1. Nioh 3: A Refined Evolution of Brutal Combat
Team Ninja is preparing to deliver a highly anticipated return with Nioh 3, a title that is being eagerly awaited by fans of the challenging Souls-like genre. This new installment, scheduled for an early 2026 release on PlayStation 5 and PC, promises to maintain the series’ core essence while taking bold steps forward. It is understood that a vast open-world structure is not being embraced; instead, a more refined “open zone” design is being utilized. This approach allows for areas to be crafted with dynamic life and hidden dangers, encouraging exploration within tightly controlled, yet expansive, environments.
Players were given an initial taste earlier this year through an Alpha demo on PS5, where the brutal combat that Nioh is known for was showcased. A unique incentive was offered to those who completed the demo, with an exclusive in-game helmet being rewarded for the full release. More recently, a 19-minute gameplay showcase revealed sprawling, open-ended levels, optional bosses that will challenge even the most seasoned players, and the eerie Crucible, a location steeped in dread and mystery. The combat system, which is centered on precision and stamina management, is expected to be further honed, ensuring that every encounter feels both merciless and deeply rewarding.
2. Valor Mortis: Dark Souls-like Horror in 19th-Century Europe
From the acclaimed creators of *Ghostrunner*, a new, much darker experience is being crafted in the form of Valor Mortis. This first-person Souls-like adventure is set against the bleak backdrop of an alternate 19th-century Europe, where the land has been twisted by an insidious plague and widespread corruption. Players will step into the boots of William, a soldier of the Grand Armée who has been inexplicably resurrected, cursed yet empowered by a mysterious substance known as Neftogloben.
The combat in Valor Mortis is designed to feel immediate and merciless, with swords clashing in the mud and pistols roaring with visceral impact. Eerie transmutations allow players to conjure destructive powers directly from the environment, such as fireblasts that scorch both human and monstrous adversaries. Precision is paramount, with parrying, dodging, and dashing being essential for survival. The first-person perspective is intended to make every duel feel incredibly raw and personal, forging an intense connection between the player and the blade.
3. The Last Ronin: A Gritty TMNT Action RPG
The most somber chapter in the *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* universe is being brought to life in *The Last Ronin*, a third-person action RPG that adapts the acclaimed comic series. Officially announced in 2023, this ambitious project is being developed by Black Forest Games and published by THQ Nordic, targeting PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC platforms. While a confirmed release date has not yet been provided, and development faced some turbulence due to major layoffs in early 2024, the overarching vision for the game remains incredibly ambitious.
Players are promised an experience that directly mirrors the graphic novel, characterized by sombre visuals and brutal, impactful combat that accurately captures the weight of the story. The studio has openly drawn heavy inspiration from the *God of War* reboot series, aiming to deliver cinematic storytelling, fluid action, and environments drenched in a palpable atmosphere. This adaptation is expected to delve deep into themes of loss, revenge, and the solitary struggle of a lone survivor in a world that has been utterly transformed.
4. Kaidan: Cosmic Horror in Feudal Japan
Kaidan is being presented as a haunting new action experience that will drag players into a nightmarish vision of feudal Japan, which has been corrupted by a cosmic horror. Created by Fifth Column Studio, this “extraction light adventure” blends the brutality of close combat with the slow-burn tension characteristic of survival horror. Players will assume the role of a Seeker, bound to a mysterious entity known as The Envoy, as they return to Ikaiguchi—a land scarred by Yokai and distorted by cosmic anomalies.
Each mission forces players to carefully balance scarce resources, powerful relics, and the fragile sanity of their character, all while facing terrifying Yokai bosses whose mere presence can shatter resolve. The game supports both solo play and co-op, allowing players to descend into this madness together, and its design leans heavily into high-stakes gameplay. Every expedition is crafted to feel like it could be the last, emphasizing careful planning and execution in a world where danger lurks around every corner.
5. Marvel Token: Fighting Souls – Next-Gen Tag Team Battles
Marvel is making a significant leap into the world of anime-style fighters with *Marvel Token: Fighting Souls*, an entirely new 4 versus 4 tag team battle game. This title is being crafted by the renowned Arc System Works, known for their visually stunning and mechanically deep fighting games, in collaboration with PlayStation Studios and Marvel Games. Slated for a 2026 release on PlayStation 5 and PC, the game is set to combine ArcSys’s fluid, stylish combat with the legendary heroes and villains from the Marvel universe.
