Role-playing games, or RPGs, have been popular for over thirty years, and new titles are released almost every month. These range from major releases like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Silksong, Lies of P, Hogwarts Legacy, Octopath Traveler 2, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and Baldur’s Gate 3, to smaller, more specialized games such as Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society and 8-Bit Adventures 2. There’s always another RPG just around the corner.
I’m a huge RPG fan, and I’ve noticed these big-budget games are announced so far in advance these days. It’s exciting, but it also creates a ton of hype! Sometimes that hype is impossible to live up to, and we end up feeling let down. But when a game does deliver on all the promises? It’s amazing! I’m already starting to get hyped for 2026, so I’m curious – what upcoming RPGs are you most excited about?
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred
A Fresh Start, A New Chapter
Diablo 4 has had a bit of a rocky journey. While the action RPG has been reasonably successful overall, it hasn’t shaken off the negative reception it received at launch. The recent ‘Vessel of Hatred’ expansion hasn’t been enough to significantly improve things, and currently, the game averages around 7,000 players on Steam. Right now, Diablo 4 isn’t even among the top 100 most-played games on Steam, which is concerning for a game that relies on ongoing player engagement.
It’s tough to gauge excitement for the upcoming “Lord of Hatred” expansion, but it has the potential to make some significant improvements to the game. The expansion features a campaign set in Skovos, introduces two new classes – Paladin and Warlock – and adds “War Plans,” which will let players customize their endgame experience. A new crafting system and a redesigned Skill Tree are also included. While it sounds promising, we’ll need to play it to see if it truly changes the game.
NTE: Neverness to Everness
A Free Open-World RPG That Sounds Almost Too Good
Games like Genshin Impact and Where Winds Meet have shown that “free-to-play open-world RPGs” aren’t necessarily bad. While still relatively rare, enjoyable free games that don’t require spending money are becoming more common. NTE: Neverness to Everness has a really exciting concept:
A sleek supernatural open-world RPG where you make the rules…
Hotta Studio’s new game is worth checking out, especially since early impressions from the beta were good. You play as an Anomaly Hunter – a paranormal investigator – in Hethereau, a bustling sci-fi city with plenty to explore. As a gacha game, you’ll collect new characters over time, and there will be a good number of hunters available when the game launches. The combat looks quick and engaging, but the most appealing part of the game will likely be the city itself.
Gothic 1 Remake
The Return Of An All-Time Great RPG
The original Gothic game, created by Piranha Bytes, wasn’t perfect, but its detailed world and memorable characters still stand out, making it one of the most captivating RPGs ever made. Though the sequels were enjoyable, especially Gothic 2, the series has been largely inactive for over a decade, and Piranha Bytes’ recent closure made a revival seem unlikely. Thankfully, that’s no longer the case! Alkimia Interactive and THQ Nordic are now working on a remake of the first Gothic, promising to stay true to the original game’s unique spirit and natural, open-ended design.
Whether you’re a long-time fan of Gothic or new to the world, get ready for a classic RPG experience with total freedom to explore.
You’ll be back in a prison colony filled with warring groups, starting with nothing. The first game had a small world, but it felt incredibly detailed and responded to your actions, and the remake needs to capture that same feeling to be successful.
Beast of Reincarnation
Game Freak’s First AAA Action RPG That Isn’t Pokemon
It’s unusual to see this from Game Freak, the creators of Pokemon! They’re releasing a new RPG called Beast of Reincarnation that won’t be on Nintendo consoles. This dark fantasy action RPG is set in a post-apocalyptic version of Japan, which sounds fantastic already. What makes it even better is the main character, Emma, is joined by her loyal dog, Koo, throughout the game. Players will control both Emma and Koo in combat, with Emma able to direct Koo’s actions during battles.
While the fact that Game Freak is involved is exciting, Beast of Reincarnation is also generating buzz simply because it looks fantastic. Early glimpses of the game reveal imaginative creature designs, quick and smooth gameplay, and a world that promises to be unique and memorable.
Phantom Blade Zero
A Wuxia RPG
For the past few years, fans have been eagerly awaiting the action RPG Phantom Blade Zero, and every preview has looked incredible. Developed and published by S-GAME, the game draws inspiration from Wuxia – a style of Chinese martial arts that’s becoming increasingly popular worldwide thanks to Chinese animation and a growing number of related games.
Okay, so in this game, I’m Soul, a warrior who finds out I only have sixty-six days to live. It’s a race against time where I’m constantly fighting off assassins, trying to figure out this huge conspiracy that could destroy the world, and just trying to hold onto what I believe in – all while knowing my time is limited. It’s intense!
Phantom Blade Zero takes place in a unique world called the Phantom World, mixing elements of steampunk and horror. Players control an assassin wrongly accused of killing his leader, and he has just two months to prove his innocence. While the story sounds promising, the game is really gaining attention for its exciting and visually impressive combat. Importantly, it won’t be a ‘Soulslike’ game, which is a welcome change of pace.
Valor Mortis
A First-Person Soulslike RPG
Unveiled at Gamescom 2025, Valor Mortis is a new RPG aiming to bring the challenging gameplay of the Soulslike genre into a first-person perspective – something few games have successfully done. The game is being developed by One More Level, the studio behind the popular Ghostrunner games, which are known for their fast-paced, one-hit-kill combat. While Valor Mortis battles will likely be more extended, the developer has demonstrated their ability to create thrilling and fluid first-person action.
Valor Mortis is set during the Napoleonic era, but with a dark twist. You play as a soldier killed in battle who finds himself resurrected in a hellish version of Earth. A spreading corruption has unleashed monstrous creatures, creating a compelling premise for a dark fantasy RPG.
