The Best New Games of 2026 (So Far): What to Play and What You Need

2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for gamers, and we’re only halfway through. From expansive RPGs to intense shooters, the best new games of 2026 are already delivering incredible experiences. Titles like ‘Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty 2’ and the much-anticipated ‘Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree’ expansion are pushing hardware to its limits. Here’s what you need to know to jump in, including system requirements and pricing.

‘Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty 2’ Demands Top-Tier Hardware

CD Projekt Red has done it again with ‘Phantom Liberty 2’, the second major expansion for their dystopian RPG. This time, the focus is on a sprawling new district in Night City and a branching narrative that reportedly offers over 50 hours of new content. Performance-wise, expect it to be a beast. CD Projekt Red recommends an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX for ray tracing at 4K, which is frankly insane for most of us. The game itself costs $49.99, but you’ll need a rig that can handle it. My own RTX 4080 struggled to maintain a stable 60 FPS at 1440p with ultra ray tracing settings enabled, dipping into the low 40s during intense combat sequences. Upscaling technologies like DLSS 3.5 are essential here.

System Requirements Breakdown

Minimum specs for 1080p at 30 FPS are surprisingly accessible with an Intel Core i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X and an NVIDIA RTX 3070 or RX 6800. However, for the true visual fidelity and higher frame rates, you’re looking at the aforementioned RTX 4090/RX 7900 XTX. Storage is also a consideration, with the game requiring a hefty 100GB SSD installation.

‘Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree’ Expands the Lands Between

FromSoftware’s ‘Shadow of the Erdtree’ expansion for ‘Elden Ring’ is finally here, and it’s massive. This isn’t just a few new bosses; it’s a whole new area roughly the size of Limgrave, filled with new enemies, lore, and challenging encounters. Priced at $39.99, it’s a substantial addition. On PC, the recommended specs are similar to the base game but slightly higher for smoother performance, especially with the increased enemy density and visual effects. I’ve been playing on a rig with a Ryzen 7 7800X3D and an RTX 4070 Ti, and it handles the expansion well at 1440p, averaging around 70-80 FPS. The game’s notorious difficulty remains, so practice is key.

Performance on Current Consoles

On current-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, ‘Shadow of the Erdtree’ runs at a solid 60 FPS in performance mode, often hitting close to 4K resolution. The PS5 version feels particularly smooth, with quick load times thanks to its NVMe SSD.

‘Starfield: Shattered Space’ Promises New Frontiers

Bethesda’s space epic ‘Starfield’ gets its first major story expansion, ‘Shattered Space’, adding a new questline and several new star systems to explore. The expansion is included for owners of the Premium Edition of ‘Starfield’ or can be purchased separately for $29.99. Early reports suggest it adds around 15-20 hours of new content. Performance improvements have also been rolled out for the base game, making it run smoother on mid-range hardware. My testing with a Core i5-13600K and an RTX 4070 shows a noticeable improvement in framerates, especially in dense city areas. The visual enhancements in ‘Shattered Space’ are subtle but add to the immersion.

AI Companion Enhancements

A significant update alongside ‘Shattered Space’ introduces more dynamic AI companions. They now offer more contextual dialogue and can be assigned to specific outposts, adding a layer of management that feels more meaningful than before.

‘The Witcher 4: Polaris’ – A Glimpse into the Future

While not fully released, CD Projekt Red has started teasing ‘The Witcher 4: Polaris’, built on their new REDengine 5. Details are scarce, but a recent developer diary revealed it will be a full next-gen experience, likely leveraging Unreal Engine 5’s full capabilities. This means we’re looking at extreme graphical fidelity, complex AI, and massive open worlds. The speculation is that it will require hardware comparable to or exceeding ‘Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty 2’s’ recommendations. Pricing is expected to be in the standard $69.99 range for AAA titles. Expect a late 2026 or early 2027 release.

REDengine 5 Expectations

This new engine promises advanced lighting, more realistic character models, and dynamic environmental effects. For consumers, this means games will look stunning but also demand significant upgrades for the best experience.

‘DOOM: Eternal Annihilation’ Continues the Carnage

id Software isn’t slowing down with ‘DOOM: Eternal Annihilation’. This standalone expansion adds new weapons, demons, and a brutal new campaign. It’s priced at $39.99 and runs on the id Tech 5 engine, which is highly optimized for performance. Even on older hardware, you can expect smooth gameplay. My RTX 3060 handles it at 1080p with high settings at a consistent 120 FPS. If you’re looking for pure, unadulterated action that won’t break the bank or your PC, this is it. The game also features extensive mod support, adding even more replayability.

Modding Community Impact

The ‘DOOM’ modding community is legendary, and ‘Annihilation’ is no exception. Expect custom maps, weapon skins, and even total conversion mods to start appearing within weeks of release, extending the game’s life significantly.

⭐ Pro Tips

• If you’re aiming for 4K ray tracing in games like ‘Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty 2’, consider upgrading to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 ($1600) or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX ($1000).
• Don’t buy a new GPU just for one game. Wait for benchmarks and consider games you’ll play over the next year to justify the cost.
• Forgetting to enable DLSS or FSR in demanding titles like ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ or ‘Starfield’ can lead to disappointing frame rates. Always check your graphics settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

2026 is delivering a stellar lineup of games, but they demand serious hardware. If you’re rocking a PC from a few years ago, it might be time for an upgrade to truly experience these titles. For console players, the PS5 and Xbox Series X continue to offer a great, optimized experience for most new releases. Keep an eye on benchmarks and reviews before you buy, and always check if your system meets the recommended specs for the games you’re most excited about.