If 2025 taught us anything, it's that you can never predict what's going to come out of the games industry. Sure, you might be able to track trends and "follow the money," as it were, but the ingenuity and moxie of studios, both big and small, are harder to quantify. One need look no further than Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a studio debut that had a historic run at TGA 2025, for proof of this industry's mobile and unpredictable nature.

I'm not sure if 2026 will give us another Clair Obscur success story, but you can rest assured that smaller, fresh-faced studios are still hard at work at ambitious and subversive projects. Indeed, the spate of 2026's potential indie success stories is already starting to come into focus, as more modest companies plan to launch stylish side-scrollers, cinematic third-person adventure games, and everything in between. For a snapshot of 2026's possible hidden gems, read on.

MIO: Memories in Orbit

Check Out MIO: Memories in Orbit on Steam

  • MIO: Memories in Orbit studio: Douze Dixiemes
  • MIO: Memories in Orbit release date: January 20, 2026

Already compared to Hollow Knight due to its emphasis on mobility, worldbuilding, and metroidvania fundamentals, MIO: Memories in Orbit is a striking debut from French studio Douze Dixiemes releasing later this month. MIO is primed to follow in the footsteps of modern classics like Ori and the Blind Forest as well, making a splash with stunning visuals and slick movement. These elements, coupled with a sci-fi story about an amnesiac android trapped in a derelict spaceship, will hopefully help MIO reach the same heights as other indie metroidvania darlings, like 2024's Nine Sols or Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

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Metroidvania
Platformer
Action
Adventure
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Released
January 20, 2026
ESRB
Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
Developer(s)
Douze Dixièmes
Publisher(s)
Focus Entertainment
Number of Players
Single-player
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
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A mesmerizing, intertwined, decaying world awaits.

You are MIO, a nimble robot with extraordinary abilities. You wake up in the Vessel, a space ship drifting aimlessly in space.This enormous technological ark, whose initial purpose remains unknown, lies now as a field of ruins, overgrown with lush vegetation and machines gone rogue.

Nobody knows why the Pearls, The Vessel's AI caretakers, have ceased functioning. Forgotten by all, the Vessel faces imminent shutdown. Dive into its depths to revive its lost memories, as you unravel your true past and destiny.

Steam Deck Compatibility
Verified
PC Release Date
January 20, 2026
Xbox Series X|S Release Date
January 20, 2026
PS5 Release Date
January 20, 2026
Nintendo Switch Release Date
January 20, 2026
Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
January 20, 2026
Genre(s)
Metroidvania, Platformer, Action, Adventure
X|S Optimized
Yes
File Size Xbox Series
3.77 GB

Don't Stop, Girlypop!

Check Out Don't Stop, Girlypop! On Steam

  • Don't Stop, Girlypop! Studio: Funny Fintan Softworks
  • Don't Stop, Girlypop! Release date: January 29, 2026

Glampunk aesthetics and Y2K-influenced mania build the vibe of Don't Stop, Girlypop!, a movement shooter from Australian developer Funny Fintan Softworks. It's hard not to feel charmed by the game's excessive, saccharine audiovisual design, but it also has the mechanical heft to back up its retro-chic fashion sense. As its title suggests, Don't Stop, Girlypop! Encourages aggression and quick-thinking by boosting player damage and healing through constant, speedy movement. The result, hopefully, will be a movement-based boomer shooter that can tussle with the best of them.

Don't Stop, Girlypop! Currently has a demo available on Steam.

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FPS
Action
Shoot 'em Up
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Released
January 29, 2026
Developer(s)
Funny Fintan Softworks
Publisher(s)
Kwalee
Number of Players
Single-player
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DIGITAL
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JUST DON'T STOP MOVING

❤ The faster you go, the more damage you deal and the more you heal! DSG combines the riotous fun of boomer shooter mechanics with advanced contemporary movement abilities.

❤ Wave hopping combines the feeling of a classic bunny hop with modern ground slam, dash and double jump mechanics to fling you into a fast, fluid and precise flow state.

