By the Choost Games team — indie game developers behind Granny's Rampage and Granny's Gambit. We play what we recommend.

Best PC Games 2026 — 20 Games Worth Playing Right Now

The best PC games of 2026 so far are Pragmata, Nioh 3, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — three very different games that each represent the best of their genre. But 2026 has been strong across the board, from AAA spectacles to indie gems that you can finish in a weekend. Here are 20 picks across every genre.

New Releases Dominating 2026

Pragmata is Capcom's new IP and a genuine contender for game of the year. A sci-fi action game with a mysterious narrative, stunning visuals, and the kind of mechanical polish that Capcom has been delivering consistently since the RE Engine era. The speedrun community has already embraced it, which is usually a sign that the core gameplay is exceptional.

Nioh 3 takes Team Ninja's Soulslike formula and adds open-field exploration. The combat remains the series' strongest feature — stance-switching, ki management, and weapon variety that rivals any action game on the market. The new open areas add discovery without losing the hand-crafted level design that made the first two games work.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 blends turn-based JRPG combat with real-time action inputs, creating a system where your reaction time matters even in menu-based battles. The art direction draws from French impressionism, giving it a visual identity unlike anything else in the genre.

Indie Games You Shouldn't Miss

Big Hops — a 3D platformer with the openness of Breath of the Wild and the charm of classic Mario. Approachable for all ages with enough depth to keep experienced platformer fans engaged. One of the best-feeling movement systems in any 2026 release.

Cairn — a mountain-climbing game where balance and handholds create genuine tension. Every ascent feels earned. The quiet moments between climbs give the game an emotional weight that most action games can't achieve.

Windrose — a survival crafting game that hit 1 million copies in six days. Pirate-themed, base-building focused, and clearly hitting a nerve with the Valheim/Satisfactory audience. The naval exploration sets it apart from the pack.

Esoteric Ebb — Dungeons & Dragons meets Disco Elysium. A narrative RPG where dice rolls govern your fate and the writing is sharp enough to make every failed roll feel like a story rather than a punishment.

Ongoing Games Still at Their Best

Baldur's Gate 3 — Larian's masterpiece continues to receive updates and remains the gold standard for CRPGs. If you haven't played it yet, 2026 is as good a time as any.

Elden Ring with the Nightreign expansion — From Software's open-world Soulslike now has co-op focused content that changes the game's social dynamic entirely.

Vampire Survivors — still getting DLC, still the best bullet heaven on the market, still $5. The Ode to Castlevania expansion adds enough content to justify another 20 hours.

Hades 2 — Supergiant's roguelike sequel has been refining through early access and the state of the game in 2026 is excellent. The boon system and boss fights are the best in the genre.

Deep Rock Galactic — Ghost Ship Games' co-op masterpiece continues its seasonal content cadence. Still the best co-op shooter for teams that value coordination over competition.

The Genre Standouts

Best FPS: Pragmata (single-player), Helldivers 2 (co-op) Best RPG: Expedition 33 (turn-based), Baldur's Gate 3 (CRPG) Best Roguelite: Hades 2 Best Indie: Big Hops (platformer), Cairn (adventure) Best Survival: Windrose (new), Valheim (ongoing) Best Soulslike: Nioh 3 Best Multiplayer: Deep Rock Galactic, Helldivers 2 Best Bullet Heaven: Vampire Survivors (ongoing), Death Must Die (rising)

The Sleepers

A few 2026 games that haven't gotten enough attention:

Dispatch — a narrative puzzle game with mechanical depth that reveals itself slowly. Looks simple, plays deep.

The Seance of Blake Manor — horror with genuine scares and a story that earns its twists. Not just jump scares — actual dread.

Blue Prince — a room-exploration game where every playthrough generates a different mansion layout. The discovery loop is addictive in a way that's hard to explain without playing it.

What We're Working On

At Choost Games, we're finishing Granny's Rampage — a bullet heaven coming to Steam this year. If you like Vampire Survivors and want to see what a solo indie dev take on the genre looks like, keep an eye on it.

For more recommendations: best indie games 2026, best roguelite games, best FPS games, best adventure games.