Hosted by Evil Empire, which is developing Belmont’s Curse, the inclusion of the latter makes sense, but there’s much more to look forward to. Dead as Disco, Risk of Rain 2, Windrose, Alkahest and Alabaster Dawn will also appear while sunset visitor (1000xRESIST), tinyBuild, Daedalic Entertainment, 11 bit studios, Klei, Outersloth and Devolver Digital are confirmed.

Overall, you can expect eight world premieres and gameplay reveals alongside release dates for already-announced titles. If that wasn’t enough, the “zero fluff” showcase will feature deep dives on select titles in the post-show.

At this point, release dates for titles like Dead as Disco and Windrose, both of which received overwhelmingly positive responses during their respective Steam Next Fests, seem a given. Radical Fish Games also promises a big announcement, which could mean an early access release date for Alabaster Dawn (previously slated for last year). Stay tuned for all the updates and announcements when the show rolls around.

Well, that’s exactly what we’re setting out to do. Here are a few recently announced titles that are sure to make 2026 and the next few years all the more exciting with their presence. Let’s get started!

1. Sons of Sparta

This one was quite a pleasant surprise, being made available right after its reveal at State of Play. If you love hard-hitting action, big set-piece battles, and a setting that goes all-in on spectacle and emotion, this one’s an absolute no-brainer.

It’s a 2D platformer that rewinds the clock, diving into a protagonist’s past as he fights alongside his brother and begins carving out his place on the battlefield. It leans heavily into tight platforming challenges, while its spear-and-shield combat proves surprisingly addictive, rewarding precision, smart parries, and well-timed evasions.

2. The Trilogy Remake

It was a welcome surprise to see the announcement land at the show, especially with a full remake project on the table for players. We’re eager to see how the updated versions modernize the classic gameplay loops, sharpen the pacing, and refine the combat feel while keeping the general flow and feel intact.

Either way, we’ll be jumping in the moment it’s playable, though it sounds like it may be a while, with development still in the early stages.

3. Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse

It’s always great to join one of the Belmont’s on a monster hunting adventure, and this one’s setting in Paris has us fascinated by its gothic vibe and buttery smooth combat animations. Of course, the Vampire Killer is making its return to your side along with new weapon types that let you take the fight to whatever monstrosities the game throws at you.

While details about its story are a tad scarce at this time, we’re sure that Konami and the Dead Cells team are up to the task of making it one worthy of the long-standing franchise.

4. Gothic Remake

This is another remake that we’re itching to get our hands on considering just how much work is going into making it a game that stays true to the classic RPG while modernizing it to make it appealing to a new generation of players.

With the most recent in a series of videos about its development showcasing how the team has crafted its NPC character models from the ground up, this one’s shaping up to be a very fine addition to a slew of remakes of classic titles. Even better is the fact that it’s currently scheduled for a 2026 release.

5. Samson

This one’s quite unique in that it features a man in a leather jacket literally taking on the world in order to pay off his debts and save his family. That’s easier said than done, however, as the city of Tyndalston is not an ideal place where one can earn their fair share without a little bit of violence involved.

Miss a day’s payment, and you’re even deeper in the debt trap with both the law and the lawless out to get you. This action brawler is going to keep the pressure on you, but of course, it gives you everything you need to come out on top. Just don’t expect it to give you cash or mercy.

6. Aphelion

While we’ve seen our fair share of sci-fi adventures where humanity needs to move out from the Earth thanks to hostile living conditions, we’re still excited for Aphelion as it does things a little differently. You see, it focuses on two explorers stranded on a potentially new home for their fellow humans, their ship having crashed, and one of them being injured in the process.

With two protagonists with their own abilities and skills, and a story that explores the burden of duty in a dire situation, this one could pull at your heartstrings more than you’d like to admit.

7. John Wick

It’s always going to be great to see Keanu Reeves play another video game badass after his work as Johnny Silverhand. And John Wick’s excellent take on the character’s signature gun-fu style is looking very promising in the reveal trailer at State of Play, February 2026.

Saber Interactive looks like it’s staying true to the character while bringing all of the action and chaos that seems to chase him around to the table in a title we’re excited to play, although that could take a while.

8. Knight’s Path

When life gives you lemons, you pick up a sword and wander the land in search of redemption. At least, that’s what Arlyk, the protagonist of this action-RPG set in ancient Rome, sets out to do in order to rebuild his life as a noble.

With combat that’s looking like you’re going to earn your reputation as a swordsman without comparison, this one is going to have us spending a lot of time with mechanics that are designed to make each swing or slash of your blade count. Add in an immersive world and a potentially memorable cast of characters, and you have yourself a winner.

9. Kena: Scars of Kosmora

Kena is now older, wiser, and more determined to bring her unique blend of empathy and compassion to Kosmora, a brand new location that’s opened its doors to her. She’s more confident in her role as a guide and is determined to help the living as well as the dead as she goes about her duties.

That’s good news for us as it gives us more opportunities to experience a story that hopefully retains the wit and charm of Bridge of Spirits with a combat system that seems fast, fluid, and, most importantly, fun.

10. Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol 2

We’re never going to say no to any opportunity to play more Metal Gear Solid, and the chance to replay MGS4 on a modern console without having to boot up our admittedly ancient PS3 is always a reason to celebrate.

And with Peace Walker retaining its online play components, this is a title we’re eager to get our hands on when August 2026 finally comes around. It’s time to round up your friends and take on a Metal Gear title that was built around cooperative play in this second addition to the Master Collection series from Konami.

