Upcoming New RPGs For 2025 & Beyond

Role-playing games have been a staple of the gaming industry for more than three decades. Each month, the genre tends to welcome a couple of noteworthy titles, be it high-profile releases such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Lies of P, Hogwarts Legacy, Octopath Traveler 2, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and Baldur’s Gate 3, or more niche projects like Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society and 8-Bit Adventures 2. There are always new RPGs on the horizon.

Due to the ambitious nature of the genre’s AAA projects, they are often announced years in advance, a practice that can result in extremely high expectations. Once the hype train gets moving, stopping it can be impossible, which has resulted in some disappointments in the past. However, when a game lives up to its potential, it is a thing of beauty. Which upcoming 2025 RPGs are you looking forward to the most?

Updated October 8, 2025 by Mark Sammut: While 2025 still has a few major titles in its barrel, most of the biggest upcoming RPGs are targeting early 2026 releases. We’ve added Crimson Desert, Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined, and Nioh 3.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A

The Next Evolution

Pokemon Legends: Z-A was shrouded in shadows for the longest time, but that changed in February 2025 when a video dropped showcasing the upcoming RPG‘s visuals, city, and some gameplay mechanics. Game Freak has confirmed that the project will take place in Kalos, which was introduced during the sixth generation. Similar to 2022’s Arceus, one has to assume Z-A takes place well before the events of X and Y.

The game’s announcement was mostly greeted with cautious optimism due to Arceus being relatively well-regarded; however, the 2025 video arguably undermined some of that initial hype. That showcase garnered a fairly negative reception, with criticisms being leveled at the empty city, Pokemon starters, and graphics.

Despite growing concerns, Pokémon Legends: Z-A remains one of the most highly anticipated 2025 RPGs. Why? Well, it is Pokemon.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2

The Long Awaited Sequel To An RPG Masterpiece

To say that Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 has had a rough road to completion would be an understatement. Rumors about its existence have circulated for the best part of a decade, to the point that Bloodlines 2 seemed destined to be remembered alongside Half-Life 3 as a game that just refuses to exist. However, Paradox Interactive and White Wolf have finally confirmed that the sequel will be published on October 21, 2025, a reveal that came a bit out of nowhere (despite its long development cycle).

Honestly, “excitement” is not the most accurate phrase to describe the discourse surrounding Bloodlines 2. For the most part, the game seems to be primarily igniting morbid curiosity and light optimism. Hopefully, the project will manage to live up to its decorated predecessor’s reputation by providing a player-driven RPG filled with nuanced writing, atmosphere, and world-building. Players will get to control an Elder vampire, and they will be able to customize them and join a clan. Initially, Paradox announced that two of the six clans would be DLC, although that decision received widespread criticism.

Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault

A Shop Keeper Who Loves Action RPGs

A charming indie action RPG that emphasizes shop management, Moonlighter is not only very fun but also offers quite a bit of replay value. The 2018 release was successful enough that a sequel always seemed likely, especially since the concept certainly had room to grow. Fortunately, Digital Sun seems set to return to this universe, once again casting players as Will, a shopkeeper who needs to keep his inventory stocked by going out in the wild and collecting loot.

Moonlighter 2‘s biggest change is the switch to a full 3D presentation, albeit presented from an isometric angle. While its predecessor’s pixel art is top-notch, the sequel should be a pretty substantial upgrade in terms of visuals and presentation. Beyond that, players will get to explore a new area, Tresna, while helping a struggling village to flourish.

The Outer Worlds 2

Obsidian’s Sci-Fi RPG

Slated to be one of the biggest Game Pass 2025 games, The Outer Worlds 2 has the foundation to achieve greatness. The 2019 entry was beloved upon release, being seen as a stellar alternative to Fallout. Since then, its reputation has leveled out slightly, although it is still generally regarded as a good RPG.

Solid as it was, The Outer Worlds certainly had room for improvement, and a sequel with better combat and more diverse worlds should be fantastic. Obsidian is well-known for strong writing and world-building, two things that need to shine in The Outer Worlds 2.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake

Revisiting Two Of The Most Important JRPGs

After the relative success of Dragon Quest III HD Remake, Square Enix is publishing a compilation containing modern versions of the first two DQ games. The originals are masterpieces that pretty much wrote the book on JRPGs, and they are arguably the genre’s most important releases of all time. However, they are products of their era and have not aged well, which is to be expected. DQ 1 and 2 are more like historical artifacts than actual games that you should experience for yourself in 2025.

