2025 was considerably of a quiet 12 months for PlayStation. Sure, we bought the Recreation of the 12 months-nominated Dying Stranding 2: On the Seaside, and Sucker Punch’s thrilling sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, Ghost of Yotei. However apart from that, there wasn’t actually numerous exercise from Sony’s first-party studios. As an alternative, you needed to look to builders outdoors of Sony’s stables, who fortunately saved the PS5 ticking over with an array of fascinating video games. Proper on the again finish of 2024, Infold launched the console-exclusive Infinity Nikki and has been delighting stylists across the globe over the previous 12 months, and smaller initiatives corresponding to Sword of the Sea, Dispatch, and Child Steps have all been loved on PlayStation 5.
In fact, the very fact that there have been not many console exclusives did not imply there weren’t an entire host of nice video games to play on our PS5s final 12 months. Fairly the other, in truth. Awards-sweeper Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the long-awaited Hole Knight: Silksong, and acclaimed RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 led the third-party choices. Plus, 2025 actually was the 12 months of Xbox going absolutely multiplatform with its library, as Forza Horizon 5, Gears of Warfare Reloaded, and The Outer Worlds 2, to call just some, all made their approach to PlayStation. And that’s displaying no indicators of slowing down within the coming 12 months, both, with a sure Grasp Chief set to grace a Sony console for the primary time.
The reality is, Sony has simply been fairly quiet with regards to exclusives of its personal, with little new to shout about from a {hardware} perspective, both. And that’s earlier than we even get into the issues Bungie (now a PlayStation Studio, keep in mind) has confronted with Marathon. So, are issues trying extra thrilling in 2026? Properly, Marathon will definitely be hoping in order it goals to fight PlayStation’s current live-service travails. Let’s dig into it, in addition to every part else to anticipate from Sony this 12 months.
First-Social gathering and Exclusives
Heading into 2026, all eyes are on Logan, as Insomniac goals to bolster its lengthy successful streak of Ratchet and Clank and Spider-Man video games by taking over one other comedian e book hero. Marvel’s Wolverine is at present pencilled in for a “late 2026” launch, though we’ll see if these plans change in any respect attributable to a sure Rockstar recreation transferring to the same timeframe. Each time it does launch, although, we glance to be in for a deal with if our first take a look at gameplay throughout September’s State of Play is any indication.
Whereas a lot remains to be but to be revealed about its story, we’re wanting to be taught extra and see simply who else from the X-Males and the broader Marvel Universe might be popping into Logan’s world. Mystique and Omega Pink have already been confirmed, however certainly Sabretooth is a should, in addition to a cameo on the very least from both of Insomniac’s Spideys, Peter Parker or Miles Morales. Which of the X-Males do you need to see most?
As for PS5 exclusives that really have launch dates confirmed, there’s solely Saros, Nioh 3, and Phantom Blade Zero. The previous is Housemarque’s follow-up to the acclaimed Returnal, and appears to be sitting in the same mould of vibrant, particle-filled, difficult shooter inside an alien planet shell. Now arriving on April 30 after a slight delay, it can take gamers on an expedition to a misplaced colony as we step into the sneakers of Rahul Kohli’s Arjun Devraj and kill and die our approach to uncovering its mysteries via its repeating, roguelike construction.
Nioh 3 is a console unique for PlayStation, as it is also arriving on PC when it launches on February 6. A chronological sequel to the occasions of the sequence’ first recreation, Staff Ninja is again with a recent dose of its personal model of punishing soulslike motion in feudal Japan. Issues are being shaken up this time, although, due to the introduction of a “ninja playstyle” which guarantees to regulate utterly otherwise from the normal samurai choice. Belief a studio known as Staff Ninja, which can be chargeable for the Ninja Gaiden sequence, to need to add ninjas to Nioh. That is sufficient ninjas for one sentence, I believe.
