GQ Revealed the Top 12 Best Video Games of 2026—007 First Light Gets the First Spot

Most of 2026 is already behind us, and this period has already delivered a number of excellent games, several of which look like genuine contenders for the Game of the Year award. As a result, gaming and lifestyle outlets are already putting together their interim rankings, looking back at which titles have landed best so far.

GQ recently shared its own take, publishing a top 12 video game of 2026 so far, with IO Interactive's 007 First Light taking the top spot. The magazine calls it a true classic among James Bond games, praising its replayability, action, and especially how missions are structured within semi-open environments. Resident Evil Requiem came in second, unsurprising given it's widely considered one of the best games of the year by both critics and players and the franchise's fastest seller to date. Third place is where things get more interesting: GQ placed Bungie's Marathon there, a somewhat surprising pick. While critics were generally positive on the shooter, players have been far more skeptical about the online game, especially since Bungie stopped supporting Destiny 2. You can check out GQ's full top 12 below:

12. Life is Strange: Reunion

11. Luna Abyss

10. Mixtape

9. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

8. Pragmata

7. Perfect Tides: Station to Station

6. Saros

5. Forza Horizon 6

4. Mina the Hollower

3. Marathon

2. Resident Evil Requiem

1. 007 First Light

Earlier this month, Empire published its own ranking of 2026's best games so far, with Resident Evil Requiem topping the list and 007 First Light landing at fourth. Both lists also share Saros, Forza Horizon 6, Mixtape, Pragmata, and LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, suggesting outlets are largely aligned on the year's standout titles, even if the exact rankings differ.

That said, this list will likely shift by year's end, with several major releases still on the horizon that could shake up the Game of the Year conversation, including Control Resonant, Marvel's Wolverine, The Blood of Dawnwalker, Phantom Blade Zero, and, of course, Grand Theft Auto VI.