Who doesn't love a good old action RPG? Although turn-based gaming has a long and storied legacy, real-time combat seems to be more common nowadays, at least in notable AAA projects. From traditional hack-and-slash like Diablo to story-driven shooters like Cyberpunk 2077, JRPGs like FF7 Rebirth, and Soulslike epics like Elden Ring, action RPGs come in many shapes, sizes, and weapon arsenals, so there is often something to suit every fancy or mood. Heck, we cannot forget the indie scene either, which is largely responsible for fulfilling the isometric and top-down RPGs quota.
Upcoming Role-Playing Games People Are Excited For
While plenty of RPGs have been announced for 2026 and beyond, these upcoming role-playing games are especially exciting.
2025 is almost at an end, but the year still has plenty to offer, regardless of somebody's chosen platform. Furthermore, 2026 will not waste any time getting started, as major releases should begin to drop within a few weeks. February and March are particularly STACKED with goodies. With so much happening every single day, it is absurdly easy to miss out on potentially big games; consequently, let's highlight a few upcoming action RPGs that will launch in the next few months.
Here are a few notes and criteria:
- Only games with confirmed release dates will be included, and we are targeting projects set to launch between December 2025 and February 2026.
- No ports, although we will include an honorable mentions section at the end that covers these games.
- Each game's trailer is included as a reference.
Cloudheim (PC Early Access)
A Gorgeous Co-Op Adventure Makes Its Way To Steam And Epic Games Store
Cloudheim
- Released
- December 4, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Starting with a somewhat small-ish release, Cloudheim might not be on too many people's radar, but Noodle Cat's upcoming title looks incredible from the released footage.
Cloudheim describes itself as "a 1-4 player action-adventure," but "Action RPG" is also one of the first tags on Steam. Consequently, we decided to include it as a mention, especially since it does not have the name recognition of every other recommendation. Also, the game is planned for the PS5 and Xbox, albeit at a later date and not for its early access run.
After Ragnarok left Cloudheim in tatters, you and your allies must travel through a gorgeous but destroyed world filled with dungeons, impressive monsters, and cute, friendly creatures. Although co-op is advertised relatively heavily, Cloudheim is also a single-player experience that can just be enjoyed as a standard solo adventure. A central part of the experience should be crafting, as you will be able to create weapons and gear that unlock new abilities for combat. Speaking of which, the latter is physics-based and fast-paced, along with offering quite a bit of variety depending on the chosen weapon and build. You even run a shop that serves as a way to improve your reputation and gain cash.
Code Vein 2
A Bloody Anime Soulslike RPG With Intense Combat
Code Vein II
- Released
- January 29, 2026
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bandai Namco Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG, Soulslike, Dating Sim, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Soulslikes are treated as a separate thing by many, but they are ultimately action RPGs that incorporate specific mechanics. Code Vein garnered attention for being the "anime Soulslike," an achievement that no longer feels special following the release of games like AI Limit. Although a bit rough around the edges, Code Vein was a solid enough first effort by Bandai Namco, and it had a few interesting concepts along with presenting a more story-driven and character-focused approach than typical for the subgenre. The first game laid a sturdy foundation that should serve the sequel well, provided it improves upon its predecessor's inconsistent combat and level design.
Narratively, the game looks set to offer a time-traveling story that, once again, will see you teaming up with a slew of partners to fight against Revenants who have been corrupted and become monsters. Code Vein 2 retains the first game's blood-draining mechanic, and the gameplay seems to be considerably flashier (which is a good thing). You will be able to customize weapons and skills, allowing for varied builds that should, hopefully, provide a few different ways to approach battles.
Deus Ex Remastered
The Return Of The Definitive Immersive Action RPG
Deus Ex Remastered
- Released
- February 5, 2026
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Aspyr
- Publisher(s)
- Aspyr
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, PC
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Deus Ex is one of the greatest and most influential games of all time. The first game exemplifies the immersive sim genre, providing a player-driven experience that enables you to tackle most situations in your own way.
All Big Upcoming PS5 Games For 2026 & Beyond
From JRPGs to platform, racing, and open-world titles, here are all the big new PS5 games releasing in 2026 and later.
The series has effectively been dormant since 2016's Mankind Divided, but it is finally returning, albeit not with a brand-new outing. To be honest, remasters are not all that exciting in this day and age, and the original game arguably deserves a full-blown remake; that said, if Deus Ex Remastered allows a new generation to experience this masterpiece, then its existence will be completely justified. Aspyr is handling the process, and they have done good work with the Legacy of Kain and Tomb Raider franchises.
Nioh 3
The Biggest Action RPG Of 2026 (So Far)
Nioh 3
- Released
- February 6, 2026
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Koei Tecmo
- Publisher(s)
- Koei Tecmo
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC
Yeah, I know, another Soulslike? Nowadays, many action RPGs adopt this style of gameplay, so there is no escaping the bonfire. However, Nioh has always had a fresh identity that sets it apart from the crowd, one that emphasizes fast action, mechanical complexity, loot, and many, many bosses. Nioh 2 was simply one of the best action RPGs of the 2010s, and there is a chance that its successor will accomplish the same for the current decade.
Now, Nioh 3 changes a few things from its predecessors, including incorporating open areas rather than sticking to linear missions. Personally, I enjoyed the latter as it made the games more accessible to pick up and play, but this shift could permit more intricate level design and superior exploration. Beyond that, the combat features two playstyles, one that echoes previous entries and another designed around ranged attacks and evasion. If it is anything like Nioh 2, the game will have a billion mechanics that complement each other.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
The Dragon Is Back
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
- Released
- February 11, 2026
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
Yakuza games used to be considered RPG-adjacent rather than full-blown members of the genre, but I feel like that perception shifted after Yakuza: Like a Dragon. In truth, the older games are also part of the role-playing world; they just feature beat 'em up combat rather than turn-based. They are all story-rich epics that feature leveling systems, (mostly) random encounters, fantastic optional content, exploration, and a degree of customization. Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties will not be an exception, and if it is anything like the previous remakes, it will be one of the best games of the year.
Yakuza 3 has already been remastered and is somewhat easier to revisit nowadays than the first two games in the series, but it is also pretty bloated and gets off to a notoriously slow start. The combat is also just not great in any version of the game, something the Kiwami version should fix. Besides improving the gameplay and side content, Dark Ties features a new storyline revolving around Yoshitaka Mine, and this can be enjoyed separately from the main game.
Honorable Mentions
Action RPGs Targeting 2025 or 2026, But Have Yet To Confirm A Release Date
- Gothic Remake
- Showa American Story
- Spark In The Dark
- Voidling Bound
Actions RPG Ports Coming To Nintendo Switch 2
- Assassin's Creed Shadows (December 2)
- Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (January 22)