Many games are scheduled to be released this year as well. However, among them, there may be “hidden good works” that are not talked about much yet and are known only to those in the know. Therefore, in this article, we will introduce the games scheduled to be released in 2026 that the writers of AUTOMATON personally have high expectations for. The lineup is selected from lesser-known titles, so you’re sure to find quite niche titles that you don’t know about. If you find a work that appeals to you, why not add it to your wishlist and wait for it to be released?
“PengPong”
Developer/Distributor: SANDY FLOOR
Compatible models: PC (Steam/Epic Games Store）
Release date: 2026
Have any of our readers ever seen a penguin tying a pistol with a hockey stick? I am. I saw this in PengPong, a top-down roguelite action game.
Pen, the main character of Pen Pong, is a penguin who was a star player in the ice hockey world. However, one day, he becomes jealous of Penn’s success and gets angry at his friend who purposely bumps into his shoulder, causing him to hit him in the back of the head with an ice hockey puck. As a result, Penn is punished by the committee, fired from the team, and is left penniless as his sponsor demands a penalty. Penn is overwhelmed with despair, but then a mysterious person appears and is offered another mysterious task: “I want you to wipe out enemies coming from beyond the universe.” Normally I would have refused, but this is a former star player. “I think my hockey stick is still useful!” He showed his natural positivity and made an immediate decision. For a huge incentive, he will have to fight against countless alien creatures.
The genre of this work is a top-down roguelite action similar to “Brotato” and “20 Minutes Till Dawn.” There are permanent enhancements, character and equipment selection, and battles are based on a wave system, all of which follow the basic elements of top-down rogue-lite action. In addition, in battle, you defeat countless enemies, raise your level, and acquire new abilities.It can be said that the game has a more traditional gameplay than you can imagine from the scenario. However, Penn is a former ice hockey star. He uses a hockey stick, and of course bounces the puck, as well as a “handgun” and a “sword.”
In this way, in addition to the aggressive attack method of “firing a pistol with a stick,” this game is bursting with individuality, such as the graphics and BGM having a vintage cartoon style, the ability to spin the slot after a battle, and the translation of “YES” to “This is it!”. On SteamDemo versionis currently being distributed, so if you like Roguelite, Cartoon, or Penguin, please give it a try.
by. Junya Shimizu
『Metropolis 1998』
Developer/Distributor: Yesbox Studios
Compatible models: PC (Steam）
Release date: 2026 (early access)
There are many kinds of games that involve building a town, from all over the world. Each one has its own merits, such as those that focus on transportation networks, those that can lead to cities being submerged if we don’t pay attention to the behavior of water, and those that have unique worldviews. However, for people like me who feel a certain kind of nostalgia for pixel art, I sometimes miss the taste of the Super Famicom’s “Sim City” and its sequel, “SimCity 2000.”
“Metropolis 1998” has a very 1990s feel to it. At first glance, the diorama-like graphics viewed from an angle make you wonder if this is actually a new game coming out in 2026. However, it is still a new product. This game is uniquely modern in its ability to simulate the behavior of individual residents, even though it is a town-building game. Demand and dissatisfaction, which in older games were expressed only as statistical data, are derived from a tremendous number of individual circumstances. It is also equipped with a micromap mode that allows you to see even the rooms inside a building, so you can see inside the offices where residents are busy working or the homes where they are returning home tired. Buildings and rooms can be customized in detail, and if you’re particular about it, you can go all the way. I can’t help but wonder what kind of demand would arise if people were to live in a building designed to completely eliminate convenience.
The early access period will begin in 2026, and it has been predicted from the beginning that it will take about two years to release the product. The number of roadmap items that can be checked on the official website is astounding. Will it really be over in two years? I can’t wait to see how this work, which has the air of a carefully crafted masterpiece, will develop in the future.
by. Naoto Morooka
『Cairn』
Developer/Distributor: The Game Bakers
Compatible models: PC (Steam）/PS5
Release date: January 29, 2026
There is a novel/manga called “Kami no Yamamine” that uses mountain climbing as its theme. This work depicts a mountaineer’s solo ascent of Mount Everest, and the human drama behind it is also a fascinating masterpiece. Due to the influence of this work, even though I am an indoor person, I started liking fiction with mountain climbing as its theme.