SPREAD THE LOVE

❤ Unleash the horrors <3 Guns with alt-fires combine symbiotically with each other to create magical moments of complex interplay

❤ Master a deep and dynamic combat system to generate high Love scores and become the Cupid of death!

YOU ARE THE REVOLUTION

❤ Destroy shareholder value! Mining corp Tigris Nix wants to drain your world of The Love, a natural force keeping your planet alive. Lay waste to its robot drones to heal the Oasis!

❤ Kill ‘em with kindness! Every point of damage dealt against a robot is one piece of The Love released back into the environment and one step closer to the end of Tigris Nix.

Y2KILLER STYLE

❤ Dazzle your enemies by decorating your arms and guns with fabrics and ornaments. Add butterflies to your barrel, paint yourself in pink chrome, and – yes – dominate the battlefield in a quintuple-denim masterpiece.

Steam Deck Compatibility
Unknown
PC Release Date
January 29, 2026
Genre(s)
FPS, Action, Shoot 'em Up
Platform(s)
PC

Cairn

Check Out Cairn on Steam

  • Cairn studio: The Game Bakers
  • Cairn release date: January 29, 2026

Cairn probably won't get the same attention as 2026 flagships like Resident Evil Requiem and Grand Theft Auto 6, but it's effectively part of indie royalty. Its developer, The Game Bakers, made one of the best-ever boss-rush games in 2016's Furi. Following that flashy and exceptional release, the studio shipped Haven, a slow-paced sci-fi survival game laser-focused on an unlikely love story. Cairn feels like the natural next step, in some ways: it's a slower, more methodical game built around rock-climbing, much like how Haven is designed around daily life on an alien planet, but it's also notably more intense. Based on what The Game Bakers have shown so far, Cairn aims to provide meditative, flow-state gameplay with stylish visuals and intense, punishing moments. It sounds right up the studio's alley.

Cairn currently has a demo available on Steam.

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Released
January 29, 2026
Developer(s)
The Game Bakers
Publisher(s)
The Game Bakers
Number of Players
Single-player
Steam Deck Compatibility
Verified
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REALISTIC CLIMBING SIMULATION
Cairn’s realistic simulation allows intuitive climbing: find the best holds and place your hands and feet seamlessly with simple controls. Adapt your posture, effort and balance —if you're not careful, you will fall!

THE ASCENT OF A LIFETIME
As pro climber Aava, you embark on the ascent of Mount Kami, a summit that has never been reached. Along the journey, meet unexpected companions and hear from those left on the ground. Discover the mountain's history and decide what Aava is willing to sacrifice to achieve her dream.

OPEN YOUR OWN ROUTE
You are free to climb anywhere. Explore the mountain, read the rock face from the ground and plan your route carefully to reach the top. Solve problems while on the wall to navigate difficult sections. You can climb on anything, so choose your path wisely!

CLIMBING IS A FIGHT
Climbing is challenging: each wall feels like a boss fight. A thrilling challenge for those eager to test themselves, but you can also adjust the difficulty to customise your experience.

SURVIVE THE DEADLY MOUNTAIN
Manage your resources to survive during the long ascent: pitons, chalk, finger tape... But also food, water and medicine. Set up bivouacs and explore the mountain to find resources to reach the summit.

ENDLESS REPLAYABILITY
In Expedition mode, choose Aava or Marco and attack different mountains your way: select your climbing style (alpine, free solo) and challenges to take on. Compare your performance with other climbers.

AWARD-WINNING INDIE TEAM
An unforgettable experience from the makers of Furi and Haven, with music and sound design by the team behind Limbo, Inside, Control and Cocoon, and art and story by renowned comic-book artist Mathieu Bablet.

PC Release Date
January 29, 2026
PS5 Release Date
January 29, 2026
Genre(s)
Simulation, Adventure, Survival
Platform(s)
PlayStation 5, PC

The Legend of Khiimori

Check Out The Legend of Khiimori on Steam

  • The Legend of Khiimori studio: Aesir Interactive, NightinGames
  • The Legend of Khiimori release date: March 3, 2026

The Legend of Khiimori is one of the more interesting games of early 2026, in my view. Previously called Windstorm: The Legend of Khiimori, the game was originally imagined as the next entry in Aesir Interactive's Windstorm horse-care simulation series. But if you look at these older games, even the recent 2024 release, it's clear how much of a massive improvement Khiimori is, at least in terms of visuals and polish.

