But it also makes you wonder: How long has it been in development? After all, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown launched in 2019. In a new video interview, brand director Kazutoki Kono, who’s also the director on the title, said it took “six, maybe seven years to develop.” Don’t say it. We already know.

“We kept you waiting for a while,” continued Kono. “But with that extra time, we were able to polish the game and really raise the bar in terms of quality.” There’s still time before launch, but he promised that there’s “a lot to look forward to when you take to the skies.”

Before this, Kono spoke about the influence of other Ace Combat titles on Wings of Theve. “We looked back at what the franchise has done and revisited the past games during our development, and what we found was there were a lot of different mechanics and systems that were good, but somehow were lost or sort of disappeared throughout the history of Ace Combat. But they were still important elements that lay dormant, so to speak.”

So the team essentially “excavated” and “packed” them into the sequel, and as a result, Kono considers Ace Combat 8 to be a “culmination of our 30-year history.” Which is pretty noteworthy, especially with how he considers it a strong entry point for new players.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launches on October 2nd for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Those who pre-order will receive access to Ace Combat Zero: The Belkin War, while Deluxe Edition owners get three days of early access. If you’re keen on some more extensive gameplay, head here. It offers a look at the Superweapons that players will take on and how to defeat them.

More detailed charts of Ace Combat 7’s sales have been discovered by social media fan account Ace Combat Fan, giving us a closer look at how well the game has done in the seven years since its release. Having originally come out on PC, PS4, and Xbox One back in 2019, the title took a little over a year to hit the 2 million sales mark, and went on to sell 2.5 million units by the start of 2021. Since then, sales have seemingly been progressing at a steady state.

The 2024 release of the Nintendo Switch port may also have played a large role in selling more copies of Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. The title had sold 5.5 million at the time. By the start of 2025, however, it had sold 6 million copies. The 7 million barrier had been reached at the start of this year, and trends indicate that it might even go on to hit 8 million by the time 2026 ends.

Taking a wider look at the franchise as a whole, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is the best-selling game so far, accounting for 34.9 percent of the 21.5 million total franchise sales. The original Ace Combat trilogy on PlayStation sold 4.48 million copies, while the PS2-era trilogy sold 5.232 million.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve was officially unveiled back in December 2025 during The Game Awards. The trailer revealed that the player will take on the role of a pilot on the Endurance – a ship full of refugees from the attack on the Federation of Central Usea. As the eponymous Wings of Theve, the player will partake in epic aerial dogfights to take back the nation from the Republic of Sotoa.

Its release date was announced earlier this month with a brand-new trailer that gave us a deeper look at the story. Among other things, it introduced implications that there might be an imposter pretending to be the Wings of Theve involved in the story, with all of the geopolitical and interpersonal drama that such an event would likely lead to.

More recently, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve got a new trailer giving us a look at how it is changing up the gameplay, and how players will get to take on superweapons. These superweapons – incredibly massive aircraft with multiple parts to take down – tend to be boss fights in the Ace Combat franchise. Among the changes introduced in the upcoming title is the fact that the superweapons can also take damage from attacks made to parts that aren’t the typical target boxes. Destroyed enemy aircrafts will also damage nearby targets, giving players more ways to deal with larger squadrons.

Pre-ordering Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will reward players with a copy of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, as well as the F-14A to use in-game.

Superweapons are essentially massive craft with multiple targeting boxes that must be taken down, which is easier said than done. Thankfully, you have wingmen who can attack and offer cover whenever needed. Wings of Theve also makes some much-welcome gameplay changes, such as when fighting superweapons – they’ll now take damage outside of their target boxes, making it less punishing if you miss.

Any destroyed enemy aircraft will now damage nearby targets, lending a more tactical air to combat. Of course, not all superweapons are the same. Later in the walkthrough, the squad faces a giant destroyer that can seemingly only be stopped by dropping skyscrapers in its path.

Of course, there are some familiar systems, such as the aircraft tree and unlocking new fighter jets using MRP and in-game currency from missions. You can customize them extensively, swapping out parts and different special weapons as the mission dictates.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launches on October 2nd for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Those who pre-order will receive a port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War for free alongside the F-14A.

