Whereas we wrap up one other yr, it’s time to sit up for the following with our Most Anticipated Video games of 2026!
As has been the case for some time now, 2025 was a banner yr for RPGs. It won’t have had as many conventional “JRPGs” as regular, however there was at the least slightly one thing for everybody. There’s a cause RPGs dominated The Sport Awards. Subsequent yr won’t look fairly as stacked but, however there’s nonetheless loads to sit up for, and so we current the 30 we’re most enthusiastic about right here! Don’t miss the remainder of the listing on half 2 and half 3.
What are you most excited to get your fingers on this yr? Are there any massive titles that we missed? You should definitely tell us on X, Fb, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, Discord, or nonetheless you most take pleasure in interacting with us!
Intro by Zach Wilkerson
The Adventures of Elliot: Millennium Tales
Writeup by Zach Wilkerson
Crew Asano has already recaptured the magic of SNES turn-based goodness with their signature HD-2D model, so this time they’re harkening again to 16-bit motion RPGs with The Adventures of Elliot: Millennium Tales. Whereas exploring an enormous open area, you’ll be able to dive into heavy top-down fight, mow your garden, or bomb your strategy to hidden areas. Sure, there’s greater than slightly Zelda right here, however the number of weapons you should utilize, the way in which equipment work with that fight to power some fascinating selections, and the look all appear to be they may distinguish The Adventures of Elliot from being greater than only a copy of what got here earlier than. If Crew Asano’s earlier work is any measure, I can’t wait.
Alabaster Daybreak
Writeup by Mark Roddison
Alabaster Daybreak, the most recent 2.5D providing from CrossCode developer Radical Fish Video games, seems set to construct on the beautiful paintings and tight gameplay the studio wowed with in 2018 (actually, that way back?!). This time spherical, the main focus feels firmly on the fantasy finish of storytelling, while retaining the colourful setting components, exact animation, and demanding boss fights and puzzles. Wider programs look simply as deep and customizable, with Fight Arts and Divine Arts skills for each weapon and spell bushes, respectively, to not point out cooking and gem enchantments. With a promised 30–60-hour runtime, Alabaster Daybreak seems able to place itself as a severely meaty indie RPG from a developer who’s earned loads of credit score for world-building and fight.
Beast of Reincarnation
Writeup by Tina Olah
Pokémon developer Sport Freak is unquestionably brewing up one other cute and comfy journey, however in 2026, they’re additionally bringing you one thing utterly totally different and barely terrifying. Revealed on the Xbox Video games Showcase 2025, Beast of Reincarnation marks a shocking departure from Sport Freak’s previous efforts, but one which fortunately nonetheless incorporates a plethora of unfamiliar beings. That includes beautiful AAA graphics, this new title is a post-apocalyptic motion RPG following an outcast warrior and her beloved canine via an enormous and exquisite world harking back to Horizon Zero Daybreak and Princess Mononoke. We don’t know a lot in regards to the recreation but, however gamers can count on a harmful surroundings full of horrifying foliage and tough (presumably Souls-like) fight towards large beasts and robots. Fortunately, you’ll have a trusty canine companion by your facet, and as lots of our favourite media can attest, wandering a post-apocalyptic panorama is all the time higher with a furry buddy. Put together to discover the wilds in 2026!
The Blood of Dawnwalker
Writeup by Adem Yilmaz
I’m an enormous fan of The Witcher 3, so after I heard that veteran builders from that recreation had shaped a brand new studio referred to as Insurgent Wolves and had been creating The Blood of Dawnwalker, I nearly fell to my knees. The sport takes place in 14th-century Europe close to the Carpathian Mountains throughout a time of plague, famine, battle, and rising vampirism. Vampires select this second to rise and switch people into cattle. You might be Coen, a younger man who flees his village, almost dies by the hands of troopers, and survives solely as a result of somebody transforms him right into a vampire. The sport makes use of a singular construction with no conventional primary quest. You select what to do as your entire story unfolds on a strict thirty-day timeline. Time strikes ahead it doesn’t matter what, so you should plan rigorously whereas balancing your vampire facet together with your human one. Will you lose your humanity to vampirism, or attempt to use your newfound energy for good? That selection is yours.
