The Biggest Games to Steal the Show at Gamescom 2026

Gamescom 2026 is coming at the end of this month in Cologne with more than 900 exhibitors and we just wanted to showcase some of the upcoming games in the AAA titles category that you should definitely check out when the time comes! So, be sure to go through our shortlisted future release hits in most gaming genre types and check them out on Steam, as we get ready to once again explore the world of Gamescom!

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV delivers a return to the classic RTS gameplay of the series, offering a strategic experience for modern-day fans. The game is set to be released on September 17th 2026, developed by KING Art and published by Deep Silver. Players take charge of four unique factions, including the Adeptus Mechanicus, which makes its debuts for this edition. With over 70 campaign missions, along with replayable modes as Last Stand, Skirmish and multiplayer.

Build multiple stronghold bases, expand your forces, upgrade the squads with weapons and abilities to gain an advantage and aim for the ultimate victory. Winning requires capturing and controlling resource points, dominating areas by eliminating foes. This upcoming 40k game also features a new Combat Director and Unit Veterancy systems that enhance the action with dynamic and intense combat moments.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Onimusha: Way of the Sword is the newest game in the Onimusha series, set to be released on September 4th 2026, by CAPCOM. The story follows the adventures of Miyamoto Musashi - a passionate samurai equipped with an Oni Gauntlet, which is a powerful artifact that grants him incredible strength and various abilities. He must battle with the Genma, evil creatures that threaten the historic city of Kyoto during the Edo period. Get ready to engage in intense sword fights across mysterious and dangerous battlefields with this one.

The Genma, creatures from the underworld, have entered the human world due to a dark force called Malice, causing great fear and turmoil all around Kyoto. Musashi does not only confront these formidable enemies though; he also faces other skilled opponents in deadly duels. The whole setting is filled with notable landmarks, but the Malice has twisted the city into a haunting and ominous place. Ultimately, players will see if Musashi can overcome the Genma threat or meet his end in the fierce challenges that await him.

The Blood of Dawnwalker

The Blood of Dawnwalker is an open-world dark fantasy action RPG set in 14th-century Europe, where you play as Coen, who is human during the day and a vampire at night. This upcoming gaming title involves fighting to save your family while making difficult choices that would shape the story and reveal other secrets. It is scheduled for a release on September 3rd 2026 and is developed by Rebel Wolves and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment.

As a young man turned Dawnwalker, Coen faces the struggle of either fighting for his humanity or embracing his dark powers to protect his loved ones. Players must shape the plot and decide how to approach their quest to save their family or seek revenge on their sire. The gameplay features two distinct loops that offer a variety of abilities, mysteries and ways to reach goals, encouraging players to experiment with their actions and see the consequences. You would be able to transform between a supernatural vampire with powerful abilities and a human warrior wielding weapons and magic.

Minecraft Dungeons II

Minecraft Dungeons II invites you to leave the genre established pickaxes behind and embark on an exciting new mission. The game is set to release on September 29th 2026 and of course it is developed by Mojang Studios & Double Eleven and published by Xbox Game Studios.

Players will explore new lands and mysterious locations while trying to defeat a new evil that threatens the worlds. They will encounter tough enemies and hordes of mobs as well asl face a fresh challenge that tests their combat skills in this new chapter of the Minecraft Dungeons saga. Players can create their ideal hero with various weapons, armor and artifacts so that they team up with friends in groups of up to four in order to fight foes together. Pre-order now to receive the Twisted cape and Twisted chicken pet special items.

Fable

In this immersive open-world action-RPG set to release on February 23rd 2027, players can become the hero they desire. Every choice in Fable impacts the journey, emphasizing the importance of reputation, where fairytale endings are not guaranteed. Players can customize their hero's look and use various combat styles, including melee as well as ranged magic attacks to defeat enemies such as bandits and mythical creatures, including both new foes and favorites like Hobbes and Trolls.

Aside from combat, the game features a vibrant world where you can create an identity by becoming wealthy landlords or blacksmiths, engaging in romantic relationships and even raising families. A hero's fame is crucial, as good and bad deeds affect villagers' opinions which influence the game world. Players must decide whose opinion is most important and learn that their actions have real consequences. Ultimately, it is up to you to define what being a hero means.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4

In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, war breaks out on the Korean Peninsula as North Korea invades, creating a global threat. The game follows a group of young South Korean soldiers struggling to survive on the front lines while Captain Price orchestrates a secret mission from afar, confronting those seeking to stop him. As Price's actions intertwine with the invasion, the conflict quickly spirals out of control, leading the series into much darker themes.

