Pokemon Pokopia ships on nearly 1 in 5 Switch 2 consoles but Nintendo will not put it on PC. Seven creature-collector games worth playing on desktop instead.
Okami HD turns 20 alongside FF XII and Bully. Seven desktop games that capture its Celestial Brush combat, brush-stroke world, or wolf-god sense of scale.
Final Fantasy XII turns 20 this year. Seven desktop JRPGs that capture its Gambit System, open zones, or political story, tested on PC in 2026.
Fields of Mistria hits 1.0 on Steam this month. Seven Android cozy farming and life-sim games that fill the same slot on mobile, tested in 2026.
Loved the Bergsons? Seven story-first roguelikes that recreate what Children of Morta does well, tested on PC in 2026 with online and local co-op notes.
Loved Soul's Remnant's 2D world and social loops? Here are 7 free-to-play MMORPGs that hit the same nostalgic groove on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Loved Exocolonist's 29 endings, card-driven skill checks, and slow-burn romances? Here are 7 narrative sims that give you the same replay pull on PC.
The BG3 real-time combat mod turns the game into something new. Here are 7 apps that manage, install, and build mods safely on PC.
Banishers is on PS Plus and Game Pass this month. When you've finished it, these 7 desktop games scratch the same haunted-couple action-RPG itch.
Tales of Eternia is finally getting a remaster 25 years later, but it's not on PC. Seven classic-style JRPGs on Steam that fill the same slot on desktop.
Jedi: Survivor is on EA Play but its Steam price is still $70. Seven soulslike action-adventure games on Windows, macOS, and Linux worth playing instead.
The Third Age still hasn't returned. Seven turn-based, party-based RPGs on Windows, macOS, and Linux that capture its Middle-earth tactical feel.
The multiplayer Witcher project is on shaky ground, and the co-op RPG lane on PC is short of new hits. Eight games we tested that let two-to-four friends share an open world.
Amazon is winding down its MMO investments. Here are 7 Throne and Liberty alternatives on PC that keep the large-scale PvP and open-world MMO loop alive.
Waiting on the Hoenn Switch ports? Here are 7 Pokemon Ruby Sapphire Emerald alternatives for PC: GBA emulators plus modern creature-collection RPGs.
The Nemesis System is still patented, but 7 open-world action games on PC come close. Here is what to play after Shadow of War.
Amazon is stepping back from Lost Ark. Here are 7 MMO ARPGs on PC that scratch the same itch, from Path of Exile 2 to Guild Wars 2.
War in the North just shadow-dropped a remaster and reminded us how few three-player Tolkien RPGs exist. Seven desktop alternatives that scratch the same itch.
Ghost of Yotei is a PS5 exclusive. These 7 Ghost of Yotei alternatives on PC cover open-world samurai combat, feudal Japan, and cinematic duels.
We built Skyshard, a free browser game inspired by Genshin Impact: glide, climb and explore a floating island in real 3D. No download, no gacha, no signup.
Star Wars: Zero Company brings the XCOM formula back into the spotlight. Here are seven turn-based tactics games on Windows, Mac, and Linux worth your time.
Finished Black Myth: Wukong and waiting on Game Science's sequel? These 7 action-RPG alternatives on Windows, macOS, and Linux hit the same souls-adjacent notes.
The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5 is too fast for most Play Store apps. Seven Android apps that put a gaming tablet's SoC, screen, and speakers to real work.
Lies of P 2 is in full development and the devs say the pressure is on. Seven Soulslikes on Steam that scratch the same puppet-strings itch while NEOWIZ keeps working.
Memoirium fuses Dark Souls combat with Backrooms-style dream logic. Seven desktop alternatives that carry the same eerie tension when you finish.
Hell Is Us blends Sekiro-tight combat with lore that refuses to hand-hold. These seven desktop alternatives keep that same tension when the credits roll.
Golden Sun turned 25 and the GBA classics still play beautifully on a phone. Seven Android emulator apps we tested for JRPG replays.
Bleach: Mirrors High is coming and old-guard Bleach mobile games feel their age. Seven anime action alternatives on Android tested for combat feel and generosity.
Critical Role's Daggerheart is getting its first big update in three weeks. Seven desktop companion apps we use to run Daggerheart sessions without Roll20.
Beast of Reincarnation lands in the shadow of Colossus and reminds us that giant-boss adventure games still have a shelf. Seven picks for PC that scratch the climb-and-topple itch.
Community Shaders and CS-ENB are the new default for modded Skyrim. We compared 7 desktop apps that install, order, and preserve shader mods across a Skyrim playthrough.
Koei Tecmo's AI chat RPG announcement raised the bar and the eyebrows. We compared 7 desktop apps that let you play chat-driven RPG stories with generative AI as the game master.
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is Switch 2 exclusive. Here are 7 tactical RPG alternatives on PC with the four-route structure, grid battles and party depth.
Duskfade lands August 13 on Steam. Here are 7 3D action platformer alternatives on PC that keep the Jak, Ratchet and Kingdom Hearts feeling going after credits.
