And eventually, we current to you the tip of our record! Every part from Souls-likes to Pokémon, however not on the identical time (hey, that sounds kinda enjoyable!). There’s tons of different stuff between, so test it out!
Phantom Blade Zero
Writeup by Zach Wilkerson
Combine one half Souls-like, one half Ninja Gaiden, and an entire lot of wuxia/martial-arts impressed fight and also you would possibly come to one thing resembling Phantom Blade Zero. Primarily based on what we’ve seen up to now, the fight appears to be like quick, frenetic, and deeply satisfying. Each time I see a brand new boss battle, I discover a brand new mechanic that appears like greater than only a low cost gimmick. Extra not too long ago, trailers have targeted on stage exploration, generally a sore spot with motion RPGs. The combo of platforming, stealth, and motion, coupled with what developer S-GAME claims is a really “open” world, may very well be one thing particular—I can’t wait to seek out out when September rolls round.
Pokémon Champions
Writeup by Noah Leiter
Pokémon Champions feels much less like a return to Pokémon Stadium’s battle-focused system and extra just like the end result of years of on-line multiplayer tinkering that began with Sword & Defend. Laddering, ranked and personal battles, and numerous gimmicks like Mega Evolutions return from latest titles in Pokémon Champions. Nevertheless, there’s additionally coaching, transfer and stat customization, and Pokémon recruitment right here, making Champions Ursaring-complete—like Turing-complete, besides as an alternative of primary programming, Champions gamers can entry all of the features of a mainline Pokémon title: catching, coaching, buying and selling (by the use of the Pokémon HOME service), and battling. That’s all nice, however even higher is the implied potential of Pokémon Champions: to separate the aggressive facet of Pokémon from the role-playing facet of the sequence, maybe signaling the sort of visible and gameplay polish that followers have pleaded for since treegate 2019. The Pokémon Video Recreation Championship’s delegation to a reside service recreation makes it simple to conjecture that the following Gen 10 will probably be a significant evolution for the mainline video games, a step in the proper route for efficiency, high quality, and extra. However we’ve been fooled earlier than…
Pokémon Pokopia
Writeup by Noah Leiter
In fact, Pokémon Champions might not be the panacea to all our Pokéfan woes, as we right here at RPGFan have been hankering for a superb style mashup within the sequence because the attractive and vigorous New Pokémon Snap in 2021—and no, we don’t depend Pokémon Pals, as it isn’t a mashup however actually a distinct recreation. Pokémon Pokopia guarantees to scratch our mashup itch by placing gamers within the muddy boots of a human farme… oh? Scratch that, it’s a Ditto! As this beady-eyed little grasp of disguise, gamers will use Ditto’s pool of pilfered Pokémon strikes to navigate the bucolic Pokopia, develop crops, construct a small farm, and, most significantly, entice wild Pokémon to the realm. These wild Pokémon provide Ditto new strikes/transformations, in addition to facet quests and (better of all) friendship. Hey, possibly Pokopia is the actual Pokémon Pals we made alongside the best way. ❤️
SacriFire
Writeup by Audra Bowling
SacriFire is a recreation we’ve been anticipating for some time, but the wait lastly nears its finish with a deliberate Q1 2026 PC launch! This retro-flavored RPG’s story stars Ezekiel Ridan, a priest striving to guard his underground homeland towards nefarious forces from the lands above. Will he succeed, or will he uncover issues aren’t whilst clear-cut as they seem? SacriFire’s narrative merges fantasy and sci-fi components, with fight that blends real-time and turn-based techniques to maintain you in your toes. Anticipate Ezekiel’s journey to have a fluid and sturdy battle system backed by a soundtrack that includes musical works from label G4F Data and the illustrious Motoi Sakuraba. Whereas SacriFire wears its 90s RPG inspirations on its sleeve, it additionally guarantees to carve out its personal distinctive place within the gaming scene with its extremely anticipated launch.
Starbites
Writeup by Paul Skevington
There aren’t sufficient RPGs that strap you into the seat of a pulsating mechanical monstrosity, and that’s precisely the place Starbites comes to avoid wasting the day. You play Lukida, a downtrodden inhabitant of a dystopian desert world who desires of escaping its confines into a greater life past. Starbites options turn-based mech fight with some fascinating twists, such because the “Driver’s Excessive” perform, which lets you interrupt the enemy with an motion of your individual. Lukida’s teammates embrace his associates, boozy funseeker Gwendoll and the extra steadfast Badger, every with distinctive mechs and distinct abilities. The character designs are vibrant, radiating model and appeal just like the noon solar. The devs have promised us a really expansive journey I’m keen to check out. I used to be fortunate sufficient to attend a preview occasion of the sport not too long ago, and all the things I noticed led me to imagine that Starbites is one to look out for in 2026.