The player takes on the role of the “Wings of Theve”, often referred to by other characters as being a legendary saviour thanks to their raw skill when it comes to piloting fighter jets and taking on impossible missions. However, the trailer hints that there might also be the possibility of an imposter pretending to be the Wings of Theve, with all of the geopolitical and interpersonal drama that will undoubtedly ensue.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve was officially unveiled back in December 2025 with a trailer. At the time, Project Aces had confirmed that its plot would revolve around the player helping the FCU retake its nation from the Republic of Sotoa.

More details have been revealed in the ensuing months, including the fact that the title is being developed with a custom in-house engine that works in tandem with Unreal Engine 5 to help the studio generate layered clouds that not only look realistic, but also have tangible gameplay effects, like changing up visibility during intense aerial dogfights.

The storytelling in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is also getting a major upgrade thanks to the fact that all in-game cinematics will be real-time cutscenes taking place in the first-person perspective, giving the players the choice to move their heads to take in more details from the environment.

Following State of Play, it’s the Summer of Gaming with one major showcase after another, starting with the Summer Game Fest showcase on June 5th. It’s followed by the Future Games Show Summer Showcase on June 6th and a double feature on June 7th with the Xbox Games Showcase and PC Gaming Show. There’s also the possibility of a new Nintendo Direct to outline what’s coming this year (and potentially beyond), but here are our picks for some of the biggest announcements that you could see, and it all begins with the return of a beloved franchise…

Gears of War: E-Day Release Date

Say what you will about XBOX, all caps or not, they know that fans are hungry for more Gears of War. Hence, the dedicated Direct for E-Day will feature its first-ever gameplay and other details. Since it’s allegedly out in the second half of 2026, all eyes are on The Coalition to finally announce a release date, which is looking to be September based on recently announced sponsorships. Either way, it’s been far too long without the king of cover-based shooters, and we’re looking forward to beginning the fight anew.

Fable’s “Major New Look”

Now, this one is interesting, especially since XBOX has already confirmed a delay to February 2027. So what could this “major new look” hold? Perhaps a walkthrough of a quest? The return of a beloved character? Showcasing the extent of consequences that are possible with increasingly hilarious results? It may end up just showcasing another well-known British actor in the game, but hey, we’ll take it if there’s solid gameplay.

Halo: Campaign Evolved Release Date

Halo Studios has been rather mum on this remake, which is odd for several reasons. Yes, it recently confirmed there’s no in-game store, but… that’s pretty much it. There’s been no new gameplay since its reveal at the last Halo World Championship, and it’s reportedly launching next month. Will marketing kick into overdrive after the showcase? Time will tell, but from every angle, it seems fans won’t have to wait long to go hands-on.

Phantom Blade Zero Gets New Trailer

Launching in September, being in the “intense, final stages of development” according to the developer, only one other big showcase until its launch – if ever there was a time to start marketing for Phantom Blade Zero, it would be at Summer Game Fest. As always, the question of what could be showcased always pops up – obviously, you want to get the people excited without spoiling too much. Alternatively, if S-Game wanted to drop that demo promised long ago, next week wouldn’t be the worst occasion to do so.

Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 3

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has said that marketing won’t begin until Summer, clarifying that it won’t be for another few weeks. However, it doesn’t exclude the possibility of a new trailer, and it certainly doesn’t stop Rockstar from opening pre-orders. Could it stop short of the latter and release a new teaser, hyping up a reveal in the coming weeks? Sure. Does it need to do it at any of the upcoming showcases? Probably not, but it would be cool. Either way, expect to hear a lot more about the title this month, even if it’s when you least expect it.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword Release Date

We’ve seen more than enough gameplay, know more than enough the story – so if the long-awaited Onimusha revival doesn’t get a launch date at some point in the coming days, I may lose it. Granted, the developer could always pull the patented, “Tune in to the Online Special Program later in June for more,” but like Pragmata at last year’s The Game Awards, it’s probably just going to cut through the noise and announce a date with pre-orders.

Monster Hunter Wilds Expansion Reveal

Now this is a classic example of potentially debuting a trailer and revealing more information later. Monster Hunter Wilds’ expansion is confirmed to receive more details this Summer, and given the franchise’s history at Keighley’s shows, a title reveal seems very likely. We could then see a proper Monster Hunter Showcase next month or in September, right before the so-called Summer period ends.