Crimson Moon lands September 1 on Steam. Here are 7 gothic action RPG alternatives on PC with the same soulslike bite, co-op runs and boss-driven pacing.
Beast of Reincarnation just hit Steam. Here are 7 action RPG alternatives on PC with the same katana parries, companion combat and post-apocalypse tone.
Star Wars Outlaws just opened a 3-hour free trial on PS5, and the PC crowd wants to know what actually plays like it. Here are 7 Star Wars Outlaws alternatives on desktop worth your time.
Star Trek Legends is being delisted from Apple Arcade. We tested 7 Android games that fill the same tactical party-based RPG slot in 2026.
Palworld's mobile game was just announced but Android players cannot download it yet. Seven survival crafting and creature-collector games fill the gap.
NIKKE just announced a Persona collab for its anniversary, but the gacha grind and stamina wall push players elsewhere. Here are 7 NIKKE alternatives on Android worth playing.
Last Sentinel is stuck in dev hell. Seven Android games that scratch the neon-noir, cyberpunk-crime, and dystopian-city itch on a phone.
6th Edition rewrote the chronicle rules. We tested 7 desktop apps that keep character sheets, hunger dice, and Storyteller notes in one place.
Silent Hill Townfall is still previewing. Seven Silent Hill Townfall alternatives on Windows, macOS, and Linux for players who cannot wait for the release.
Rogue Trader is the CRPG Warhammer fans waited a decade for, but the runtime is huge and the mechanics divisive. Seven Rogue Trader alternatives for Windows and Linux.
Star Wars is coming to D&D and Critical Role's Daggerheart is filling tables. We tested seven tabletop RPG companion apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Rebirth is a 100-hour open-world JRPG, but the pacing and side content divide players. Seven Final Fantasy VII Rebirth alternatives for Windows worth your time.
Dark Sun's return demands serious tools. Here are the best Android apps for survival tracking, psionics, combat, and encounter building on the harsh world of Athas.
HBO's Harry Potter series is ramping up. Here are 8 Android RPGs, from spell-slinging school sims to fantasy classics, that scratch the wizarding itch on mobile.
Run Daggerheart sessions on Android with the best companion apps for character sheets, dice rolling, initiative tracking, and campaign notes.
We tested 8 tabletop RPG companion apps for Android in 2026, from D&D Beyond to Pathbuilder 2e, dice rollers, and DM tools. Here is the shortlist.
Alex Garland's Elden Ring movie hit a production milestone this week. Eight souls-like RPGs for Android that scratch the same brutal action-RPG itch on a phone.
Play old-school RPGs in a browser tab, no install required. From Morrowind engines to retro emulators, these 7 desktop-friendly apps run in Chrome.
OOC turns webnovel tropes into a live AI roleplay, but a basic-model chat cap and memory drift in long arcs push users to try other AI story apps. Seven picks that hold up better.
Marvel's Midnight Suns still hasn't landed on phones. These six Android superhero apps cover the tactical, squad-based itch it left behind.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 4 is coming and there's no release date yet. Fill the wait with these supernatural anime action games for Android.
Nioh 3 Hell Rising launches August 19 with the first paid DLC. If the Season Pass isn't in your budget, 7 soulslike PC games hit the same yokai-slaying nerve.
Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn movie script is finally done. Play these 7 desktop RPGs with hard magic systems and political intrigue while you wait for the film.
Christopher Nolan's Odyssey drops soon. Get in the mood with these 7 Greek mythology games for desktop, from Hades to Assassin's Creed Odyssey.
Twisted-Wonderland Season 2 has a 2026 release date. While you wait, these 7 Android gacha RPGs give you the same anime rhythm-and-story fix.
For Honor keeps limping into new seasons, but 2026's melee scene has better options. Here are 7 medieval combat games on PC that respect your time.
FFXIV Dawntrail's 7.55 patch just closed the relic quest and added timeworn maps. These 7 Android apps make raiding, gathering, and market flips easier.
Fields of Mistria hits 1.0 in two weeks. If the queue is your excuse, here are 7 cozy farming sims on PC that scratch the same itch while you wait.
Dice Roller by Harry Foster nails tap-and-shake rolling but caps custom setups and runs ads between rolls. Here are 7 Dice Roller alternatives for tabletop RPG and board game nights.
STALKER 2's Cost of Hope expansion has a release date. If you're waiting or want more Zone-style survival, here are 7 alternatives worth playing.
Mafia City RP:Grand Open World is a small entry in a crowded genre. Here are 7 open-world crime and gangster games for Android with deeper worlds, better traffic, and steadier updates.
Nintendo just teased maybe its hardest boss ever. If you love boss fights that punish and reward, these 8 desktop games deliver the same kind of pressure.
Amazon walked back its 2028 Tomb Raider: Catalyst talk and shifted the timing again. There is no mainline Tomb Raider on Android, so here are seven action-adventure mobile games that capture the exploration-and-combat feel.
