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With the rest of 2026 and early 2027 filled with new and thrilling video games, the most recent PAX West provided attendees an effective way to see a number of the most anticipated new titles a bit early. Coming scorching on the heels of Gamescom 2026 and just a few months earlier than Grand Theft Auto 6’s launch, attendees obtained a ultimate public look at all kinds of massive video games, a few of that are nonetheless flying below gamers’ radar.
On this roundup of our favourite video games from the present, we’re spotlighting a number of the most eye-grabbing titles we noticed throughout PAX West 2026 and different adjoining occasions reminiscent of The Media Indie Alternate. Together with Closing Fantasy VII Revelation and Persona 4 Revival, we’re additionally spotlighting some new video games that simply could also be your subsequent favourite recreation to play.
Closing Fantasy VII Revelation
Developer: Sq. Enix.
Launch: April 8, 2027
We have performed and seen a lot of Closing Fantasy VII Revelation in current weeks, and it is doing nicely to set the stage for what is going to seemingly be the Closing Fantasy collection’ most bold entry thus far. Specializing in the climax of Cloud and crew’s globe-trotting journey to take down Sephiroth and save the world, FFVII Revelation not solely brings the total get together collectively — lastly giving Cid and Vincent their time to shine — but it surely additionally modernizes the unique recreation’s open-world second by giving gamers full management over which actions to tackle and areas they will journey to. With Gamescom and the current State of Play giving us a formidable look at the expanded open world and deeper fight reworks, Revelation is shaping as much as be a conclusion that may make the 11-year look forward to the total Closing Fantasy VII Remake value it, bringing the bold and large-scale FFVII Remake saga to an explosive end.
For extra on Closing Fantasy VII Revelation, test again with IGN for our upcoming full-length preview.
Dungeon Lurker
Developer: 13AM Games
Launch: TBD
Because the saying goes, what’s outdated is new once more. The current inflow of recent video games recreating the early period of 3D video games from the PlayStation 1, Sega Saturn, and Nintendo 64 has proven there’s a lot extra to understand about basic 3D video games. That is the place Dungeon Lurker‘s moody, fourth-wall-breaking tackle a PS1-style action-RPG is laying out its alluring idea. Taking over the function of an unknown participant revisiting a lately handed pal’s favourite recreation, you will dive into Dungeon Lurker‘s eerie dungeon-crawling journey to energy up the hero and earn new abilities to courageous the risks under.
However as you dive deeper into the sport and look at your pal’s notes written into its guide from the seemingly secure boundaries of your lounge, it will grow to be obvious that the sport itself could be haunted, leaving you to uncover the supply of the supernatural presence that is drawn you in. It is equal elements a legit dungeon-crawler beat-em-up, a throwback to basic 3D motion video games, and a touch of a supernatural horror recreation — and Dungeon Crawler handles all elements with a compelling grace that had me hooked on what’s to return subsequent.
Conflict of the Western Deep
Developer: Sungrove Studios
Launch: TBD
The Past the Western Deep comedian collection is a cult favourite inside the indie comedian area – and now, the creators of the comics and developer Sungrove Studios are constructing the fantasy collection’ first online game. Conflict of the Western Deep leans into the fashion of basic 2D journey video games like King’s Quest and The Secret of Monkey Island, the place gamers information Mirren as they traverse by enemy territory and battle towards bandits and invading northerners to make it again to the dominion of Sungrove.
What instantly pulled me in was the improbable, expressive artwork fashion that seems like a mash-up of Disney’s Robin Hood and basic Don Bluth animation, lending a lot character and allure to the world — all whereas including in Recreation of Thrones-style intrigue into the combination. Conflict of the Western Deep was one of the spectacular 2D video games at PAX West, and seeing its hand-crafted animation come to life in an journey recreation has me desperate to see what’s to return with the total recreation.
Persona 4 Revival
Developer: Sega Atlus
Launch: February 17, 2026
Merely put, Persona 4 is likely one of the nice trendy JRPGs, and it is thrilling to see it get a well-deserved remake. Very like Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Revival goals to offer the unique recreation’s demon-slaying, highschool melodrama a slick, modernized revamp, pushing the tone and power even greater. From our early hands-on, Persona 4 Revival delivers the unique with renewed vigor, with extra expressive character motion and new fight mechanics just like the Primetime means to strategically tear by demons with the squad. Revival is shaping as much as not solely be an effective way for followers to dive again into the world of P4, but additionally to offer newcomers an opportunity to see why the Atlus RPG is likely one of the greats.
Remaining Grace
Developer: ambedo studios
Launch: TBD
Remaining Grace presents a really totally different kind of detective story – one which’s all about reassessing the bonds left behind in life after your dying. From developer Ambedo Studios, this ghost-detective story follows Grace Tao as she seeks to resolve the thriller of her personal dying three years later. After reawakening as a spirit, she’ll use her new ghost powers to imprint onto objects and folks to see new views, piecing collectively the fragile timeline surrounding her dying. Alongside the way in which, Grace will find out how her household and closest associates have tried to maneuver on, bringing her nearer than ever to those who nonetheless bear in mind her.
Ambedo Studios’ Remaining Grace was probably the most emotionally wealthy and charming recreation I performed at PAX West 2026, and it actually leans into its idea of an emotionally compelling detective story concerning the bonds and group we construct by life. It is such a compelling hook for a story journey recreation, and I can not wait to see extra of it.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World
Developer: Sq. Enix, TOSE CO., LTD.
