So many video games, so little time! 2026 is already shaping up to be a big year for gaming. With back-to-back releases, here are the video games hitting your stores this week.
Paralives – Early Access (5/25)
Platform: PC
Paralives is one of the most anticipated simulation games of the year. The game allows players to create their own virtual characters, called Parafolks, and manage their everyday lives, like relationships, careers, hobbies, and even design their homes. The choices taken by the players affect the behavior and functioning of the Parafolks to make the world feel more alive and reactive. Gameplay mechanics include a Paramaker, an advanced character customization system with various body types, faces, proportions, tattoos, body hair, and more, an open town with a full day–night cycle, a flexible construction system, and mod support.
007 First Light (5/27)
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
007 First Light puts players in the shoes of a 26-year-old James Bond who is reckless, cocky, and still learning the ropes as a fresh MI6 recruit. The main story revolves around Bond chasing a rogue agent called 009, who is always one step ahead. This chase takes our lead agent to various locations, including Malta, to nightclubs, rooftops, open plazas, and more. Gameplay includes stealth, gadget use, social infiltration, and Arkham-style combat. The game aims to offer something fresh for newer and modern fans while also preserving the legacy of Ian Fleming’s work. Longtime fans will recognize classic characters like M, Q, and Moneypenny, who are set to return, along with new faces for this original story.
Mina the Hollower (5/29)
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Switch, PC
Mina the Hollower is a 2D platformer where you play as Mina, a renowned Hollower who is on a mission to rescue a cursed island. Explore a vast world with 8-bit visuals while whipping and dodging against enemies and gearing up with an arsenal of weapons with a unique skillset. Mina can be leveled up to suit the player’s playstyle by equipping trinkets that have a variety of abilities. Mina the Hollower is inspired by Victorian Gothic Horror, with a dark world oozing with secrets and bone-chilling madness. However, the developers also describe their game as a “heartwarming tale.”
Other titles worth checking out: Romestead, Bluey’s Quest for the Gold Pen, and Blueberry