Persona 6 was announced at Xbox Games Showcase 2026 for PC and console, but there's no Android release. These seven mobile turn-based JRPGs give you the closest Persona feel while you wait.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's action-RPG combat isn't coming to Android, but seven mobile JRPGs get you closer to the Rebirth feel than any port. We compared the ones worth downloading.
World of Warcraft is reportedly returning to Dungeons & Dragons after 20 years. Here are seven D&D-inspired MMORPGs on Windows and Mac that already carry the tabletop's DNA, from official 5e adaptations to dungeon-crawl heirs.
Baldur's Gate 3 just got a Dark Horse comic reveal at Comic-Con, but Larian's D&D masterpiece is still PC and console only. These seven mobile RPGs get you closest to the BG3 experience on Android.
HBO's Blade Runner 2099 trailer landed at Comic-Con. Seven PC games that carry the neon-noir mood while we wait for the show to air.
Star Wars Zero Company is a 30-40 hour XCOM-style tactical from ex-XCOM devs. Here are 7 alternatives you can play right now while you wait for the August release.
Seven Darkest Dungeon alternatives for Windows, macOS and Linux that keep the grim tone and turn-based tension without the town-return grind.
The Skyrim mod management stack that actually keeps a 200-plugin install stable in 2026, plus how to filter Nexus Mods for the AI-slop era.
Pokémon never came to PC, but seven creature-collecting games nail the same team-building loop on Windows, macOS and Linux. Ranked with pricing and platform notes.
Forge of the Fae's free Steam demo mixes JRPG combat with Celtic steampunk. Seven steampunk RPGs on PC that hit the same aesthetic and depth.
Kingdom Hearts Missing Link was canceled before it ever launched. Seven mobile action RPGs on Android with the same real-time combat, gacha depth, and party synergy Missing Link promised.
Final Fantasy XIV Mobile shut down before its worldwide launch. Seven mobile MMORPGs to pick up next, from Genshin Impact to Ragnarok M.
Final Fantasy X alternatives on Steam, 25 years after Spira. Seven turn-based JRPGs from Dragon Quest XI to Chained Echoes, tested and ranked by fit.
Elder Scrolls 6 slipped again after Xbox's Bethesda layoffs. Seven Elder Scrolls alternatives on desktop that scratch the open-world RPG itch until ES6 ships.
Fallout 5 is years away and the Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters are still rumors. Seven Fallout alternatives for Windows, macOS, and Linux to fill the wait.
The Fallout 3 remaster is finally real. Seven Fallout 3 alternatives on Steam and GOG for the next post-apocalyptic playthrough.
Inazuma Eleven Cross revives the anime soccer training loop for mobile, but the roster fills slowly and matches auto-resolve. Here are 7 soccer sim and anime sports alternatives.
Starfield's loading screens and empty planets pushed us to seven space-faring RPGs that actually respect our time on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
The 8 best gamified productivity apps for Android we tested in 2026: focus timers, habit RPGs and task managers that actually stick.
Bethesda confirmed a New Vegas remaster but the wait is real. Here are seven post-apocalyptic RPGs that scratch the same itch on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Polygon flagged Wabisabi Sushiderby as a $5 Steam and Switch alternative to Umamusume, no gacha. Seven desktop games that scratch the same cute-sim itch.
Square Enix launched Star Ocean Second Story R on Switch 2 with no upgrade path for owners of the original. Seven JRPG remakes and heirs that already run on PC.
Polygon called Culdcept Begins an unexpected Sega Saturn revival. Seven desktop games that scratch the deckbuild-plus-board-game itch Culdcept invented.
Polygon covered Kingsroad's new free release this week. Seven Game of Thrones: Kingsroad alternatives on PC, from free-to-play MMOs to open-world Westeros mods.
Softonic reports Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles just got New Game+ in patch 1.5.0. Seven tactical RPG alternatives for PC that scratch the same job-class itch.
Baldur's Gate 3 asks for a hundred hours you may not have. Seven party-based CRPG alternatives for Windows and macOS that scratch the same itch in less time.
Great Fire Emblem Three Houses alternatives for PC in 2026: Persona 5 Royal, Triangle Strategy, Symphony of War, Fell Seal, Wargroove, Fuga Melodies of Steel 2 and Tokyo Xanadu.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is not on Android. Eight wild west games for Android we tested in 2026, from Wild West Cowboy Redemption to Westland Survival, ranked.
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave misses. Seven Fire Emblem alternatives on Android, from Langrisser to Arknights: Endfield, ranked by tactics depth and gacha friendliness.
Fire Emblem Heroes still burns limited-time banners. Seven Android tactical RPGs (gacha and pay-once) that scratch the same tactical itch without the 8-year power-creep.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses turned seven this month and the series is still Switch-only. Seven tactical RPGs on Steam that scratch the same itch, tested on Windows and Steam Deck.
Cyberpunk Edgerunners 2 is coming and the appetite for anime-styled cyberpunk action is back. Seven desktop games for Windows that scratch the Edgerunners itch.