Without mincing words, the Windstorm games preceding this one are pretty janky. Character animations are stiff and unexpressive, textures are flat and muddy, and there are little to no complex game systems beyond the management and customization options one would expect from the genre. But Khiimori looks considerably more polished and detail-oriented, with what appears to be a more involved, complex narrative. Time will tell if it actually feels better to play, but it's a much bigger swing from Aesir, and could be yet another example of the power of Unreal Engine 5, even in the hands of smaller studios.

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Adventure
Exploration
Open-World
Life Simulation
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Released
March 3, 2026
Developer(s)
Aesir Interactive, NightinGames
Publisher(s)
Mindscape
Number of Players
Single-player
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DIGITAL
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The Legend of Khiimori is a system-driven game where you explore the untamed land of 13th century Mongolia as a brave courier rider. Breed and train horses with specialized abilities to explore every aspect of this diverse and fascinating landscape. 

Explore an untamed 13th century Mongolia as a brave courier rider
13th century Mongolia is the home of history’s best horse riders. The land is beautiful and vast, full of wonders and intriguing tales to uncover. Be prepared for harsh climates, steep cliffs, and amazing landscapes. Keep yourself safe from danger by strategically planning your delivery routes across the wide steppes, over snowy peaks or through the scorching desert.

Train, breed and bond with horses
Training horses is essential in charting the expansive Mongolian landscape. Breed horses with specialized traits to overcome the many challenges along your path. Pair the best stock to breed increased capabilities across generations. Train your horse, care for their needs and unleash their full potential to become a true Yam courier rider. Enjoy unparalleled realism in lifelike equine behavior and animation, refined and approved by experts. 

Deliver valuable cargo, gather, craft and survive
Surviving is key! Forage and hunt for supplies and materials to mix food and tonics for your horse. Plan your routes wisely to avoid damaging vulnerable cargo or endangering your trusted steed. Prepare your horse and your equipment to weather harsh environments and conditions. Only then can you survive the untamed Mongolian wilderness.

Use your bow and arrows wisely
Start crafting powder pouches and special arrows to survive the dangers of the Mongolian wildlife. Archery is deeply entrenched in Mongolian culture, and it will be yours to master. However, in this game your bow and arrows are tools rather than weapons. Different arrows and powder pouches are used for gathering resources, defending yourself from dangerous wildlife and mindful hunting.

Improve your skills and master the challenges of the open world
Take on various activities and thrive as a Yam courier rider. You will be tasked with delivering packages and cargo, gathering vital items, and mastering the challenges of the open world. Quests will test your capabilities, requiring the right steed, excellent riding mastery, and thoughtful planning, as well as skillful resource management, useful crafting, and keen archery to survive and succeed. 

Steam Deck Compatibility
Unknown
Early Access Release
March 3, 2026
Genre(s)
Adventure, Exploration, Open-World, Life Simulation
Platform(s)
PC, PlayStation 5

MOUSE: P.I. For Hire

Check Out MOUSE: P.I. For Hire on Steam

  • MOUSE: P.I. For Hire studio: Fumi Games
  • MOUSE: P.I. For Hire release date: March 19, 2026

I'm a real sucker for games that look completely different, regardless of their other qualities. MOUSE: P.I. For Hire certainly fits that label, as its blend of 3D environments and rubber-hose animation, packaged within an FPS perspective, is something I've never seen before. Sleek and lovable graphics aside, MOUSE is a hardboiled detective story with the flamboyant inclinations of 1930s Disney cartoons, a combination that lends it an undeniable vigor and charm. It aims to deliver a compelling, irreverent story, fast-paced combat, and even metroidvania-influenced exploration. It's ticking a lot of boxes so far, so hopefully it sticks the landing when it arrives this Spring.

