While plenty of RPGs have been announced for 2024 and beyond, these titles are especially exciting.
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 Starfield, Lies of P, Hogwarts Legacy, Octopath Traveler 2, and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty or more niche projects like Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society, 8-Bit Adventures 2, and Little Witch Nobeta. 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 RPG games are the most sought-after?
Updated May 4, 2024: April 2024 was somewhat defined by RPGs, with No Rest for the Wicked and Sand Land both attracting quite a bit of attention. The genre's future is also very bright.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Turn-Based Adventure
Close Platform(s) Switch Released May 23, 2024 Developer(s) Nintendo Genre(s) RPG See at Nintendo
In recent years, Nintendo has gotten a kick out of releasing remakes and remasters, delivering a few updated versions of first-party classics. Super Mario RPG received a pretty good 2023 upgrade, and Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is scheduled to launch later this year. More importantly for this discussion, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is making its way to the Switch in May 2024, and that is a cause for celebration for anyone who grew up with the GameCube masterpiece or missed out. The plumber has starred in his share of fantastic RPGs on both home and portable consoles, and while there is stiff competition for the franchise's peak in the genre, The Thousand-Year Door is, at the very least, a front-runner. Frankly, an argument could be made that there is no competition and that The Thousand-Year Door sits alone on the throne.
The GameCube iteration has aged so well that the remake would need to completely drop the ball for it to be anything less than brilliant; however, it remains to be seen whether the Switch version brings enough to the plate to warrant its existence and standard price. While this will be a proper remake built in a new engine, the gameplay and content changes might be subtle beyond a graphical upgrade. Considering the original Thousand-Year Door still looks pretty good to this day, the upcoming RPG probably needs to offer something more than just prettier visuals.
Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance
Definitive Version Of Well-Loved Turn-Based JRPG
Close Platform(s) PC , PS5 , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One , Switch Released June 14, 2024 Developer(s) Atlus Genre(s) JRPG See at Official Site
Atlus loves a good old-fashioned re-release. Whenever the publisher releases a new numbered Shin Megami Tensei project, it is only a matter of time before a definitive version is announced that improves the base content while adding a plethora of new material. While perhaps a touch longer to materialize than usual, Shin Megami Tensei 5 is set to follow in Persona 5's footsteps with the release of Vengeance, a version that supersizes the already quite robust and solid 2021 Switch exclusive.
Vengeance's main selling point is that it will be available on platforms like the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, taking it away from Nintendo's exclusivity. However, this version has more to offer than just wider accessibility. Vengeance contains a fresh storyline called "Canon of Vengeance," which is a big deal as the original game fell somewhat flat in this area.
Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree DLC
Welcome To The Land Of Shadow
Close Platform(s) PS5 , Xbox One , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC Developer(s) From Software Genre(s) RPG , Action Check Out DLC On Bandai Namco’s Site
Good things come to those who wait, a mantra FromSoftware will, hopefully, actualize with the long-awaited arrival of Elden Ring's expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree. As the Soulslike game came out in February 2022, almost two and a half years will have passed by the time the DLC hits the market. The developer has a long history of producing high-quality expansions that feel like mini-games in their own right, with many of these releases containing some of FromSoftware's strongest work. Shadow of the Erdtree could prove to be the company's most ambitious expansion to date, with the release reportedly containing a plethora of fresh content.
The DLC is set in the Land of Shadow, a new area that is supposed to be around the size of Limgrave. Naturally, this zone comes packed with secrets, dungeons, and fresh enemies that will almost certainly test the capabilities of even the most experienced players. Historically, FromSoftware's expansions tend to contain harder bosses than the base game, and there is nothing to suggest that Elden Ring will be an exception. Despite being just a DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree will undoubtedly be one of the biggest releases of June 2024.