Bastion turned 15 this year and Supergiant's debut still shapes how action RPGs feel. Seven Bastion alternatives on Windows, macOS, and Linux worth queuing up next.
Avowed shipped February 2025 and Living Lands is behind you. Seven first-person and party fantasy RPGs for desktop in 2026, ranked and tested by our team.
Polygon's Age of Umbra writeup put dark-fantasy 5e characters back in the spotlight. Seven Android apps that hold a full D&D character sheet, spell list, and dice log.
Warframe finally landed on Google Play, but not everyone will squeeze it onto their phone. These 7 Warframe alternatives on Android hit the same free-to-play action loop.
Soulframe's Preludes queue is still weekly and PC only. These 7 alternatives on desktop scratch the fantasy action RPG itch until Digital Extremes opens the gates.
With Obsidian's future uncertain, players are looking for the next Pillars of Eternity. Here are 7 CRPGs with the same tactical combat, deep lore, and party depth.
Genshin Impact 7.0 is leaving budget PCs behind. Here are 7 open-world gacha and anime RPGs on PC worth playing instead.
Fallout season 3 starts filming this month. Eight desktop post-apocalyptic picks, from Fallout 4 to Metro Exodus and Frostpunk, ranked for setting, systems, and replay value.
Pokemon Winds and Waves rumors put 300 new species on the table, and mobile fans want the same catch-and-battle loop today. These seven Android pokemon-like games cover free, gacha, and offline picks.
Warhammer 40K Rogue Trader lands on Switch 2 with an update. Eight desktop isometric CRPGs, from Baldur's Gate 3 to Pillars of Eternity II, with real party depth and turn-based tactics.
Square Enix confirmed Ever Crisis shuts down October 6, 2026. These seven Android RPGs cover the party turn-based combat, gacha character rotation, and Final Fantasy pacing fans built around it.
Elder Scrolls 6 is at least two years away. Seven open-world RPGs on Windows, macOS, and Linux that fill the wait, from Skyrim mods to Kingdom Come 2.
Elder Scrolls VI is at least two more years away. These seven desktop open-world fantasy RPGs cover the ground Skyrim used to on PC, from Kingdom Come to Enderal to Elden Ring.
Frosthaven's digital adaptation is years off. Seven Gloomhaven alternatives on Steam that scratch the same tactical, party-based, deckbuilding itch on Windows and macOS.
Sly Flourish's Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster hit Kickstarter this week. Eight desktop apps for solo TTRPG play with GM emulators, oracles, and journaling.
A new Suikoden anime trailer sent players back to the JRPG classics. Seven Suikoden alternatives for Windows PC and macOS we tested, from Eiyuden Chronicle to Persona.
Hollow Knight has not shipped on Android and Silksong is not there yet either. Seven metroidvanias on Android with the same map-first, tight-combat DNA.
Solo Leveling: KARMA's new combat trailer looks great, but the wait is long. Here are 7 anime action RPGs on PC that scratch the same power-fantasy itch right now.
Hogwarts Legacy 2 is officially in development, but the wait is long. Here are 7 magic-heavy open-world RPGs to fill the gap on PC.
Cyberpunk 2077 is a hard game to follow. Here are 7 alternatives on PC that hit different pieces of what made Night City special.
The pixel-remastered classic JRPGs worth installing on Windows, macOS, and Linux, from Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster to Live A Live and Star Ocean Second Story R.
The soulslike western niche keeps growing. Seven desktop picks that pair frontier and weird-west settings with the punishing combat we tested for months.
Eight years on, Red Dead Redemption 2 still splits players. If you bounced off it, or finished and want more, here are seven strong PC alternatives worth playing.
Mobile players want Attack on Titan action on Android. We tested 7 anime action mobile alternatives with aerial mobility, boss fights, and free entry.
Great detective RPG alternatives to Silver Palace on PC: Disco Elysium, Pentiment, Return of the Obra Dinn, Paradise Killer, L.A. Noire, Wolf Among Us, and more.
Great Prince of Persia alternatives on PC in 2026: Hollow Knight, Blasphemous 2, Ori, Dead Cells, Sekiro, and more. Tested for combat, parkour, and story.
The best Persona 5: The Phantom X alternatives for Android in 2026: Honkai Star Rail, Nikke, Wuthering Waves, Reverse: 1999, Snowbreak, Another Eden, and Zenless Zone Zero.
ARC Raiders now requires Denuvo Anti-Cheat for every match. Eight PC games worth playing that never install a kernel-level driver in the first place.
Great alternatives to The Blood of Dawnwalker on PC: The Witcher 3, Elden Ring, Vampire Bloodlines, Kingdom Come Deliverance, Baldur's Gate 3, and more.
OD survives Xbox's studio reset but is still years out. Eight atmospheric horror games for desktop to fill the queue while Kojima's project develops.
Metroidvanias live and die by tight controls. These seven Android metroidvanias support Bluetooth gamepads properly — button mapping, analog aim, no touch overlay — so you can play the way the genre was designed.
Love and Deepspace's Valko cancellation frustrated fans. Seven Love and Deepspace alternatives on Android for otome and romance-game players who want more options.
