2025 was a considerably quiet yr for PlayStation. Sure, we obtained Loss of life Stranding 2: On the Seashore, nominated for Recreation of the 12 months, and Ghost of Yotei, Sucker Punch’s thrilling sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. However other than that, there hasn’t been a lot exercise from Sony’s first occasion studios. As an alternative, they needed to depend on builders outdoors of Sony’s steady. They’ve fortunately stored the PS5 going with a collection of fascinating video games. On the finish of 2024, Infold launched the console-exclusive Infinity Nikki, which has been delighting stylists all over the world for the previous 12 months. Moreover, smaller tasks akin to Sword of the Sea, Dispatch, and Child Steps have all been loved on the PlayStation 5.
In fact, the truth that there weren’t that many consoles restricted version It is not like there weren’t loads of nice video games out there to play on PS5 final yr. In reality, fairly the other. The award-winning Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the extremely anticipated Hole Knight: Silksong, and the acclaimed RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 led the way in which for third-party merchandise. Moreover, 2025 was precisely the yr Xbox went absolutely multiplatform with its library, with Forza Horizon 5, Gears of Conflict Reloaded, and The Outside Worlds 2 all coming to PlayStation, simply to call a number of. And the momentum exhibits no indicators of slowing down subsequent yr, with a sure Grasp Chief set to reach on Sony consoles for the primary time.
The reality is, Sony has been fairly quiet in the case of its unique merchandise, and would not actually scream out something new from a {hardware} standpoint. And that is earlier than we get into the issues Bungie (now PlayStation Studio, keep in mind?) confronted with Marathon. So will issues be much more thrilling in 2026? Effectively, we definitely hope so, as Marathon goals to counter PlayStation’s current stay service woes. Let’s dig into that and every thing else you may anticipate from Sony this yr.
First Celebration and Restricted Version
Heading into 2026, all eyes are on Logan as Insomniac appears to be like to strengthen its lengthy streak of Ratchet and Clank and Spider-Man video games by taking up one other comedian e book hero. Marvel’s Wolverine is at present scheduled for launch in “late 2026,” however we’ll see if that plan modifications in any respect as sure Rockstar video games transfer into related time frames. Nevertheless, if the primary glimpse of gameplay at September’s State of Play is any indication, we’ll be in for a deal with each time it releases.
There’s rather a lot in regards to the story that hasn’t been revealed but, however we’re desperate to study extra and see who from the X-Males and the broader Marvel Universe might be in Logan’s world. Mystique and Omega Pink are already set to seem, however Sabretooth is a should, and no less than certainly one of Insomniac’s Spider, Peter Parker, or Miles Morales will certainly make a cameo. Which of the X-Males would you most wish to see?
The one PS5 unique software program whose launch dates have truly been decided are “Saros,” “Nio 3,” and “Phantom Blade Zero.” The previous is a follow-up to Returnal’s acclaimed Housemarque, and appears to suit into the same mildew of colourful, particle-filled, difficult shooters set contained in the shell of an alien planet. Launched on April thirtieth after a short delay, the sport takes gamers as Arjun Devraj, performed by Rahul Kohli, on an expedition to a misplaced colony, killing and dying to uncover its mysteries by way of a recurring roguelike construction.
Nioh 3 is a PlayStation console unique and also will be coming to PC when it launches on February sixth. A chronological sequel to the occasions of the primary sport within the collection, Group Ninja is again with a recent dose of its personal model of punishing Souls-like motion in feudal Japan. However issues are shaking issues up this time round, because of the introduction of the “Ninja Playstyle”, which guarantees utterly totally different controls than conventional Samurai choices. Belief me, a studio referred to as Group Ninja, who additionally labored on the Ninja Gaiden collection, desires so as to add ninjas to Nioh. I feel one sentence is sufficient about ninjas.
