Original illustration by Meta Protago. The numbered tiles stand for the 20 games in our list.

Picking a new PC game in 2026 is harder than it should be. Big hits keep landing every few weeks, and your wishlist is probably already out of control.

So we did the sorting for you. This list covers 20 games that came out on PC this year, from Resident Evil Requiem and Forza Horizon 6 to a surprise co-op hit called Big Walk. Every date and score here was checked on October 29, 2026. If you only want a shorter list, try our 10 best PC games of 2026 or the best PC games 2026 must-play list.

How We Ranked the Top 20

We didn’t just sort by score. A game with a great score can still feel dull, and a game with a lower score can be hard to put down. So each pick was weighed on three things.

• Critic scores. We mostly used OpenCritic’s Top Critic Average, plus Metacritic where it helped.
• Player response. Steam reviews and sales news told us which games people really kept playing.
• Variety. You’ll find racing, horror, RPGs, co-op, survival and more, so there’s something for every taste.

One more rule: every game here was released on PC in 2026. Older favorites like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Elden Ring are still wonderful, but they came out earlier, so they aren’t on this list. We also left out early access games, which you’ll find in the “More Games Worth a Look” section. Scores can change after launch, so treat them as a snapshot from October 29.

That’s the top five. Everything from here on is still a strong pick, and the order matters less than the genre you’re in the mood for.

More 2026 PC Games Worth a Look

A couple of big names didn’t fit the rules above, but they’re worth knowing about.

• Slay the Spire 2. The deck-building roguelike sequel launched in early access on March 5. It sold around 4.6 million copies in March alone, according to Outlook Respawn.
• Marathon. Bungie’s extraction shooter arrived on March 5 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S at $39.99.

What About GTA 6?

You’ve probably been waiting for this one. Grand Theft Auto VI is set for November 19, 2026, but it’s console-only (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S). Rockstar hasn’t announced a PC version yet. While you wait, you can read our GTA 6 map vs GTA 5 comparison or see the latest on GTA 6 pre-orders, price, editions and release date.

2026 PC Release Timeline

Here’s when each game on the list arrived. The year started with Nioh 3 in February and is finishing strong, with four of the 20 coming out in October.

Quick Comparison Table

Scores are OpenCritic Top Critic Averages unless marked MC (Metacritic), checked October 29, 2026.

Where Should You Start?

Twenty games is a lot. Here’s a quick way to choose.

• Want the safest pick? Go with Forza Horizon 6.
• Love a good scare? Play Resident Evil Requiem.
• Playing with friends? Try Big Walk or Valheim.
• On a small budget? Big Walk (about $20) and Esoteric Ebb (about $25) were the cheapest at launch.
• Own a Steam Deck? Mina the Hollower and Big Walk are both good fits.
• Want a long story? Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter will keep you busy for weeks.

One last tip. Always read the system requirements on the store page before you buy, especially for the big ones like Forza Horizon 6 and Gears of War: E-Day. Prices change often, so check the store for today’s price.

Final Thoughts

2026 has been a surprisingly good year for PC. Capcom had a monster run, a small studio made a co-op hit, and a few big games had bumpy launches and fixed them fast. If you can only pick one, pick the genre you love most and start with the matching game above. We’ll keep this page updated as new scores and releases arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions