The selection of 'Game of the Year 2026' will turn into a battle of 8/10 rated games - Polygon author's opinion

In 2026, with almost no future classic-level games, the fight for 'Game of the Year' nominations will unfold among projects from the '85 club'

Polygon author Oli Welsh writes that 2026 has not yet delivered many future classic-level games, but several major projects with Metacritic scores of 83–87 are vying for the remaining 'Game of the Year' nomination slots.

Among the main candidates are 007 First Light, Gears of War: E-Day, Star Wars: Zero Company, Pragmata, Saros, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Nioh 3, Control Resonant, and The Blood of Dawnwalker. All of them belong to the conditional '85 club', having received good, though not outstanding, critical reviews.

If GTA VI, the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Resident Evil Requiem, and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave indeed receive the expected nominations, only two spots will remain open. One of them could be taken by Big Walk, and the last one will be contested among the remaining contenders.

The most obvious candidates appear to be The Blood of Dawnwalker and Control Resonant, but both received only 83 points. 007 First Light has a higher score – 87, but its release in the first half of the year might hinder it. The author specifically highlights Pragmata, which could become a compromise option.

At the same time, most games from the '85 club' will likely remain without nominations. The author reminds that scores and awards do not always determine a game's fate: for example, Fallout: New Vegas received 84 points, although today it is considered one of the most beloved parts of the series.