Phantom Blade Zero is the extremely anticipated martial arts motion RPG from Chinese language developer S-Recreation. The primary character’s identify is Soul, so you may most likely guess which style this undertaking attracts closely from. I can affirm this myself. A fast hands-on at gamescom 2025 revealed that it does certainly have a troublesome fight system with a fancy skillset to grasp. Nevertheless, as a consequence of influences from different motion video games, the tempo of fight is way quicker than in a typical Soulslike. Are you going to be punished not directly? Effectively, Phantom Blade Zero might be launched on September ninth, so you will have to attend just a little longer.
Now, we’re speaking about one thing that’s believed to reach in 2026, however we nonetheless do not know when that might be. First up is Marvel Tokon: Combating Souls. It is a new superhero combating sport developed by Arc System Works, the builders of Responsible Gear. This uniquely stylized tackle the Marvel universe appears to be like like it should be an actual contender for the combating sport group, given the outcomes of its current closed beta.
Simply introduced at The Recreation Awards, 4:Loop is a brand new co-op shooter from Left 4 Useless creator Mike Sales space and Unhealthy Robotic Video games, the online game division of filmmaker JJ Abrams’ manufacturing firm. Unique to PS5 and PC, it appears to be like prefer it’ll have roguelike parts sprinkled with Helldivers and Left 4 Useless. A launch date has not but been introduced, however playtesting will start quickly.
Subsequent up is Marathon, the brand new extraction shooter from Future developer Bungie. It was initially scheduled to reach in 2025, nevertheless it’s been a troublesome yr to say the least. Regardless of being delayed this yr to a March launch, the studio is hoping for a giant comeback this yr, bucking the development of Sony’s not too long ago failed stay service shooters akin to Harmony. As an alternative, you will be in search of a template that follows the likes of the vastly profitable Arc Raiders and PlayStation’s personal Helldivers 2. The shooter’s pedigree is not as sturdy as Bungie’s, so it is positively attainable to subvert preliminary impressions.
Talking of live-service shooters, Fairgames is reportedly nonetheless in growth at Haven Studios regardless of the departure of founder Jade Raymond in Might 2025 and, extra not too long ago, the departure of the sport’s artistic director Daniel Drapeau in September. The gameplay of this “aggressive heist shooter” has not been revealed but and there’s no indication of a launch date, so critical doubts should be raised as as to whether it should ever see the sunshine of day.
How a couple of laser sword to your tea? Effectively, Intergalectic: The Heretic Prophet could be for you. It might be loopy to assume this is able to arrive earlier than 2027, however we hope we get a superb take a look at gameplay from Naughty Canine’s new sci-fi sport over the subsequent 12 months. However expectations are excessive from certainly one of Sony’s most beloved builders, with creator Neil Druckmann calling it “essentially the most bold sport” they’ve ever made.
However what in regards to the different PlayStation studios getting ready unique gadgets? Effectively, Guerrilla might not be growing the not too long ago revealed cellular MMORPG Horizon: Metal Frontiers itself, nevertheless it’s recruiting its personal multiplayer entry into the world of Aloy. Will we see it in 2026? What about Santa Monica’s subsequent undertaking? Even when a brand new God of Conflict is not imminent, is it lastly time to search out out what Cory Barlog’s thriller sport is all about? All are good questions. I haven’t got a solution to any of that.
I may have taken a tour of every of the remaining Sony studios right here, however to let you know the reality, I did that in August, and never a lot has modified since then. So you may learn it right here.
Third occasion and multi-platform
I am already wanting ahead to subsequent yr’s sport. We even have one other probability to let you know how excited we’re about GTA 6. absolutely, It was most not too long ago postponed to November, however 2026 would be the yr we lastly get our palms on the newest Grand Theft Auto. Please, Mr. Rockstar, please do not do one thing like that to us once more.
However our loss is many video games’ acquire, and Spring is broad open to fairly a number of folks to fill that GTA-type void. These embrace Resident Evil Requiem, the newest installment in Capcom’s legendary horror collection, and James Bond journey First Mild, IO Interactive’s first non-Hitman undertaking shortly. Moreover, Pearl Abyss’ expansive open-world motion Crimson Desert can also be coming to consoles and PC in March. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Darkish Knight picks up the place Rocksteady’s Arkham trilogy left off when it launches Might twenty ninth, seeking to inject some unforgettable minifigure allure into its satisfying melee fight.
