Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf takes a vastly different approach, starting with Lana explaining what happened in the first game (bet you didn’t know the planet actually had a name), after which we jump forward two years. What follows isn’t a manic chase, but something more subtle and assured, specifically Lana navigating the same wreckage. While a great primer for the game’s platforming and puzzle-solving, especially when regaining control of Mui, it’s also interspersed more heavily with subtitle-less cutscenes and expands further on the characters and their discoveries.

It’s something I return to when really examining the sequel as a whole. I wasn’t expecting a massive departure from the first game’s mechanics and general gameplay loop, more so some significant evolutions to the presentation and overall flow. Planet of Lana 2 isn’t exactly that, but it does offer numerous improvements in other areas, even more puzzle-solving that’s as seamless as it is occasionally head-scratching, and a gorgeous hand-painted art style. And honestly, that’s enough for how much it ultimately offers.

"Lana has grown faster in the past two years, which is reflected in her platforming, although it can still sometimes feel like she’s falling short of a critical jump and at risk of falling to an early grave. If anything, the levels feel more intricate now, boasting more unique sequences that leverage alternating between Lana and Mui."

As noted before, it’s two years later, and Lana is seeking to learn more about humanity and the Machines. While the circumstances are less dire as she makes her way through the village, it showcases how much everything has changed over the years, and how Machines are employed to help in daily tasks. Of course, as Lana has grown bolder – and exemplified her capability, as seen in the first game – it feels like there’s some distance between her and Elo, the latter still believing she needs to protect her. Lana, naturally, disagrees.

So when a child suddenly falls sick due to a mysterious ore dumped by the Dijinghala, tensions rise even higher. Elo ventures forth with the rest of the village guard to ultimately deal with them, while Lana and Mui have a more tertiary task – obtaining ingredients for medicine. As uninteresting as that initially sounds, however, their search takes them across multiple different biomes, including snow-covered mountain passes (which lead to high security bases) and tropical coasts with ample opportunity for swimming. And since this is a Planet of Lana game, you can rest assured that things will only escalate.

Honestly, I kind of like how multiple threads are unfolding at once. While the first game primarily showcased Lana and Mui, the second offers brief updates on what other central characters are up to in the meantime. Granted, the opening hour or so does break the gameplay flow a tad too often with its cutscenes, but after that set-up, it’s relatively smooth sailing.

Not that the world has grown any less dangerous, as indicated by the rise of the Dijinghala, a faction of humans who are mining for…something in the planet. Fortunately, Lana has grown faster in the past two years, which is reflected in her platforming, although it can still sometimes feel like she’s falling short of a critical jump and at risk of falling to an early grave. If anything, the levels feel more intricate now, boasting more unique sequences that leverage alternating between Lana and Mui.

"However, the pacing does feel a bit bogged down at times with the sheer number of puzzles. It was a complaint I had with the first game, and while Planet of Lana 2 does a better job at minimizing that feeling, it can still occasionally pop up."

For example, while traipsing through the Dijinghala’s mountain base, you’ll encounter a relatively harmless nest of creatures that Mui can control. Using their threads, it’s possible to create pathways to burn any thick webbing or cause living platforms to momentarily retract. This can then come into play later when dealing with a mining robot that’s attracted to glowing ore. One particularly slick sequence involves attracting the robot with the ore, controlling a creature to deposit some threading, and then ensuring it makes it all the way to your destination without being shot by a sentry turret.

Except you eventually need it to be shot to ignite the thread. It’s not the toughest puzzle solution to sus out – which could apply to many such situations in Children of the Leaf – but it does mix up the overall gameplay flow more than the previous game. Some puzzles also rely heavily on nailing the actual execution instead of just assembling the pieces in the right order, so there are still plenty of triumphant moments to be had when everything goes according to plan.

Besides igniting threads, dodging (and shutting down) turrets, sneaking around to avoid detection, and rendering lethal ores inert by commanding Mui to sit on top of them, you’ll also have to do a lot of swimming as Lana when you’re not remotely controlling drones to transport them to higher places. There’s also a decent number of tense platforming-heavy sequences, like escaping from a cavern that’s quickly filling with toxic gas while climbing aboard a giant moving drill.

However, the pacing does feel a bit bogged down at times with the sheer number of puzzles. It was a complaint I had with the first game, and while Planet of Lana 2 does a better job at minimizing that feeling, it can still occasionally pop up. Some puzzles also feel just about as contrived, if not more so, owing to their increased complexity, which may sometimes take you out of the experience.