The combat system initiates on a smaller scale, with players starting with one main fighter and one assist character. However, as the intensity of the battle escalates, mechanics such as wall breaks unlock the rest of the four-hero squad, transforming the arena into pure, strategic chaos. Accessibility has been prioritized, with auto combos and simplified special inputs for newcomers, while still offering incredible depth for professional players who are eager to master every intricate move. Importantly, the developers have committed to evolving *Fighting Souls* over the next decade through constant updates and new content, aiming to establish it as the definitive Marvel fighting experience.
6. Mudang: Two Hearts – A Cinematic Action-Stealth Thriller
Mudang: Two Hearts is poised to be a gripping narrative-driven action-stealth thriller that meticulously blends cinematic storytelling with raw, immersive intensity. Developed by EVR Studio, the game is set in a unified Korea, where a soldier and a K-Pop star find their lives irrevocably caught in the chaos of a devastating terrorist attack. As their disparate worlds collide, hidden secrets begin to unravel, and loyalties are tested, with the overarching story unfolding on the very edge of survival.
Gameplay is designed to thrive on atmosphere and palpable tension. Players will be tasked with sneaking through open-ended levels, manipulating smart enemy AI, and engaging in dynamic combat sequences that skillfully mix precision with adrenaline-fueled action. Stealth is not merely an optional tactic; it is intricately woven into the very fabric of the game’s design. The title also heavily utilizes performance capture technology, which is intended to deliver lifelike emotion and significant weight to every scene, drawing players deeper into its unfolding drama.
7. Reanimal: Survival Horror Where Innocence Collides With Terror
From the acclaimed studio that brought us *Little Nightmares*, a new and even darker experience is emerging with Reanimal. This survival horror adventure explores a disturbing premise where childhood innocence brutally collides with pure terror. Players will follow a brother and sister trapped in a nightmarish version of their own home, forced to navigate an island that has been corrupted by an insidious evil, all while desperately searching for their missing friends.
Every step taken within Reanimal is drenched in tension, as players explore desolate houses, venture out on boats across dark, ominous waters, and confront grotesque, mutated creatures that embody fear itself. The story unfolds through an emphasis on atmosphere and fragmented clues, making discovery as critically important as mere survival. The game offers flexibility in play, allowing for solo exploration with AI guiding the sibling, or the shared experience of both local and online co-op, intensifying the chilling journey.
8. Onimusha: Way of the Sword – A Legendary Revival on RE Engine
After an absence of nearly two decades, Capcom is reviving the legendary Onimusha series with *Onimusha: Way of the Sword*. This dark fantasy adventure, built on the highly regarded RE Engine, places players in the role of Miyamoto Musashi, a character whose depiction is inspired by the legendary actor Toshiro Mifune. The journey will see players battling through a demonic vision of Edo-period Kyoto, where supernatural forces have twisted the familiar landscape.
Combat in *Onimusha: Way of the Sword* is being designed to be sharp and cinematic, placing a strong emphasis on skillful swordplay rather than relying on punishing difficulty. Players will be expected to master parries, blocks, including stylish no-look counters, and the deadly finishers known as Issen. Additionally, the mystical Oni Gauntlet, a signature element of the series, will return, allowing Musashi to absorb souls to unleash devastating Oni Armaments or restore his strength. Unlike the prevailing Souls-like trend, this game reportedly focuses on accessibility, rewarding experimentation and fluid action over the frustration often associated with overly demanding titles.
9. Ananta (Project Mugen): Free-to-Play Urban Open-World RPG
Ananta, previously known as Project Mugen, is being presented as an ambitious free-to-play urban open-world RPG from Naked Rain and NetEase, targeting a broad release across PC, PlayStation 5, Android, and iOS. With its distinct cell-shaded, anime-inspired visuals, the city of Nova Inception Herbs is brought to life as a vibrant setting where urban legends collide with supernatural chaos.