The Legend Of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak
A New Era For Nihon Falcom
Close Platform(s) PC , Switch , PlayStation 5 , PlayStation 4 Released July 5, 2024 Developer(s) Nihon Falcom Genre(s) JRPG See at Official Site
Despite never quite garnering the same exposure as Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest, Nihon Falcom's Trails franchise has been dishing out quality games for the best part of two decades. While all the main titles take place in the same world, they are divided into smaller region-based arcs that focus on a set group of characters. Trails Through Daybreak marks the start of a new storyline, one set in Calvard, a country that has recently established democratic rule. Players take control of Van, a Spriggan who works as a bounty hunter.
Now, like all Nihon Falcom games, The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak was released in Japan a couple of years ago, so it is a known quantity by this point. Going by that version's reception, this entry seems to be a bit more of a mixed bag than some of the franchise's highest points; however, it also takes quite a few risks. For one, the gameplay blends real-time and turn-based combat, which is unheard of for a Trails title.
Cat Quest 3
Cute Pirate-Themed Action RPG
Close Platform(s) PC , PS5 , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One , Nintendo Switch Released August 8, 2024 Developer(s) The Gentlebros Genre(s) RPG , Adventure See at Official Site
RPGs are synonymous with grand, massive adventures; however, they do not have to be. The Gentlebros' Cat Quest games are delightful. The available titles deliver short but sweet adventures packed to the brim with charming NPCs, solid open-worlds, and enjoyable combat. They might not have jaw-dropping visuals or 100+ hours of content, but they are cute, polished, and fun. The upcoming Cat Quest 3 should offer more of the same, albeit with a pirate makeover.
On the surface, the sequel does not appear to be a stark departure from its predecessors. Players will still travel across an overworld in search of quests, dungeons, enemies, and puns. The combo-driven combat is likely to be simple but flashy, and Gentlebros promises to expand on this area. When it comes to new ideas, sailing appears to be a big part of Cat Quest 3, which makes sense considering the pirate theme and the open-world's island structure.
Black Myth: Wukong
Action With Hints Of Soulslikes
Close Platform(s) PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S Released August 20, 2024 Developer(s) Game Science Genre(s) Action RPG See at Official Site
Black Myth: Wukong has been making the rounds for a couple of years. Although the early footage was encouraging, the hype train picked up considerable steam in August 2023 when some publications got hands-on time with the game, showing that it has more to offer than well-done trailers. Naturally, these previews only got to experience a sliver of what the final product will hold, but they did highlight the title's combat system that appears to combine melee, magic, and stance changes. The former comes courtesy of a staff, which makes sense considering the game is inspired by the Journey to the West novel (which also helped shape Dragon Ball).
Visually striking and featuring fast-paced and complex action, Black Myth could prove to be among 2024's nicest surprises. The game appears to provide a fairly fresh take on the Soulslike blueprint, utilizing that subgenre's penchant for tough boss fights and hard-hitting combat as a launch pad to craft something familiar but new.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart Of Chornobyl
Open-World, Survival, & FPS
Close Platform(s) PC , Xbox Series S , Xbox Series X Released September 5, 2024 Developer(s) GSC Game World Genre(s) First-Person Shooter See at Official Site
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is a difficult series to define. The games are first-person shooters, but they are hardly similar to most of the genre's popular releases. Open-world is more of a theme and concept rather than a full-blown genre, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.'s very harsh universe and survival elements set it apart from seemingly similar projects like Fallout. Survival horror is somewhat accurate, although newcomers expecting something in the vein of Resident Evil or Silent Hill will be disappointed. The same holds for the RPG descriptor, although the games usually incorporate enough ideas from the genre to be worth recommending to fans provided they are not averse to S.T.A.L.K.E.R.'s other categories and its immersive sim qualities.
Heart of Chornobyl has had a challenging pre-launch cycle due to developments beyond GSC's control, resulting in some delays; however, a September 2024 release has been announced. Seeming to be an ambitious evolution of its great predecessors, Heart of Chornobyl could provide a unique experience that no other 2024 project will be able to match.
Ys 10: Nordics
Action JRPG
Close Platform(s) PS4 , PS5 , Switch Released 2024 Developer(s) Nihon Falcom Genre(s) Action , JRPG
Ys 10: Nordics came out on September 28, 2023, in Asia, so Falcom's most recent entry in its long-running JRPG franchise is available in some parts of the world; however, the English version's release date has yet to be confirmed. While Ys 9 garnered a slightly mixed reception, the overall series has been on a high since Ys 8, which helped expose the decorated license to a more mainstream audience.