OD Update

It’s been a year since Hideo Kojima took the Summer Game Fest stage, promoting Death Stranding 2. With how close he is to Keighley, and the fact that there hasn’t been any update on its next title, OD, since September 2025, a new teaser would hardly be surprising. Then again, since Xbox Game Studios is the publisher, it may even appear at the upcoming Xbox Showcase. The real question is: Will Kojima attend both? It’s certainly not impossible, even if it would be excessive.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis Release Date Reveal (or Delay)

It really doesn’t hit you just how many games could be released between June and October, simply to avoid “competing” – which is already a strong word – against Grand Theft Auto 6. I’m not sure that Amazon Game Studios would want to take the risk, even after announcing a 2026 release window, and rumors of a delay to 2027 may feed into that. An appearance certainly seems on the cards, but for now, it’s a toss-up on whether it launches this year or next.

Resident Evil – Code: Veronica Remake Announcement

Rumors have circulated about this remake since June 2024. Resident Evil Requiem was announced in June 2025, at the Summer Game Fest no less. With a supposed launch in the first half of 2027, odds are looking good that Resident Evil could steal the show once more with the long-awaited Code: Veronica Remake. Get your “welcome back, Claire Redfield” signs ready in advance.

Virtua Fighter Crossroads Reveal

Call it a mistake, an accident or just an honest-to-goodness leak, the new Virtua Fighter’s gameplay has seemingly leaked. The final name is apparently Virtua Fighter Crossroads, and admittedly, it looks quite good. Is Sega saving the announcement for a big show like Summer Game Fest, especially since it was announced at The Game Awards 2024? Possibly – it’s not like there’s any other shows it could fit in.

Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition Announcement

Add another game to the potential Nintendo Direct, as Sega seeks to bring Sonic Frontiers to Nintendo Switch 2 at long last. While previous rumors suggested a rewritten story, the Definitive Edition is allegedly closer to a standard port, complete with all updates, except that it should run better than the Switch 1 version. Again, if it’s indeed real, expect an announcement and release date soon.

Metro 2039 Gets More Gameplay

After its surprising reveal and the even more surprising First Look, Metro 2039 seems poised to appear at the Xbox Games Showcase. Not for the sake of filling up time, mind you – rather, to showcase more of the horrors that players will allegedly face. I’m skeptical about a release date, especially since 4A Games still has time to narrow things down – and decide whether it wants to fall on the 2026 or 2027 side of its Winter release window – but stranger things have happened at an Xbox show.

State of Decay 3 Gameplay and Updates

Meet one of the stranger things. I know, I know – Undead Labs is conducting closed tests, and it’s seemingly making progress after years and years of nothing. And while it could outright say “2027” as a release window, something tells me the team will simply provide new gameplay, an update from recent tests, and the assurance of providing more opportunities in the coming months. Playing things safe before it really decides to commit to something.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 Release Date

Launching this Summer and already unveiling everything that sets it apart from the original, Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 seems like a lock for Summer Game Fest. A release date seems a given, but it feels like something else is needed – a little je ne sais quoi. Maybe a brand new big bad that would replace the Queen as a major threat? Hard to say, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it arrives as soon as next month.

Valor Mortis Release Date

A first-person Souls-like set in an alternate 19th-century Europe focused on fighting Napoleon’s zombie soldiers after returning from the dead, developed by the team behind Ghostrunner 2? Sign us up, and more importantly, give us a release date, since it’s already confirmed for Fall. That may end up closer to October than November for the obvious reason, but I’m more interested to see if a demo or open beta ends up happening, especially with all the closed testing done so far.

Ananta Trailer and Launch Window

Geoff Keighley’s showcases have a thing for games – see the frequent appearances by ZZZ, Honkai: Star Rail, Wuthering Waves, and, more recently, Arknights Endfield. Ananta is interesting because it’s foregoing a character system while retaining the urban open-world fantasy we’ve seen thus far. It may not launch this year, but with most of its competition, particularly NTE, already released, a new trailer at least seems a given.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Release Date

What should have been rated recently by PEGI, but Bandai Namco’s next Ace Combat? Smarter minds will probably be able to tell you why its pre-release date is May 30th on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, but it’s further proof of a potential release announcement. And honestly, with how good Wings of Theve has looked, both the first-person cutscenes and the actual combat, we’re hoping it drops sooner than later.