Exploration within Ananta is designed to be thrilling and highly varied. Players will be able to traverse the city by walking, driving, swimming, grappling across towering skyscrapers, or even utilizing a unique hook-like traversal system for enhanced vertical mobility. A standout feature of Ananta is its deep environmental interactivity, where signs can crash down, scaffolding can collapse, and objects can fly when struck, effectively transforming the world into both a playground and a dynamic battleground. Players will assume the role of an ACD agent, tasked with investigating the supernatural disturbances that are tearing the city apart, uncovering a story that skillfully fuses mystery, urban legend, and modern chaos.
10. Active Matter: Hardcore PVE Extraction Shooter
Active Matter is a hardcore online shooter that aims to push PVE (Player versus Environment) extraction gameplay into new dimensions, both literally and figuratively. Developed by Matter Team and published by Gaijin Network, this game drops players into unstable multi-verse zones where they must contend with rival squads, corrupted creatures, and the very anomalies of reality itself. Launched into early access on September 9th, 2025, the game already offers intense raid-based combat, playable either solo or in squads, where survival is earned through a combination of skill and strategic planning.
Since its beta phase, new features have significantly expanded the experience, including isolated PVE raids for focused challenges, highly customizable loadouts, the addition of robot dogs as companions, new types of anomalies to encounter, and contracts that layer additional objectives onto the chaotic gameplay. Future updates are anticipated to bring even more content, such as massive PVP (Player versus Player) battles like the “Battle for the Nexus,” drivable vehicles for traversal, and faction-based systems that will introduce new layers of allegiance and conflict.
11. Eclipse Glow Games: Spectral Knights in a Shattered London
Eclipse Glow Games is weaving a haunting action-adventure narrative, powered by Unreal Engine 5, where modern London lies shattered and intrinsically fused with a mythic realm. Players will embody Gwendolyn, the solitary survivor of an otherworldly siege, who awakens with the extraordinary power to command spectral Knights of the Round Table. Each Knight is endowed with a distinct combat style, offering options like towering shields for defense, surgical blades for precision attacks, or precise ranged support.
Gwendolyn is expected to orchestrate these spectral companions in real-time, creating a shifting duet of steel and spirit in every encounter. The journey will seamlessly transition between a broken contemporary cityscape and a medieval dreamscape, as players chase fragments of the legendary Grail and confront proud demigods atop living Colossi. These colossal beings are designed to be climbed and battled across, adding a unique verticality and scale to the engagements.
12. Chrono Odyssey: MMORPG Where Time is Your Greatest Tool
Built on the powerful Unreal Engine 5, Chrono Odyssey is shaping up to be a sweeping action MMORPG set in the vast world of Satura. This realm is characterized by wide biomes and promises seamless exploration, where time itself is not just a concept but the player’s greatest tool. The innovative Chronotector system allows players to bend moments, rewind a fatal mistake, freeze a lethal strike to gain an advantage, or entirely reposition the flow of battle.
Action combat is designed to flow effortlessly through a dynamic class swapping system, responsive animations, and improved weapon switching mechanics. Dungeons and raids in Chrono Odyssey are intended to lean heavily on discovery and variety, featuring branching layouts, randomized elements for replayability, and hidden quests that reward players for their curiosity and thorough exploration. Feedback from closed beta tests has already driven significant improvements, leading to sharper controls, tighter lock-on and camera systems, stronger hit feedback, and a smoother early game experience with clearer difficulty cues and optional NPC allies.
13. Clay Puppet Game: A Stark Action RPG of Scarcity and Perseverance
From Dark Star and PlayStation’s China Hero Project comes a stark action RPG that centers around a humanoid clay puppet. This character is seen wandering a dying world, driven by the desperate search for the last fragments of water. The journey is expected to span a diverse array of environments, including abandoned ruins, a floating city adrift in the sky, blinding snowfields, fractured Rift Valleys, gloomy prisons, and choking forests. These locations are stitched together with a non-linear, interconnected design that rewards careful exploration over linear progression.
Combat in this title draws heavily from Souls-like DNA without losing its own distinct identity, presenting a cinematic dance of weighty strikes, measured stamina management, and precise evasion. All these elements are refracted through the unique perspective of a puppet’s fragile grace. PlayStation 5 is the confirmed platform so far, with Sony’s backing hinting at the significant ambition behind the game’s artistry. It is being described as a tale of scarcity and perseverance, where every single drop of water holds profound meaning, and every step taken by the puppet protagonist carves history into the very clay of their being.