“Cairn” is a game where you play as Aava, a professional climber who aims to climb the unexplored peak of Mount Cami. When we say mountaineering, it’s not trekking, but climbing, and involves finding a route to the top from a pathless rock face and using only one’s body, and sometimes tools such as pitons, to reach the top of the mountain.
Many games with mountain climbing as their theme have been released over the long history of gaming. Among his recent works, “PEAK” is probably famous. However, there are not many mountain climbing games that are both action and realistic. Cairn is one of the few realistic climbing simulator games. This is the game that people who want to enjoy realistic mountain climbing in a game that is not as comical as “PEAK” have been waiting for.
In this work, you can not only enjoy climbing but also enjoy the beautiful scenery seen from Mount Kami. The story also tells the story of why the main character Aava climbs Mount Kami and what kind of mountain Mount Kami is. I look forward to the release of this work, hoping that it will become a “mountain of the gods” in the gaming world.
by. Koutaro Sato
『Strategos』
Developer: Strategos Games
Publisher: MicroProse Software
Compatible models: PC (Steam）
Release date: January 2026
“Strategos” is a real-time tactical simulation game set in the ancient Mediterranean world. Choose your army from various factions such as Rome and Carthage and command them in the field. The basic system is almost the same as a typical RTS, with each unit having different performance and side attacks being very effective.
A major feature of this game is that the commander has a set command range, and in order to operate units outside of the command range, you must send a messenger. There is a time lag before orders arrive, and there is a limit to the number of messengers that can be sent at once. It is necessary to anticipate the situation on the battlefield, reduce the number of orders as much as possible, and sometimes allow troops to act autonomously, and respond appropriately.
A demo version of this work was available until the other day, and I was also playing it. The basic controls were based on existing titles such as “Total War,” so it was easy to get used to, but the battle mechanics were more strongly influenced by the turn-based tactics game “Field of Glory II” (FoG2). The developers have also openly stated that they were influenced by FoG, and it seems that they are actually using it as a reference.
For me, FoG2 is the best tactical simulation of all time. Just the fact that it is an RTS version of the same work is more than enough reason to have high expectations for “Strategos”. Of course, this game also includes a unique system, and I fell in love with the simple demo version that only featured four factions.
The game is apparently created by the developer individually, and the graphics of this game cannot be described as gorgeous. But the gameplay is polished. The product version will feature around 120 factions and will feature recreations of historical battles, so I’m really looking forward to it.
by. Akihiro Sakurai
“Yumeshark Hypothesis”
Developer/Distributor: Samesame Samation
Compatible models: PC (Steam）
Release date: 2026
“Snow Shark Hypothesis” is a multi-end love adventure game in which a player tries to manage his relationship with his ex-girlfriend by rewriting his memories of the aquarium date. In the second half of his third year at university, the main character of this work has a girlfriend whom he has just started dating. However, as his job hunting gets into full swing, his chances to meet his girlfriend, Miori, decrease. The main character’s job hunting doesn’t go well, and by the time he graduates, he is completely estranged and dumped. Maybe the petty fight on the aquarium date wasn’t a good thing. As the main character wishes to have their date at the aquarium over again, a strange snow shark appears and the photos taken allow him to rewrite his memories of the date. Depending on how you rewrite it, her fate will change, and women other than her will also appear. Driven by regrets, he tries to change the past, and a journey through possibilities unfolds with his girlfriend.