"Even if it didn’t immediately “wow” me like its predecessor, I can’t deny that this is a well-crafted puzzle-platforming experience, which excels at constantly driving me forward, waiting to see what the next area holds (and hoping that I don’t accidentally get Lana or Mui killed)."

Thankfully, the overall atmosphere, attention to detail and presentation will bring you right back. Even if you’ve experienced the most gorgeous narrative platformers of the past several years, Planet of Lana 2’s style still feels distinct. The colors radiate as much while traversing across the coast as they become more subdued and ominous while swimming deep underwater or spelunking in caverns. Then there’s the music, which remains as sweeping and emotional as ever thanks to composer Takeshi Furukawa, the sound design and the voice acting. Even if it’s in a made-up language, the tone of each character’s voice is more than enough to convey their mood and general thoughts. Seeing Lana, who yelled excitedly through the opening Chapter, becoming more deflated and sad after her friend falls sick, just highlights how much the little details matter.

That said, it’s easy to walk into Planet of Lana 2 and feel an overwhelming sense of deja vu for the original. Some will appreciate this because the first game remains a strong, cinematic platformer, and seeing the sequel benefit from a much larger scale and more varied gameplay is a good thing. However, you could also lament that it’s fundamentally similar without any major leaps in the storytelling format or even a killer hook that really sets it apart, aside from the narrative style and visuals.

Frankly, I’m somewhere in the middle but leaning towards appreciating Children of the Leaf for everything that it does well (and there is plenty). Even if it didn’t immediately “wow” me like its predecessor, I can’t deny that this is a well-crafted puzzle-platforming experience, which excels at constantly driving me forward, waiting to see what the next area holds (and hoping that I don’t accidentally get Lana or Mui killed).

This game was reviewed on the PC.

Xbox Series S, on the other hand, will run Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf at 1440p/60 FPS. The Nintendo Switch 2 will run it at 720p/60 FPS in handheld mode, and 1080p/60 FPS when docked. Since it is a side-scrolling platforming puzzle game, Wishfully has confirmed that we won’t be seeing any PS5 Pro-specific enhancements.

As for players that might have missed out on the original Planet of Lana, creative director and co-game director Adam Stjärnljus has noted that there’s nothing to worry about. Despite being a continuation of its predecessor, Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf has been designed to be welcoming to new players without feeling lost.

Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf was announced back in June 2025, and along with current-gen platforms, is also slated for release on PS4, Xbox One and the original Nintendo Switch.

Being a follow-up to the original Planet of Lana, it once more follows the story of Lana and Mui, and while the planet isn’t in any imminent danger for now, there are plenty of dark secrets left to be discovered under the surface. The journey that players have to take is slated to be an epic one, taking them across frozen peaks, deep oceans, and forgotten ruins.

Much like Planet of Lana, Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf will also make extensive use of its stylized visuals thanks to its hand-painted world. The game will once more also feature no spoken word of dialogue. Rather, characters will make use of an alien language to express themselves. This, along with the visuals and music, will be the primary method for players to experience the central story.

Just last month, Wishfully released a trailer giving us a look at gameplay, as well as a lush new forest region called Wemari. The trailer placed an emphasis on the importance of the player’s own puzzle-solving prowess and desire for exploration to get through the game’s many challenges. While Lana has to often hide from dangerous foes, she can also make use of Mui’s unique abilities to take advantage of the natural world around her.

The original Planet of Lana was released back in 2023 on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. It would eventually come to PS4, PS5 and Nintendo Switch in 2024. In our review, we gave it a score of 9 out of 10 thanks to its striking visuals, well-designed puzzles, and interesting and well-paced narrative. Our only gripe with the game was a feeling that there might have been too many puzzles spread out throughout its world.

The original Planet of Lana was widely praised for its striking art direction. How is the sequel building on that visually, are there specific techniques or artistic goals you’re pushing this time?

Adam Stjärnljus: For Planet of Lana 2 we wanted to build on the visuals from the first game, but at the same time kick things up as many notches as possible while staying true to Novo’s identity. The second game tells a deeper, more complex and slightly darker story, so one notable upgrade is an overhaul of the lighting system which allows for more moody scenes in addition to the lush, ghibli inspired pastures players have come to expect from our games.

"We wanted to build on the visuals from the first game, but at the same time kick things up as many notches as possible while staying true to Novo’s identity."