The Duskbloods Release Month

Say what you will about its recent multiplayer focus – FromSoftware generally does a good job convincing millions to try its next game, regardless. The same will hopefully hold for The Duskbloods, and with rumors of a launch later this year (and not this Summer, apparently), it could appear at that alleged Nintendo Direct set for mid-June. Maybe Elden Ring Tarnished Edition will be shadow-dropped in the meantime.

New 3D Mario Announcement

Nintendo isn’t above announcing big names a good while before they actually launch – just as it has no qualms holding back finished titles, waiting for the right launch window. And with insider NateTheHate claiming that a new 3D Mario would be announced for 2027, that supposed mid-June Direct isn’t the worst place to announce it, especially after the success of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

Pokémon Wind and Waves Release Window

Perhaps one of the safest possible bets for the Direct is the release date announcement for Pokémon Wind and Waves, especially with listings spotted on Amazon Germany. If it follows, say, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, then January/February 2027 aren’t outside the realm of possibility. Again, a safe bet, unless Nintendo goes in another direction (like saving the info for a Pokémon Showcase in July).

Hollow Knight: Silksong — Sea of Sorrow Gameplay

Geoff Keighley loves his Silksong teases, but that was for one of the most-anticipated games of all time. What are the chances the trend repeats at this year’s show, revealing the first gameplay for Sea of Sorrow, its free DLC? Probably low, but don’t forget about XBOX – they’ve featured Silksong on numerous occasions, and would probably jump at the opportunity to feature the title on their showcase, complete with a release date.

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra Update

Game delays can be funny, especially when something like Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra – the next big game from Uncharted creator Amy Hennig – announced a delay beyond early 2026. That doesn’t mean 2027, but at this rate, with very little to actually show for it, we wouldn’t be surprised if it appears with a new trailer confirming it’s skipping 2026 entirely. Which is fine, but you’d have to expect a closer look at the game at some point.

Star Wars Zero Company Release Date/Delay

Star Wars crossed with XCOM sounds like a dream come true, and based on previews, it makes for an excellent tactical strategy experience. But there’s otherwise been relative silence – not even a peep during this year’s May the 4th. If it’s meeting that 2026 release window, then a new trailer at either the Xbox Games Showcase or Summer Games Fest is possible. Then again, EA could choose not to foot the bill and just drop these details at some random time.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 Title Reveal

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth was first announced during the original’s 25th Anniversary Celebration livestream in June 2022. So close enough to the Summer of Gaming at the time, but still nothing. However, its gameplay trailer would appear at the Summer Game Fest in 2023, followed by another trailer at The Game Awards, and so on. With director Naoki Hamaguchi already claiming more than 40 playthroughs and promising to share more updates on the overall project than ever before this year, a Part 3 reveal – if not a release window, then perhaps its name – seems very likely.

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Release Date

Oh, look – another game that appeared at last year’s Summer Game Fest with a release window of 2026. Asobo Studio offered a substantial update last April, confirming “final tweaks, last recording sessions, the closing notes of the score,” and much more as it focuses on refining the prequel. It’s been four years since A Plague Tale: Requiem, yet the developer is focused on delivering “an experience as challenging as it is unforgettable.” We could thus see Resonance appearing next week to announce a delay to next year, if only to allow it to shine all the brighter.

Palworld 1.0 Release Date

With all the big announcements, I think back to Palworld, which exited early access this year. Pocketpair already said that Version 1.0 wouldn’t just be randomly revealed on Discord, and it has a history of featuring on these big shows. So what better time to reveal all the new content and a release date than Summer Game Fest, with further info dumps planned for the coming months? Again, there’s kind of a time limit given the elephant in the room called GTA 6, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Pocketpair decides on January 2027 of all months.

Nivalis Release Window

At this time, developer ION LANDS posted a new update for its cyberpunk restaurant management title, going over level design, visuals, how it’s handling simulating thousands of characters, and so on. However, one little bit stood out – the shift towards “final polish” ahead of release. From bug fixes to localization and optimization, the team has been busy. It will share a release date when it’s ready, so a shadow drop seems unlikely, but at this stage, a release date still seems very possible, especially in the coming week.

