Forget Your 100-Hour RPGs, Action Games Are Having a Moment
Gaming industry trends typically emerge from generational hit games, and 2026 is witnessing a notable shift in the market. While open-world games and Soulslikes remain prevalent, straightforward action games are having an unexpected moment, capturing some of the year’s most high-profile releases.
This trend reversal moves away from the vastness and complex RPG customization that have defined recent AAA gaming toward more focused, streamlined action experiences. For many players, this represents a welcome return to older gaming eras and a relief from the demanding complexity of increasingly elaborate blockbuster titles.
Capcom is leading this charge, with the publisher’s games exemplifying this new direction. The shift signals potential broader industry movement toward more direct, action-focused design philosophies rather than sprawling, heavily customizable experiences that have saturated the market in recent years.