20 Most Anticipated Video Games Of 2026
18. Crimson Desert
Crimson Desert Release Date: March 19, 2026
Crimson Desert was originally conceived as a prequel to the hugely popular MMORPG Black Desert Online, but developer Pearl Abyss ultimately decided to transition it into a standalone single-player RPG that just so happens to exist within the same universe.
Crimson Desert takes place on the vast continent of Pywel, where mercenary protagonist Kliff attempts to rebuild his fallen fellowship known as the Greymanes and reclaim his homeland from those who've taken it.
Difficult though it is for new games to stand out in such a crowded genre, Crimson Desert does look pretty damn interesting, in large part due to the densely packed, beautiful open world, dynamic combat, and plentiful traversal options.
In the vein of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, players are free to climb pretty much anywhere they can see, and if that's not good enough, you can just hop on a dragon and fly there.
While it's arriving with considerably less hype than some games on this list, don't be shocked if Crimson Desert is one of 2026's biggest sleeper hits.