Finished SMT V: Vengeance and want more demon-fusing turn-based JRPGs on PC? Seven Vengeance alternatives across Steam for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Finished Oblivion Remastered and want more first-person open-world RPG? Seven Oblivion Remastered alternatives on Steam for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
House of the Dragon season 3 dropped a long-awaited revenge episode this week. Seven medieval fantasy games on desktop that scratch the same Westerosi itch.
Strange New Worlds keeps reshaping Captain Kirk on screen. Seven Star Trek games for Windows, macOS, and Linux that let us captain our own ship, from the modern MMO to the cult classics.
Polygon broke down Deltarune Chapter 5's weird-route nightmare scenes this week. Seven Deltarune alternatives on Steam for the wait between chapters.
A Studio Ghibli-styled Sekiro anime trailer reignited interest in the parry-heavy Soulslike. Seven Sekiro alternatives on Windows that scratch the same itch.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection got its first post-launch update, but if the cozy monster-collection RPG is not your fit these 7 desktop alternatives bring the same shape with different flavors.
After six years of teasing, Genshin Impact finally revealed its big bad and the wiki is on fire. Seven Android Genshin companion apps that level up your endgame.
Skyrim turns 15 next year and we still recommend it weekly. If a Polygon Dragon's Dogma 2 binge nudged you off the mod list, these seven Skyrim alternatives for desktop step up.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II passed 6 million sales and the 60% Steam discount is the easy on-ramp. Seven Kingdom Come alternatives for desktop in 2026 if you're done with Henry.
Pokémon TCG Pocket's new Everyday Wonders expansion landed this week. Here are 8 Android card battlers that scratch the same itch on mobile.
Lara Croft turns 30 this year. We tested 7 PC alternatives to the Tomb Raider series that hold up — action-adventure for fans of the franchise.
Adventure Time: Side Quests is coming, but the existing Adventure Time game catalogue is thin. We tested 7 PC alternatives that match its vibe.
Star Wars Galactic Racer has the original-trilogy spirit. Eight Star Wars games for Windows, macOS, and Linux that already deliver, from the Jedi saga to the KOTOR catalogue.
Lords of the Fallen 2 slipped to 2027, leaving Hexworks fans without a sequel for another year. Seven Lords of the Fallen alternatives for Windows that fill the gap.
Polygon's Pokemon Pokopia underwater piece reignited the monster-collection itch on PC. Eight Pokemon-like monster collection games for desktop ranked and reviewed.
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred is shaping the season cycle in 2026. Seven ARPGs worth installing on Windows or macOS desktop while you wait for the next ladder.
The Witcher 4 conversation is about consequences. We tested 8 of the best narrative-driven RPGs on PC where your choices actually rewrite the back half of the game.
WoW: Midnight reset the conversation around subscription MMOs. Eight World of Warcraft alternatives on PC, covering subscription, free-to-play, and buy-to-play models.
Genshin Impact's Luna VIII patch lands July 1, but the gacha grind and storage footprint push players to look elsewhere. Here are seven Genshin Impact alternatives worth installing in 2026.
FFXIV's June patch gave players another reason to log in. For the days you want a different MMO on PC, here are seven Final Fantasy XIV alternatives.
Polygon's coverage of Bethesda's early-access pipeline for Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5 highlighted the wait. Seven Fallout 4 alternatives for PC, tested.
No Law's 2026 reveal pulled cyberpunk shooters back to the top of PC wishlists. Seven games ranked on combat depth, world design, and value.
Wuthering Waves 3.4 just dropped Lucilla's banner. If the gacha grind or PC stutters wear you down, these seven action-RPG alternatives run great on Windows.
Assassin's Creed Shadows just went free. Here are 7 stealth-action games for PC worth playing next, from Hitman to Dishonored to Death Stranding.
CD Projekt's free-to-play Witcher co-op RPG is still years out. These 7 free-to-play co-op RPGs for PC, from Path of Exile to Throne and Liberty, are playable today.
Just Press the Button lands on Switch June 18 with a dystopian narrative hook. Seven PC games already deliver the bleak futures, hard choices, and oppressive worlds.
Ubisoft announced a Black Flag remake while Shadows shipped its final DLC. Seven pirate and naval games on PC for players who do not want to wait.
Pokémon Champions just launched on Android with 1v1 PvP battles. If you want AR exploration, MOBA-style 5v5, or a card-game spin, we picked 7 strong alternatives.
Jade Shadow's constellations gave Warframe a heat spike again. We tested 7 Warframe alternatives on Windows that scratch the same free-to-play looter shooter itch.
Xenoverse 3 was just teased. Until it ships, these are the seven best Dragon Ball games on Steam for Windows and Linux fans to play right now.
Lovecraftian horror is having another moment, from cult favorites to Steam Next Fest oddities. Seven cosmic horror games for Windows, macOS, and Linux, ranked after long nights with the lights off.