11. GreedFall 2: The Dying World 1.0

The prequel to Greedfall has been in early access for a while now, but it’s finally ready to face the world this March. We’re stoked to return to Tree Fradee, a place where your choices carry wait and there’s always a bit of danger for those adventurers who care to go looking for it.

If this new title is anything like its predecessor, this one could have us spending more than a few hours finding out that our actions have consequences, and ones that we didn’t expect more often than not.

12. ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies

The spiritual successor to Disco Elysium is definitely up there with the more interesting concepts we’ve seen in recent years. You play as a former secret agent who harbors dark secrets and is now working as a PI after being forced out of the agency in disgrace.

The story is about rebuilding burned bridges as much as it is a mystery, where you need to think carefully about your actions while also paying attention to your crumbling mental state. That’s a lot to take in, but it’s going to be worth it from everything we’ve seen about this one.

13. Road to Vostok

Coming to early access in April 2026, this post-apocalyptic survival title takes you to Vostok, a harsh place in which even a silly error could mean the end of your adventure, with permadeath being a constant threat that hovers over you as you make your way through the story.

With a dynamic world that features a comprehensive weather system, multiple hostile factions all determined to give your character a premature death, and of course, a ton of loot to be gathered, Road to Vostok has us quite enthusiastic for all of it.

14. IKUMA – The Frozen Compass

Any adventure where you’re accompanied by a NPC is one that’s worth it in our book, and this one definitely caught our eye with its unique visuals and art style. You play as Sam, a boy who finds himself alone and stranded on an island in the Arctic with his loyal furry friend Ellie at his side.

Together, they must find a way home, braving all of the challenges in their way in a coming-of-age story that forces Sam to confront his past in order to ensure he has a future.

15. Project Windless

If you liked The Bird That Drinks Tears series of novels, this is a game that’s going to be a treat for you. It’s an open-world RPG set in the same universe as the books, placing you in the shoes (metaphorically, of course) of a giant humanoid bird who is armed with a pretty cool pair of dual blades and out on a mission that has you taking on several enemies who are quite skilled at coming at you from all directions based off what we’ve seen in the trailer.

This is a game that we’re eager to play thanks to its focused, single-player experience.

And that’s a wrap on our most anticipated titles for the rest of this year and perhaps a few that are going into 2027 and beyond. Of course, you can be sure you’re going to hear from us the moment new information on any one of them becomes available.

In the message, the company has made it clear that Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is only the first new project that has been announced. Along with celebrating its collaboration with Motion Twin and Evil Empire, Konami has also noted that this is only the beginning, and that Castlevania has more projects in the works.

“This year marks the 40th anniversary since the original ‘Akumajō Dracula’ first saw the light of day,” wrote Konami on the website. “In this commemorative year, ‘Castlevania‘ will be revived.”

“First up is this title: ‘Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse’. We couldn’t think in other studios to work together rather than Evil Empire and Motion Twin, studios brimming with talent and passion, to deliver a new exploration-based 2D action game that captures the essence of Castlevania while bringing fresh innovation.”

“This is the beginning of numerous new products around Castlevania. Look forward to the return of the magnificent ‘nightmare’ lurking in the darkness.”

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse was unveiled with a trailer during the recent State of Play Showcase. The title will revolve around a young Trevor Belmont taking on the Vampire Killer—the iconic whip of the Belmont family—to take on undead foes in Paris. The game takes place in the year 1499, and its story will focus on an invasion of monsters in the city.

Considering the experience of Motion Twin and Evil Empire with titles like Dead Cells, it should come as no surprise that this new game will also feature more weapons than just the Vampire Killer. The reveal trailer also showcased Trevor using a sword to take on enemies. The whip itself will also act as a traversal tool, allowing Trevor to swing across wide gaps.

Keeping in line with more popular Castlevania titles like Symphony of the Night, Belmont’s Curse will also feature a Metroidvania style of level design, with many secrets being hidden that players will have to work hard to find. Like the original Castlevania, players will also be able to smash certain walls to find healing items.

Along with this, the trailer also did a good job of showcasing the new art style of the game. Konami has described the style as being a colourful approach that manages to stay true to Castlevania‘s gothic roots.

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is being developed for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2. While it doesn’t have a solid release date, Konami has confirmed that it will be out later this year. In the meantime, you can check out the next best thing through the Ode to Castlevania DLC in Vampire Survivors, or the Return to Castlevania DLC in Dead Cells, and even the Legacy of Castlevania DLC for V Rising.

It follows a young Trevor Belmont, the family’s signature Vampire Killer whip in tow, as he leaps, swings, and attacks enemies who stand in the way of his goals. It’s set in Paris in 1499 and follows Belmont’s efforts to deal with an invasion by the monsters his family is known for slaying. The game’s art style and visuals are spot-on, while the action flows smoothly with fluid animations and tight combat showcased in the trailer.

The Vampire Killer isn’t the only weapon at Belmont’s disposal, as he’s seen brandishing a sword, slashing away at his enemies with stylish abandon. While there is no information on the story and other weapon types that might make an appearance, expect a world filled with mysteries to uncover, a lot of fighting to get through, and secrets to hunt down as Belmont makes his way across burning streets and gothic buildings that are quite in line with the franchise’s general tone.

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse drops for the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC sometime this year. You can check out the trailer below.