If you’re anything like me, your Steam wishlist is basically a digital graveyard of "maybe someday." It’s a mess. But honestly, the start of 2026 has been hitting different. We aren't just seeing the usual flood of asset flips; there are actually some heavy hitters and weird indie experiments popping up that deserve a look.
The rhythm of Steam is changing. People are getting tired of the same old AAA formulas, which is why new games on steam right now feel more experimental than they have in years.
The Big Names Actually Worth the Hype
Let’s talk about the heavyweights first. Everyone is eyeing Resident Evil Requiem, which is slated for a February 27 release. People are saying it’s a "return to Raccoon City," and while Capcom usually plays it safe, the buzz suggests something much darker this time. If you can't wait that long, January has already dropped some gems. The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon just landed on January 15. If you're into JRPGs, you already know. If you aren't, well, the barrier to entry is still high, but this sequel to Trails Through Daybreak 2 is getting massive praise for its combat tweaks.
Then there's Highguard.
Coming from ex-Apex and Titanfall devs on January 26, it’s a PvP raid shooter that actually feels fast.
Not "fast for a tactical shooter" fast.
Actually fast.
New Games on Steam You’ve Probably Missed
It is so easy to ignore the "New and Trending" tab because it updates every five seconds. But you'd be making a mistake if you skipped Quarantine Zone: The Last Check. It’s published by Devolver Digital, which is usually a seal of quality, and it’s been pulling in solid numbers since its January 12 launch. It’s this weird mix of simulation and strategy where you’re trying to stop biological threats. Kinda stressful? Yeah. Fun? Absolutely.
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The Weird and the Wonderful
- Mewgenics: After what feels like a decade of waiting, Edmund McMillen’s cat-breeding RPG is finally hitting on February 10. It’s gross, it’s tactical, and it’s deeply strange.
- BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW: Released January 16. It’s a psychedelic horror game about social media. It sounds cheesy, but the atmosphere is genuinely oppressive.
- Craftlings: Launched January 15. If you miss the early days of Terraria, this resource management game has that exact pixel-art charm without feeling like a total clone.
Why 2026 is the Year of the "Extraction" Genre
Extraction shooters are everywhere. You've probably noticed. ARC Raiders is currently dominating the charts, sitting right up there with Counter-Strike 2. It’s impressive because it’s a paid game beating out free-to-play titans.
We’re also seeing The Midnight Walkers entering Early Access on January 28. It’s a "living vs. undead" extraction setup. Think Tarkov but in a vertical skyscraper filled with zombies. Honestly, the verticality alone makes it feel fresher than most of the clones we’ve seen lately.
What's Dropping in February?
If your wallet survived January, February is going to be a problem. We have Nioh 3 (Feb 5) and High on Life 2 (Feb 13). There's also Reanimal, which looks like a spiritual successor to Little Nightmares but with co-op. It’s landing on February 13, making it the perfect, albeit terrifying, Valentine’s Day date game.
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And don't sleep on Yakuza Kiwami 3.
It’s a remake of the third entry paired with a new adventure called Dark Ties.
Sega is really leaning into the "Double Dragon" style release schedule lately.
Actionable Steps for Your Library
Don't just buy everything that looks shiny. Steam's refund policy is great, but your time isn't infinite.
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- Check the SteamDB Charts: If a game like Quarantine Zone has a high peak but a sharp drop, wait for a patch.
- Watch the Demos: Games like Ys X: Proud Nordics and Kingdom Loop often have playable demos before the full launch in February. Use them.
- Follow Small Devs: Games like One Turn Kill or Super Woden: Rally Edge (both out Jan 15) are tiny projects that offer more "soul" than the yearly roster updates from big publishers.
- Manage Your Storage: With games like Forza Horizon 6 rumored for later this year (May 19 is the leaked date), you're going to need space. Start clearing out those 100GB shooters you haven't touched since 2024.
The best way to enjoy new games on steam is to look past the front page. Dig into the tags. Find the weird stuff. 2026 is shaping up to be a year where the mid-budget "AA" and indie scenes finally reclaim the spotlight from the stagnant giants.