Wuthering Waves 3.4 dropped Lucilla and a Cyberpunk crossover, but the gacha is heavy and the optimization keeps slipping. These seven Wuthering Waves alternatives on Android scratch the same anime-action itch.
Persona 4 Remake is making the right calls, but it's a wait. Seven Persona 4 Remake alternatives for Windows that deliver the same JRPG plus social-sim mix today.
Mortal Shell 2 is in closed beta and most of us can't get in. These seven soulslike alternatives on PC scratch the same brittle-combat itch right now.
33 Immortals fits 33 players into a co-op roguelike raid. These 8 multiplayer roguelike games for desktop deliver the run-die-restart loop with friends.
Crimson Desert added a major pet patch in 2026. These 8 MMORPGs for PC put taming, training, and battling creatures at the heart of the loop.
Wild Terra 2 is free to keep on Steam right now. These 8 free MMORPGs for PC, including Albion Online and FFXIV's free trial, are still worth your time in 2026.
FromSoftware's future is wrapped up in a Kadokawa investor vote. Seven Elden Ring alternatives for Windows that scratch the open-world Soulslike itch while you wait.
Dave the Diver was the breakout cozy hybrid of 2023, and MINTROCKET is busy with Godzilla now. Here are seven Dave the Diver alternatives on PC that scratch the same itch.
Patrice Désilets is back with a 1666: Amsterdam prologue, and the wait for the full game is long. Here are seven 1666: Amsterdam alternatives for stealth-action fans on PC.
Palworld blew up at launch, then the meta hardened. We tested 7 Palworld alternatives for desktop that scratch the same survival, taming and crafting itch in 2026.
The FromSoftware investor fight has fans rethinking what's next. We tested 8 desktop soulslike games for Windows, macOS, and Linux that match Elden Ring's depth.
Sea of Remnants is a free-to-play pirate RPG arriving in 2026. While you wait, here are 7 desktop alternatives for ship building, naval combat, and pirate adventure.
The RPG Maker forum shutdown threatens 14 years of community knowledge. We tested 7 desktop game-creation tools for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Polygon called Erosion the best thing to happen to roguelikes since Hades. While you wait for the playtest and 2027 launch, here are 7 Erosion alternatives for PC.
Crimson Desert's pet-paradise patch keeps the community busy, but you might want a new world. We tested 7 desktop open-world action games that match its scope.
Finished Expedition 33 and still humming the score? These 8 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 alternatives on Steam carry the turn-based JRPG flame in 2026.
Stranger Than Heaven won't ship for ages. We rounded up 7 Yakuza-flavoured action games on PC that scratch the same noir, brawler, and side-story itch right now.
Eight time loop games for PC, ranked. From Outer Wilds to Deathloop to 12 Minutes, with notes on loop length, story payoff, and how each handles repetition.
Persona 5 Royal is a 110-hour commitment. We tested 7 alternatives on PC that hit the same JRPG plus social-sim sweet spot.
Guild Wars 3 was revealed but release is years away. We tested 7 MMORPG alternatives on PC right now that scratch the same horizontal-progression itch.
Polygon called FF16 one of the best Final Fantasy games in years now on PlayStation Plus. We ranked 7 Final Fantasy XVI alternatives for PC if you cannot wait.
JRPG fans had a stacked Summer Game Fest. Eight of the best JRPG games on Windows in 2026, ranked from new to classic, with notes on length and combat style.
Nintendo just announced the Ocarina of Time remake for Switch 2. PC players who want top-down adventure now have these seven Zelda-like games on Windows.
Square Enix's HD-2D shelf keeps growing. Seven of the best HD-2D RPG games on Windows in 2026, from Octopath to Dragon Quest III Remake and the new Final Fantasy.
Nintendo just revealed Xenoblade Genesis for Switch 2. PC players want open-world JRPG depth now. Seven Xenoblade Chronicles alternatives on desktop.
Capcom is bringing Onimusha back on Switch 2, but PC players want demon-slaying samurai combat now. Seven Onimusha alternatives for desktop in 2026.
Kingdom Hearts 4 fans are still waiting. While Square Enix takes its time, here are 7 Kingdom Hearts alternatives on PC that scratch the action-RPG itch.
Capcom is pushing Dragon's Dogma 2 toward Switch 2, but PC players want more action-RPG depth right now. Seven Dragon's Dogma 2 alternatives for desktop.
Destiny 2's Monument of Triumph closes the live-service era. Seven Destiny 2 alternatives for PC that respect your loot, your time, and your wallet.
Square Enix's Final Fantasy Resonance launches as the first mobile HD-2D RPG. Seven HD-2D RPG apps for Android that scratch the same retro-modern itch.
Into the Wind is Kiki's Delivery Service meets Porco Rosso, and the wait is long. Seven cozy flying adventure games on PC, Mac, and Linux you can play now.
Dressmaker is the cozy dress-up sleeper hit of the season. Seven cozy dress-up games on PC, Mac, and Linux that pair fashion with low-stakes storytelling.
Polygon's Vampire: The Masquerade Eternal Whispers reveal pulled the cult RPG back into the conversation. Seven Bloodlines alternatives that hold up.