Because biomes are more varied and diverse (Snowy mountains, dark forests and tropical reefs to mention a few), the visual style had to evolve to cater to a wider geographical playing field as well which was quite challenging. How do you retain the core visual identity I just mentioned in a snowstorm? Or deep under the ocean? It’s been a long process and a challenge but luckily we have an extremely talented art team.

The environments in Planet of Lana 2 look far more varied. What can you tell us about the range of locations and biomes we’ll explore, and how they differ in tone or gameplay?

Klas Martin Eriksson: In addition to revisiting some familiar ground, and seeing how it has evolved since the first game, players will get to experience a snowy mountain world full of blizzards and strange creatures, a lush tropical underwater world inhabited by electric sharks and tiny ink fishes, an ancient forest with a sprawling village and even urban environments to mention a few. Because the story examines how Novo has evolved with the arrival of modern alien tech, It was important for us to expand the world and show the impact across as many corners of Novo as possible.

With that increased variety in settings, how are puzzles being designed to feel more dynamic and context-specific to each area, rather than “one-size-fits-all”?

Adam Stjärnljus: One of the things we are most excited about is Mui’s expanded telepathic/hypnotic ability. Each biome contains unique creatures and machines that Mui can hypnotize, allowing the player to take full control of them and use their unique abilities to solve puzzles, manipulate each environment and progress through the world. Each creature is uniquely adapted to its native terrain, and players will need to figure out how to use them to their advantage in any new environment.

"Each biome contains unique creatures and machines that Mui can hypnotize"

How are the core puzzle-solving mechanics evolving overall, new tools, new interactions, or new ways Lana and Mui can work together?

Adam Stjärnljus: In many different ways! Notably the player can now point and direct Mui all over the screen, allowing for bigger puzzles that demand a bit more exploration and thought from players. This really kicks Lana and Mui’s collaboration into gear and once players get a handle on the increased control, they will instantly notice how it opens up for more varied, fun and bigger puzzle solving. It will also demand a bit more thought as to where Lana and Mui need to be in relation to each other, each using their own position and abilities to progress through the world.

The sequel introduces hybrid robots, which seem like a major new threat. What kinds of scenarios or challenges do they create, more stealth pressure, more action, or more puzzle-driven encounters?

Klas Martin Eriksson: Because of how the relationship between the different tribes of Novo and the robot invaders has evolved since the first game, not all robot encounters are life threatening any more. Lana and Mui’s abilities have expanded and both individually and as a duo they have grown into more formidable robot tamers. Granted, they are no John Rambos, but Mui’s new hypnotic/jamming ability allows her to temporarily disable hostile robots, even allowing Lana to swoop in, hack and take control of some of them. As far as what this new dynamic adds in terms of the gameplay aspects you mentioned; All of the above.

On the story side, how does Planet of Lana 2 follow up on the events of the first game without giving too much away?

Klas Martin Eriksson: As we touched on earlier, players will rejoin Lana and Mui in time of great change and upheaval; both personal, and planetary. The arrival of the robots have really shaken things up and there is a new tribe on the rise; The Dijinghala. They use the new tech to mine the planet’s natural resources, something that has dire consequences for the whole planet.

Lana herself is in the midst of an identity crisis following her first adventure. After uncovering hidden secrets of her people’s and the invading robots’ origins, she spends most of her time in the dark corners of Novo, scouring the planet for more answers. Unfortunately, this pastime – that sometimes borders on obsession – often gets her and her loved ones into trouble. Players will also get to explore much more of Mui’s origin story, and how she connects to the bigger picture of the lore.

"Lana herself is in the midst of an identity crisis following her first adventure."

For returning players, should we expect subtle callbacks—visual motifs, lore hints, or story threads that reward familiarity with the original?

Klas Martin Eriksson: Definitely plenty of both subtle, and not-so-suble callbacks.

And for newcomers, how approachable is the sequel as a standalone experience? Will players who didn’t play the first game still be able to fully follow the story and character arcs?

Adam Stjärnljus: While the story is a chronological continuation of the first game, new players can comfortably jump directly into the second game without feeling lost. The story is gripping on its own – but just in case – we’ve added a short prologue at the start of the game to give new players some context, and old players a quick refresher of their last visit to Novo.

On PS5 and Xbox Series X, what are your resolution and frame-rate targets? Will there be multiple modes (Quality/Performance), and what do those look like?

For both PS5 and Xbox Series X the game runs beautifully in 4k, 60 fps. We do not have multiple modes to choose from.