Light No Fire Appearance

Of all the studios and publishers sweating about November and finding the right days to release their titles, Hello Games has it made. No Man’s Sky continues to succeed, and it continues to receive quality free updates that deepen the experience. So when it comes to Light No Fire, a small teaser could be released at Summer Game Fest with very little context, much less a release window, and stand out. And if no one wants to feature an indie title that simply wants to remind people that it still exists, well, that’s alright then, because development will roll on until something concrete. The point is, at the end of it all, Sean continues to hold all the cards.

Minecraft Dungeons 2 Release Date

As if its first-party line-up for the coming months wasn’t enough, Mojang’s Minecraft Dungeons 2 is also launching in 2026. It’s not a huge title by any means, but the original had 25 million players, so the prospect of new locations and a brand new threat could be appealing…and you just know it’s going to be at the Xbox Games Showcase, showcasing its various new zones that totally weren’t leaked a year ago.

While not officially confirmed, PEGI rated the flight combat title in Europe for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Such ratings usually indicate a release in the coming months, though that’s not always the case, as seen with Playground’s Fable. Still, given that it’s one of the publisher’s biggest games of the year, a new trailer certainly wouldn’t be amiss. With the rating now pulled, it seems even more likely than ever. Or maybe that “pre-release” date of May 30th was an error.

Either way, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launches this year, and follows the story of the Endurance. Host to numerous refugees following an attack on the Federation of Central Usea by the Republic of Sotoa, you take up the moniker of the legendary Wings of Theve.

There’s a stronger narrative focus than before, especially with first-person cutscenes and three allies that you’ll come to know better as time goes on. Its SteamDB listing pointed to Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War being made available as a potential pre-order bonus – perhaps we’ll see that going live later this week.

As creative director, Kosuke Itomi, notes, “Up until now, the series has always taken a kind of perspective of talking about the player from a third-person viewpoint. But this time, it’s more like you have the ability to freely change that perspective. We’ve introduced this new element that allows you to advance the story from a first-person perspective.”

While that seemed obvious enough from the reveal trailer, it’s nice to finally have confirmation. It also fits extremely well with the story’s increased focus on your allies, who grow alongside the pilot on their journey. That includes interacting with them in everyday life on board the aircraft carrier, The Endurance.

“Well, the name kind of says it all,” remarks Itomi. “To endure to keep floating. It’s a place where the players can come back and feel safe, that kind of thing, so…These pilots call her ‘Mom’.” This gives the feel of “war movies inspired by historical events,” elevating it beyond a fictional world and war.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launches later this year for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. It’s the first new title since 2019’s Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, and takes place in the familiar setting of Strangereal in 2029. The story focuses on pilots aboard the Endurance battling against the Republic of Sotoa to take back the Federation of Central Usea.

Players control a new pilot who takes over the moniker of the “Wings of Theve” from a deceased legend, essentially becoming the new figurehead. They have three allies to assist during dogfights, which promise to be even more intense than either.

As outlined by Ace Combat Wiki (via Ikcatcher), references to Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War have been added. On the surface, this is interesting because it only ever launched on the PlayStation 2 back in 2006, so a contemporary port may be on the way. The fact that it’s part of Ace Combat 8’s listing may point towards its availability as a pre-order bonus.

It wouldn’t be the first time that Bandai Namco has offered such benefits, much less in the Ace Combat franchise. Pre-orders for Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, for instance, included a copy of Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War.

However, that’s not all. A closed network test is also seemingly on the cards for Ace Combat Online, which could be Ace Combat 8’s online PvP mode. While these updates don’t indicate a release timing, it wouldn’t be surprising to see an update at a major showcase like State of Play (rumored for the week of February 12th).

Grand Theft Auto VI

Numerous leaks and delays – plus a sprinkling of studio controversy – has made the thirteen-year gap between GTA V’s eternal sunset and Rockstar’s return to Vice City feel more agonising than it arguably should. Bottom line: Grand Theft Auto VI is coming, and while the November 26 window doesn’t feel airtight, one thing you can be sure of is GTA VI’s release will be a seismic cultural event, matched only by the developer’s determination to unleash the most ambitious open world game ever.