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Released
March 19, 2026
Developer(s)
Fumi Games
Publisher(s)
PlaySide
Engine
Unity
Number of Players
Single-player
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MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is an action-packed first-person shooter that draws inspiration from the classic cartoons of the 1930s. Its black and white rubber hose visuals are drawn by hand, frame by frame, delivering a striking vintage aesthetic. Unravel layers of corruption with a thrilling noir-fueled detective story, lively environments to explore, an original big band jazz soundtrack, and a fully-loaded arsenal of cartoon weapons and devastating power-ups.

DEADLY INVESTIGATIONS
Meet Private Investigator Jack Pepper, a former war hero-turned-detective in a world where danger lurks even in the smallest mouse hole. Uncover the truth when a simple missing persons case quickly escalates into a complex web of intrigue, with corruption, kidnapping and murder all on the docket. Investigate the seedy underbelly of Mouseburg, battle heavily armed gangs and crooked cops, and discover clues to reveal the conspiracy buried underneath the surface.

LOCK, LOAD, LAUGH
From crackling machine guns to explosive firepower, each weapon in Pepper’s arsenal is designed to deploy non-stop cartoon chaos. Arm yourself with an array of classic, creatively twisted and experimental firearms, and consume powerful upgrades when you need that extra spinach-loaded punch! Lethal encounters and manic boss battles await in this boomer shooter-inspired, retro-vibed adventure - and the denizens of Mouseburg never go down without a fight.

A CITY OF SECRETS
Explore a diverse city playground, from dark streets to classic film studios, opulent opera buildings, poisonous swamps and underground sewers. With a myriad of cases to solve and collectibles to find, Mouseburg is truly a detective’s delight! Use every tool at your disposal to wall-run, grapple-hook and double-jump through this unrelenting cartoon world.

Steam Deck Compatibility
Unknown
PC Release Date
March 19, 2026
Xbox Series X|S Release Date
March 19, 2026
PS5 Release Date
March 19, 2026
Nintendo Switch Release Date
March 19, 2026
Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
March 19, 2026
Genre(s)
Action, FPS
X|S Optimized
Yes

1348 Ex Voto

Check Out 1348 Ex Voto on Steam

  • 1348 Ex Voto studio: Sedleo
  • 1348 Ex Voto release date: TBA 2026

Seemingly cut from the same cloth as games like A Plague Tale and Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Sedleo debut 1348 Ex Voto is taking a big swing at photorealism and cinematography. The game is set in 14th century Italy and follows Aeta, a young knight errant searching for her "closest one," a journey that takes her through a series of treacherous challenges. Like Kingdom Come: Deliverance, combat is directional and stance-based, although it appears to be comparatively streamlined. Indeed, storytelling and atmosphere look to be front-and-center in 1348 Ex Voto, making it a potentially nice alternative to the cinematic fare the AAA scene will be serving up in 2026.

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Released
March 12, 2026
Developer(s)
Sedleo
Publisher(s)
Dear Villagers
Number of Players
Single-player
Steam Deck Compatibility
Unknown
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Brave the harsh realities of the Italian late medieval period through the eyes of a courageous noble whose life is about to change fundamentally. Follow Aeta (Alby Baldwin), a young knight errant, on a brutal journey through Italy to find and save her closest one, Bianca (Jennifer English).

1348 Ex Voto is a thrilling 3rd-person action-adventure game inspired by classics of the genre and chivalric story tropes.

Discover a 14th-century-inspired Italy, a cradle of political strife and rural exodus. Banditry, mercenaries, and religious zealots run amok while pestilence festers in the countryside and cities.

Experience thrilling sword fighting in cinematic combat inspired by Historical European Martial Arts and animated with the help of trained Performance Capture actors.

Use Aeta's martial knowledge to surprise and overcome your enemies by strategically choosing between 2 different combat stances, one and two-handed. Find skill books throughout your adventure to unlock new combos and personalize Aeta's swordplay with different weapon parts.

From medieval villages to castles and the beautiful grassy mountainside of the Appennino to the remnants of classical Rome, explore a magnificent 14th-century Italy through the eyes of a knight-errant. Search your surroundings to stumble upon trinkets & treasures to complete your collection.

Genre(s)
Action, Adventure, History
Platform(s)
PlayStation 5, PC