This work is available on Steamtrial versionhas been released, and it already looks like it’s going to be a masterpiece. In the early story, the story of her changes and the process of her becoming estranged unfolds, albeit in fragments. The awkward atmosphere was clearly felt, and my heart ached as I played with it. Also, when she rewrote her memories, she changed more than she expected, and a story that was beyond her imagination was waiting for her. The previous game, “Harumachi Toroidal,” which is a work by the game production circle “Same Same Samation,” which is developing the game, exceeded my expectations when I first started playing it, so I have high expectations for this work based on the content of the trial version. Personally, I think it’s better to just give up, but I wonder what this work will show us after pursuing its unresolved feelings.
by. Keiichi Yokoyama
『TankRat』
Developer: Alpha Channel
Publisher: Kepler Interactive
Compatible models: PC (Steam）/PS5
Release date: Spring 2026
“TankRat,” an action-adventure game in which players survive in an apocalyptic world while modifying tanks, is a game that deals with heavy vehicles, but is always filled with anxiety and scarcity. The setting is a world where civilization has collapsed due to war. The surviving humans abandon their bodies and transfer their consciousness to drones to survive the harsh environment.
The player operates a light tank and explores the ruined land, aiming for the legendary sky city where the hidden truth of the world lies. Dangerous iron monsters called “tankrats” roam the wilderness, and the protagonist defeats them and steals parts such as weapons and armor to strengthen his own machine. Thickening the armor will reduce its mobility, and increasing firepower will leave concerns about its ability to continue fighting. No matter what the configuration is, it’s not a decisive decision, and the design that keeps asking the question, “Was the current modification correct?” is impressive.
During the exploration, players switch between tanks and the flying reconnaissance drone “Needle.” Although Needle does not have combat capabilities, she is highly mobile and can collect scrap, and is responsible for investigating dangerous areas. There is no safe time even during exploration, as there is a sense of tension as you dismount your tank and explore in the dangerous wilderness, always being on the lookout to see if your defenseless tank is being attacked.
Alpha Channel, which is working on this work, is a studio founded by former AAA developers, and this work is essentially their debut work. It is also an evolution of TankHead, which was previously available on the Epic Games Store, and owners of the same title are eligible for a free upgrade. If you’ve ever played a post-apocalyptic survival RPG and thought, “I wish I could ride a tank or robot on an adventure,” “TankRat” will make your dreams come true.
by. Motoharu Ono
『Mixtape』
Developer: Beethoven and Dinosaur
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Compatible models: PC (Steam/Microsoft Store）/PS5/Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One
Release date: 2026
Mixtape is a narrative adventure game inspired by coming-of-age movies. The story begins on the last night of high school, when three friends get in a car and head to their final party. Afterwards, as they listen to a playlist of the best songs in the car, their old memories come back like a dream, and the story depicts how the three of them relive the various patterns of their youth that shaped them.
The included bands include famous groups from yesteryear such as DEVO, Roxy Music, Lush, and The Smashing Pumpkins. At the time of writing, not many gameplay details have been released, but it seems that the game will feature many youthful situations, such as riding a skateboard down a hill in a rural town or covering a house in toilet paper. It’s also interesting to see the elements typical of the 80’s and 90’s sprinkled throughout, such as a rental shop with video tapes and characters who converse on landlines rather than smartphones.
Furthermore, on the Steam store page, it is said that “the ups and downs of adolescence, changes of heart, and the bittersweetness of graduation” will be told, so I have a feeling that the story will not end with just a cheerful story. I’m looking forward to seeing how the story ends. By the way, for me personally, the warm graphics reminiscent of “Life is Strange” are also noteworthy.
by. Satofumi Inoue
“Collapsed City”
Developer: All Parts Connected
Seller: tinyBuild
Compatible models: PC (Steam）
Release date: 1st quarter of 2026
“Collapsed City” is an urban development simulation game where you live adrift in a part of a building floating on the ocean. This work is a city development game with such a minimal theme, but at the same time it is full of all kinds of dynamism. A typical example is an architectural system based on physical calculations. In the demo version of this game, I was engrossed in building the last-minute structures, even though I was collapsing them over and over again. The dynamism of this architecture is one of the elements that stands out because it is a minimalist environment with limited building space and building materials. I fully enjoyed the dynamism of this architecture in the demo version, but I am looking forward to another dynamism in the product version.
