With the remainder of 2026 and early 2027 packed with new and exciting games, the latest PAX West offered attendees a great way to see some of the most anticipated new titles a bit early. Coming hot on the heels of Gamescom 2026 and only a few months before Grand Theft Auto 6’s release, attendees got a final public look at a wide variety of big games, some of which are still flying under players’ radar.
In this roundup of our favorite games from the show, we’re spotlighting some of the most eye-grabbing titles we saw during PAX West 2026 and other adjacent events such as The Media Indie Exchange. Along with Final Fantasy VII Revelation and Persona 4 Revival, we’re also spotlighting some new games that just may be your next favorite game to play.
Final Fantasy VII Revelation
Developer: Square Enix.
Release: April 8, 2027
We have played and seen much of Final Fantasy VII Revelation in recent weeks, and it’s doing well to set the stage for what will likely be the Final Fantasy series’ most ambitious entry to date. Focusing on the climax of Cloud and crew’s globe-trotting journey to take down Sephiroth and save the world, FFVII Revelation not only brings the full party together — finally giving Cid and Vincent their time to shine — but it also modernizes the original game’s open-world moment by giving players full control over which activities to take on and locations they’ll travel to. With Gamescom and the recent State of Play giving us an impressive look at the expanded open world and deeper combat reworks, Revelation is shaping up to be a conclusion that will make the 11-year wait for the full Final Fantasy VII Remake worth it, bringing the ambitious and large-scale FFVII Remake saga to an explosive finish.
For more on Final Fantasy VII Revelation, check back with IGN for our upcoming full-length preview.
Dungeon Lurker
Developer: 13AM Games
Release: TBD
As the saying goes, what’s old is new again. The recent influx of new games recreating the early era of 3D games from the PlayStation 1, Sega Saturn, and Nintendo 64 has shown there’s so much more to appreciate about classic 3D games. That’s where Dungeon Lurker‘s moody, fourth-wall-breaking take on a PS1-style action-RPG is laying out its alluring concept. Taking on the role of an unknown player revisiting a recently passed friend’s favorite game, you’ll dive into Dungeon Lurker‘s eerie dungeon-crawling adventure to power up the hero and earn new skills to brave the dangers below.
But as you dive deeper into the game and examine your friend’s notes written into its manual from the seemingly safe boundaries of your living room, it’ll become apparent that the game itself might be haunted, leaving you to uncover the source of the supernatural presence that’s drawn you in. It’s equal parts a legit dungeon-crawler beat-em-up, a throwback to classic 3D action games, and a dash of a supernatural horror game — and Dungeon Crawler handles all parts with a compelling grace that had me hooked on what’s to come next.
War of the Western Deep
Developer: Sungrove Studios
Release: TBD
The Beyond the Western Deep comic series is a cult favorite within the indie comic space – and now, the creators of the comics and developer Sungrove Studios are building the fantasy series’ first video game. War of the Western Deep leans into the style of classic 2D adventure games like King’s Quest and The Secret of Monkey Island, where players guide Mirren as they traverse through enemy territory and fight against bandits and invading northerners to make it back to the kingdom of Sungrove.
What immediately pulled me in was the fantastic, expressive art style that feels like a mash-up of Disney’s Robin Hood and classic Don Bluth animation, lending so much personality and charm to the world — all while adding in Game of Thrones-style intrigue into the mix. War of the Western Deep was one of the most impressive 2D games at PAX West, and seeing its hand-crafted animation come to life in an adventure game has me eager to see what’s to come with the full game.
Persona 4 Revival
Developer: Sega Atlus
Release: February 17, 2026
Simply put, Persona 4 is one of the great modern JRPGs, and it’s exciting to see it get a well-deserved remake. Much like Persona 3 Reload, Persona 4 Revival aims to give the original game’s demon-slaying, high school melodrama a slick, modernized revamp, pushing the tone and energy even higher. From our early hands-on, Persona 4 Revival delivers the original with renewed vigor, with more expressive character action and new combat mechanics like the Primetime ability to strategically tear through demons with the squad. Revival is shaping up to not only be a great way for fans to dive back into the world of P4, but also to give newcomers a chance to see why the Atlus RPG is one of the greats.
Remaining Grace
Developer: ambedo studios
Release: TBD
Remaining Grace presents a very different type of detective story – one that’s all about reassessing the bonds left behind in life after your death. From developer Ambedo Studios, this ghost-detective story follows Grace Tao as she seeks to solve the mystery of her own death three years later. After reawakening as a spirit, she’ll use her new ghost powers to imprint onto objects and people to see new perspectives, piecing together the delicate timeline surrounding her death. Along the way, Grace will learn how her family and closest friends have tried to move on, bringing her closer than ever to the ones who still remember her.
Ambedo Studios’ Remaining Grace was the most emotionally rich and captivating game I played at PAX West 2026, and it really leans into its concept of an emotionally compelling detective story about the bonds and community we build through life. It’s such a compelling hook for a narrative adventure game, and I cannot wait to see more of it.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World
Developer: Square Enix, TOSE CO., LTD.
