After about half of the year, the legacy of 2026 is already defined by a lot of great games that will keep most people occupied for a long time. From horror to dense RPGs and cozy sims, every genre got a new representative. However, even compared to other popular categories, the action-adventure games of 2026 were particularly incredible, ambitious and celebrated. Seriously, it seems like the genre can't help but end up “pretty good”, at least if we focus on the relatively big names and ignore the pile of forgettable titles launching on Steam.
If the most anticipated action adventure games of 2026 are – Assassin's Creed Black Flag re-synced, GTA 6and Marvel's Wolverine – if it doesn't happen by the end of December, the year would have done enough to be remembered as a triumph rather than a disappointment. Even if all of these projects went ahead as planned, they would have to be incredibly special to outshine the masterpieces that have already etched their names into gaming lore.
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No RPGS like Neverness to Everness, Dragon Quest VII Reimaginedand Nioh 3.
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No early access games like Subnautica 2 or Windrose.
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No ports like Where the winds meet, Darksiders: Warmastered Editionand Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
Crimson desert
The ever-evolving open world masterpiece Pearl Abyss
I know what you're thinking, “Wait, you didn't say any RPGs?” Although it may appear to be part of this genre, Pearly Abyss describes Crimson desert as an action adventure game; “open-world action-adventure” is literally part of the official site's title in Google Search. With no leveling system, character creator, or extensive playstyle customization, Crimson desert casts you as Kliff, a Greymane with a specific fighting style, personality and story. Although it offers players options such as a skill tree that allows them to shape the combat system to some extent, the game is otherwise a pure action-adventure experience that offers an absolutely massive world full of layers of mechanics, quests, and beauty.
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Crimson Desert it is far from perfect; it has a notoriously slow start that feels like an endless tutorial, a main story that never catches its breath, and some of the worst boss battles in recent memory. Even Kliff is not the most interesting protagonist, and only some of the supporting characters can be described as memorable. Personally, I didn't really start getting into the game until around 3pm; since, Crimson desert it just seemed to get better and better. By the end of the 50-hour run (which is on the short side), I was absolutely ready to spend a lot more time exploring every part of Pywel, an open-world continent that seems truly endless. Pearl Abyss' continued support has also kept the game in the spotlight.
007 First Light
James Bond's latest adventure lives up to his reputation
Finally, James Bond is back and better than ever. 007 First Light marks the long-awaited return of the legendary agent to gaming, the first proper entry since the dismal 2012 007 Legends. Despite Bond boasting a respectable video game resume, Bond's greatest achievements were so far in the past that they belong in history and have almost no relevance to the current landscape. 007 First Light could not afford to miss the mark and IO Interactive proved to be the absolute best developer to revive the franchise. The game was so good that Amazon quickly announced that they wanted to make even more Bond games (potentially without IO Interactive's involvement because the world in 2026 refuses to make sense).
Revolving around an inexperienced 007 looking to earn his MI6 badge, 007 First Light mixtures Hitman with Uncharted to create a worldwide adventure that captures the grand epicness of the movies and the slower action of the classic games. Although a lot of missions slow things down and force Bond (and the player) to slip unnoticed into crowded environments, 007 First Light is not fair in any way Hitman with British accents, with the game giving players the freedom to take a shooting approach if they want to go that route.
Who is that character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
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Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
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Pragmatics
Capcom does it again
When Capcom revealed a new third-person shooter featuring a young girl as a weapon, the reaction from the gaming world mixed intrigue with confusion. Like my favorite franchise of all time Devil May CryI always have time for a new Capcom experiment; that said, even I felt skeptical about the project after absorbing every ounce Pragmatics footage available.
Those concerns were largely unfounded, though it's one of those games that you have to experience for yourself to really get it. From the outside looking in, the combat seems slow, cumbersome, disjointed and unnatural. In practice, the game blends real-time shooting with puzzle-style hacking surprisingly well, though it's still very much an acquired taste.
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
The best Batman game of the last decade
As much as I love the original Lego Batman trilogy, they are better Lego games than Batman games. Good, Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight completely defies this trend and plays like a family version Arkham City which constantly celebrates the hero's legacy across all media. Of course, Lego fans must play the latest Traveller's Tales entry but Legacy of the Dark Knight it's also a must-have for any superhero fan who wants a rock-solid open-world action-adventure game that oozes charm and style.
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Rather than a billion possibilities, Legacy of the Dark Knight features only 7 playable characters, all of which feel 100% unique and bring something new to the table rather than just a palette swap. Monkey combat and travel systems Arkham The formula surprisingly well, while still telling a fanservice-laden story that more than matches the older Caped Crusader games.
Mina the Hollower
Best Indie Action-Adventure Game of 2026 (So Far)
Because of creation knight of spades, Yacht Club Games latest offering, Mina the Hollowerneeded to meet sky-high expectations. A “pretty good” game would be a relegation for the developer; damn, a great game could still be a disappointment. This loving throwback to the Game Boy Color era had to cement itself as one of the crowning achievements of 2026, and damn, Yacht Club succeeded in doing just that.
Clearly influenced by the classics The Legend of Zeldaalbeit with an aesthetic more reminiscent Castlevania, Mina the Hollower casts you as the eponymous mouse who comes armed with a variety of weapons and the ability to head underground when needed. The intense combat takes some cues from Soulslikes, but its allegiance remains with the Nintendo franchise. Puzzles and exploration are probably the main focus, along with a surprisingly deep story backed by an impressive lore. If you like the look Mina the Holloweryou will like it.
Upcoming role-playing games that people are excited about
While many RPGs have been announced for 2026 and beyond, these upcoming role-playing games are particularly exciting.