"While the story is a chronological continuation of the first game, new players can comfortably jump directly into the second game without feeling lost."

On PS5 Pro specifically, what resolution and FPS targets are you aiming for in each mode (Quality vs Performance)?

Same here, 4k, 60 fps. Given we have a stylized side-scrolling game, this makes sense for us.

On Xbox Series S and Switch 2, what resolution and frame-rate targets should players expect, and is 60 FPS on the table?

On Xbox Series S the game runs in 60fps at 1440p and on Switch 2 in 720p 60fps in handheld mode and 1080p 60 fps docked.

Other notable releases for the first wave of Game Pass in March include Final Fantasy 3 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, both out today on Ultimate, Premium and PC Game Pass. to a T, a new adventure from Katamari Damacy’s creator is next on March 4th, though it’s currently playable for Premium subscribers.

EA Sports F1 25 arrives on the same day for Ultimate and PC Game Pass, followed by Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf on March 5th (which also marks the day of its launch on all platforms). And if you’re not keen on exploring Night City and becoming a legend as V, there’s also Construction Simulator, which drops for all three tiers on the same day.

For those who didn’t venture into Pharloom last September, Hollow Knight: Silksong will be available for Premium subscribers on March 12th. It’s followed by DreamWorks Gabby’s Dollhouse: Ready to Party on March 17th for all three tiers.

Of course, several titles will also be leaving the service on March 15th. Check them out below and finish them while they’re still available.

• Bratz Rhythm & Style (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Enter the Gungeon (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• F1 23 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• He is Coming (PC)
• Lightyear Frontier (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island (Cloud, Console, and PC)

Crimson Desert

The big one, with arguably the most hype, is Crimson Desert. It’s been a long journey towards release, and no matter how many interviews or videos we see, it has something new to reveal every time. Can it meet all the hype? Maybe. Maybe not. One thing that’s for sure is we’re looking forward to scouring Pywel for secrets, learning the ins and outs of each character’s fighting style, and wreaking havoc with our favorite mech/dragon/bear mount when it launches on March 19th.

Pokémon Pokopia

A Ditto imitating a human deciding to open a farm and bring on other Pokémon to help from the team behind Dynasty Warriors – sounds about right. Far be it from Pokémon Pokopia, out on March 5th, to just be Nintendo’s take on “Palworld” but with a 20 to 40 hour story, post-game content and even four-player co-op, there should be just enough to hold you over until the next generation arrives.

Marathon

Even as a Destiny player who’s been disappointed by many Bungie decisions over the years, I have to admit – Marathon doesn’t look half-bad. Maybe it’s because the six Runner Shells actually have compelling kits, or due to the quality of life features, or the killer presentation – from that sick match loading screen to the extraction. Either way, Marathon should have some impact when it launches on March 5th – whether Bungie can keep that going is another issue.

Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf

Following up on the original’s gorgeous hand-painted aesthetic and environmental storytelling, Children of the Leaf promises to be even bigger and more mysterious. Which is all well and good, but it’s also packing plenty of new mechanics, including expanded traversal options. If it can mirror the original’s cinematic excellence, Planet of Lana 2 could very well be a dark horse when it arrives on March 5th.

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake

If Fatal Frame proves anything, it’s that the camera is sometimes mightier than the gun and also sometimes just as ineffective against angry spirits if you can’t aim right. Fortunately, Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake has a lot more going for it – including a new over-the-shoulder perspective, gorgeous overhauled visuals, and new features like holding hands – perfect for trying to survive the night. It’s out on March 12th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, and even includes a new ending over the original.

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando

There’s something about the cheesy, 80s action movie-esque mayhem that Saber brings to the table in John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando. Maybe it’s also about seeing the Swarm Engine applied to zombies, ensuring plenty of massive hordes that you don’t know whether to shoot or gawk at (the former. Always the former). After the surprisingly fun demo, we’re keen to go commando even more when the full game launches on March 12th.

Docked

Of course, Saber Interactive doesn’t just want to cater to your urge for co-op chaos. No, it also knows there’s an audience for operating big machinery and solving real-world problems, like in Docked. As the lead operator of a dock wrecked by a hurricane, it’s your job to keep the cargo moving, managing and operating heavy equipment, bringing in contracts, and building it back up. It’s out on March 5th for just $29.99 on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

Maybe you’re interested in the antics of Azuria and Vermeil, two kingdoms at odds while the Crystal Encroachment wreaks havoc. But if you’re just here for the monsters, Monster Hunter Stories 3, launching on March 13th, has plenty to throw at you. From old-school classics like Yama Tsukami to the contemporary, Malzeno, Narwa, Ibushi and Arkveld, there is a lot to choose from. And best of all, you can obtain variants with Habitat Restoration, including a fiery Zinogre.

