The Most Anticipated RPGs of 2026

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Something terrible has happened to the most noble genre of video games, role-playing games, in recent years. Specifically, its boundaries have been so expanded by brainless publishers and developers, who would sell their own mother for the sake of marketing, that RPGs are now being stuffed with everything from turn-based gachas and survival games to action adventures like Genshin and its endless clones, as well as Soulslike games. And players are happy to slurp up this slop, asking for more. 

There are few studios left in the gaming industry that strictly adhere to the genre’s canons and can proudly call their products “role-playing video games.” So, we have no choice: this selection will include not only canonical RPGs but also other genres with role-playing elements that are now being categorized as role-playing games. 

Solasta 2

Solasta 2 is a direct sequel to the tactical RPG. Form a party of four heroes with unique backgrounds and set out to the wild continent of Neokos, open to free exploration on a hex map. Your mission is to stop the ancient witch Shadvin, whose dark power is spreading corruption. 

Fight in turn-based combat, utilize flexible multiclassing, and test your tactics in co-op mode. Based on the updated SRD 5.2 rules, the game remains true to the spirit of tabletop adventures: you make decisions, but the final outcome is determined by a fair dice roll. Early access begins March 12, 2026.

The Blood of Dawnwalker

A quick note: although the developers at Rebel Wolves are promoting this game as an RPG, they themselves say it’s in many ways similar to The Witcher 3. The third “Witcher” is an action game with a deep RPG edge, not a pure RPG (oh, I smell fire here…). For this reason, I’m classifying The Blood of Dawnwalker as an ARPG. 

14th-century Europe. A continent bled dry by war, the Black Death ravages the land. Vampires emerge from the shadows to seize freedom and power. Legends become reality. You are Ken, Zorekhod, existing on the edge of day and night. Fight for your humanity or embrace a cursed power to save your family. Is the soul of those you love worth it?

Your choices determine the fate of the world. Save your family or seek revenge? Act quickly or bide your time? Go alone or seek allies? Live in two worlds—vampire and human. Shift forms, harness different powers. Every decision you make changes the world; time is inexorable.

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn

Immediately after the announcement and reveal of the first gameplay footage, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn was dubbed the new Mass Effect. But there’s a key caveat: we still haven’t been shown or properly told what exactly the game’s role-playing component will be. 

I think we’re not really talking about an RPG at all, but rather an action game with a leveling-up protagonist. Will there be key story choices that radically alter the story? Will there be a division of roles, or will we all play as a brave warrior like Shepard? It’s a terrible secret for now. The game description states that our team is a key element of the gameplay. So, at least we can hope for interesting personal stories. 

Fable 

A reboot of the atmospheric RPG adventure created by the gaming industry’s foremost storyteller, Peter Molyneux. But without the frying pan of Armageddon, if you know what I mean. 

What makes a Hero? In fairytale Albion, only you can answer that question. Here, word of your deeds travels before you, and your decisions determine whether the kingdom will survive the coming darkness. 

Very little is known about the game, although it was announced several years ago. The developers promise a deep dive into the series’ core themes, reimagined: choice, consequences, drama, action, and signature British humor.

Playground Games’ project looks set to retain the spirit of the original trilogy, but offer modern gameplay and an impressive scale.

Crimson Desert

My heart is screaming, my mind is boiling, but I’ll still add Crimson Desert to my RPG collection, not the action games. Although there’s no doubt that this game won’t be any more RPG-focused than its older sister, the MMORPG Black Desert. Even the developers themselves write on Steam that it’s an action adventure, but PR people and advertising agencies are persistently promoting it as an RPG.

The Gray-Mane clan has been destroyed by their sworn enemies. The survivors are scattered, and only revenge drives Cliff forward. His goal is to gather his surviving brothers and reclaim what was lost. But the continent of Pyvel holds challenges he never dared to imagine.

Welcome to a world where all paths are open. Endless plains, ancient ruins, and bustling cities await exploration. Ride horseback, lead a dragon into battle, or pilot a wondrous vehicle.

There are no templates for victory here. Sword, spear, or bow—choose your weapon and create your own fighting style. In a brutal fight, fate is often decided by a single, precise strike.

Fatekeeper

The Germans mustn’t let us down! Expectations for Fatekeeper are high, as it has established itself as the successor to the magnificent Dark Messiah of Might and Magic. The only difference is that now we’ll get a first-person ARPG, but with leveling up, “dress your doll,” and all that jazz. Judging by the screenshots and videos, the game will look magnificent, and the physics-based combat will be the killer feature we’ve been sorely missing since 2006 (!!!). 

Discover Fatekeeper—a world where history is written by your decisions. Your hero’s path is determined by your choices: blade, magic, or ancient artifacts. Explore lands bearing the marks of past catastrophes and uncover forgotten secrets.

Create a unique hero by choosing combat styles and schools of magic. Battle intelligent opponents, each with their own weaknesses and tactics. Vary your approach: fierce close-quarter combat or precise magical strikes.

Your gear is the key to victory. Combine weapons, armor, and artifacts to create gear for your journey. In Fatekeeper, you decide what legend you leave behind.

Gothic 1 Remake

The first classic role-playing game on this list. The painful realization of this fact is enough to make my teeth ache. It’s time to write an article not about “How the MMORPG Genre is Dying,” but about “How the RPG Genre is DEAD!” But even here, things aren’t all good, after all, we’re talking about a remake of a timeless video game classic! Albeit heavily reworked, with new locations and quests, but still. 

Welcome to the Valley of Mines—a realm of intrigue and survival. A world cut off by a magical barrier lives its own life. Here, among the rebels and outcasts, a new convict emerges. The future of the colony depends on his choice.

This is a complete rebirth of a cult classic. You’ll be immersed in its atmosphere, but with modern gameplay. The world exists independently of you, and joining one of three warring factions will determine the fate of the entire prison.

Explore a dangerous, living world. Master a challenging combat system. Uncover secrets hidden among the rocks. Here, you will write the story of a nameless hero, who will decide whether this place will become a prison, a home, or a grave.

Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy

Thank you, “Sovolkoty”! You and Larian are two shining lights in a world of darkness and ignorance. Who else but you hasn’t abandoned classic CRPGs in a world mired in the vices of “Gashni” clones and “Saliki” games? In these endless survival games!

Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy is a canonical, old-school RPG with the soul of the classic school of the genre.

You are an Acolyte of the Inquisition, immersed in the heart of a secret war against heresy. Your weapon is not only a blade but also investigation, and your task is to uncover conspiracies that threaten the foundations of the Imperium. Master the tactics of team battles, make fateful decisions, and become a terror to the enemies of humanity, delivering justice in the name of the God-Emperor.

***

I’ll mention a couple more games briefly. 

Alkahest . A very mysterious project from Push On, a studio based in Russia, according to neural networks. At least, there are many indications that it is. Apparently, we’re in for another Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, like Fatekeeper, but the developers are being very quiet. Which is a shame. 

The Witcher 4. The game won’t be released in 2026, but that won’t stop us from waiting.