Tales of Berseria Remaster
Writeup by Rob White
My expertise with the Tales sequence is fairly sporadic, however I’ve loved the entire remasters up to now, with specific observe going to Tales of Graces f Remastered. Though Tales of Berseria is a more moderen Tales recreation, it’s one I’ve but to expertise. I perceive many sequence followers’ complaints of remastering Berseria as pointless, particularly in mild of it being chosen over older, extra widespread entries (and ones extra in want of an improve), however hey, if I can play a barely boosted model, I’m going to take it.
I’m wanting ahead to spending time with this forged of morally questionable characters, particularly the sequence’ first feminine protagonist. I’ve additionally heard how nice the story is, altering up the tone with darker and extra grownup themes and infrequently topping recognition rankings on-line. I additionally love how these remasters incorporate the entire DLC—what can I say, I’m a sucker for costumes! While it might not be a preferred remaster selection, I’m excited to lastly give Berseria a attempt in 2026… as soon as I’ve completed Tales of Xillia Remastered anyway.
Trails within the Sky 2nd Chapter
Writeup by Audra Bowling
As anticipated, Trails within the Sky 2nd Chapter is the hotly anticipated sequel to Trails within the Sky 1st Chapter. As a remake of The Legend of Heroes: Trails within the Sky 2nd Chapter, this title boasts the identical 3D graphics, up to date voice work, and revamped battle system present in 2025’s Trails within the Sky 1st Chapter. I adored taking part in the unique LoH: Trails within the Sky 2nd Chapter on my PSP, and I’m eagerly awaiting the prospect to dive into the second a part of Estelle and Joshua’s story yet again with this remake. Trails within the Sky 1st Chapter was a real delight that jogged my memory why I like the LoH: Trails sequence and its characters a lot, so I’ve little question its sequel will do a lot the identical at offering a brand new expertise for returning gamers whereas additionally permitting newcomers the prospect to expertise the subsequent portion of a grand journey for the primary time.
Witchbrook
Writeup by Mike Salbato
Life sims take many varieties lately. The style continues to develop past farming sims with devs attempting new concepts. Whereas there have been far fewer magical or witchy life sims when Chucklefish first teased Witchbrook in 2016 (underneath the title Spellbound), the sport’s intricate isometric pixel artwork solely appears to be like extra stunning yearly.
Set round Witchbrook School within the seaside city of Mossport, Witchbrook provides acquainted life sim components like forging friendships and supporting the neighborhood alongside a world of magic. Due to the dev blogs Chucklefish began in summer time 2025, we are able to see the detailed character customization choices, a number of areas of Mossport and its retailers, and a surprisingly giant map that’s extra expansive than many might have anticipated.
Whereas it’s comprehensible to be skeptical about any recreation that takes so lengthy to make, Witchbrook appears to be like higher every time we see it. Between Chucklefish’s zero-crunch coverage and bringing Robotality (Wargroove 2) in to assist, the sport’s future appears brilliant.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Darkish Ties
Writeup by Aleks Franiczek
Yakuza 3 might not want the Kiwami remake remedy to the identical extent that the primary two entries of the sequence did, however the recreation actually deserves extra love, and this can be a effective approach of exhibiting it. Underlying the unique Yakuza 3’s janky feel and appear is likely one of the greatest tales within the sequence—that includes an particularly nuanced characterization of everybody’s favourite gentleman badass, Kazuma Kiryu, and one of many sequence’ most memorable antagonists in Yoshitaka Mine. A gorgeous visible overhaul to the Okinawa space, a brand new Okinawan-based Ryukyu weapon model, and fashionable QoL polish are the one excuses I wanted to revisit this distinctive entry.
But when that’s not sufficient of a promoting level for you, there’s the entire Darkish Ties a part of the bundle. This meaty expansion-sized addition will provide a playable origin story for the villainous Mine, giving our angsty boy a contemporary boxing-based fight model and promising to increase on the compelling narrative parallels between him and Kiryu as orphans-turned-yakuza.
Ys X: Proud Nordics
Writeup by Audra Bowling
Ys X: Proud Nordics is an enhanced port of the not too long ago launched Ys X: Nordics. Starring a youthful model of the intrepid red-haired adventurer Adol Christin and the Norman marauder Karja Balta, Ys X: Proud Nordics and its creative Cross Motion system lets you swap between solo and twin fight to play as both Adol or Karja. Proud Nordics contains the entire unique’s content material together with each high quality of life gameplay enhancements and unique story content material centered round Öland Island and new characters Canute and Astrid. Muspelheim is a brand new timed dungeon that will also be explored and challenged over the course of Ys X: Proud Nordics. You may even manipulate the very setting round you utilizing the brand new Mana Maintain means. Given the brand new content material and QoL enhancements, Ys X: Proud Nordics guarantees to be the definitive model of Adol and Karja’s journey!