Resident Evil: Requiem

The latest instalment in the survival horror series plucks you out of Village’s folkloric nightmare and into the ruinous Raccoon City as strange deaths linked to the original outbreak begin surfacing. Eschewing the action of recent entries for shuffling dread, you’ll command FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, using brainpower to counteract her vulnerability and stay out the clutches of a terrifying, wall-scrambling stalker. Accompanying her investigation is everybody’s favourite rookie cop Leon Kennedy, further suggesting RE: Requiem will honour its roots as much as lean into modern sensibilities.

Nioh 3

Shaking up the dark fantasy action-RPG series in meaningful ways, Nioh 3 is much more than a continuation of its predecessor’s success. Dual Samurai and Ninja playstyles headline the threequel’s innovations, but expansive build identity, open-ended exploration, and a suite of new weapons and abilities ensure player choice is firmly the focus. Balancing surgical combat precision with Ki management and an overstuffed inventory still prevail, yet this time there’re opportunities for self-expression unlike anything the series has seen before.

Forza Horizon 6

The Horizon community’s most-requested locale is finally happening – Forza Horizon 6 is primed to burn rubber in the land of the rising sun. From twisting metropolises of Tokyo, to cherry blossom serenity of coastal and mountain passes, Horizon 6 might well end up as the most visually arresting entry in the open-world racing series to date. Chuck in authentic JDM car culture, multi-timbral sound design, and Playground’s knack for mixing realistic car handling with arcade-style accessibility, and the horizon’s bright for Forza fans.

Pathologic 3

Dr Daniil Dankovsky returns in the conclusion to Ice-Pick Lodge’s surreal, disturbing trilogy, where sickness, superstition, and moral compromise permeates the fog of a plague-ridden town. If you’re not yet a fan, Pathologic 3’s blend of survival, medical simulation, time travel, and mayoral management might be too dense to parse, but for veterans: this is the appeal. The series’ dream logic is its signature, with Pathologic 3 set to lean harder into oppression, atmosphere, and philosophical identity than ever before.

Control Resonant

Remedy’s Control Resonant expands the Federal Bureau of Control’s strange universe with more mind-warping, paranormal, architecture-shifting action. Compared to 2019’s original, Resonant promises larger-scale encounters, deeper powers, and a more labyrinthine narrative to showcase Remedy’s story-telling prowess in the wake of, uh, Alan Wake 2. Expectations here are huge. If Control laid the foundation, Resonant looks ready to build an entire supernatural mythology on top of it.

Subnautica 2

Prepare to plunge back into the depths of an alien ocean world in Subnautica 2, where open-world survival, subaquatic base-building, and creature discovery return alongside expanded co-op features. Still, the slow, bubbling dread of an unexplored, oceanic expanse is the main draw, where risk burdens every expedition. However, while slated for 2026 this sequel has been surrounded by controversy, with messy legal drama between publisher and original developers clouding what is undeniably a solid vision.

Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War 4

Dawn of War 4 marks the long-awaited return of one of RTS gaming’s biggest names. Expect strategic depth to be reinstated, with renewed focus on base building, resource control, and the same brutal, large-scale warfare on which DoW 1 and 2 were renowned. The challenge for King Art Games will be to balance Dawn of War’s classic identity with modern, strategy-sim expectations. If Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War 4 can recapture the series’ intensity whilst usurping 3’s experiments, then this could end up a flagship RTS title for years to come.

RIDE 6

RIDE 6 continues Milestone’s push towards authentic superbike racing, yet this time the two-wheel arcade-sim speeds beyond asphalt to take in off-road riding. With an expanded roster of real-world machines, improved handling models, and a focus on mechanical accuracy bordering on obsessiveness, RIDE 6 is well-placed to continue the series’ recent trend of meaningful iteration.   

Code Vein II

Code Vein II revives Bandai Namco’s anime-infused Soulslike, with newfound combat fluidity and opportunity for self-expression layering over the original’s deep character customisation and build flexibility. The sequel’s big change is the switch to AI companions in place of real-life co-op partners, but the developers have been careful to ensure this deviation lands with impact – picking your AI partner is set to be as critical for success as choosing your favourite blade.