Launch: December 3, 2026
Very like the Pokémon collection, the Dragon Quest collection additionally dives into video games which can be all about accumulating monsters and coaching them to be the easiest. With the most recent entry of the Dragon Quest Monsters sub-series, The Withered World blends the monster-collectathon and turn-based get together battle gameplay with Dragon Quest’s stylized, high-fantasy storytelling that is powered by the artwork fashion of legendary artist Akira Toriyama. The Withered World shakes issues up by leaning additional into the expertise of the important thing protagonists, Bianca and Nera, and how their distinctive talents will form their fashion as succesful monster wranglers.
Together with therapeutic a decaying world and recruiting new monsters, you will additionally study the brand new synthesis talent to merge most of the acquainted Dragon Quest monsters into new creations. Boasting over 500 collectible monsters to coach and evolve, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World presents the sub-series’ most bold flip but, which completely leans into the wacky and heartwarmingly adventurous aspect of the Dragon Quest collection.
For extra on Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World, test again with IGN for our upcoming preview.
The Closing Reduce of Lilith Cunningham
Developer: Causeway Studios
Launch: TBD
Coming from developer Causeway Studios, The Closing Reduce of Lilith Cunningham is equal elements a highlight for the enduring full-motion video (FMV) journey recreation and a psychological thriller the place you will “re-edit” actuality to search out the protagonist’s lacking daughter. Mixing live-action video with absolutely explorable environments that match the darkly-surreal environment of a David Lynch neo-noir movie, you will discover a seemingly deserted motel with a looming supernatural presence. Whereas piecing collectively clues and discovering a mysterious movie reel that lets Lilith re-edit the timeline of actuality, she’ll use her Alan Wake 2-style thoughts powers to bend actuality to suit a story and uncover the reality behind her daughter’s disappearance. Even with its temporary teaser of what is to return, The Closing Reduce of Lilith Cunningham is constructing an eerie, mesmerizing thriller thriller that delivers on its retro-adventure idea.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse
Developer: Evil Empire, Konami
Launch: October 14, 2026
The upcoming Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is actually going all in on being the form of revival that the Castlevania collection wants – and it is doing that by bringing the collection again to its 2D motion origins. Developed by Evil Empire, the artistic staff behind Lifeless Cells and The Rogue: Prince of Persia, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is the direct sequel to Dracula’s Curse and follows Rose Belmont’s journey by a monster-corrupted Paris. The builders are a improbable match for the collection’ fashion, and their newest recreation goals to mix basic Castlevania with the sprawling search-action of the action-RPG period, with hits like Symphony of the Evening and Aria of Sorrow. Taking part in Belmont’s Curse hits all the appropriate beats of quick and measured fight and satisfying traversal motion that the excessive factors of the collection have nailed. It is already shaping as much as be a worthy comeback for one in all Konami’s most celebrated franchises.
Rain98
Developer: C#4R4CT3R
Launch: TBD 2026
The interactive visible novel style can provide dense, really imaginative storytelling. The upcoming Rain98 is a brand new narrative work that has its sights set on telling a narrative that is all about its two protagonists forming a bond as they resolve to save lots of the long run -– all whereas retaining their house clear and working a part-time job. Set in an alternate 1998, you play as a mysterious determine from 2025 transported to the previous. Assembly up with the mysterious Reina, you bond over the anxieties of a bleak future for humanity and search to vary it with a mysterious ritual. Rain98‘s environment channels the darkish tone of basic Shin Megami Tensei, all whereas leaning into the non-public story of two lonely youths frightened concerning the future, and it is a compelling narrative that’ll preserve you engaged for what’s to return.
Mouseward
Developer: Finite Reflection Studios
Launch: TBD
The Nintendo 64 collectathon-style motion platformer and the tense, atmospheric soulslike appear to be complete opposites. However the upcoming Mouseward from developer Finite Reflection Studios seeks to mix these contrasting genres to construct a brand new kind of retro-inspired 3D platformer with a stoic action-RPG twist. In Mouseward, you tackle the function of a reawakened royal mouse guard tasked with restoring a corrupted kingdom and slaying harmful foes lurking inside. Injecting that plucky and bouncy sense of motion into measured, difficult fight could be a tough idea, however Mouseward is surprisingly efficient at delivering on its rhythmic tempo and sense of journey – all with the fashion of a basic N64 recreation that is channeling the tone of Bloodborne. It is a neat idea, and the builders behind Mouseward are proving that this style mashup can work if it focuses on getting gamers to discover and uncover the bizarre risks tucked away on the planet.
Ballgame
Developer: Human Laptop
Launch: TBD
Ballgame is likely one of the strangest, but delightfully difficult puzzle platformers I’ve seen in a while. Taking part in as a sentient golf ball named Dolf that is in a position to defy gravity and twist about within the air, you are tasked with clearing a wide range of phases which can be stuffed with bizarre hazards and different obstacles – and you will must do it with as few hits as attainable. Simply once you’re discovering your move and effortlessly blitzing by phases, Ballgame tosses in some weird challenges that open up many deftly designed impediment programs that’ll have you ever planning your strikes to make the very best run. It is a deceptively difficult 2D puzzle-platformer, however one which I discovered so extremely charming to play.
Whilst you’re right here, try these previews of different huge upcoming video games we have performed lately!
Alessandro Fillari is a longtime video games media skilled. Discuss video video games with him on BlueSky at @afillari.bsky.social.