Code Vein II
Writeup by Zek Lu
As a fan of Souls-likes, I’ve been retaining my eye on Code Vein II. You play as a Revenant Hunter and leap between the current and 100 years up to now to attempt to rewrite destiny and cease a looming catastrophe. Bandai Namco appears to be leaning into character-driven fight greater than earlier than, and the time-shift mechanic is a characteristic I’m trying ahead to. Areas that flip between previous and current change how you progress via them and add technique to the gameplay loop. I’m particularly to see how this impacts builds. Your weapon selections, expertise and magic Items, and accomplice skills can create utterly totally different playstyles relying on which period state you set off. The sport can be promising greater, bolder stage design and a narrative about fractured reminiscences and altering identities. That’s lots to dwell as much as, however I’m excited to see if Bandai Namco can pull it off.
Espresso Discuss Tokyo
Writeup by Audra Bowling
Espresso Discuss Tokyo is the third installment of the stunning and heartwarming life-sim visible novel sequence. It’s set in an city fantasy the place the fantastical and supernatural exist side-by-side with common people. Naturally, everybody in its universe has a hankering for a heat drink to appease them, alongside somebody to open up to. This time round, the wet Seattle locale is changed by the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, promising new however simply as memorable characters and distinctive situations to uncover. Get the suitable caffeinated (and even decaf!) beverage in somebody’s hand, and you possibly can very nicely change the end result of their story in surprisingly heartfelt methods. Espresso Discuss is a heat and comforting sequence, and I’m glad we’ll be capable of make a 3rd journey into its altogether cozy world. That is one espresso store that’s all the time value visiting!
Deltarune: Chapter 5
Writeup by Jimmy Turner
It’s onerous to imagine that Undertale is over 10 years outdated at this level. The quirky, typically darkish, usually hilarious journey turned a significant phenomenon within the RPG area nearly instantly at launch in 2015. Since then, creator Toby Fox has expanded the universe and lore of the unique recreation via an episodic spinoff, Deltarune. So far, 4 Deltarune chapters have launched, together with Chapters 3 & 4 this yr. Every chapter has been totally different with its personal distinctive gameplay mechanics and tone. Toby Fox has remained tight-lipped on what precisely to count on from Deltarune: Chapter 5. In his Fall 2025 publication, he offered a roadmap for Chapter 5, and it seems like followers can count on a late 2026 launch. Together with his monitor report, there’s little to recommend will probably be something in need of one other memorable entry within the franchise.
Directive 8020
Writeup by Paul Skevington
Followers of The Darkish Footage Anthology sequence are in for a deal with subsequent yr because the sixth entry, Directive 8020, arrives, delayed from its 2025 launch. This time, the motion takes place on a hostile planet the place the crew of the Cassiopeia, with star actress Lashana Lynch main the drama, crash-lands. 8020 showcases developer Supermassive Video games’ trademark choice-based narrative gameplay, with influences from the remoted horror of Alien. The clearest inspiration is the all-time traditional film The Factor, because the survivors face off towards an alien menace that may tackle their shapes, driving the worry of the enemy inside. Most enjoyable is the addition of stealth sections, unseen within the sequence earlier than, and a rewind characteristic that permits gamers to replay key occasions, ought to issues go horribly mistaken. This scary story will drive gross sales of latest underwear worldwide very quickly.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined
Writeup by Paul Skevington
Having just lately performed Dragon Quest VII on the 3DS, my preliminary response to this being the following on Squenix’s listing for the remake remedy was muted. Did we actually want VII once we might have VIII? Then I noticed the trailer and immediately modified my thoughts. Akira Toriyama’s authentic designs are dropped at vivid life in a jaw-dropping “hand-crafted” model that’s lovely to behold. The addition of voice appearing will hopefully convey us nearer to the characters, who might really feel slightly shallow within the authentic. The notoriously plodding narrative has been reworked for a contemporary viewers, with some core areas now being elective, giving extra management over development. This must be greater than sufficient to tide us over till Dragon Quest XII lastly arrives, and will catapult DQVII as much as the heights loved by its extra beloved brethren. Please try Scott Clay’s glorious video preview and interview on the location for extra particulars.
Fringe of Recollections
Writeup by Audra Bowling
Fringe of Recollections is an motion RPG follow-up to Fringe of Eternity, returning gamers to a land threatened by a nefarious blight often called the Corrosion. You tackle the function of Eline, a nomad battling towards the an infection who could maintain the one key to really to cease it. Along with the shaman prince Kanta and the pleasant return of Fringe of Eternity’s Ysoris, will Eline finally triumph? In lots of respects, Fringe of Eternity was a nice indie shock, and Fringe of Recollections is shaping as much as probably be an excellent stronger outing by way of visible presentation and gameplay mechanics, whereas additionally boasting a improbable musical rating. The developer has already promised we get to work together with the feline nekaroo once more, so I’m greater than able to see how Fringe of Eternity’s story continues right here!