If reviews of the Japanese version are any indication, Ys 10 will likely be divisive among fans. The game ditches the series' party system in favor of a dual protagonist setup; more importantly, a combo system that allows the two leads to combine forces seems to be overpowered to the point of rendering individual abilities somewhat pointless. The ship-based exploration and combat might also prove to be polarizing. Still, Falcom knows its way around fun action, and even if Ys 10 proves not to be among the franchise's greatest creations, it should still be very enjoyable.
Monster Hunter Wilds
Action With RPG Elements
Close Platform(s) PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S Released 2025-00-00 Developer(s) Capcom Genre(s) Action , Adventure See at Official Site
A new Monster Hunter is always a cause for celebration, and Wilds looks primed and ready to be an impressive work of art. Although details are still fairly scarce at this point, Capcom has confirmed that a 2025 release is on the cards and that the game will launch on the PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S. Consequently, Wilds will likely have more in common with World rather than Rise since the latter was designed around the Nintendo Switch's limitations, resulting in fairly small maps compared to its predecessor.
Now, an argument could be made that Monster Hunter exists in a unique category outside of RPGs, which is certainly fair. Still, the games always incorporate a variety of role-playing elements, and they are generally good picks for fans of the genre who want to focus on action over story.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
Action & Social Sim
Close Platform(s) PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S Developer(s) Hardsuit Labs Genre(s) Action RPG $70 at Amazon
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines is the definition of a cult classic. While rough around the edges, the RPG features fantastic writing and characters, along with a great deal of customization that provides players with plenty of creative freedom. It is a masterpiece that, for the longest time, seemed destined to remain a solitary project (in the video game industry, anyway); however, in 2019, Bloodlines 2 was revealed to the world. Since then, the game has been pushed back a few times, and information regarding its production has been inconsistent. That said, a few Vampire: The Masquerade spin-offs have debuted over the last few years, so the IP is alive.
Set in Seattle, Bloodlines 2 will let players create a newly-transformed vampire, which will involve picking things like their human background and preferred discipline. Vampire: The Masquerade's success can be partially credited to its deep clan system, which permits players to commit to one of the vampire groups operating in the city. This element should be present in Bloodlines 2. In terms of gameplay, so far, it seems like the sequel will stick close to its predecessor; therefore, expect first-person action with a heavy focus on a dialogue system.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf
Action (Presumably)
Close Platform(s) PS5 , Xbox Series S , Xbox Series X , Microsoft Windows Developer(s) BioWare Genre(s) RPG
More than a decade has passed since the last Dragon Age game, and the world is long overdue for another BioWare masterpiece. Even if the sequels were polarizing, the franchise still holds a lot of weight in the RPG sphere, and a new entry will not only attract a lot of attention but also be held to very high standards.
According to reports, a sequel has been in development for years and the process has not been smooth. A complicated development cycle does not have to result in an underwhelming final product, but fans might want to temper expectations until more information is officially released. Still, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf will be a big deal when it eventually comes out.
The Elder Scrolls 6
Open-World (Presumably)
Platform(s) PC , Xbox (Original) Developer(s) Bethesda Game Studios Genre(s) RPG
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)
Developer(s) Square Enix Genre(s) JRPG Publisher(s) Square Enix
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.
The New Witcher Saga (Polaris)
Action & Open-World (Presumably)
Subjective opinion aside, The Witcher 3 is objectively one of the best RPGs in the history of gaming. And, for the longest time, the 2015 release seemed destined to be the last mainline entry in CD Projekt Red's franchise; at least, that was the case until 2022 when the developer announced several new Witcher projects.
Along with a remake of 2007's The Witcher, CD Projekt Red confirmed that a new saga is in development. The studio has remained tight-lipped about what this might entail, outside of confirming that the game/s will use Unreal Engine 5.