14. Swords of Legends (Formerly Gujian 4): Chinese Mythology Takes Center Stage
Formerly known as Gujian 4, *Swords of Legends* is a single-player action RPG from Aurogon Shanghai that is stepping confidently onto the global stage. Players will assume the role of Seepan, an underworld enforcer who has died and returned, now tasked with guiding lost souls back across the veil between worlds. Drawing profound inspiration from Chinese mythology and folklore, the world of *Swords of Legends* is expected to brim with luminous mountains, sacred temples, and mythic beasts, all rendered in stunning detail using Unreal Engine 5.
The combat system is designed to be strategic yet welcoming, described as “wide linear” rather than an open-world experience or one that is punishingly difficult. A signature “soul-capturing” mechanic allows players to bind defeated monsters, compelling them to fight at their side, and then fuse their powers with companions for devastating combo attacks. This is positioned as a premium console and PC-focused adventure that prioritizes compelling storytelling and spectacular visuals over repetitive grinding, inviting players to walk the delicate line between life and the afterlife with a blade firmly in hand.
15. Captain America/Black Panther: A WWII Wartime Thriller
Skydance New Media is bringing a compelling wartime thriller to occupied Paris, under the expert direction of industry veterans Amy Hennig and Julian Beek. The campaign is poised to pair two iconic heroes at a pivotal moment in history: Steve Rogers as Captain America and Azuri as the Black Panther of the 1940s. They will be joined by Gabriel Jones of the Howling Commandos and Nanali, the formidable leader of the Wakandan Spy Network.
Together, this unlikely team will cut deep into Hydra’s clandestine operations across shadowed Parisian streets, hidden laboratories, and historic cathedrals that have been transformed into formidable strongholds. The narrative is deeply steeped in the spirit of classic comics, promising an authentic experience for fans. Originally eyed for a late 2025 release, the launch is now targeting early 2026, a decision made to further sharpen and refine the overall experience. Players can expect cinematic action, character-driven set pieces, and a strong focus on partnership and perspective, as four distinct lives intersect against a rising evil and the City of Light becomes a battlefield of ideals.
16. Virtua Fighter: A Mainline Return with a Story Mode
For the first time in many years, Virtua Fighter is stepping back into the ring with a brand new mainline entry, developed by Ryo Gotoku Studio, the talented team behind the critically acclaimed *Like a Dragon* series. The game was unveiled at EVO 2025, where teaser and gameplay footage showcased the return of legendary fighters like Akira Yuki and Wolf Hawkfield, alongside a new contender named Stella. All characters are animated with a fluidity and visual fidelity that the franchise has never before witnessed.
Built primarily for consoles and PC, with no arcade release currently planned, this marks a historic shift for the series, indicating a focus on the home gaming experience. A dedicated story mode is currently in development, representing another significant first for the franchise, aiming to expand the game’s appeal beyond pure competitive play. While producers have stated that there are no current plans for guest characters from other Sega franchises, the door has explicitly been left open for such possibilities in the future, sparking speculation among fans.
17. Black State: Stealth-Action with Surreal Twists
Black State made its debut at Gamescom 2025, introducing a stealth-action experience where meticulous planning and precise execution are valued far more than brute force. The Alpha demo revealed an impressive range of tools designed for ghost-like infiltration, including silent takedowns, adaptive gadgets that enhance stealth capabilities, and even a unique device that instantly erases enemy bodies before alarms can be triggered.
However, the most intriguing twist lies in its “mystery doors.” Passing through one of these portals may, upon return, transport players to a completely different part of the level, adding a surreal and unpredictable element to the inherent tension of stealth gameplay. Visually, the game embraces a sleek, futuristic stealth aesthetic, characterized by stark lighting and sharp, polished environments. While it is currently listed on Steam as a third-person action-adventure, the project remains in early development, and its final form is still being meticulously shaped, promising an innovative approach to the genre. These upcoming games for 2025 and 2026 represent a diverse and exciting future for the gaming community.
