Best PC Games 2026: What's Worth Playing Right Now

2026 is stacked. Between massive new releases and recent games still receiving updates, PC gaming has never had more quality options competing for your time. As a PC-first indie studio, here's what we think is worth playing right now.

The 2026 releases worth your time

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — the GOTY frontrunner. Hybrid turn-based/real-time RPG with parry-based combat, stunning art direction, and a narrative that made people cry within 30 minutes. From a small French studio. The expedition 33 tips and expedition 33 best party posts have more.

Elden Ring: Nightreign — From Software's co-op extraction game built on Elden Ring's combat foundation. Three-player runs through a shrinking world with boss encounters. Different structure from base Elden Ring but same exceptional combat. The elden ring nightreign tips post has more.

Nioh 3 — Team Ninja's return to dark samurai action. New Ninja Stance adds fast evasion-focused combat alongside the traditional Samurai style. Time-travel storyline spanning multiple Japanese eras. Metacritic 86.

Crimson Desert — from the Black Desert Online developers. Open-world action-adventure that draws from Witcher 3, Red Dead, and Zelda. Massive scope with melee-focused combat.

Schedule 1 — 2025's biggest indie hit, still receiving major updates. Drug empire management sim that became a cultural phenomenon. The schedule 1 tips and schedule 1 mixing guide posts have more.

Oblivion Remastered — Unreal Engine 5 rebuild of The Elder Scrolls IV. Same game, dramatically improved visuals. Nostalgia meets modern graphics. The oblivion remastered tips post has more.

The 2025 games still going strong

Path of Exile 2 — the deepest ARPG on the market, still in early access and receiving massive updates. If you love build crafting and endgame systems, nothing competes. The path of exile 2 builds and path of exile 2 best class posts have more.

Monster Hunter Wilds — Capcom's biggest MH launch ever. Hundreds of hours of hunting content with the best combat in the action genre. The monster hunter wilds weapon tier list post has more.

Hades II — Supergiant's follow-up to the GOTY roguelike. New protagonist Melinoë, expanded cast, deeper combat systems. Still in early access but already excellent.

Silksong — the long-awaited Hollow Knight sequel. New protagonist Hornet, faster combat, massive new world. Worth every year of the wait.

The evergreen PC essentials

These aren't new but they're still among the best games on the platform:

Baldur's Gate 3 — 200+ hours of RPG perfection. The baldurs gate 3 best class post has more.

Elden Ring (base game + Shadow of the Erdtree) — the open-world soulslike masterpiece. The elden ring tips post has more.

Stardew Valley — the farming sim with endless content. The stardew valley tips post has more.

Disco Elysium — the best-written game ever made.

Hollow Knight — 40-60 hours of metroidvania for $15. The games like Hollow Knight post has more.

Cyberpunk 2077 (post-2.0 update) — the redemption story. Completely reworked systems made it the game it should have been at launch. The cyberpunk 2077 best builds post has more.

Vampire Survivors — $3 for 100+ hours. The vampire survivors best builds post has more.

The upcoming 2026 releases to watch

GTA 6 (November 2026) — the most anticipated game in history. Vice City setting, dual protagonists, Rockstar's first new GTA in over a decade. Console-first launch — PC date TBD.

Fable — Playground Games' reboot of the beloved RPG series. Open-world comedy-RPG with modernized combat.

Subnautica 2 — co-op underwater exploration. New alien ocean, overhauled building system.

The Blood of Dawnwalker — vampire RPG from a new studio. Day/night gameplay loop with vampiric abilities.

Resident Evil Requiem — ninth mainline RE. Dual protagonists (Grace Ashcroft and Leon Kennedy). Return to Raccoon City.

What we make at Choost

Granny's Rampage is a PC-first bullet heaven — designed and playtested on the platform we love most. Granny's Gambit is a deckbuilder roguelike in the same tradition as Slay the Spire and Balatro. Both available on itch.io.

For more PC recommendations, the best games for steam deck, best budget gaming pc, and best free games steam posts have more.

The shortest version

Best 2026 release so far: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Best ongoing: Path of Exile 2, Monster Hunter Wilds. Best value: Vampire Survivors ($3), Hollow Knight ($7.50 on sale). Most anticipated: GTA 6 (November). PC advantage: Every game on this list runs best on PC — higher frame rates, better graphics, mod support. 2026 is one of the best years for PC gaming ever.