEGO and Batman’s history.
Directive 8020 is a near-perfect advancement of Supermassive Games’ tried and tested formula, with added stealth, puzzling, and adventure elements really boosting player agency. Outside of a couple of jump scares, the game’s narrative relies on tension and dread compared to The Dark Pictures franchise’s typical brand of horror, but the game is all the richer for this, rooting itself in tangibility and fears that plague us all. Decisions are difficult to make with thrilling consequences that are both a joy and devastating to watch play out. Add in great performances from the cast and impressive visuals, and it’s hard to see Directive 8020 as anything other than a hit.
If you’re looking for low-stakes escapism, Moomintroll: Winter's Warmth is an easy recommendation. It’s everything you could want in a cosy game, blending just enough player agency with what is, without a doubt, an incredibly relaxing and playful experience.
A Storied Life: Tabitha offers a formula that unfortunately should work better than it does in practice. Players become stuck between creatively crafting Tabitha’s life only to end up with a nonsensical outcome or adhering to a rigid, predetermined path, resulting in a better ending but less joyous experience. Even still, there are some delightful puzzling elements within this short, bite-sized experience that is really exquisitely presented. I enjoyed A Storied Life: Tabitha despite its shortcomings, but it didn’t tug on the heartstrings as I perhaps expected it might.
Crimson Desert is by no means a perfect game. It’s an amalgamation of perhaps slightly too many ideas, and that makes for a weirdly paced experience that demands a lot of the player without offering much in the way of help. And yet, it left me in awe more times than anything else I’ve played in recent memory with its dazzling open-world. Crimson Desert may not be the best game you'll ever play, but it’ll certainly be up there as perhaps the most memorable.
I consider myself to have the ability to see the best in something - and yet, I’m struggling to find any redeeming qualities in 1348 Ex Voto, a game whose concept I was fairly sold on. I can’t fault the ambition of indie studio Sedleo, but I’m afraid several potentially okay ideas have been lost within an experience that is underbaked, unoptimised and, at times, unplayable.
Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is a new all-time favourite of mine. It’s a near-perfect package, offering a moving and captivating adventure infused with solid platforming and smart, varied puzzle design. Its cliffhanger ending may have us all holding our breaths for yet another instalment, but returning players won’t be disappointed by what’s on offer here. Reuniting with Lana and Mui is a treat, and I hope we all get the chance to do it again.
This collaborative effort provides a welcomed change of pace for longtime fans of the franchise, whilst serving as an alternative for newcomers who don’t favour the series’ typical turn-based offering. The end result is charming, soothing, and oh so incredibly moreish. Pokémon Pokopia showcases the type of reinvention you want to see in a franchise’s 30th year.
Reanimal is a game that I sense may be divisive. Its confusing world and short runtime don’t exactly set it up for universal success, but it’s hard not to come away from the game feeling entertained and impressed. It’s a jarring adventure but one that is held together by some utterly brilliant set pieces that make it a worthwhile co-op experience. I sense that Tarsier Studios has something fascinating to say with this one. I just wish I could work out what it was.
Mario Tennis Fever kicks off Mario’s 40th anniversary year in triumphant style. It’s a sports entry that delivers enough variety to be of appeal to all fans of the famed plumber, no matter their genre of preference. With its surprisingly charming Adventure Mode and more match variations than you could possibly imagine, Mario Tennis Fever is a bountifully delightful release that conjures up the pure, whimsical escapism that only Nintendo so wonderfully nails.
Starsand Island is exactly what I’ve claimed it to be in previous previews. It’s the very best of Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, and The Sims, with a flavouring of Studio Ghibli thrown in, but it’s also something completely original. Starsand Island’s depth of offering places it leagues above its competitors making it, for me, the new poster child of the cosy gaming space. I’ll be championing it until the rest of the world catches on, but I have a feeling that won’t take very long.
Platforming fans will be hard-pressed to come away from Big Hops though with anything other than a smile on their face. It shows a strong sense of vision. Here is an end product that pays homage to the greats of the genre whilst carving out its own identity. With several varied worlds, creative gameplay, and a respectable 10 to 12 hour runtime, there’s very little else I could ask for from the title. Big Hops is a ribbiting, sorry, riveting adventure that’ll kickstart your 2026 in the best way possible.
All Hands on Deck is an easy recommendation. It’s far from the strongest co-op title released within 2025 but with a respectable runtime, well-considered platforming and puzzler action, and a charming premise, you won’t be left feeling disappointed by what this indie gem has to offer.
It’s the type of game that you can dip in and out of, leaving behind your worldly woes for a whimsical sense of fun.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide gets so much right. Its instantaneous character switching system is brilliant, and Purple Lamp has once again cooked up an entertaining story, whisking players through several fun new locations. It could be longer and there are a few bugs present, albeit harmless ones. It’s hard, though, to deem the title as anything other than a thrilling 3D platformer that’s a blast to play through.
The Berlin Apartment does, as I said, undoubtedly offer an engaging narrative, even if you will have to endure several half-baked gameplay elements. It’s a beautifully considered look into the human experience, offering players a concept that is creative and engaging, even if it might not quite unlock its full potential.
With a roughly 10-hour runtime, Winter Burrow doesn’t outstay its welcome. It’s a charming little experience I warmed to returning to, night after cold night.
If you’re after a cosy evening’s entertainment, I can’t imagine you’ll be disappointed by Undusted: Letters From The Past. Its gameplay is incredibly moreish, pulling you right through to the credits in a single sitting. It’s a brief journey but one that packs an emotional punch and teaches you a couple of important lessons along the way.