Phantom Blade Zero is a hotly anticipated wuxia motion RPG coming from Chinese language developer S-Recreation. The lead character known as Soul, so you’ll be able to most likely guess what style this undertaking additionally borrows closely from, too. I can affirm this myself – after briefly going hands-on with it at gamescom 2025, I discovered that there’s certainly a punishing fight system with a fancy skillset to grasp. However there are different motion recreation influences, too, so the fight tempo is far larger than in your typical Soulslike. Up for some punishment? Properly, you’ll have to carry on slightly longer but, as Phantom Blade Zero might be launched on September 9.
Now onto the stuff we’re led to consider might be coming in 2026, we simply don’t know when but. First up is Marvel Tokon: Combating Souls, the brand new superhero preventing recreation from Responsible Gear developer Arc System Works. A uniquely stylised interpretation of the Marvel universe, it appears set to be an actual contender within the preventing recreation neighborhood if its current closed betas are something to go by.
Freshly revealed at The Recreation Awards, 4:Loop is a brand new co-op shooter from Left 4 Useless creator Mike Sales space and Dangerous Robotic Video games, the online game wing of movie director J.J. Abrams’ manufacturing firm. A PS5 and PC unique, it appears to infuse some roguelike parts with a sprinkling of Helldivers and Left 4 Useless. No launch date has been given but, however playtesting will begin quickly.
Then we have now Marathon, the brand new extraction shooter from Future developer Bungie, which was initially meant to reach in 2025, however had a tough 12 months to say the least. Delayed into this 12 months and now popping out in March, the studio might be hoping for a giant comeback story this 12 months and buck the pattern of not too long ago failed Sony live-service shooter choices corresponding to Harmony. As an alternative, it’ll be trying to the likes of the wildly profitable Arc Raiders and PlayStation’s very personal Helldivers 2 for a template to comply with. Shooter pedigree doesn’t come a lot stronger than Bungie, so fingers crossed that it may flip round these preliminary impressions.
Talking of live-service shooters, Fairgames is reportedly nonetheless in growth at Haven Studios regardless of the departure of its founder, Jade Raymond, in Might of 2025, and much more not too long ago, the sport’s inventive director, Daniel Drapeau, leaving in September. With nonetheless no gameplay to be seen and no signal of a launch date for this “aggressive heist shooter”, severe questions now must be raised about whether or not it can ever see the sunshine of day.
Laser swords extra your cup of tea? Properly, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is perhaps the one for you. We’re very a lot dreaming if we predict that is coming any sooner than 2027, however hopefully, we get an excellent take a look at gameplay for Naughty Canine’s new sci-fi recreation over the following 12 months. Expectations are excessive from one in all Sony’s most beloved builders, although, with creator Neil Druckmann calling it the “most bold recreation” they’ve ever made.
However what about all of these different PlayStation studios cooking up exclusives? Properly, Guerrilla is probably not creating the not too long ago revealed cell MMORPG Horizon: Metal Frontiers itself, however has been recruiting for its personal multiplayer entry into Aloy’s universe. Might we see that in 2026? What about Santa Monica’s subsequent undertaking? Is it lastly time to see what Cory Barlog’s thriller recreation is, if a brand new God of Warfare isn’t imminent? All good questions. None of which I’ve the solutions for.
I might run via every of the remaining Sony studios right here, however, honestly, I did that again in August, and little or no has modified since. So, you’ll be able to learn that right here.
Third-Social gathering and Multiplatform
One other look ahead to the 12 months forward in video games, and one other alternative for me to say how excited I’m for GTA 6. Absolutely, after its most up-to-date delay to November, 2026 is the 12 months we lastly get our palms on the newest Grand Theft Auto. Please, Rockstar, don’t do it to us once more.
Our loss is a bunch of video games’ acquire, although, with Spring opening up large for a good few to fill that GTA-shaped void. These embrace Capcom’s newest entry into its legendary horror sequence, Resident Evil Requiem and IO Interactive’s first non-Hitman undertaking in a very long time, James Bond journey, 007 First Mild. Plus, Pearl Abyss’ expansive open-world motion of Crimson Desert might be hovering onto consoles and PC in March as properly. Lego Batman: Legacy of the Darkish Knight is trying to decide up the place Rocksteady’s Arkham trilogy left off and infuse its satisfying melee fight with that indelible minifig appeal when it launches on Might 29.
