Best PC Games 2026: What's Worth Playing Right Now
Best PC games in 2026, the new releases, recent hits, and evergreen classics worth playing on PC right now.
2026 is stacked. Between massive new releases and recent games still receiving updates, PC gaming has never had more quality options competing for your time. As a PC-first indie studio, here's what we think is worth playing right now.
What are the best new PC game releases of 2026?
The standout 2026 PC releases include Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (the current GOTY frontrunner), Elden Ring: Nightreign, Nioh 3, Crimson Desert, and Oblivion Remastered. Schedule 1, a 2025 breakout indie hit still receiving major updates, also belongs in the conversation. These titles represent some of the strongest PC gaming lineups in years.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the GOTY frontrunner. Hybrid turn-based/real-time RPG with parry-based combat, stunning art direction, and a narrative that made people cry within 30 minutes. From a small French studio. The expedition 33 tips and expedition 33 best party posts have more.
Elden Ring: Nightreign, From Software's co-op extraction game built on Elden Ring's combat foundation. Three-player runs through a shrinking world with boss encounters. Different structure from base Elden Ring but same exceptional combat. The elden ring nightreign tips post has more.
Nioh 3, Team Ninja's return to dark samurai action. New Ninja Stance adds fast evasion-focused combat alongside the traditional Samurai style. Time-travel storyline spanning multiple Japanese eras. Metacritic 86.
Crimson Desert, from the Black Desert Online developers. Open-world action-adventure that draws from Witcher 3, Red Dead, and Zelda. Massive scope with melee-focused combat.
Schedule 1, 2025's biggest indie hit, still receiving major updates. Drug empire management sim that became a cultural phenomenon. The schedule 1 tips and schedule 1 mixing guide posts have more.
Oblivion Remastered, Unreal Engine 5 rebuild of The Elder Scrolls IV. Same game, dramatically improved visuals. Nostalgia meets modern graphics. The oblivion remastered tips post has more.
Which 2025 PC games are still worth playing in 2026?
Path of Exile 2, Monster Hunter Wilds, Hades II, and Silksong are the top 2025 games still worth playing in 2026. Path of Exile 2 offers the deepest ARPG build crafting available, Monster Hunter Wilds delivers hundreds of hours of combat, and both Hades II and Silksong are exceptional action experiences.
Path of Exile 2, the deepest ARPG on the market, still in early access and receiving massive updates. If you love build crafting and endgame systems, nothing competes. The path of exile 2 builds and path of exile 2 best class posts have more.
Monster Hunter Wilds, Capcom's biggest MH launch ever. Hundreds of hours of hunting content with the best combat in the action genre. The monster hunter wilds weapon tier list post has more.
Hades II, Supergiant's follow-up to the GOTY roguelike. New protagonist Melinoë, expanded cast, deeper combat systems. Still in early access but already excellent.
Silksong, the long-awaited Hollow Knight sequel. New protagonist Hornet, faster combat, massive new world. Worth every year of the wait.
What are the best evergreen PC games to play right now?
The best evergreen PC games include Baldur's Gate 3, Elden Ring (with Shadow of the Erdtree), Stardew Valley, Disco Elysium, Hollow Knight, Cyberpunk 2077 (post-2.0), and Vampire Survivors. These titles aren't new releases, but they remain among the highest-quality experiences on the platform and deliver exceptional value for the price.
These aren't new but they're still among the best games on the platform:
Baldur's Gate 3, 200+ hours of RPG perfection. The baldurs gate 3 best class post has more.
Elden Ring (base game + Shadow of the Erdtree), the open-world soulslike masterpiece. The elden ring tips post has more.
Stardew Valley, the farming sim with endless content. The stardew valley tips post has more.
Disco Elysium, the best-written game ever made.
Hollow Knight, 40-60 hours of metroidvania for $15. The games like Hollow Knight post has more.
Cyberpunk 2077 (post-2.0 update), the redemption story. Completely reworked systems made it the game it should have been at launch. The cyberpunk 2077 best builds post has more.
Vampire Survivors, $3 for 100+ hours. The vampire survivors best builds post has more.
What upcoming 2026 PC games should you watch for?
The most anticipated upcoming 2026 PC releases are GTA 6 (November 2026, console first with PC date TBD), Fable, Subnautica 2, The Blood of Dawnwalker, and Resident Evil Requiem. GTA 6 is the single most anticipated game in the industry, while the others span RPGs, survival, and horror.
GTA 6 (November 2026), the most anticipated game in history. Vice City setting, dual protagonists, Rockstar's first new GTA in over a decade. Console-first launch, PC date TBD.
Fable, Playground Games' reboot of the beloved RPG series. Open-world comedy-RPG with modernized combat.
Subnautica 2, co-op underwater exploration. New alien ocean, overhauled building system.
The Blood of Dawnwalker, vampire RPG from a new studio. Day/night gameplay loop with vampiric abilities.
Resident Evil Requiem, ninth mainline RE. Dual protagonists (Grace Ashcroft and Leon Kennedy). Return to Raccoon City.
What we make at Choost
Choost Games builds PC-first indie titles in genres we love. Granny's Rampage is a bullet heaven and Granny's Gambit is a deckbuilder roguelike, both available now on itch.io. If you enjoy games like Vampire Survivors or Slay the Spire, these are made for you.
Granny's Rampage is a PC-first bullet heaven, designed and playtested on the platform we love most. Granny's Gambit is a deckbuilder roguelike in the same tradition as Slay the Spire and Balatro. Both available on itch.io.
For more PC recommendations, the best games for steam deck, best budget gaming pc, and best free games steam posts have more.
The shortest version
Here is a quick-reference breakdown of the best PC games to play right now across every category, from 2026 releases and ongoing favorites to the best value picks and most anticipated upcoming titles.
| Category | Pick | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Best 2026 release so far | Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | GOTY frontrunner with hybrid turn-based/real-time combat |
| Best ongoing | Path of Exile 2, Monster Hunter Wilds | Deepest ARPG and best action combat, respectively |
| Best value | Vampire Survivors ($3), Hollow Knight ($7.50 on sale) | Hundreds of combined hours for under $11 |
| Most anticipated | GTA 6 (November 2026) | Console-first launch, PC date TBD |
PC advantage: Every game on this list runs best on PC, higher frame rates, better graphics, mod support. 2026 is one of the best years for PC gaming ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best PC games to play right now in 2026?
The best PC games in 2026 include Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (the GOTY frontrunner), Elden Ring: Nightreign, Path of Exile 2, Monster Hunter Wilds, and evergreen picks like Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring. For value, Vampire Survivors ($3) and Hollow Knight ($7.50 on sale) offer hundreds of hours.
What is the best PC game release of 2026 so far?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the best 2026 PC release so far and the current GOTY frontrunner. It features hybrid turn-based/real-time RPG combat with parry mechanics, stunning art direction, and a powerful narrative from a small French studio.
When does GTA 6 come out on PC?
GTA 6 launches in November 2026 with a console-first release. The PC release date has not been confirmed yet (TBD). It features a Vice City setting with dual protagonists and is Rockstar's first new GTA in over a decade.
What are the best value PC games right now?
The best value PC games are Vampire Survivors at $3 (100+ hours of content) and Hollow Knight at $15 full price or $7.50 on sale (40 to 60 hours of metroidvania gameplay). Both deliver exceptional playtime per dollar spent.
