January, and by extension, February are pretty tough months to endure. The weather is cold, the days are short, and most folks have spent all their cash over the holiday period, leading to you chasing your tail financially for a while.
It can be a mildly depressing time, and in past years, the lack of quality games during these early months of the year didn’t help matters.
However, the same cannot be said of 2026, as we are only approaching the mid-point of February, and we already have quite a selection of top-tier games to play.
Finding them is half the battle though, so to help you do just that, here is our list of the best games of 2026 so far.
6.
Nioh 3
Third Time’s A Charm
Kicking things off, we have the third instalment of the glorious ARPG from Team Ninja. One that takes the already strong foundation built by the initial two games in the series, and then dials things up another notch.
With new styles to mess around with to accommodate more Shinobi-style combat, and a more open-world sort of format, it’s all the things you loved about Nioh 3’s predecessors, but with added flair, and rewarding exploration.
Plus, the game offers much more build variety than previous games, which is saying something for an ARPG with practically endless gear options.
In short, it’s another leap forward for the Nioh franchise, and one that takes it a step closer to becoming to the king of ARPGs.
5.
MIO: Memories In Orbit
A Salve To Silksong
Without uttering a word of word of hyperbole, I can say proudly that I have played just about every Metroidvania out there, as it has become a borderline obsession of mine. Yet, with a huge sample size to choose from, MIO manages to penetrate my personal top five.
This is because MIO is a masterful Metroidvania in just about every way. The world design is superb, rewarding thorough exploration. The combat and boss battles are challenging and memorable.
The platforming is as smooth as butter, offering challenge for even the most seasoned of platforming players. Plus, the subtle storytelling starts enigmatic and slowly reveals a plot worth it’s weight in gold.
For all you people that loved Silksong and want more of that action, MIO truly is right up there in terms of quality, and is well worth your time
4.
No Rest For The Wicked
Until We Close Our Eyes For Good…
While a lot of folks have been sleeping on No Rest For The Wicked as it’s not quite the Path of Exile or Diablo experience that many thought it might be. It’s still something that is well worth checking out.
No Rest For The Wicked, at least to me, is a blend of Soulslike design and ARPG grinding and combat. Offering accessible, addictive gameplay with the addition of clever map design, and challenging combat that goes beyond build optimization and stat padding.
It’s a dark and gritty affair that spent a long time cooking in Early Access before recently evolving to it’s 1.0 form. But it seems that this incubation period has paid off. So, do yourself a favour and dive into this one as soon as you can.
3.
Escape From Ever After
Write Your Own Ending
Even after all of these years, there is still a tangible amount of DNA that exists within loads of modern JRPGS that can be traced back to the primitive but perfect, Paper Mario.
However, there are some games that wear that love of this break-off Mario series on their sleeve, and Escape From Ever After is certainly one of those games.
Riffing on the same questioning and fourth-wall breaking storybook ‘happily ever after’ narrative themes that The Plucky Squire did some time ago, the story is surprisingly gripping in this epic indie.
However, the real star of the show here is the Paper Mario-esque gameplay that feels like a nostalgic blast from the past, like slipping into an old, comfy pair of PJs.
It plays well, is presented beautifully, and serves as a love letter to the Moustachioed plumber’s outings that came before, making it a game that’s great for kids and adults alike.
2.
Mewgenics
A Purr-fect Roguelike
When a game has been in development for going on a decade, it usually goes one of two ways. Either a monumental success, or a devastating disappointment. Rarely is the outcome anywhere in between. But thankfully, in the capable hands of Ed McMillen, Mewgenics has come out the other end beautifully.
Offering turn-based, grid combat that is addictive and accessible, this game feels effectively like The Binding of Issac in turn-based form. Which, as you might have gathered, is high praise.
Combine this with deep Roguelike systems, clever party management, and that signature crude charm that comes with an Ed Mcmillin game, and you have Mewgenics, the next indie darling vying to steal your free time.
1.
Cairn
Become Part Of A Whole
A little self indulgence on my end. Recently I broke my finger, and it has healed terribly. I can’t really bend it or use it as I did, and now, I can’t do one of my preferred recreational hobbies, rock climbing.
Perhaps this is why I was so enamoured with Cairn, as it felt like gaming therapy, as I was able to go on one last climb, and arguably one of the most arduous and taxing ones of all.
Cairn’s climbing mechanics are hands down the most refined and realistic I have ever encountered, and the mountain that The Game Bakers have crafted for you to ascend is a joy to explore.
It’s a perfect blend between a cozy, satisfying platformer, and a gruelling survival epic. So, if that sounds like your type of thing, get a handhold and get up there.