However a lot of 2026 stays unsure — probably largely attributable to GTA shifting round greater than James Brown did on stage within the ‘70s. Let’s begin with some multiplatform video games we’re fairly assured are coming this 12 months, earlier than transferring on to ones that may probably stay rooted in our goals.
Sure, Grasp Chief will quickly be managed by a DualSense. Halo: Marketing campaign Developed is heading to the PS5 in 2026 as Microsoft continues to unleash its library onto different platforms. This Unreal Engine 5 remake of the 2001 Xbox traditional might show the spectre on the feast for Bungie, the unique builders of Halo: Fight Developed, if its personal Marathon launch doesn’t go as deliberate. At the very least it received’t be competing within the multiplayer market, as this re-creation of Halo solely consists of the story marketing campaign.
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra not too long ago shifted out of its authentic window of early 2026 to “past early 2026”, so your guess is nearly as good as mine as to after we’ll be taking part in Amy Hennig’s Captain America and Black Panther in World Warfare 2 story. Legendary PlayStation hero Lara Croft might be returning in a “reimagining” of her authentic recreation, titled Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, and Finnish developer Treatment is again with one other entry in its related universe, Management: Resonant. Additionally introduced at The Recreation Awards was the pleasantly shocking Star Wars: Galactic Racer from the makers of Burnout and Want For Pace that’s scheduled to drop in 2026.
Capcom can be set for a giant 12 months outdoors of Resident Evil, with Onimusha: Means of the Sword and Pragmata each set to hit. As was the way in which in 2025, 2026 additionally appears set to maintain you content should you’re a fan of katanas and unnerving robots. As it can for vampire followers too, with The Blood of Dawnwalker trying actually promising due to a non-linear narrative and sandbox-like construction, crafted by a crew led by former Witcher 3 devs. Then there’s Mixtape, a recreation I’ve added to this checklist as one in all my personally most anticipated of 2026. The sophomore undertaking from The Clever Escape studio Beethoven & Dinosaur, this 80s-inspired coming-of-age journey is unquestionably one to maintain in your radar.
Is 2026 lastly the 12 months we get to play a brand new Ken Levine recreation? The Bioshock creator hasn’t given us one since 2013’s Infinite, and Judas has been in growth for a lengthy time now. Let’s hope that is the 12 months, as a result of it’s one thing I want in my life. As is The Witcher 4, however even I’m not silly sufficient to consider that CD Projekt Pink’s Ciri-led RPG is coming anytime quickly. However be happy to shock me. I’d love that.
{Hardware} and Tech
We’re not essentially anticipating any huge {hardware} splashes this 12 months, with the following console generations theoretically not due till late 2027 on the earliest. Sony tech wizard — and most significantly, creator of Knack — Mark Cerny did not too long ago talk about new graphics capabilities in a dialog with AMD, which sparked PlayStation 6 hypothesis into overdrive, however it’s nonetheless probably a few years away no less than.
Rumours are additionally abound of a brand new PlayStation handheld, after options have been remodeled the previous summer time that Sony might even be following Nintendo’s blueprint for the Change, and turning the PS6 right into a hybrid dwelling and transportable console. In fact, that is all simply wild hypothesis, however with highly effective {hardware} solely decreasing in measurement and cloud capabilities ever-growing, it doesn’t really feel like an excessive amount of of a stretch to think about. As I stated, although, we’re nonetheless fairly a means off listening to something concrete with regard to the way forward for PlayStation {hardware}.
And that’s every part we all know, together with a number of guesses thrown in, about what to anticipate from PlayStation in 2026. What video games are you most excited for this 12 months? Tell us within the feedback beneath.
Simon Cardy is a Senior Editor at IGN who can primarily be discovered skulking round open world video games, indulging in Korean cinema, or despairing on the state of Tottenham Hotspur and the New York Jets. Observe him on Bluesky at @cardy.bsky.social.