Therefore, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is very much a necessary project that will hopefully introduce multiple generations to these two classics. So far, these HD-2D remakes have generally stuck pretty close to the originals’ blueprints, so I assume this compilation will do the same. That said, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake will include changes beyond just modern graphics.

Octopath Traveler 0

A Turn-Based JRPG With A (Hopefully) Great Story

Announced out of nowhere, Octopath Traveler 0 should be among the better JRPGs of the year, at least if it maintains the IP’s quality up to this point. A prequel set before both of the previous entries, the upcoming 2025 RPG shares similarities with Champions of the Continent​​​​​​, a mobile gacha game that arguably has the strongest story in the franchise. Square Enix has clarified that Octopath Traveler 0 is not a direct port of COFC, but rather a retelling that acts sort of like a sibling to that game.

You will be able to create a unique protagonist, and you will recruit dozens of playable characters throughout the campaign. Beyond that, Octopath Traveler 0 should be stacked with content, even incorporating a town-building system (going by the trailer). Honestly, if done right, this could be the best entry in the series.

Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined

Bringing Back A PS1 Masterpiece

You don’t need me to tell you that Dragon Quest 7: Fragments of the Forgotten Past is a pretty great JRPGs. In fact, Enix’s original is rightfully regarded as an all-time PS1 classic, even if it might be overshadowed by the fifth and eighth entries in the series. While the original’s charm has not remotely faded, Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined will seek to introduce multiple generations to the timeless turn-based brilliance that was a staple of the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Now, DQ7R has…a unique art style, especially for the characters. They do not really look like the iconic Akira Toriyama creations of old, a stylistic choice that could prove to be divisive among a lot of people. That said, the visuals still look nothing short of phenomenal, particularly in the overworld. As always, Square Enix is also looking to add some QOL changes to the battle system to help speed up encounters and reduce repetition.

Nioh 3

Time For The Return Of The Best Action RPG Soulslike Series (Yeah, I Said it!)

Bias warning – Besides Bloodborne, Nioh 2 is my favorite Soulslike/action RPG of all time, so I really cannot undersell how excited I am to return to Team Ninja’s universe. Blending history and supernatural elements, you will be taking charge of Tokugawa Takechiyo, the soon-to-be shogun who must quell a yokai-led rebellion by his brother. Travel through eras, meet cool figures from time, and fight roughly a billion bosses. It is Nioh, so the story will likely be both really awesome and convoluted.

These games are all about combat, way too many mechanics, and a billion weapons. The sequel seems to iterate on Nioh 2’s foundation, offering a samurai style that appears to mostly replicate its predecessor’s near-flawless action. However, Nioh 3 will also let you walk the path of the ninja, prioritizing ranged attacks. This should be interesting, as ranged weapons were already quite useful in Nioh 2. Finally, Team Ninja might be taking a lesson or two from Rise of the Ronin by adding larger levels, although Nioh 3 does not seem set to be open-world.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

Turn-Based JRPG Goodness

Monster Hunter Wilds has had a rough first year, but Capcom is hardly abandoning the franchise. During a Nintendo Direct, Monster Hunter Stories 3 was revealed, with the game set to launch at some point in 2026. While I do appreciate and enjoy the main entries, the Stories spin-offs cater to my love of turn-based JRPGs with a monster-collecting element, and the third game looks set to be an impressive evolution of an already winning formula.

Unlike the mainline games, Monster Hunter Stories follows a pretty standard JRPG formula, which means you should be able to look forward to character-driven quests, battle-based grinding, and a constantly evolving setting as you visit different towns and regions. Twisted Reflection is set to be released on all modern consoles, which is a first for this series.

Crimson Desert

An MMO Specialist Goes Single-Player

Although not beloved by everyone, Pearl Abyss’ Black Desert Online has spent the best part of a decade cementing itself as one of the better action MMORPGs on the market. The game has its issues, but the combat has never been a significant one. Therefore, there has always been some interest in seeing what Pearl Abyss might be able to create if the developer opted to focus on a single-player experience… Enter: Crimson Desert.