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!

Speaking of surprisingly fun demos, Starship Troopers may very well be back courtesy of Auroch Digital’s raucous new first-person shooter, which launches on March 16th. No building or resource collection here – it’s a straight-up, Boltgun-style retro shooter where you slay many, many bugs. Does it feel a little Helldivers-esque at times, especially with the drop pods? Well, sure, but full circle and whatnot, and how can you possibly say no to Johnny Rico himself?

GreedFall: The Dying World

The other game to drop the “2”, that too before Overwatch, is GreedFall: The Dying World. Furthermore, it’s out on March 12th, finally exiting early access after an…ambitious entry on September 24th. But there’s new content, improved combat, more companions, additional quests, and even more to come, including a PS5 and Xbox Series X/S release. Maybe it can finally redeem the GreedFall name, such as it is.

Screamer

I’ll admit to some consternation, especially after JDM: Japanese Drift Master tried to fuse manga and street racing, but Screamer is clearly on another level. Boasting anime cutscenes, multiple playable characters, and the ECHO for power-ups like Strikes and Boosts, it’s a surprisingly intriguing mix. The futuristic setting and team racing modes, where your crew can take on others, are just the icing on top when Screamer launches on March 26th.

WWE 2K26

WWE Creative being dull and CM Punk headlining a new video game – name a more iconic duo. Thankfully, the latter means a new 2K Showcase focused on his best matches and some fantasy warfare against Legends that could have been. Other notable features include the return of Inferno, I Quit and 3 Stages of Hell matches, the ability to stack tables, and over 400 characters, perhaps the largest in history (and that’s not including DLC following the post-March 13th release).

Scott Pilgrim EX

Toronto’s time-space has been messed up, with fantastical threats like Robots and Vegans laying claim to the city. Who better to fight back, other than literally anyone else, than Scott Pilgrim and friends? Following up on Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, this is a new beat ’em up from Tribute Games with seven playable fighters, four-player local and online co-op (with drop-in/drop-out supported) and a progression system centered around Badges. If you enjoyed Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game, then EX may be up your alley when it launches on March 3rd.

Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection

Following up on the well-received Battle Network Legacy Collection, Mega Man Star Force gets its own compilation on March 27th with all three titles and their versions. And considering the dozens of hours you can invest in each, complete with a new gallery and online play for battling, it may be just what the Doctor (not Wily) ordered.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (PC)

One of the least surprising announcements of all time – thanks ESRB and Kojima – Death Stranding 2: On the Beach nevertheless promises to be the most stunning version when it releases on March 19th. It includes Ultrawide support, upscaling and Frame Generation across DLSS 4, FSR 3 and XeSS 2.0, and even lets you enable Decima’s own Pico upscaling tech. Combine this with hardware requirements that are more than achievable – just maybe buy a new SSD – and it may very well warrant another playthrough.

The art style is what you’d expect from Wishfully’s excellent rendition of a planet as wondrous as it is dangerous, while the level design looks like it’s going to need both wit and skill to navigate. Thankfully, Mui is as cooperative as ever and has even learned to use the environment to be very helpful indeed. Lana meets some friends along the way, pointing to potential rescue missions popping up as you navigate areas on the planet.

The soundtrack deserves a special mention, and it looks like Takeshi Furukawa has done some fine work on the sequel, just as he did in the first game. We were quite happy with that one, by the way, and think that its success bodes well for Children of the Leaf as it looks like it’s building on the first game’s best features in meaningful ways.

We’re quite close to this one’s final release, but there’s a playable demo on the PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC and PS5 to try out before you pick up a copy. The full game launches on March 5th for the above platforms and Nintendo Switch 1 and 2.

Mouse: PI for Hire

If you ever played Cuphead and ever wanted a rubberhose animation-style first-person shooter, Mouse: PI for Hire may very well be it. Set in Mouseburg (naturally), you control PI Jack Pepper as he exposes a deep-rooted conspiracy. With a wide variety of weapons, including chainsaws and freeze, it’s looking to be a real swell time when it launches on March 19th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC.

