Say Hello To The Next 5 Big Single-Player Games

Nothing beats a great single-player game. Multiplayer and live-service games are cool and all, but they have never been and will never be replacements for a traditional single-player experience. Whether somebody owns a high-end gaming PC or prefers to play on the Switch 2, they can always look forward to at least a couple of these types of projects, and they come in many shapes and sizes. 2026’s single-player games will cover pretty much every genre imaginable as they tell epic stories, experiment with original mechanics, or just provide a fun way to spend 10 hours.

This year has already produced a couple of really fantastic titles like Resident Evil: Requiem, Pragmata, and even some stuff not by Capcom, but the best is arguably yet to come. Therefore, join me as we look into the immediate future to find those single-player games that will dominate people’s lives over the next two months.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book

The First Big Single-Player Nintendo Exclusive Of 2026

The Nintendo Switch 2 has had a decent enough 2026 so far, but big exclusives have been relatively hard to come by. Fortunately, that is set to change with Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, which will see everybody’s favorite green dinosaur return for his first solo adventure since 2019. Except for Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, Yoshi games have generally been cozy affairs that act as entry-level platformers while still offering that Nintendo charm everyone has come to expect.

From everything that we have seen and know, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book will not be any different in that regard, and you should probably not pick this one up if you are mainly craving a really great challenge. Going by the available previews, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book leans a bit more on exploration and puzzles than previous releases like Yoshi’s Crafted World, which should make for an interesting shift. One of the confirmed new mechanics is that Yoshi can temporarily adopt another creature’s abilities by placing them on his back, a concept that seems reminiscent of Super Mario Odyssey​​​​​​’s Cappy.

Honestly, I cannot wait to bust out my Switch 2 to give this game a try. The console has been gathering dust for the last few months.

007 First Light

The First James Bond Game Since 2012

James Bond’s storied history goes well beyond Ian Fleming’s novels or movies, and he has a pretty extensive video game resume as well. Or, at least, that was the case during the ’90s and 2000s, but 007 has mostly kept away from the industry since then. The last new game was 007 Legends, a celebration of the franchise that also happens to be one of the worst games in the franchise. Developed by IO Interactive, 007 First Light is exciting for a few reasons, beyond just the fact that it marks Bond’s return to gaming.

Firstly, IO Interactive is a fantastic developer that has dedicated the last decade to putting together the ultimate Hitman game. Secondly, the game will tell an original story set during the onset of Bond’s career. This decision means that IO Interactive is free to weave its own tale rather than having to adhere strictly to the source material. Lastly, 007 First Light is a linear action-adventure game that doesn’t try to shoehorn in an open-world, although it should feature relatively open levels similar to the Hitman games.

Gothic 1 Remake

The Return Of An All-Time Great RPG

We live in the era of remasters and remakes, and two of the biggest releases of the next few months fall within those categories. Rough edges aside, Piranha Bytes’ Gothic is one of the most beloved RPGs of the early 2000s, offering a degree of immersion that still puts most games to shame. The original developer is, unfortunately, not around anymore, but Piranha Bytes’ legacy lives on through the upcoming remake.

Gothic gained recognition for crafting a living, breathing world at a time that wasn’t seemingly possible. NPCs had independent routines that made them feel like genuine people rather than just robots. The remake’s goal is to modernize Piranha Bytes’ vision without sacrificing anything that made the original game such a beloved hit. Once again, you will find yourself cast as a nobody who is thrown into a penal colony defined by a brutal hierarchy. The first game was famous for its tough onboarding process, and the 2026 version needs to keep that. Visually, Gothic 1 Remake uses Unreal Engine 5, so it will look great and hopefully run OK.

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced

The Long-Awaited Return To The Caribbean

Here it is, the most highly anticipated game of the next two months or so. People have been crying out for a sequel to Black Flag for roughly a decade, only to get Skull and Bones instead. As a consolation prize, Ubisoft has decided to stop messing about and actually release a remake of arguably the best pirate game of all time. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is an absolutely massive deal, as there are simply no other titles that can fill the same void.

Besides the obvious facelift, the remake will change quite a few other things as well, so it won’t be just a graphical upgrade. The combat has been reworked and upgraded, and the same can be said for stealth (you can now crouch at any time!). The infamous tailing missions are seemingly still part of the campaign, but being spotted won’t instantly trigger a game over. Edward Kenway’s story will likely be the same, but Rescynced will include some new content, so it won’t just be the same journey as before.

Assuming it launches in a good state, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced should be an easy homerun.

Echoes of Aincrad

Live Your Own SAO Story

There are plenty of Sword Art Online games, but I wouldn’t really describe any of them as, well, “good.” Hopefully, that changes on July 10, 2026, as Echoes of Aincrad is shaping up to be by far the franchise’s most exciting game. Rather than centering around Kirito, this JRPG lets players create their own hero, who goes on to have a unique adventure rather than just tagging along with the source material’s cast. While I’m not sure how hands-off the story will be, the game seems to center around a battle for survival, as players are just one of thousands who are trapped in the game.

Surprisingly, Echoes of Aincrad won’t feature co-op, despite incorporating a companion system that lets players explore the world with a partner. The latter are essentially an extension of the protagonist’s arsenal, and building synergy between the two characters is important. The progression system will allow players to define their playstyle, as they will be free to pick skills and choose which stats to prioritize. Also, Echoes of Aincrad will have a permadeath mode. Yeah, this is hardcore SAO.