IGN AU has unveiled its top five anticipated games from the Summer of Gaming 2026, highlighting major titles expected across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch 2. The selection promises a year of significant releases for a variety of gaming tastes.
Final Fantasy VII: Revelation
The final installment in Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII Remake series, titled Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, is slated for a Spring 2027 release in the US, which corresponds to March through May 2027 in Australia. This entry will finally allow players to explore the entire world map via Cid's Highwind airship, creating the interconnected world teased in previous titles. The return of colossal roaming boss battles, known as Weapons like Diamond, Ruby, and Emerald, will provide substantial end-game content. The developers have also indicated that player choices will subtly influence the story's flow, though a single definitive ending is planned.
Gears of War: E-Day
Set 14 years before the original game, Gears of War: E-Day will return players to Emergence Day, depicting Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago's first encounter with the Locust Horde. Gameplay reveals suggest a return to the darker, horror-infused tone of the original trilogy, powered by Unreal Engine 5 for enhanced environmental detail and destruction. A new Horde Siege mode is also set to offer a deep cooperative experience. Gears of War: E-Day is scheduled for release on October 6, 2026, and is positioned as a day-one Game Pass title.
Stuntman Hollywood
This title revives the moviemaking premise of the cult classic Stuntman series, aiming for a fun-focused, improvisational approach to action. Players will be encouraged to chain together dangerous stunts for higher scores, with reveal trailers showcasing sequences like car-to-car leaps and helicopter crashes. Stuntman Hollywood aims to deliver a pure, enjoyable gameplay experience that harkens back to a simpler era of game design.
God of War: Laufey
Shifting focus from Kratos and Atreus, God of War: Laufey will explore the character of Laufey the Just. The game appears to feature a more agile and magic-centric combat system, incorporating new elemental attacks and traversal mechanics that offer a departure from the heavier style of recent God of War entries. This installment promises to delve into the lesser-explored aspects of Norse mythology, showcasing Laufey's legendary capabilities.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Nintendo has revealed a reimagined version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, built on a new engine featuring enhanced visual fidelity. The teaser showed a realistic yet stylized Young Link and confirmed the return of voiceover narration and a symphonic score that revisits the original game's melodies. A subtly reworked logo, consistent with the art direction of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, was also shown. This highly anticipated title is expected to launch in 2026.