For this recent wave of role-playing games that are about to launch or have just launched, the biggest draw is not simply bigger specs, but a clear split in genre direction: some veteran teams are continuing to double down on mature systems, some major IPs are trying to restructure their gameplay frameworks, and some small- to mid-sized titles have already carved out a distinct identity through demos and community word of mouth. For RPG players, whether a game is worth waiting for still comes down to three things: whether the development team is reliable, whether the demo proves the core loop works, and whether the setting and systems offer enough room for discussion. Here are these 12 titles, ranked by my current level of anticipation.
1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 #
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The reason this ranks first is not just because the visuals are gorgeous, but because it truly embeds real-time guarding, counterattacks, and rhythmic pressure into a turn-based loop, giving the system a very strong identity. The demo and pre-release reception have already shown that it is not an empty concept-first shell. Despite being a new team, they have built a remarkably mature combat framework, and both community hype and media attention continue to rise.
2. Metaphor: ReFantazio #
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What makes Atlus so reassuring has never really been narrative packaging, but its ability to structure Japanese RPG systems. This time, it moves from a school-based framework into a fantasy world, and even in the demo phase you can already see that resource management, class building, and calendar progression still have a firm sense of control. It is not simply Persona with a fantasy skin. For players who enjoy dense mechanical feedback, expectations for this one are very solid.
3. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II #
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Warhorse’s rarest strength is that it is genuinely committed to a high-threshold, slow-burn RPG path that emphasizes everyday detail and historical immersion. The first game was rough around the edges, but its quest design, social rules, and sense of role immersion were extremely solid. If the sequel can shore up its weaknesses in combat, guidance, and interaction detail, it may once again be the game on the market that feels most like “living in the Middle Ages” rather than “visiting the Middle Ages.”
4. Elden Ring: Nightreign #
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It may not be the most traditional FromSoftware-style single-player RPG, but with the Elden Ring universe and community base behind it, its level of attention is naturally top-tier. More importantly, this kind of more derivative, more experimental direction is exactly why it deserves close attention: if it can compress Soulslike combat into a more intense session-based loop, it could unlock a completely different kind of replay value.
5. The Outer Worlds 2 #
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Obsidian making a first-person RPG is already a gold-standard label in itself. What really made the first game shine was its quest branching, faction satire, and dark humor, rather than the sheer scale of its open world. What is most worth looking forward to in the sequel is whether it can preserve its high-density dialogue and meaningful consequences while strengthening combat feel and map exploration enough that they no longer hold the experience back.
6. Octopath Traveler 0 #
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The “0” in the title is a smart move for the series: it can both help longtime fans fill in the worldbuilding and make it easy for newcomers to jump in directly. The series’ global sales have already proven that it has a stable JRPG audience, while signature elements like the HD-2D art style, break mechanics, and job combinations remain highly appealing. As long as this new entry pushes further in narrative structure and character interplay, it should generate plenty of discussion.
7. DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS #
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The most important change this time is not the visual upgrade, but that the series is finally willing to reorganize its single-player experience framework. Restarting the narrative and progression line under the “Origins” banner means it no longer wants to rely solely on familiar faces and crowd-clearing spectacle, but aims to make battlefield progression, character building, and stage-based feedback feel more complete. For such a long-running IP, that kind of structural adjustment alone is worth anticipating.
8. Like a Dragon 8 Gaiden: Pirates in Hawaii #
Kinguin€5.20-91%Steam €5.20Preis ansehen →
Like a Dragon side stories have always been good at using a relatively compact scope to experiment with new ideas, and this time Goro Majima in the starring role plus a pirate theme naturally gives it strong viral potential. What makes it most appealing is that behind the absurd premise, it usually still delivers a solid structure of side content, strong combat presentation, and character charm. If the pacing is handled well, it is unlikely to disappoint.
9. Dragon's Dogma 2 #
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Reception for this game is indeed split, but its value as a topic of discussion is not low at all. Capcom is unusually continuing to bet on a high-budget action RPG, and Dragon’s Dogma’s core Pawn system remains one of the most distinctive designs on the market: a single-player game that can still create an adventure feel close to party-based cooperation. If future updates continue to improve performance and pacing, it will still be a title RPG players should watch closely.
10. Assassin's Creed: Shadows #
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Controversy is controversy, but the dual-protagonist structure at least ensures the gameplay expression will not be too monotonous: the shinobi route leans toward stealth and infiltration, while the samurai route favors direct frontal assault. That kind of distinction is more convincing than simply swapping out a reskinned skill tree. For Ubisoft, it also carries the task of proving once again that its open-world RPG line still has appeal, so the final execution is especially worth watching.
11. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered #
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The biggest risk with remastering a classic RPG is pleasing no one: longtime fans think too much has changed, while new players still find the systems outdated. Oblivion itself has extremely strong world exploration and memorable quest design, so the key this time is whether the interface, feel, and progression feedback can be modernized. If done steadily, it has both room to bring back veteran players and a natural advantage as an entry point for newcomers catching up.
12. Clairvoyant Chronicles FILE38 The Tale of the Ise Mermaid #
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It is not a large-scale game, but its strengths are very clear: a highly distinctive premise, concentrated praise for its suspenseful writing, and very strong community feedback. For small- and mid-sized RPGs like this, whether the demo can establish atmosphere and narrative hooks matters more than anything else, and so far it has already succeeded. If you care more about story progression, regional folklore, and the crafting of uncanny unease, this one is absolutely worth putting on your radar early.
Among this list, the three categories most worth prioritizing are still system-driven RPGs backed by mature teams, sequels from major IPs trying to rebuild their frameworks, and small- to mid-sized dark horses that have broken out early through demos and word of mouth. If we go strictly by the standard of “the ones most worth watching before release,” start with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Metaphor: ReFantazio, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. These are the ones with the best chance of delivering on mechanics, overall polish, and discussion value all at once.
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