The best games of 2026 so far, picked by NPR's staff

Titans like Resident Evil Requiem and Crimson Desert dominated in the first half of the gaming year, with early-access sequels like Slay the Spire 2 and Subnautica 2 not far behind. NPR’s staff has rounded up the best games of 2026 so far, highlighting a first half of the year that has already been defined by a mix of big-name releases and highly anticipated early-access follow-ups. According to the monitored public feed from NPR News, major titles such as *Resident Evil Requiem* and *Crimson Desert* stood out among the year’s early contenders. The staff list also gives attention to sequels in early access, including *Slay the Spire 2* and *Subnautica 2*, which have remained prominent in the conversation as the gaming year has unfolded. The selection underscores how 2026’s most talked-about games have come from both established franchises and projects still developing in public view. That combination has helped shape a crowded and competitive first half of the year, with attention split between blockbuster launches and in-progress titles that are drawing strong interest from players. The NPR roundup is based on the outlet’s staff picks, reflecting a curated look at the games that have made the biggest impression so far this year. The report is based on NPR News, with Novexa News preserving the original topic while improving the page for readers who arrive from search, social links or category pages. The main value is to explain why the headline matters, not only to repeat that an event happened.

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