It’s an exciting time to be a fan of role-playing games (RPGs)! As we venture deeper into 2023, the RPG landscape is set to be more diverse and thrilling than ever before. New worlds, epic adventures, and unique gameplay experiences are on the horizon, with a wide range of titles vying for our attention. The line-up is an enticing mix of classic franchises, spiritual successors, and indie gems that are sure to captivate the hearts of both veterans and newcomers to the genre.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the top upcoming RPGs of 2023, exploring their unique features, engaging storylines, and innovative gameplay mechanics. From the long-awaited return of beloved series like Dragon Age, to fresh takes on creature collecting with Palworld, there’s no shortage of immersive and challenging experiences to look forward to. So, grab your favorite gaming beverage, sit back, and prepare to dive into the most anticipated role-playing games that will define 2023.
15. Palworld – A Unique Blend of RPG and Creature Collecting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcQB5ev2rWI
Striking a balance between the bizarre and the genuinely captivating, Palworld is an upcoming open-world RPG from Pocketpair Games, the developers behind Craftopia. The game adds a unique twist to the survival crafting genre by introducing Pokemon-like creature collecting, featuring various “Pals” for players to tame and train.
These collected monsters possess special abilities that can be utilized in battles, farming, building, fishing, and more. Although the sight of cute creatures alongside shotguns, assault rifles, and rocket launchers may initially be startling, the innovative concept behind Palworld is what makes it truly intriguing.
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14. Dragon Age: Dreadwolf – The Anticipated Return of a Legendary Series
Dragon Age, BioWare’s other prominent RPG franchise alongside Mass Effect, has lain dormant for nearly a decade, with Dragon Age: Inquisition being the last main installment in 2014. Serving as a direct sequel, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf has been in development since 2015 but faced numerous interruptions as staff members were reassigned to work on projects like Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem. Initially planned to include an online multiplayer component, the success of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order convinced EA and BioWare to concentrate on the single-player campaign.
Although details about Dragon Age: Dreadwolf remain sparse, fans are eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this esteemed series. We can only hope that the studio shares more information or concrete details soon. While there is no confirmed release date for 2023, a VentureBeat report suggests the game may arrive on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S this year, giving fans reason to be optimistic.
13. Atlas Fallen – A Cinematic Journey into a Dangerous Realm
Atlas Fallen promises to be one of 2023’s top action RPGs, immersing players in a breathtaking yet perilous fantasy world. To defeat the ancient monsters that inhabit this realm, players must become mighty warriors. Boasting an atmospheric and cinematic presentation, Atlas Fallen’s engaging story draws players deeper into the game world.
They must explore this ancient realm, solve mysteries, and vanquish deadly foes with sand-infused weapons to ultimately free humanity from the tyranny of corrupt gods. With multiplayer mode, players can embark on these epic adventures solo or with friends and family.
12. Crimson Desert – A Standalone Adventure from a Renowned Studio
Crimson Desert, an upcoming open-world game from developer/publisher Pearl Abyss – the same team behind the successful MMORPG Black Desert – was initially intended to be a prequel to Black Desert. However, the project was reimagined as a standalone experience set in a medieval fantasy world. Players assume the role of a mercenary navigating a war-torn landscape, completing quests and recruiting fellow mercenaries to join them in battle. The additional support is vital, as the game reportedly features challenging weather conditions across its open-world regions.
11. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes – A Spiritual Successor to a Classic Series
For fans of the first two Suikoden games, the anticipation for Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes – the spiritual successor to these highly acclaimed jRPGs from the PS1 era – is immense. Created by Yoshitaka Murayama, the mastermind behind the original Suikoden, Eiyuden Chronicle will feature over 100 playable heroes, castle development, one-on-one duels, and other elements that endeared players to the Konami RPGs. It wouldn’t be surprising if Hundred Heroes emerges as one of the standout games of the year. The gaming community eagerly awaits a confirmed release date for this highly anticipated title.
10. SacriFire – A Polish jRPG Masterpiece
Ladies and gentlemen, the world of jRPGs has expanded with an impressive new addition from Poland! Introducing SacriFire, a game developed by the talented team at Pixelated Milk, who have already made their mark with projects like Warsaw and Regalia.
Featuring the musical prowess of the legendary Motoi Sakuraba, known for composing iconic soundtracks for the Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile series, this game is a love letter to 90s jRPGs. With stunning graphics reminiscent of Valkyrie Profile, SacriFire has the potential to be a surprise hit this year.
9. Tales of Symphonia Remastered – A Classic Reborn
While not as renowned as the Final Fantasy or Persona franchises, the Tales series has a loyal fanbase and has been around for nearly three decades. The series’ popularity grew even more with the release of Tales of Arise last year. Bandai Namco is capitalizing on this momentum by remastering Tales of Symphonia, often considered the Final Fantasy 7 of the Tales series for many RPG fans.