Outward 2

Outward 2 is shaping up to build on the “no easy mode” challenge that made its predecessor a cult favourite. You’ll once again juggle hunger, fatigue, inclement weather, and gear condition in a harsh world that refuses to bend. And, for this sequel, you should expect a smoother, more fluid combat system with expanded arsenal of weaponry, more deliberate animations and combat manoeuvres, and a higher production value story. Through exploration without map markers, RPG-like character backgrounds, and refreshed lore, Outward 2 promises immersion far beyond the achievements of its forebearer too.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve brings the long-running aerial combat series back to the skies, with cinematic storytelling, high-octane dogfights, and a new geopolitical drama set in the Strangereal universe to unpack. Be prepared for realistic cloudscapes and missile-dodging acrobatics, all fed through a seamless mix of arcade-style accessibility and flight-sim-like nuance. Elsewhere, narrative has always been a major appeal in the Ace Combat series; here, flying as a symbol of hope – the eponymous “Wings of Theve” – means that, in 8, the stakes will be higher than ever.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon

The next entry in Falcom’s legendary RPG series serves up a climactic finale for the Zemurian continent arc, bringing together a large cast of characters from the Trails universe to prove once again the series has the most inter-connected universe in all of gaming. Long-time devotees can expect deep turn-based battling, multi-layered character development, and dense world-building, while soaking in new regions and political intrigue. Newcomers could feel overwhelmed, but for veterans this is unmissable.

Styx: Blades of Greed

The stealth-action series is returning, once again putting you in command of sarcastic goblin thief Styx as he navigates dark fantasy kingdoms designed with newfound verticality, wields new mind control and time-shifting powers, and builds a crew ready to infiltrate a range of strongholds. The goal here is creativity; with an expanded toolkit of gadgets, traps, and manoeuvres, Blades of Greed pushes you to improvise on your path to evasion.

Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf

Planet of Lana II follows the picturesque puzzle-platformer with another hand-painted odyssey through alien-infested verdance. The original’s gentle pacing, serene environments, and companion-based puzzling struck a chord with players which the sequel is set to expand upon, all while retaining the emotional, cinematic tone. With artistry at the forefront of the experience, Planet of Lana II’s more diverse biomes, more impactful narrative, and evolved abilities for your cute companion Mui ensure Children of the Leaf will be a hit.

Grand Theft Auto VI

While unsubstantiated claims of another GTA VI delay emerged over the holidays – notably, from cursory social media accounts rage baiting for engagement – no official update has come from Rockstar or parent-company Take-Two. The unverified reports are speculating Vice City’s return will be rescheduled to June 2026.

It’s no secret that GTA VI, together with Rockstar, has been weathering turbulence. The studio is facing fallout from union-busting accusations, while the game’s exclusion from PlayStation wrapped (in favour of Sony’s first-party titles) fuelled the rumours those news feeds capitalised on. Taken together with the resulting chatter from GTA VI’s most-recent delay, the narrative has arguably shifted; concerns around project scope and development complexity have arisen, with Rockstar’s ability to deliver an experience worthy of the franchise’s reputation coming under scrutiny. Even though we’re still some distance from GTA VI’s late-2026 window, the question now is can Rockstar steady the ship, avoid expectation fatigue, and still release an industry-defining open-world epic to match the hype.

Again, all signs indicate that the late-2026 release is locked-in, and there are reasons to believe that, this time, it’ll stick. First: it primes GTA VI to dominate the holiday season. Second: it maintains the stratospheric anticipation without eroding fan patience further. And third: it gives Take-Two enough time to tighten its publishing model to perfection without worrying shareholders. See, reports claim the impact of GTA VI’s most recent delay was insignificant on share prices, but the same cannot be guaranteed if the title is pushed to 2027.

So, bottom line: GTA VI probably won’t be delayed again. Yet, with internal distractions and investor pressure, the game needs to release in flawless condition if it’s to match the weight of expectation. Even the slightest suggestion that it isn’t up to par could trigger another delay, despite the stakes being higher now than ever.