That dynamism is “survival.” Although this work is an urban development simulation, it also has the aspect of a survival sim that guides the survivors in the right way. Protecting survivors from crises such as movement restrictions due to tides, large storms, and food shortages. There are times when he makes tough decisions, and depending on the outcome, the survivors may be executed or a political coup may begin.
Elements like this are not uncommon in simulation games these days, but the severity of the situation changes precisely because it occurs in a minimalist environment where people, materials, and land are limited. I want to play quickly, enjoy the dynamism, and ponder my thoughts.
by. Tamio Kimura
『DIGITAL EXORCIST』
Developer: COOL BEANS PRODUCTIONS
Sold by: HYPER REAL
Compatible models: PC (Steam）
Release date: 2026
“DIGITAL EXORCIST” is a title developed by COOL BEANS PRODUCTIONS and published by Sankei Digital’s game label HYPER REAL. It is a visual novel-style adventure game, set in a world where a system driven by occult magic and technology from the end of the 20th century merge. The story is that the player controls a digital exorcist who solves supernatural crimes and exorcises digital demons.
The main character is Sawyer, a former agent who infiltrates a high school as a teacher to investigate the death of an idol. Together with his digital companion Tomodachi and the officer in charge Sakana Shinta, he protects a rural town in Mississippi, USA. The game was developed by a team consisting mainly of members from Latin America, and is characterized by a worldview that fuses Japan and America and pixel art visuals reminiscent of the PC-98 era.
I grew up immersed in Atlus’s works, including the “Megami Tensei” series, and I love the digital x occult worldview and school-based works. I also like visual novels that have a PC-98 era feel to them…so “DIGITAL EXORCIST” hits a lot of pressure points on me.
There is also a prologue/spin-off work that depicts a past incident that Sawyer took on.DIGITAL EXORCIST case_(0);” has been released for free on Steam. Personally, I can’t help but hope that the localization will be done by Mr. Haruo Muto, who worked on “VA-11 Hall-A” and other projects, so I recommended this project.
by. Yuuki Inoue
『SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed』
Developer: Fair Play Labs
Seller: tinyBuild
Compatible models: PC (Steam）/PS5/Xbox Series X|S/Nintendo Switch
Release date: 2026
Ten years have passed since the release of the previous game, SpeedRunners, and the sequel, SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed, is scheduled to be released in 2026. In the previous game, “SpeedRunners,” which was also called the “2D platform version of Mario Kart,” players raced around an obstacle course in a circle. The controls are simple, and there are only four actions: jumping, sliding, acceleration, and wire ejection. However, once you learn the course and master the wire action, you can enjoy an exhilarating experience that feels like parkour at top speed.
Players will drop out if they are left off-screen, and sudden death will begin when someone falls off. The survivable area shrinks, and the rounds continue until there is only one person left. There are also interfering items such as guided missiles and freezing beams, so you won’t be able to relax even for a moment.
Although the previous work’s popularity in Japan did not last long, it continues to maintain a certain level of popularity overseas, with competitions being held regularly. The developer of “SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed” has been changed from the previous game’s DoubleDutch Games to Fair Play Labs, known for “Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl.” At this stage, in addition to updating the graphics, it has been announced that the number of simultaneous players will be increased from a maximum of 4 to a maximum of 8. I’d like to keep an eye on future updates to see how it evolves from the previous work.
by. Rikuya Melichar
“PVKK: Planetary Defense Artillery Commander”
Developer: Bippinbits
Publisher: Kepler Interactive
Compatible platform: PC (Steam）
Release date: 3rd quarter of 2026
“PVKK: Planetary Defense Artillery Commander” is a game where you play as a military gunner in a certain dictatorial nation, barricaded yourself in the defense bunker to which you have been assigned, and operate a planetary defense cannon. It is said that there are intruders from outside the Earth, and the player is tasked with eliminating them. There is a control panel in the bunker, and in order to fire the gigantic cannon that can be seen beyond the window, players must perform a number of operations in the correct order, including activating the turret, loading the cannonball, detecting what is believed to be an enemy spaceship, and calculating the trajectory of the cannonball.