007 First Light

Few 007 titles and media have ever explored the origins of the superspy, but IO Interactive is going about it the right way. With a mix of classic gadgets, gorgeous sandboxes that encourage creative solutions, and a more impulsive James Bond, 007 First Light has all the tools to provide a fantastic action-adventure. It’s out on March 27th for current-gen consoles and PC.

No Law

From isometric cyberpunk twin-stick shooting to, well, first-person cyberpunk shooting, Neon Giant’s next game is certainly unexpected. Set in Port Desire, a more condensed open world, it’s a non-linear story about Grey Harker and his past mistakes returning to haunt him. How you solve those dilemmas is completely up to you, which is music to my Dishonored-loving ears. Here’s hoping the execution in No Law is as brilliant.

Phantom Blade Zero

Of course, you can’t have just one John Wick-esque journey. Cue S-Game’s Phantom Blade Zero, whose protagonist faces off against numerous assassins while clinging to life. While focusing more on fast-paced combat with multiple weapon types and brutal enemies, the world is littered with secrets, to the extent that you might not see everything on the first playthrough. Style and substance should be a winning formula indeed when it launches on September 9th for PS5 and PC.

Control Resonant

Remedy kind of spoiled us on the sequel, venturing beyond the confines of The Oldest House into something much bigger, but none of us expected a sequel like this. Battling through the streets and skies of Manhattan as Dylan, Jesse’s brother, wielding dual blades and heavy weapons alongside telekinesis and other powers – it feels almost like a dark fantasy, albeit through a paranatural lens. Control Resonant will hopefully channel that into something more, and we can’t wait to see the studio’s creativity truly unleashed.

The Sinking City 2

Frogwares’ return to the flooded city of Arkham, tackling eldritch horrors and attempting to survive with our sanity intact, is one that we’ve been waiting a long time for. The original showed promise, but The Sinking City 2 looks to expand on that, both graphically and in terms of far-reaching consequences. And let’s be honest – with Cthulhu, who doesn’t want to see how badly things can go? With a release sometime in the first half of 2026, it’s not long now.

Nioh 3

Be Tokugawa Takechiyo. Be next in line to become shogun, until your power-hungry sibling can’t take it, embroiling Japan in a massive Crucible. Venture back in time to various eras, even the Bakumatsu, for the first time in the series, and attempt to set things right. All in a day’s work for those who stand against the Yokai and with a massive scale, new weapons, revamped exploration, and more, Nioh 3 could be Team Ninja’s best yet (at least it seems to think so). Launching on February 6th for PS5 and PC, we’ll find out for ourselves soon enough.

Order of the Sinking Star

Braid Anniversary Edition may have underwhelmed commercially, but Jonathan Blow is back at it again, this time venturing back to the puzzling well. Much like The Witness, you’ll solve numerous puzzles, but spread across four worlds with various characters that intertwine in intriguing ways. With over 1000 in total, the Order of the Sinking Star is beyond ambitious and could serve as another instant classic.

Gears of War: E-Day

After what feels like years of being left on the hook, Gears of War returns with a familiar duo – Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago. No, we haven’t fallen into an alternative universe – instead, it’s a prequel, set during the Emergence War right as it began. If you’ve ever sought a return to a more linear campaign, then E-Day may very well fuel that desire and even cater to those who enjoyed the first game’s horror. We’re certainly ready to learn more.

Halo: Campaign Evolved

Master Chief is back in yet another revisitation of the first-person shooter that started it all. Skepticism aside, there’s plenty of reason to be excited, from the inclusion of later-game weapons to the addition of four-player co-op. And if sprint isn’t your cup of tea, just switch it off. Combine all this with the new prologue missions and cross-play, and Campaign Evolved could be the clean slate that the series needs.

Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf

After everything that happened in the first game, you would think that Lana and Mui are due for a break. For better or worse, the sequel sees the duo delving deeper into Novo, unearthing new abilities and secrets while contending with a mysterious new threat. As an evolution of the original’s environmental storytelling and platforming, Planet of Lana 2 feels like a significant leap in every way.

The Blood of Dawnwalker

When vampires take over Vale Sangora, enslaving the local population, Coen is left with 30 days to save his family. As a half-vampire, however, he’s afforded some unique advantages, harnessing magic as a human by day and incredible strength as a vampire by night. Which affords more advantages, depending on the situation? What route will you take to dismantle the vampire’s hierarchy? The choice is yours, though care is necessary when deciding when to advance time. The Blood of Dawnwalker still doesn’t have a release date, but it’s out in 2026 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake

At long last, Koei Tecmo is remaking perhaps the best game in the Fatal Frame series – Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly. Releasing on March 12th, it offers more than just revamped visuals. There are new areas, side stories, Camera Obscura features, and even the “Holding Hands with Mayu” mechanic, which surely won’t be required for a brand new ending. Surely.