However a lot of 2026 stays unsure. That is most likely largely as a consequence of the truth that GTA has modified rather a lot since James Brown was on stage within the ’70s. Let’s begin with some multiplatform video games that we’re positive will arrive this yr, then transfer on to the video games which might be prone to be ingrained in our desires.
Sure, Grasp Chief will quickly be managed by DualSense. Halo: Marketing campaign Advanced might be launched for PS5 in 2026 as Microsoft continues to roll out the library to different platforms. The Unreal Engine 5 remake of the 2001 Xbox basic could possibly be a ghost for Halo: Fight Advanced’s authentic developer, Bungie, if its marathon launch would not go as deliberate. This new Halo version solely features a story marketing campaign, so it would not compete, no less than not within the multiplayer market.
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra not too long ago modified its authentic early 2026 time interval to “early 2026 or later,” so your guess is as correct as mine as to when Amy Hennig’s Captain America and Black Panther will play out within the World Conflict II story. Legendary PlayStation hero Lara Croft returns in a “reimagining” of the unique sport titled Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. Additionally, Finnish developer Treatment returns with one other entry in its linked world, Management: Resonant. Additionally at The Recreation Awards was the nice shock Star Wars: Gaoptic Racer, scheduled for launch in 2026, from the makers of Burnout and Want For Velocity.
Along with Resident Evil, Capcom is about to have a giant yr with Onimusha: Manner of the Sword and Pragmata set to be hits. Similar to 2025, 2026 appears to be like prefer it’ll be a yr for followers of swords and creepy robots. For vampire followers alike, The Blood of Dawnwalker appears to be like very promising because of its non-linear narrative and sandbox-like construction created by a group led by former Witcher 3 builders. Subsequent up is Mixtape, which I personally added to this listing as one of many video games I am most wanting ahead to in 2026. The Clever Escape The second undertaking from studio Beethoven & Dinosaur, this 80s-inspired coming-of-age journey is unquestionably one to observe.
Will 2026 be the yr we lastly get to play Ken Levine’s new sport? The creator of Bioshock hasn’t given us a BioShock since 2013’s Infinite. Judas is size The time is now. Let’s hope this yr is that yr, as a result of that is what I want in my life. Like The Witcher 4, I am not silly sufficient to consider that CD Projekt Pink’s Siri-driven RPG is coming any time quickly. However be happy to shock me. That makes me completely happy.
{Hardware} and know-how
Huge {hardware} is not essentially anticipated to reach this yr, with next-gen consoles theoretically not scheduled for launch till late 2027 on the earliest. Mark Cerny, Sony’s know-how wizard and most significantly, the creator of Knack, not too long ago talked about new graphics capabilities in a dialog with AMD, which sparked hypothesis of a PlayStation 6, which may nonetheless be no less than a number of years away.
Rumors of a brand new handheld PlayStation have additionally been flying round, after final summer time there have been hints that Sony would possibly observe Nintendo’s Change blueprint and even flip the PS6 right into a hybrid dwelling/moveable console. In fact, that is all simply hypothesis, however as the dimensions of highly effective {hardware} continues to shrink and the capabilities of the cloud proceed to develop, it isn’t that far-fetched to think about. Nevertheless, as I discussed earlier, we’re nonetheless a great distance off from getting any concrete details about the way forward for PlayStation {hardware}.
That is every thing we find out about what to anticipate from PlayStation in 2026, plus some hypothesis. What sport are you most wanting ahead to this yr? Tell us within the feedback under.
Simon Cardy is a senior editor at videogameaddicted, the place he principally spends his time wandering round open-world video games, indulging in Korean motion pictures, and despairing over the state of Tottenham Hotspur and the New York Jets. Comply with him on Bluesky. @cardy.bsky.social.