Expect to see enhanced graphics, refined gameplay, and valuable quality-of-life improvements to this beloved classic. The real-time combat on a 2D plane is reminiscent of older Tales games, but as the game progresses, it becomes increasingly intricate, with a fantastic party of characters adding depth and interest. The captivating story and charming animation make it clear why this game was chosen for a remaster.
8. Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn – A Potential Dark Horse
Flintlock, developed by the small but talented A44 Games, is an action RPG from New Zealand that looks absolutely stunning despite its modest budget. Their only previous title, Ashen, has shown promise, and Flintlock seems poised to build upon that success.
The game features a third-person perspective, an open world, and an engaging combat system that blends firearms and axe-swinging for a thrilling experience. Available from day one on Xbox Game Pass, Flintlock could very well be the dark horse of 2023.
7. GreedFall 2: The Dying World – A Bigger and Better Sequel
Spiders, a developer known for their passion and unique charm, finally hit their stride with 2019’s Greedfall. While not a perfect game, its success has fueled the creation of an ambitious sequel, GreedFall 2: The Dying World.
The leap in quality from the first installment to the second might be comparable to the transformation from The Witcher 1 to The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. GreedFall 2 will feature more of the political intrigue that made the first game so compelling, along with versatile third-person combat that can be tailored to your preferred playstyle.
6. Decapolice – A Sci-Fi Detective RPG Adventure
During the most recent Nintendo Direct, the renowned RPG veterans at Level-5 (creators of the iconic Dragon Quest VIII) unveiled Decapolice, an intriguing title that fuses RPG elements with crime/detective themes. Featuring impressive graphics, strong momentum, a captivating sci-fi atmosphere, and turn-based combat, Decapolice has certainly piqued our interest. This Nintendo Switch gem is slated for release later this year.
5. Darkest Dungeon 2 – A Chilling Sequel
Darkest Dungeon’s highly anticipated sequel is set to leave Early Access in May 2023! While not a revolutionary departure from the original, Darkest Dungeon 2 expands upon and refines the gameplay mechanics introduced by Red Hook Studios in 2016. To get a taste of this unique dungeon crawler experience, dive into the first installment, available in the Xbox Game Pass library (as of February).
4. WrestleQuest – A Wrestling RPG Extravaganza
Developed by Mega Cat Studios and published by Skybound Games, WrestleQuest is an upcoming wrestling-themed RPG that blends chunky pixel art with turn-based combat, showcasing a wide range of wrestling moves, match styles, and gimmicks.
Players will battle good guys, bad guys, lizards, robots, and more in their quest to reach the pinnacle of the pro wrestling world and emerge as a champion. The game pays homage to the rich history of wrestling, featuring appearances from icons like Jake “The Snake” Roberts, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and André the Giant.
3. Baldur’s Gate 3 – A Refined Team-Based RPG Experience
The sophisticated, team-based role-playing experience reminiscent of classic BioWare RPGs is nearly here. Baldur’s Gate 3, developed by Larian Studios (known for hits like Divinity: Original Sin II and Divine Divinity), is set to leave Early Access in August 2023.
With a whopping 87% of user reviews recommending the game, players can expect a superbly polished and expansive adventure. Initially launching on PC, it’s probable that the title will make its way to PS5 and Xbox Series X at a later date.
2. Lies of P – A Soulslike with a Unique Twist
The Soulslike genre has seen a surge in popularity, with many publishers attempting to capitalize on the success of the Dark Souls series. While not every attempt has been successful, Lies of P shows promise as a valuable addition to the genre.
Featuring a mechanical Pinocchio as the protagonist, the game’s aesthetics and locations evoke similarities with the recently released Steelrising. However, Lies of P’s gameplay appears to be more refined than its French-developed counterpart. With Neowiz’s graphics exceeding the typical indie game standard, we eagerly await Lies of P’s release.
1. Sea of Stars – A Nostalgic Adventure Awaits
Sea of Stars, a Chrono Trigger-inspired game, boasts eye-catching 2D graphics, engaging platformer elements, and an intriguing storyline. The game shows promise, rivaling the anticipated spiritual successor to Suikoden, Eiyuden Chronicle.
We encourage everyone to try the demo version of this captivating role-playing game, currently available on the Switch. Sea of Stars has a great potential and a confirmed release date: embark on your adventure on August 29, 2023, on PS4, PS5, PC, and Switch. The Xbox Series X and Xbox One versions will likely follow with a slight delay.
So, there you have it, a taste of the RPG smorgasbord that 2023 has in store for us. With such a fantastic lineup, we’re certainly in for an exciting year of gaming adventures. Whether you’re a die-hard RPG fan or just dipping your toes into the genre, there’s something for everyone in the list we’ve compiled.
We hope you enjoyed exploring these upcoming titles with us and that it got you buzzing with anticipation. It’s genuinely inspiring to witness the hard work, passion, and creativity that game developers pour into these immersive experiences, continuously pushing the boundaries of storytelling, gameplay, and world-building.
So, keep an eye on those release dates, clear some space in your gaming schedule, and get ready for an unforgettable year of role-playing adventures. We’ll see you on the other side, fellow gamers – happy questing!
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