The gaming world is filled with massive releases, yet there are always hidden gems waiting to be discovered. These are the underrated upcoming titles that may not get the mainstream buzz but promise to deliver unforgettable experiences.
In 2026, a slew of these titles will rise, offering new worlds to explore, unique gameplay mechanics, and compelling stories. From indie projects to ambitious undertakings by smaller studios, here are 12 games that every true gamer should have on their radar.
1. The Eclipse Chronicles: Lost Horizon
“The Eclipse Chronicles: Lost Horizon” stands out as one of the most intriguing upcoming RPGs in 2026. Set in a beautifully detailed open world, this title combines dark fantasy elements with science fiction, offering players an expansive narrative-driven experience.
The game’s intricate world-building and deep character customization options promise to captivate those who enjoy games like The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. With combat that emphasizes strategic decision-making and narrative choices affecting the world, Lost Horizon aims to be a deep and rewarding experience for RPG enthusiasts. If you’ve been craving a rich blend of magic and technology, this is a must-watch.
2. Quantum Drift: Rebellion Rising
Set in a universe where humanity is on the brink of extinction, Quantum Drift: Rebellion Rising presents an open-world space exploration game where players navigate alien territories, engage in deep space battles, and unlock secrets of the cosmos.
Unlike many space shooters, this game focuses heavily on strategy and diplomacy, allowing players to form alliances and trade with alien races. The decision to go full throttle into a tactical RPG approach in space is a unique one, making Rebellion Rising stand out. It’s a perfect fit for fans of No Man’s Sky who want more story-driven gameplay.
3. Feral Legion: Untamed War
In Feral Legion: Untamed War, players step into the shoes of an animal warrior seeking to unite fractured tribes to protect their home from an impending evil. This action-adventure title takes players through wild, lush landscapes filled with dangers and mysteries.
The standout feature of this game is its combat system, where each animal warrior has its own unique abilities based on the species it belongs to. With stunning graphics, dynamic weather systems, and a gripping storyline, Feral Legion offers a fresh take on the action-adventure genre, appealing to fans of both God of War and Shadow of the Colossus.
4. Eternal Dawn: Phantom Kingdoms
A combination of strategy and tactical combat, Eternal Dawn: Phantom Kingdoms is set in a medieval-inspired world where players take control of a kingdom under siege. What sets it apart from other strategy games is its use of “phantoms”—spirits of ancient warriors who are summoned to fight alongside the player’s forces.
Each phantom offers unique abilities and boosts, making every battle a delicate balancing act of resources and strategy. The game’s rich lore and beautiful art style draw inspiration from titles like Fire Emblem and Total War, but with a supernatural twist that will keep players invested.
5. Time Rift: Shattered Reality
Imagine if the fabric of time itself began to break apart, allowing different periods in history to collide. Time Rift: Shattered Reality takes advantage of this premise by offering a time-bending action-platformer that spans different eras—everything from the distant past to a futuristic dystopia.
Players must use the unique abilities of characters from different time periods to solve puzzles, overcome obstacles, and combat enemies. This game’s narrative-heavy approach, combined with fast-paced platforming mechanics, is perfect for those who love innovative storytelling like in Bioshock Infinite.
6. Crimson Skyfall: Reborn
Crimson Skyfall: Reborn introduces a gritty post-apocalyptic world where humanity has lost much of its technological prowess. In this survival-action game, players explore the remnants of a once-great city while fighting off mutated creatures and hostile factions.
The gameplay blends resource management, stealth, and combat, making it an exciting challenge for fans of survival games like The Last of Us and Fallout. What makes Crimson Skyfall truly unique is its emphasis on exploration, with an open-world setting filled with hidden secrets and side quests.
7. Solstice Reverie
An indie gem that’s sure to turn heads in 2026, Solstice Reverie is a puzzle-adventure game that focuses on storytelling through visual art and minimalistic mechanics. Set in a dreamlike world, the game revolves around a mysterious character who seeks to uncover the truth behind a broken world.
What sets this game apart is its ethereal atmosphere and the way it uses music and environmental design to convey emotions, making it a perfect pick for fans of Journey and Inside. The slow-paced, reflective gameplay is a welcome change for those seeking a more meditative gaming experience.
8. Underworld Rising: The Abyss
Underworld Rising: The Abyss is a horror-themed action RPG set in the depths of the Earth, where players must explore a dark and treacherous underground world. Packed with lore, this title presents a terrifying atmosphere where every shadow could hide a monster.
The game combines elements of survival horror and RPG mechanics, such as crafting and skill-building, to ensure that players feel the weight of their decisions in every encounter. Fans of games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne will find this one deeply engaging, with challenging combat and an immersive world that begs to be explored.
9. Nebula Siege: Last Stand
Set in a war-torn galaxy, Nebula Siege: Last Stand is a space strategy game that emphasizes both tactical space combat and resource management. Players must build fleets, colonize planets, and outsmart their enemies in a galaxy where every decision counts. What makes Nebula Siege special is its focus on diplomacy and espionage.
Unlike traditional space strategy games, this title allows players to engage in covert operations, influencing the outcomes of galactic wars through cunning and strategy. The game will appeal to those who love Stellaris and StarCraft for their depth and competitive gameplay.
10. Legends of the Forge
An action-packed hack-and-slash game, Legends of the Forge takes players into a mythical world where gods and mortals clash. The game’s combat system is fast-paced and brutal, with a deep skill tree that allows players to craft their own fighting style.
Set in a world inspired by ancient myths, players will encounter everything from titanic beasts to legendary heroes, battling their way through massive arenas and dynamic environments. If you love games like Devil May Cry and Dark Souls, Legends of the Forge will definitely be one to watch.
11. The Last Sanctuary: Eclipse of Hope
In The Last Sanctuary: Eclipse of Hope, players find themselves in a world on the brink of destruction, where only a small group of survivors have managed to find a safe haven. This post-apocalyptic RPG focuses heavily on resource management, crafting, and building relationships with other survivors.
Players must defend the sanctuary from both human threats and the encroaching dark forces that are slowly consuming the world. It combines elements of survival and strategy, perfect for fans of Fallout and State of Decay. The game’s deep moral choices will make it stand out among other survival titles.
12. The Veil: Shadows of the Past
Set in a world where magic and science collide, The Veil: Shadows of the Past is an action RPG that places players in the role of a mage tasked with uncovering secrets that could alter the course of history. The game offers a rich, immersive world filled with both magic-based combat and technology-driven puzzles.
What truly sets it apart is its branching storyline, where the player’s actions have far-reaching consequences. Fans of narrative-driven games with complex world-building, like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Mass Effect, will find The Veil to be an enthralling experience.