Polygon's preview of Into the Wind put Studio Ghibli back on the gaming agenda. We tested 8 Ghibli-inspired desktop games on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Polygon called Vivarium the cozy life-sim that stole the Xbox Showcase. We tested 7 desktop games that scratch the Stardew Valley itch in 2026.
Persona 6 finally appeared at the Xbox Games Showcase, but the wait is long. Seven Persona alternatives for Windows that deliver the social-sim plus turn-based JRPG combo.
Minecraft Dungeons 2 lands in September. Seven Minecraft Dungeons alternatives for Windows that fill the loot-and-loop gap with co-op friendly runs.
Bethesda's 2026 update gave Fallout 76 a real reason to log back in. Seven Fallout 76 alternatives for Windows for the days you're between visits.
The Fable reboot now has a firm Xbox release date. Seven Fable alternatives for Windows to play through while we wait for Albion's return.
ESO's June 2026 update is a real return reason, but it isn't the only fantasy MMO worth the time. Seven Elder Scrolls Online alternatives for Windows.
Polygon's Vampire: The Masquerade Eternal Whispers reveal pitched it as a Disco Elysium clone. Seven Disco Elysium alternatives for PC while we wait.
Jump Over The Age's next game Signet City is years away. Seven Citizen Sleeper alternatives for Windows, Mac, and Linux that fit between runs.
Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember is coming sooner than expected. While we wait, we ranked 7 PC soulslikes that hit the same parry-and-counter brutality.
Softonic's Spider-Noir reveal pulled Spider-Man fans back to PC. Seven Spider-Man and swing-action games that hold up on desktop in 2026.
Persona 4 Revival was just announced for spring. Until it lands, we ranked 7 PC JRPGs that capture the same social-sim plus dungeon-crawl rhythm.
Eurogamer's Aexodus preview pulled fans back to BioWare-style morality choices. Seven Mass Effect alternatives that actually fill the void in 2026.
Sega revealed Stranger Than Heaven with Tupac and Snoop Dogg attached. While we wait, here are 7 Yakuza alternatives worth playing on desktop right now.
Guild Wars 3 was officially confirmed at Summer Game Fest 2026. While ArenaNet builds it, here are 7 Guild Wars alternatives worth playing on PC right now.
Project 1666 from Assassin's Creed creator Patrice Désilets just got a release window. Here are 7 Assassin's Creed alternatives worth playing on desktop right now.
Stellar Blade nailed its PC debut but a single playthrough runs short. Seven Stellar Blade alternatives for Windows that scratch the same character-action itch.
Monster Hunter Wilds' Ascendance expansion brings back elder dragons but the wait between hunts is real. Seven Monster Hunter Wilds alternatives for Windows.
Mafia: The Old Country's Man of Honor DLC brings back a fan-favorite villain. Seven Mafia: The Old Country alternatives for Windows for crime-game fans.
FF7 Remake Part 3 is coming but the wait stretches into next year. Seven Final Fantasy VII Remake alternatives for Windows that bridge the gap.
Aion 2's global Steam launch is set for late 2026 but PC MMO fans want options now. Seven Aion 2 alternatives for Windows worth running through this year.
Square Enix's Adventures of Elliot is six months away. We ranked 7 action JRPGs on Steam that bridge the wait, with Ys Origin as the benchmark.
Ultima Online's designer is back with a new sandbox MMO. We tested 7 Ultima Online alternatives on PC for players ready to move on.
Amazon canceled the LotR MMO but said the franchise still has games coming. Until then, we ranked 7 PC MMORPGs that scratch the same Middle-earth itch.
Epic just gave away two tactical RPGs and Polygon is talking about it again. We ranked 7 of the best tactical RPG games on PC across Steam and Game Pass.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A's new season pushes the Switch entry further, but PC players want a monster-catching loop that runs on their hardware. Seven Legends: Z-A alternatives for desktop.
Lost in Random: Eternal Die is leaving Game Pass and Hades players are looking for the next great roguelike. Seven Hades alternatives for Windows, macOS, and Linux, ranked.
Sony just teased a new God of War with a new lead. While we wait, we ranked 7 PC games that scratch the same cinematic action-adventure itch.
Gothic 1 Remake just dropped -- and it's the freshest Witcher 3 alternative on PC right now. We ranked 7 open-world RPGs worth playing in 2026.
GGG keeps PoE1 alive, but which ARPG should fill your next 200 hours? We ranked 7 Path of Exile alternatives for PC, from Last Epoch to Titan Quest II.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is back and the genre is having a moment. These 7 samurai action games for Android cover hack-and-slash, RPG, and pixel-art duels.
From Vampire Survivors to Castlevania to long-form RPGs. Seven vampire games worth installing on Android in 2026, ranked after testing.
Where to play Rockstar's catalog on a phone after the Netflix Trilogy launch and the Google Play delistings. Seven titles worth installing on Android in 2026.
Nintendo's mobile catalogue is small but specific. We tested the 6 still-live Nintendo and Pokémon games on Android, ranked by what they do well.