The control panel is packed with retro, analog-style machines, and each switch and lever has its own function assigned to it. Coupled with the visual impact, such authentic specifications are simply exciting. By the way, when this work is exhibited at game events, a huge custom-made controller that reproduces this control panel is apparently brought in.
In addition to shooting planetary defense cannons, this game also includes elements such as maintaining control panels, living in a living space inside a bunker, and solving puzzles similar to escape games. While carrying out the mission, loyalty and ethics will be tested in relation to the system, and a story will unfold that approaches what is actually happening outside the bunker. This kind of mysterious worldview is also interesting.
by. Taijiro Yamanaka
『Nivalis』
Developer: ION LANDS
Publisher: 505 Games
Compatible models: PC (Steam/Epic Games Store）
Release date: 2026
“Nivalis” is a life and management simulation game set in the same world as the cyberpunk delivery game “Cloudpunk.” In the city of Nivalis, where gangs and corporations dominate, he begins his business with food stalls and small shops, then expands to include bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. Eventually, he will aim to rise to the top by taking control of the “night town” itself.
A major feature of “Nivalis” is that it is not limited to just the framework of a management simulation. With a day/night cycle and realistic weather simulation, players can choose how they want to spend their day. Tour the city on your own boat and fish, buy rooms and decorate them, build relationships with the residents, and more. Not only is the management focused on “earning”, but the design is such that you can enjoy “living” in Nivalis itself.
In addition to the gameplay, what is eye-catching is that the cyberpunk cityscape is constructed using voxels. In recent years, realistic expression has become mainstream, and while images have achieved an accuracy close to reality, they tend to leave space for imagination. On the other hand, the retro expressions of voxels and pixels intentionally break the outline, leaving room for the imagination to imagine the atmosphere and smells. By returning to such retro expressions, this work not only “shows” Nivalis, but also makes it a city where you can “feel the atmosphere.” Even the night scene where neon lights melt into the rain has a gentle feel to it because it is depicted as particles of light. That’s why the cold futuristic worldview of cyberpunk becomes somehow sweeter through retro expressions. I’m expecting a bittersweet story in a management simulation that doesn’t end with just making money.
by. Mayo Kawano
*Please note that the following contains images of insects with realistic graphics.
『Insect Worlds』
Developer: Paul Sobkowiak
Seller: LPS-Interactive
Compatible models: PC (Steam）
Release date: 2nd quarter of 2026
Many people hate insects. Insects are generally disliked in games, and are often replaced with something else. As an insect lover, I always feel a little sad. Many insects aren’t evil, they’re just trying to survive, and insect biodiversity is by far the highest on Earth. Their complex evolution, metamorphosis, mimicry, classification, history—the more you learn about their ecology, the more interesting they become. Thousands of insects go extinct every day, invisible to humans, and new species continue to emerge.
“Insect Worlds” is an open world adventure where you can enter such a world as an insect and live with insects from an insect perspective. It’s also a non-deformed insect. As someone who loves insects not just as characters, but as creatures, I would like to say, “Thank you for developing this.”
It’s rare to find a game that tries to be so close to insects and insect lovers. It is extremely rare to find someone who has both the requirements of liking insects and being able to create games, and who can decide to work with insects without deforming them. I’ve been looking forward to the release of this game ever since it was announced, and I’m already grateful for its existence. Thank you, God, for giving me a game for bug lovers by bug lovers (even though it hasn’t been released yet).
This work seems to deal not only with ants, grasshoppers, praying mantises, and bees, but also with longhorn beetles, stink bugs, and scarab beetles, so I can’t wait to see what kind of insects they will become and what kind of insects they will encounter. If possible, I would like to live as a bumblebee. Once it’s released, I’m sure you’ll be playing the game while reading it like you’re looking at an in-game encyclopedia.
by. In Aiuchi
【UPDATE 2025/1/3 20:02】
Some adjustments to the text