Pragmata

Fighting killer robots is tough enough when your bullets won’t even penetrate their armor – try doing it while simultaneously hacking their defenses. As unwieldy as that sounds, Pragmata just feels right, as Hugh teams with the android Diana to navigate a hostile Lunar base. The developer has remained tight-lipped on many things, but thus far, its gameplay loop has proven compelling in its own right. With a launch finally set for April 30th, we’ll see if it can carry the entire gorgeous experience.

Resident Evil Requiem

A requiem for the dead. An examination of the truth behind the Racoon City Incident. Old faces and new, working together to survive a new nightmare. If previous Resident Evil games felt like a big deal, then Requiem seems like the end of an era. That said, with a choice between first and third perspectives, the intertwining of survival and action horror, and more, it’s going to be one that fans never forget upon launching on February 27th.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Meanwhile, another long-running IP gets a new lease on life. Onimusha: Way of the Sword is straightforward enough – traverse Kyoto, cut down the Genma, and don’t die. But it’s from the perspective of the legendary Miyamoto Musashi, who’s armed with an Oni Gauntlet and must contend with his rival Sasaki Ganryu. Based on gameplay thus far, it’s shaping up into an incredible action-adventure – now all we need is a release date.

Saros

Minor delays aside, Housemarque’s next title is shaping up to be a dark horse just like Returnal. I’ve always sought a deeper challenge in this third-person shooter/bullet hell framework, and by leaning more into rogue-lite mechanics and progression, Saros looks even more enticing. Not to discount the bosses and other challenges, of course – if the story ends with fighting an actual eclipse, then it’s worth the price of admission.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve

The Wings of Theve will fly once more, as players return to the world of Strangereal to liberate the Federation of Usea. Promising the same epic campaign as its predecessors, Ace Combat 8 features stunning visuals and high-octane aerial combat when it releases later this year.

Styx Blades of Greed

The Green Plague returns, this time to pull off the heist – or heists – to end all heists. Working with the Black Hand in his own zeppelin, Styx utilizes the power of Quartz to manipulate space and time to his benefit. There are three massive environments to explore, each unlocking new areas as you gain more tools, and overall, it looks like a major step up from Shards of Darkness.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis

Speaking of returns, the legendary Lara Croft once again enters the action-adventure spotlight with Legacy of Atlantis, a Unreal Engine 5 reimagining of the original. Between all the familiar areas (and dinos), it also offers modernized gameplay and revamped controls, but Crystal Dynamics is keen on respecting the original’s legacy, which should be good news for purists.

Ontos

Count on Frictional Games to deliver a horror experience that’s completely unlike anything else out there. As a spiritual successor to the similarly mind-bending Soma, Ontos takes place in a moon hotel, where you partake in experiments as Aditi to find her father. Reality, for all intents and purposes, isn’t what it seems and who knows what secrets this labyrinth holds (which only makes it all the more enticing).

Fable

With the next Xbox Developer_Direct due in January, there’s no time like the fast-approaching present for Playground Games to showcase Fable. And not just a cute trailer with celebrities or a modern interpretation of a classic story – we’re talking raw gameplay. Considering the pedigree of those involved, Fable could live up to its lofty aspirations, but for now, we need to see more, especially when it’s out in 2026.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

Say what you will about Gotham City, but the legend of Batman, as he fights crime and struggles with his morality, remains as timeless as ever. Of course, TT Games is going for a more lighthearted touch with its sequel, packing in humor galore while still paying homage to the Batman’s legacy. With multiple playable characters and a massive playground, Legacy of the Dark Knight is shaping up to be an incredible tribute when it launches on May 29th.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

A catastrophe in a fantastical world that somehow involves a Rathalos – where have we heard this before? Beyond the promise of an epic adventure, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is also venturing into new directions with raising monsties. You can now fight off invasive monsters, retrieve endangered eggs, hatch them and reintroduce them into the wild to restore a habitat. Which is a nice ecological message, but it also nets a sick fire-wielding Zinogre, among other mutations, and that’s what really matters.