Fable
A Return Of A Beloved Action RPG Franchise
It’s been about ten years since a new Fable game was released, and Fable 3, the last major installment, received mixed reviews. When the studio behind the original games, Lionhead Studios, closed down, it seemed unlikely we’d see another Fable title. However, a reboot is now in development with Playground Games, and fans are hoping it will revitalize this once-promising series.
Playground Games, the studio behind the popular Forza Horizon series, might seem like an unusual choice to develop a big action RPG. However, they’re clearly skilled at creating beautiful open-world environments. While the world of Fable will be very different from anything they’ve done before, early glimpses suggest Playground is creating something truly special, with a strong emphasis on player choices and exploring the game world.
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Outward 2
A Sequel That Could Build On A Strong Foundation
While not perfect, Outward offers a distinctive experience that sets it apart from most action RPGs. The game is known for its difficulty and lack of guidance, simply dropping you into a city and letting you forge your own path as an adventurer. Unlike many games, there’s no overarching villain or set objectives – you create your own story. However, Outward‘s challenging combat and tough beginning meant it appealed to a limited audience, making it a game you either loved or struggled with.
Okay, so from what I’ve seen, Outward 2 is sticking with the same tough-but-fair gameplay as the first one. It’s still a survival RPG, meaning you’ll really need to think about everything you do. Basically, you start in your hometown and then it’s up to you where you go and what you get into. But seriously, planning is key. If you don’t prepare properly, you’re going to have a bad time – like, a game over kind of bad time!
The Blood of Dawnwalker
An Upcoming Action RPG That Lets You Be A Vampire
Vampires will likely always be a captivating subject, and The Blood of Dawnwalker leans into that appeal with a gritty, dark fantasy world. This open-world RPG combines 14th-century European history with supernatural elements, placing players in a land devastated by the Black Death. To make things even worse, a weakened population must also contend with vampires who are seizing the opportunity to break free.
In this game, you’re Coen, a man who transforms into a vampire each night. You’ll battle to protect your family, and your choices and the mysteries you reveal will determine how the story unfolds.
Coen is a unique character – he’s half-human and half-vampire, allowing him to function both in daylight and as a traditional vampire at night. Facing a family crisis, he must grapple with whether to embrace his monstrous powers or fight to maintain his human side. The game, The Blood of Dawnwalker, will let players shape the story through their choices and offers two distinct combat systems – one for daytime and one for nighttime gameplay.
Pokemon Winds and Waves
Pokemon’s 10th Generation Starts In 2027
As a long-time Pokémon fan, I’ve gotten used to a new generation dropping every few years. After Scarlet and Violet came out in 2022 and got some DLC over the next year and a half, Legends: Z-A arrived in 2025 and felt like it wrapped up the ninth generation nicely. So, I knew it wouldn’t be long before we heard about the next one, and finally, in March 2026, they announced Pokémon Winds and Waves! I’m so hyped!
Currently, details about the new Winds and Waves game are limited. We know the starting Pokémon and that the game will take place in a region inspired by Southeast Asia, divided into several islands. The Pokemon Company is planning to release it in 2027, likely towards the end of the year. While that’s not much information, any new Pokemon game is exciting news!
Light No Fire
An Ambitious Fantasy Open-World RPG From The Makers Of No Man’s Sky
Hello Games, the studio behind the remarkable turnaround of No Man’s Sky, is generating huge anticipation for their next project, Light No Fire. Though still a few years off, Light No Fire appears to build on the strengths of No Man’s Sky while fully embracing the RPG genre. The game will feature a massive, open world designed for players to explore and experiment, but instead of an entire universe, it’s set on a single planet—one that’s Earth-sized, but entirely unique.
Light No Fire’s marketing highlights its focus on “adventure, building, survival, and exploration together,” with a strong emphasis on playing online with others. The game promises a survival experience, but it’s currently unclear whether it will be a challenging, realistic one or a more relaxed and easy-to-pick-up game.
The Witcher 4
Action & Open-World (Presumably)
As a huge fan, I’ve been eagerly waiting for news on the next Witcher game, and CD Projekt Red finally confirmed at The Game Awards 2024 that it’s actually happening! It’s awesome to think The Witcher 4 is on the way – it’s a really exciting time to be into open-world RPGs. I remember when Cyberpunk 2077 first came out, it was rough, and it definitely hurt CD Projekt Red’s reputation. But they really worked hard to fix things after launch, and now it’s in a much better place. Of course, The Witcher 3 is still considered one of the best Western RPGs ever made, and honestly, it still holds up incredibly well even today.
The previous expansion provided a satisfying conclusion to Geralt’s story, leading many to believe the next Witcher game would star a new character. Ciri was always the most likely candidate, and the recent trailer at The Game Awards seemed to confirm this – she’s clearly the main focus. Currently, very little is known about the sequel’s plot, other than Ciri appearing a few years older than she was in Wild Hunt. However, fans can likely expect to see Geralt return in some capacity as well.
The Elder Scrolls 6
Open-World (Presumably)
It was inevitable that Bethesda would eventually announce The Elder Scrolls 6, and so far, that’s all they’ve done. While a few details can be guessed from the short amount of gameplay footage released, the game remains mostly unknown. Still, TES 6 is one of those highly anticipated RPGs that just being announced is enough to create excitement.
While we likely won’t see Bethesda’s next Elder Scrolls game for a few years, and their recent releases have been somewhat inconsistent, it’s almost certain TES 6 will be a massive commercial success and one of the best-selling games ever.
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2026-04-06 21:12