Fable

Unveiled way back in 2020, it was confirmed in February last year that Fable’s much-anticipated reboot was being moved from its original 2025 release to 2026 to allow more development time. Now we’re in 2026, and having seen nothing of the project for some time, speculation is emerging that production isn’t going as smoothly as Microsoft would have us believe. Still, much like GTA VI, there’re currently no credible reports that Fable won’t see the light of day in 2026 or – as the most drastic rumours suggest – that it has been quietly cancelled.

In development hell or not, Fable studio Playground Games will feature heavily at the Xbox Developer Direct livestream slated for January 26th. Forza Horizon 6, their other, arguably more famous venture, already has its presentation confirmed, but we are set to get our first meaningful Fable update in a long time too, quashing the rumours of cancellation.

Game complexity explains Fable’s lengthy production, but by delaying to 2026 the reboot has landed in a potentially tricky timeline. While Forza Horizon 6 shares a vague release window, insiders anticipate its arrival in the first half of 2026. If true, Fable is unlikely to release until the second half of the year – late summer, September, or maybe into October. The closer it gets to GTA VI, the more its anticipation is diluted by Rockstar’s behemothic event. We expect every studio will be keeping a close eye on Grand Theft Auto VI, preparing to push into 2027 if needed.

Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra

In a change to our regular speculative programming, this one’s waving enough red flags to make a delay into 2027 near-enough a foregone conclusion. Skydance Interactive’s WW2-era Marvel superhero cross-over was delayed last May into the first part of 2026. However, late last year it was confirmed that Rise of Hydra would not be planting its flag before summer 2026. Now delayed indefinitely, Skydance states the extra time is required to fully realise their vision but, tellingly, with no up-to-date release window provided, perhaps there is more going on behind the scenes than simple polish.

Reading between the lines, and jumping aboard the speculation train once more, Skydance’s desire to “fully realise their vision” likely references a shared vision with Marvel. That may imply disagreements between studio and IP owner over what the final version of the game should be. While ambitious; the challenge here seems to be streamlining its complexity. When boardrooms listen to focus groups as much as creators, a spin-off like Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is always going to divide internal opinion.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve

Announced at The Game Awards in December, the long-running aerial arcade-sim shooter series is back with an explosive campaign set in the Strangereal universe. Photorealism, custom tech, and revolutionary cloud rendering, all powered by the increasingly unwieldy Unreal Engine 5, are the locked-on targets for Ace Combat 8. But, with no firm release quarter yet announced, some industry analysts, fans, and insiders claim this puts Wings of Theve at risk of slipping to 2027.

Like others in this feature, Bandai Namco hasn’t confirmed or denied anything of the sort, but given historical context a delay wouldn’t break the mould for the series. Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown suffered a string of delays; its launch in January 2019 arrived almost two-years after its planned 2017 release. The principal reasons for these delays included a push for greater technical accomplishment and the need for narrative re-writes. Given Wings of Theve is attempting a similarly ambitious story while fully leveraging current-gen tools and hardware, history certainly is at risk of repeating.

Marvel’s Wolverine

Insomniac’s deviation from Spider-Man to Marvel’s second-most popular superhero is set for release during Fall 2026 – even after Rockstar’s most-recent GTA VI delay. The studio has been adamant across their social media channels that they are targeting the latter half of the year regardless of when Grand Theft Auto VI arrives.

GTA’s reliably unreliable reshuffling is a headache for numerous studios, as noted earlier, but Sony and Insomniac are holding firm. Remember: the first Spider-Man game on PS4 released in close proximity to Red Dead Redemption 2. In retrospect, one release didn’t overshadow the other. This time around though, there are key differences: Wolverine, while undeniably popular, isn’t Spider-Man popular. Likewise, while Red Dead is well-liked, GTA is universally revered. For sure, Sony won’t be overlooking this, but the true degree of difference is difficult to quantify.

So, while the games may be different their audiences still overlap considerably. If Fall 2026 means September or October, then there is nothing blocking Marvel’s Wolverine from releasing as planned. But if the game is slated for November then Sony has a decision to make: can Wolverine confidently stand apart from GTA VI? Late Fall, as November would be, is prime AAA holiday season. If every seasonal duck isn’t lined up; if publishing models aren’t perfectly placed, then Sony will push Wolverine to next year.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.