Release: December 3, 2026
Much like the Pokémon series, the Dragon Quest series also dives into games that are all about collecting monsters and training them to be the very best. With the latest entry of the Dragon Quest Monsters sub-series, The Withered World blends the monster-collectathon and turn-based party battle gameplay with Dragon Quest’s stylized, high-fantasy storytelling that’s powered by the art style of legendary artist Akira Toriyama. The Withered World shakes things up by leaning further into the experience of the key protagonists, Bianca and Nera, and how their unique abilities will shape their style as capable monster wranglers.
Along with healing a decaying world and recruiting new monsters, you’ll also learn the new synthesis skill to merge many of the familiar Dragon Quest monsters into new creations. Boasting over 500 collectible monsters to train and evolve, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World presents the sub-series’ most ambitious turn yet, which totally leans into the wacky and heartwarmingly adventurous side of the Dragon Quest series.
For more on Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World, check back with IGN for our upcoming preview.
The Final Cut of Lilith Cunningham
Developer: Causeway Studios
Release: TBD
Coming from developer Causeway Studios, The Final Cut of Lilith Cunningham is equal parts a spotlight for the enduring full-motion video (FMV) adventure game and a psychological thriller where you’ll “re-edit” reality to find the protagonist’s missing daughter. Blending live-action video with fully explorable environments that match the darkly-surreal atmosphere of a David Lynch neo-noir film, you’ll explore a seemingly abandoned motel with a looming supernatural presence. While piecing together clues and finding a mysterious film reel that lets Lilith re-edit the timeline of reality, she’ll use her Alan Wake 2-style mind powers to bend reality to fit a narrative and uncover the truth behind her daughter’s disappearance. Even with its brief teaser of what’s to come, The Final Cut of Lilith Cunningham is building an eerie, mesmerizing mystery thriller that delivers on its retro-adventure concept.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse
Developer: Evil Empire, Konami
Release: October 14, 2026
The upcoming Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is really going all in on being the sort of revival that the Castlevania series needs – and it’s doing that by bringing the series back to its 2D action origins. Developed by Evil Empire, the creative team behind Dead Cells and The Rogue: Prince of Persia, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is the direct sequel to Dracula’s Curse and follows Rose Belmont’s adventure through a monster-corrupted Paris. The developers are a fantastic fit for the series’ style, and their latest game aims to blend classic Castlevania with the sprawling search-action of the action-RPG era, with hits like Symphony of the Night and Aria of Sorrow. Playing Belmont’s Curse hits all the right beats of fast and measured combat and satisfying traversal action that the high points of the series have nailed. It’s already shaping up to be a worthy comeback for one of Konami’s most celebrated franchises.
Rain98
Developer: C#4R4CT3R
Release: TBD 2026
The interactive visual novel genre can offer dense, truly imaginative storytelling. The upcoming Rain98 is a new narrative work that has its sights set on telling a story that’s all about its two protagonists forming a bond as they resolve to save the future -– all while keeping their apartment clean and working a part-time job. Set in an alternate 1998, you play as a mysterious figure from 2025 transported to the past. Meeting up with the mysterious Reina, you bond over the anxieties of a bleak future for humanity and seek to change it with a mysterious ritual. Rain98‘s atmosphere channels the dark tone of classic Shin Megami Tensei, all while leaning into the personal story of two lonely youths worried about the future, and it’s a compelling narrative that’ll keep you engaged for what’s to come.
Mouseward
Developer: Finite Reflection Studios
Release: TBD
The Nintendo 64 collectathon-style action platformer and the tense, atmospheric soulslike seem like total opposites. But the upcoming Mouseward from developer Finite Reflection Studios seeks to blend these contrasting genres to build a new type of retro-inspired 3D platformer with a stoic action-RPG twist. In Mouseward, you take on the role of a reawakened royal mouse guard tasked with restoring a corrupted kingdom and slaying dangerous foes lurking within. Injecting that plucky and bouncy sense of action into measured, challenging combat can be a tricky concept, but Mouseward is surprisingly effective at delivering on its rhythmic pace and sense of adventure – all with the style of a classic N64 game that’s channeling the tone of Bloodborne. It’s a neat concept, and the developers behind Mouseward are proving that this genre mashup can work if it focuses on getting players to explore and uncover the weird dangers tucked away in the world.
Ballgame
Developer: Human Computer
Release: TBD
Ballgame is one of the strangest, yet delightfully challenging puzzle platformers I’ve seen in some time. Playing as a sentient golf ball named Dolf that’s able to defy gravity and twist about in the air, you’re tasked with clearing a variety of stages that are filled with weird hazards and other obstacles – and you’ll need to do it with as few hits as possible. Just when you’re finding your flow and effortlessly blitzing through stages, Ballgame tosses in some bizarre challenges that open up many deftly designed obstacle courses that’ll have you planning your moves to make the best run. It’s a deceptively challenging 2D puzzle-platformer, but one that I found so incredibly charming to play.
While you’re here, check out these previews of other big upcoming games we’ve played recently!
Alessandro Fillari is a longtime games media professional. Talk video games with him on BlueSky at @afillari.bsky.social.