The campaign places players in various battle scenarios, including trench warfare in Korea, close-quarters combat in New York, high-speed chases through Paris and night raids in Mumbai, as well as city-wide efforts to reclaim territory. The multiplayer mode focuses on realistic and tactical combat, emphasizing fluid movement and player decisions in battles. Additionally, the DMZ mode tasks players to operate covertly behind enemy lines with new objectives and extractions during missions. The game is set to be released on October 23rd 2026, and is developed by multiple studios under Activision.

Alien: Isolation 2

Alien: Isolation 2 is the sequel to the acclaimed survival horror game, set to release soon, developed by Creative Assembly and published by SEGA. The story begins when a survey team on a remote planet finds a crashed vessel, leading to terrifying events for a team member who decides to explore it - she faces a relentless Alien creature in a fight for survival.

Currently, details are still quite limited, which further adds to the horror element, but the long-awaited sequel should be following in the footsteps of the original, which still is praised for its gameplay. A demo at Gamescom will showcase whether the game is able to once again recreate the effective tension of the first entry.

Clockwork Revolution

Clockwork Revolution is a steampunk first-person RPG scheduled to release in 2027, developed by inXile Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios. Players control a character named Morgan Vanette, a customizable member of the Rotten Row Hooligans, who has the ability to travel back in time. Players can change the past and alter the future of the Victorian-era metropolis filled with automatons - Avalon, which is a vibrant steampunk city packed with flying steam trains, and mechanical servants.

The main antagonist, Lady Ironwood, uses her time-manipulating powers to exploit the working class while gaining wealth and control. Players will experience a narrative-driven world where their choices significantly impact the storyline and character interactions, creating a butterfly effect throughout the game. How will you fight and redefine Avalon’s future?

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, follows Rose Belmont in a new 2D Action-Exploration game. It will be released on October 15th 2026, and is developed and published by KONAMI and Evil Empire. The story unfolds in medieval Paris in 1499, where monstrous creatures emerge as the city burns. Venture into the dangerous streets, armed with the holy whip, the Vampire Killer, to hunt down the beasts that plague the city and become entangled in a dark conspiracy that threatens the future of Paris.

The game features signature whip action, allowing players to move around smoothly and engage in dynamic combat. Prepare to face up to legendary bosses, including Death, Medusa, and Carmilla, as well as new ones like Joan of Arc. After defeating bosses, capture their skills in tarot cards, turning them into Arcana powers. Customize Rose's combat style through a wide array of weapons and Relics, enhancing both offensive and defensive capabilities. This title revitalizes the iconic Castlevania atmosphere by blending classic and new elements.

For The Stars

For the Stars lets players explore a large universe with many different planets, each with unique features and wonders. Players act as explorers and scientists, traveling to discover alien civilizations and rare creatures while gathering resources. The aim is to create successful outposts, utilize the traits of each planet and develop new technologies while facing tough challenges in difficult terrain. Players can find alien ruins and treasures that tell stories of lost civilizations, so research plays an essential role in the game, since you can use these advanced technologies.

Players can also customize their spaceships for planet travel, adapting them based on the resources and technology they find. Combat is dynamic and players can adjust their weapons for battles against hostile creatures and even other players. The game also supports multiplayer, allowing friends to collaborate, build projects, share discoveries and fight over contested regions. The release date is coming soon and it is developed by Snail Games.

Gears of War: E-Day

Gears of War: E-Day tells the origin story of the popular gaming franchise, set for release on October 6th 2026. Developed by The Coalition and published by Xbox Game Studios, the game places you in the chaos of Emergence Day, fourteen years prior to the original Gears of War. Players join Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago as they face the Locust Horde in a battle for survival. It features a new campaign that can be played alone or with up to 4 players online and it includes both the new Horde Siege as well as a refined Versus PvP mode.

Gears of War: E-Day has a much darker tone and not only does it reimagine the familiar enemies but it also adds new creatures. The title is designed with greatly improved graphics, built on Unreal Engine 5 for a modern feel and performance, supporting 4K resolution and 60 frames per second in both Campaign and Multiplayer. Iconic weapons make a return, redesigned for close-quarters combat, while the new ones boost the gameplay even further.

These were our AAA titles picks for the biggest upcoming games to steal the show at Gamescom 2026, but you could expect another YUPLAY blog post about the announcements at this massive gaming event very soon, so stay tuned for more information in the coming days!