Beast of Reincarnation

A triple-A game from Game Freak, known for the Pokémon series, sounds…odd, if nothing else. It involves a human named Emma and her dog Koo working together to save humanity in a post-apocalyptic future. Between majestic creatures, bizarre enemies, a beautiful depiction of Japan’s wilderness and extensive violence, you have to wonder whether this is the same developer. Regardless, it should be worth the wait.

Marvel’s Wolverine

When talking about violence – and lots of it – Insomniac speaks to us on a primal level with Marvel’s Wolverine. Every aspect of that berserker fantasy is preserved in this original story, as Logan seeks the key to his past, even if he might not like the answers. There’s more to learn, but really, we’re way past sold based on the dismemberment alone.

Grand Theft Auto 6

By now, we’ve covered the sheer agony of delays that Rockstar’s sequel has inspired, not to mention everything we’d like to see. The crazy thing is that despite the hype and every detail in its last trailer, it still feels we haven’t truly seen the core of Grand Theft Auto 6, much less its gameplay. With a release date of November 19th, which hopefully won’t change any time soon, there’s plenty of time to learn more. Let’s hope it’s sooner rather than later.

Ikuma – The Frozen Compass

From Lost Ember developer Mooneye Studios comes a new adventure about survival in the Arctic. As Sam and his dog Ellie, you’ll traverse the harsh environment, climbing and foraging for resources to survive while seeking a way back home, even as something strange lurks beyond the ice and snow. Beyond the gorgeous aesthetic, Ikuma – The Frozen Compass could be a uniquely emotional journey.

Cairn

If you’re looking for a different but still harrowing survival narrative experience, look no further than Cairn. The Game Bakers’ latest focuses on Aava, who seeks to scale Mount Kami, perhaps becoming the first to ever do it. While the path is littered with good intentions, it’s also fraught with danger (and that’s before you decide to try and climb at night). Still, with the ability to climb anywhere and find your own path, Cairn isn’t messing around and could end up as the premier climbing title.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties

The Yakuza series is no stranger to deep side activities that will occupy you for hours. So how about managing an orphanage, participating in unique bonding events, and even raising your Daddy Rank (seriously)? If that sounds a little too cutesy, don’t worry – Yoshitaka Mine’s story, as told through Dark Ties, offers Kanda Damage Control, where you fulfil requests, complete challenges (including combat), and ascend past the ranks of trash. Between all this and their deeply involving narratives, there’s little reason not to delve into Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties when it launches on February 12th.

Code Vein 2

What’s the end of the world between blood-sucking, dungeon-crawling, and friends? Unlike the first game, Code Vein 2 is about hopping through time, meeting various important figures, and hopefully stopping the apocalypse. The lack of online co-op is a bummer, but at least the robust character creator is back, while build variety is freer than ever. With bigger foes, bosses, and stakes, Code Vein 2 should offer a more impactful experience when it launches on January 30th.

Gothic 1 Remake

The original “Explore a Eurojank world without any hand-holding and try to survive”, but this time with improved visuals. Everything about the original remains unchanged; however, as you navigate the Colony in whatever manner you wish. Choose a faction, become a hero, interact with NPCs – whatever you desire across a 50-hour journey when Gothic 1 Remake launches in Q1 2026.

Valor Mortis

“All men must die”, says Valar Morghulis, but not you. Instead, Ghostrunner developer One More Level wants you to show courage in the face of death, especially after you’ve been brought back to life and must battle against plague-ridden foes. As a first-person Souls-like with responsive melee combat, Valor Mortis is shaping up pretty well, and we can’t wait to see how far the horror-filled rabbit hole goes.

Decrepit

Of course, if you want something even darker, there’s Decrepit, which offers an even simpler goal: Escape a castle teeming with danger. There’s a rogue-lite loop where getting caught means starting over, but beyond the Souls-like combat, the emphasis is on learning more about the world, uncovering secrets like permanent upgrades, harnessing equipment to suit your playstyle, and so on. It’s intriguing, and complements Valor Mortis in several ways.

Forza Horizon 6

If the millions and millions of players throughout the years didn’t clue you in, this franchise is unstoppable, and Forza Horizon 6 could be the best yet. New cars and a bigger map, spreading from Tokyo to the area around Mt Fuji, is a given, but Playground cramming it with activities to make it the “most full” yet is intriguing. With rumors claiming a release in the first half of 2026, Xbox Series X/S and PC won’t have to wait long to go hands-on.