Final Fantasy VI hitting Game Pass renewed interest in classic JRPGs. We picked six classics that already play well on Android phones today.
Telltale stories, Injustice slugfests, LEGO romps, and brawlers. The seven Batman games worth installing on Android in 2026, ranked after testing.
Open-world combat, monster hunting and a real story. These seven Android RPGs come closest to the Witcher feel on a phone, with notes on offline play, downloads and grind.
Seven Westeros-themed and medieval-fantasy strategy games on Android, tested for combat depth, faction systems, multiplayer politics, and how much they actually feel like Thrones.
Seven dungeon crawlers tested on Android, ranked on procedural depth, combat feel, item systems, and how respectful each one is of a free player's time.
Seven Android action RPGs that put monster combat at the centre, tested for combat depth, build variety, story, and how well they handle phone-friendly session length.
Mina the Hollower reignited the genre on PC and console. These 8 metroidvania games for Android keep the maps, the secrets, and the upgrade loops on a phone.
After Nintendo's 2024 lawsuits buried Citra, the 3DS emulator scene split into a handful of community forks. Here are the 7 best 3DS emulator apps for Android.
Stray finally landed on Switch 2 in May. Until it crosses to mobile, these 7 cat adventure games for Android scratch the same itch on your phone.
PS Plus added a Warhammer 40K hit for June 2026. These seven Warhammer 40K games on Android cover tactics, on-rails action, card battles, dungeon crawls, and free-to-play strategy.
Destiny 2 is winding down and there is no true Borderlands on phones, but these 8 loot-driven shooter games for Android come the closest.
With The Odyssey heading to cinemas, demand for Greek myth games is back. These seven Greek mythology games on Android span action RPG, real-time strategy, tower defence, and idle play.
Stardew Valley has no Android port. Here are 7 farming and life-sim games that scratch the same itch -- crops, relationships, exploration, and all.
Running D&D on Android? We tested 7 apps for character sheets, dice rolling, initiative tracking, and spell lookup. Here's what actually works at the table.
AC Identity's servers are gone and Rebellion is stuck in 2020. Here are 7 action-stealth and open-world games that actually scratch that parkour-and-blades itch on Android.
Seven gothic dark fantasy RPGs on Android worth installing in 2026, ranked by atmosphere, combat depth, and how much they actually look like the genre promises.
The best Android games outside the Play Store in 2026, with official download sources, comparison tables, safety checks, and examples from Epic and F-Droid.
The new Mass Effect news from Hasbro and the Mandalorian timeline beat both pulled space adventure back into the spotlight. Seven Android picks for trading, fighting, and surveying the void.
God of War's next entry has fans hunting Norse lore again. Seven Android games scratch the same itch, from Viking war MMOs and Thor action RPGs to Cultures: Northland.
ZA/UM is back with Zero Parades. Seven Android role-playing games carry the same dialog-heavy, choice-driven DNA, from The Banner Saga to Choice of Games.
Xbox Game Pass is losing two must-play RPGs in May, and the tactics shelf at home is the obvious place to refill. Seven turn-based tactics games for Android, from Fire Emblem to Into the Breach and Disgaea.
The best open-world crime games for Android in 2026, tested across paid Netflix Rockstar ports and free Gangstar-style sandboxes. Picks for the GTA 6 wait.
Square Enix is calling its next RPG 'somewhat gacha-like' and the genre keeps getting bigger. These eight Android gacha games range from action-RPG showcase to tactical and turn-based picks worth the time investment.
Most of the mainline Final Fantasy series runs on Android, plus a handful of mobile-first spinoffs. These nine picks span the Pixel Remasters, FF7, FF15 Pocket, and the strongest gacha entries.
We tested seven DC games for Android in 2026, ranking on roster depth, offline play, gacha pressure, and how it feels to play as Batman, Superman, or Wonder Woman.
Nintendo's Zelda movie delay sent fans hunting for adventure RPGs on the phone. Seven Zelda-like games on Android cover open-world exploration, dungeon-puzzle pacing, and item-based progression.
Star Wars Outlaws on PlayStation Plus has revived interest in the franchise. These seven Star Wars games on Android cover hero collection, classic RPG, real-time shooter, pinball, and free-to-play picks.
From Marvel Snap to Strike Force, these seven Marvel mobile games on Android cover collectible card battles, RPG team building, and live-service action with the biggest roster.
Pearl Abyss just shipped a Crimson Desert update, and the MMORPG itch is back. These eight Android MMORPGs cover open-world action, classic grinds, and story-led ARPGs.
Stellar Blade 2 might go multiplatform and the stylish-action crowd is paying attention. Eight character action games for Android with combos, parries, and dodge windows.
Manage characters, roll dice, run virtual tabletop sessions, and look up rules without leaving the table. We picked the best TTRPG companion apps for Android players and dungeon masters.
The Android games that push phone GPUs hardest in 2026. Open-world RPGs, console-quality racers, and shooters with visuals that rival dedicated handhelds.
