While 2026 promises a packed calendar of new titles for PlayStation 5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, a host of the industry's most hotly anticipated projects remain frustratingly distant. Many of these games, announced years ago, show no signs of a 2026 launch, with some unlikely to arrive before the end of the decade. Here is a definitive rundown of the major titles you should not expect to play this year.
Long-Awaited Sequels Stuck in Development
Several iconic franchises have sequels confirmed but stuck in early or troubled development cycles. Alien Isolation 2, announced in 2024 with no visuals, is in early development at Creative Assembly and is not expected until after the next generation of consoles. Similarly, BioShock 4 has endured a messy development since its 2019 announcement, with leadership changes and narrative overhauls at Cloud Chamber pushing a potential release into the 2030s.
Fans of Bethesda's epic fantasy series will need to remain patient, as The Elder Scrolls 6 is still described as "a long way off" despite being in a playable state. Comments from Xbox suggest a 2028 launch at the earliest. Over at CD Projekt Red, The Witcher 4 is the studio's main priority but has been ruled out for 2026, making 2027 the earliest possible window.
Major Franchise Entries on a Slow Burn
Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Hexe, the witch-themed next mainline entry, is unlikely to arrive so soon after 2024's Shadows. Evidence points to a remake of Assassin's Creed 4 arriving first. Square Enix has two major role-playing games in the works: Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 is progressing well but, given the four-year gap to Rebirth, is not due soon. Kingdom Hearts 4, announced in 2022, has been radio silent since, and may not land until after the FF7 trilogy concludes.
The future of BioWare's sci-fi series is clouded, as the next Mass Effect faces uncertainty following lay-offs and EA's acquisition. While not cancelled, its progress is a mystery. In a happier but equally slow reveal, Capcom's Okami 2 was announced at The Game Awards 2024 with director Hideki Kamiya only just starting work, pointing to a 2028 release at best.
Distant Dreams and Troubled Projects
The Star Wars gaming slate is particularly backlogged. Quantic Dream's Star Wars: Eclipse (last seen in 2021) and the troubled Knights Of The Old Republic remake at Saber Interactive are years away. A newly announced game, Fate Of The Old Republic, may even beat them to market. Star Wars Jedi 3 was only announced in late 2024, making a 2027 release optimistic.
Other titles stuck in limbo include the elusive Persona 6, which may finally get a trailer for the franchise's 30th anniversary this year but won't launch. Sega's Persona 4 Revival remake will likely precede it. Strategy fans were teased with Total War: Medieval 3, but Creative Assembly admits the announcement was premature, with the game still in pre-production and likely 3-4 years out.
Ultimately, while 2026 will have no shortage of new games, the industry's biggest blockbusters often require near-decade-long gestation periods. Managing expectations is key, as the wait for these legendary sequels and new entries continues.
