# Essential 2026 Video Games to Play Before The Game Awards Staff recommendations highlight diverse titles to consider before casting your year-end award votes. - **Source:** [GameSpot](https://www.gamespot.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [entertainment](https://brifing.si/c/entertainment) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/a22cdd4c-827f-4005-b25f-a89c46e35b58 ## Curating Year-End Favorites With The Game Awards approaching in one month, staff members have compiled a list of essential titles to play. The goal is to highlight both potential Game of the Year contenders and smaller, overlooked gems. This guide serves as a final reference for readers before they finalize their award voting decisions. ## Retro and Simulation Highlights Retro Rewind offers a nostalgic '90s video store simulation, recently updated to include playable games. Meanwhile, Fields of Mistria is being hailed as a top-tier farming life-sim, drawing inspiration from shōjo anime aesthetics. These titles represent the diverse range of simulation experiences currently available to players across various PC gaming platforms. ## Action and Shooter Innovations The list features high-octane titles like Marathon, which emphasizes suspenseful extraction mechanics and detailed worldbuilding. Mouse: P.I. For Hire blends '30s cartoon aesthetics with noir storytelling, while Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 returns with improved variety and gore. These shooters demonstrate the evolving mechanical depth found in modern first-person action game design. ## Strategic and Roguelite Depth Slay the Spire 2 introduces a full-fledged co-op mode to its established deckbuilding roguelite formula. Star Wars Zero Company brings tactical XCOM-style gameplay to the Star Wars universe, utilizing Force powers. These games highlight how developers are refining complex strategic systems to provide deeper engagement for both solo and multiplayer audiences. ## Unique Indie Experiences Titles like Esoteric Ebb offer a text-based RPG experience reminiscent of Disco Elysium, focusing on player choice. Meccha Chameleon provides a creative, joyful social experience, while Forbidden Solitaire presents a creepy, demonic take on the classic card game. These indie projects showcase the creative freedom found outside of major studio development cycles. ## Combat-Focused Samurai Adventures Onimusha: Way of the Sword stands out for its challenging combat and parry-focused boss encounters. Similarly, Nioh 3 expands on its predecessor by introducing open-ended environments and a highly intricate combat system. These samurai-themed games cater to players seeking high-skill ceilings and rewarding mechanical mastery within the soulslike genre framework. ## Platforming and Cozy Mechanics Blood Dungeon distinguishes itself in the crowded survivorslike genre by incorporating satisfying platforming elements. Conversely, Pokemon Pokopia offers a cozy experience centered on building mechanics and creature interaction. These titles illustrate the broad spectrum of gameplay styles, ranging from intense twitch-based action to relaxed, creative building and exploration-focused game loops. ## Final Reflections on Selection The diverse selection reflects the current state of the gaming industry, where massive franchises coexist with experimental indie projects. By highlighting these specific titles, the staff aims to broaden the scope of the upcoming awards conversation. Players are encouraged to explore these varied experiences to ensure a well-informed voting process. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.gamespot.com/articles/2026s-games-you-should-play-before-the-game-awards-described-in-one-sentence/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._