Polygon has published its mid-year rundown of the best new video games of 2026, and the list leans heavily on smaller indies rather than blockbuster triple-A titles. The ranking, titled “Best New Video Games of 2026 (So Far),” covers six games released between May and September, ranging from RPGs and tactics games to platformers and co-op adventures.
The list is notable for its mix of genres and developers. It includes Resident Evil Requiem and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, both major releases, alongside indie hits like Big Walk and Denshattack!. Each entry is accompanied by a review excerpt and quotes from the site’s critics, giving readers a sense of why each game landed on the list.
Dawnwalker’s Timer
The Blood of Dawnwalker, from Rebel Wolves, tops the list. It is a debut RPG that borrows from CD Projekt Red’s formula but sets itself apart with a controversial timer mechanic. Players have only 30 days to save Coen’s family from vampires, which forces meaningful choices about how time is spent.
Polygon critic Marloes Valentina Stella praised the system for pushing players to use their time meaningfully. “Usually, when I play an open-world RPG, I follow the main story for an hour at most, and then I forget all about it while I’m off doing a bazillion other things,” she wrote. “But in Dawnwalker, I’ve met Coen’s family, I’ve felt his despair, and I’ve only got 30 days to save them. Knowing every time segment brings me closer to their moment of doom, every action I take must bring me closer to victory.”
The game is available on PS5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.
Zero Company’s Star Wars Tactics
Star Wars: Zero Company follows a similar critical path. Created by veterans of the XCOM series, the game combines Firaxis’ tactics DNA with the lore of the Star Wars universe. Polygon’s Elijah Gonzalez praised the result in his review.
“On top of delivering the XCOM-lite thrills of playing as a field commander, it nails the specifics of this particular time in the Star Wars mythos,” Gonzalez wrote. “Unlike the halcyon image of a ‘more civilized age’ promised by Ben Kenobi, we see the Republic as the messy, flawed institution it was to the average person not living in a Jedi temple on Coruscant.”
The game was released on Aug. 27 and is available on PS5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.
Big Walk’s Emotional Co-op
Big Walk is a co-op adventure from Untitled Goose Game developer House House. It evokes the puzzle-solving exploration of Myst but pairs that with a social focus on hanging out with friends. The game looks silly, with goofy characters, but the journey is surprisingly emotional.
“It all pays off in an astounding ending sequence that you have to experience to truly understand,” reads the review. The game is a brilliant co-op adventure that sharpens communication skills with the people you love.
It is available on PS5, Switch 2, and Windows PC.
Denshattack!’s Extreme Sports Mix
Denshattack! was a standout from its debut trailer, evoking Dreamcast energy. The final game, from developer Undercoders, is a varied platformer that combines elements of Sonic the Hedgehog, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, and Jet Set Radio.
“The game remembers that reinvention is what made games of the time so radical, and it isn’t afraid to totally jump the shark in creating an over-the-top variation of an old extreme sports formula that’s just ridiculous enough to work,” the review reads.
The game was released on July 15 and is available on PS5, Switch 2, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.
Mina the Hollower’s Bloodborne Roots
Mina the Hollower, from Yacht Club Games, is an ode to the top-down Zelda era. It avoids easy Game Boy nostalgia by reinventing the retro adventure format. The game draws on Bloodborne inspiration, implemented perfectly, according to the review.
“FromSoftware’s games draw on foundational game design principles that powered ’80s adventure games,” the review reads. “Mina the Hollower is just the link between worlds.”
The game was released on May 29 and is available on PS5, Switch, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.
First Light’s Bond Origin Story
IO Interactive’s 007 First Light ends a long drought in the James Bond video game category. The game combines the cinematic highs of Uncharted with Hitman’s immersive sim brilliance, anchored by Patrick Gibson’s strong take on a young Bond.
“He’s exactly as you’d expect a younger, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed Bond to be,” Ford James wrote in his review.
The game was released on May 27 and is available on PS5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.
How Polygon Picks
Polygon has a set process for its rankings. A game has to be out for at least three weeks to be considered, so the site knows it is not just a flash in the pan. The selection also depends on games being beloved not just by their reviewer but also widely across the team.
The list is periodically updated throughout 2026.
A Ranking Of The Six Games
Here is how the six games rank by release date:
- Mina the Hollower (May 29)
- 007 First Light (May 27)
- Denshattack! (July 15)
- Big Walk (Aug. 4)
- Star Wars: Zero Company (Aug. 27)
- The Blood of Dawnwalker (Sept. 3)
The List’s Broad Reach
The ranking shows a broad range of developer backgrounds. Rebel Wolves, House House, Undercoders, Yacht Club Games, and IO Interactive all bring different histories to the table, from RPG veterans to co-op innovators to tactics experts.
| Developer | Game | Genre |
|---|---|---|
| Rebel Wolves | The Blood of Dawnwalker | RPG |
| House House | Big Walk | Co-op adventure |
| Undercoders | Denshattack! | Platformer |
| Yacht Club Games | Mina the Hollower | Top-down adventure |
| IO Interactive | 007 First Light | Action-adventure |
The list is not exhaustive. Polygon notes that plenty of games from 2026 remain on their minds, and they will be working through their 2026 backlogs for years to come.
The year is not over yet.
Source material: “Best new video games of 2026 (so far),” Polygon.
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