So far, the project looks like everything someone might want in an action RPG where they get to leave out their god-like fantasies. At this point, only a handful of previews have been released, but they primarily speak of fast-paced, fluid combat that excels at making the player feel like a larger-than-life behemoth who can trounce all around them.

Phantom Blade Zero

A Wuxia RPG

One of the most highly anticipated action RPGs of the last few years, Phantom Blade Zero has looked ridiculously awesome in every one of its showcases. Developed and published by S-GAME, the game is inspired by Wuxia, a genre that focuses on Chinese martial arts and has been gaining traction on an international stage, courtesy of donghua and a slow influx of games.

Specifically, Phantom Blade Zero is set in an alternate reality known as the Phantom World, a setting that should blend a range of genres like steampunk and horror. Players will get to control an assassin who is framed for the murder of his organization’s head, forcing him to try and clear his name before he dies in roughly two months. The story seems interesting, but Phantom Blade Zero has been primarily attracting attention due to its fast-paced combat, which has looked incredible in footage. Going by the available information, the game will not have Soulslike combat, which is kind of refreshing.

Valor Mortis

A First-Person Soulslike RPG

Revealed during Gamescom 2025, Valor Mortis looks set to shift the Soulslike RPG genre into first-person territory, a concept that has arguably yet to produce a really great game. One More Level is primarily known for the Ghostrunner games, both of which have satisfying combat that prioritizes quick thinking and one-hit kills. Valor Mortis will likely have longer battles than that, but the developer has already more than proven that they are capable of crafting intense and smooth first-person combat.

Valor Mortis has a pretty fascinating setting, with the story taking place during Napoleon’s reign. As a soldier who dies in battle, you awaken to hell on Earth, as corruption has spread and left the world filled with all sorts of entities that should not exist. Sounds like a brilliant concept for a dark fantasy RPG.

The Witcher 4

Action & Open-World (Presumably)

CD Projekt Red has been working on a new The Witcher project for a few years, but the developer did not confirm that it would be the next mainline entry in the saga until The Game Awards 2024. The Witcher 4 is on the horizon, and it is an exciting time to be a fan of open-world RPGs or just games in general. While Cyberpunk 2077‘s debut state reduced CD Projekt Red’s public goodwill, the developer’s post-launch commitment helped right a few of those initial wrongs, and the game is nowadays in good shape. More importantly, The Witcher 3 is still largely regarded as one of the greatest Western RPGs of all time, and time has done very little to dull its shine.

As the previous entry’s DLC nicely completed Geralt’s story, it had long been speculated that The Witcher 4 would feature a new protagonist, and Ciri has always been the most obvious pick. Well, The Game Awards’ trailer largely confirmed that rumor, with the powerful character being front and center. At this point, almost nothing is known about the sequel’s direction, except for Ciri seeming to be a few years older than in Wild Hunt. Also, Geralt will likely make an appearance in The Witcher 4.

Open-World (Presumably)

It was only a matter of time before The Elder Scrolls 6 was revealed, although that is essentially all that Bethesda has done. Except for some minor details that can be surmised from the few seconds of footage that has been released so far, the game is still largely a mystery; however, TES 6 is one of those upcoming RPGs that only needs to exist to generate hype.

Realistically, Bethesda’s sequel is still a few years away from a debut, and the publisher will probably not start to heavily market the project until after Starfield‘s cycle is complete. Nevertheless, it would be shocking if TES 6 does not wind up as one of the best-selling games of all time.

Dragon Quest 12: The Flames Of Fate

Turn-Based (Presumably)

Dragon Quest 12 is a weird one. Since being revealed in 2021, Square Enix has barely uttered a word regarding the next mainline entry in the storied JRPG franchise. Dragon Quest‘s influence and popularity cannot be understated, particularly in Japan where the series is nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. While there was a fairly long dry spell after DQ8, the 11th mainline entry was a hit in Western countries, elevating the license to international highs it had not experienced for a while. Thanks to its predecessor’s success, Dragon Quest 12 is poised to be one of the biggest releases in the license’s history outside of Japan.

Perhaps, Square Enix announced DQ12‘s existence a bit prematurely or simply wanted to gauge the public’s interest in a sequel; whatever the reason, the post-reveal silence has lasted slightly too long. Hopefully, the publisher will expand on the game’s development at some point in the near future as the gaming world is ready for a new mainline Dragon Quest adventure.