5 Games RPG Fans Should Look Forward to in 2026

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Role-playing games, or RPGs, are beloved by many gamers because they create a uniquely personal experience. They allow you to connect with characters as they develop and explore richly detailed worlds, often with meaningful choices that impact the story. The genre excels at rewarding long-term commitment, whether it’s perfecting a character’s abilities over many hours or seeing how your decisions shape the narrative. And as technology and game design evolve, RPGs continue to find innovative ways to captivate players.

2026 looks like it’s going to be an amazing year for RPG fans. The games coming out aren’t just grander in scope; they’re really emphasizing unique characters, deep immersion, and gameplay systems that truly matter. Developers are clearly focused on what makes RPGs great – things like skillful combat and choices that impact the story. It’s a genuinely thrilling time for anyone who loves role-playing games.

5. Nioh 3

Nioh 3 seems poised to take the game’s action RPG style to a new level. The developers at Team Ninja are known for challenging, precise combat, and this installment looks to emphasize that even more. Each fight is carefully crafted to test how well players react, time their attacks, and make quick choices. The combat is fast-paced, but requires thought, and while mistakes will happen, they’re meant to help you improve, rather than just feel unfair.

Nioh 3 truly excels by continuing its tradition of deep RPG customization. Character progression goes beyond simply increasing damage numbers, offering more significant changes to the system that impact how you create your character. This makes builds feel more purposeful, with skills and abilities that genuinely alter your combat strategy. Yokai powers are now better woven into the flow of battle, and mastering weapons rewards dedicated players. Fans of the Nioh series will find a lot to love in this installment.

4. Crimson Desert

Building on the popularity of the online game Black Desert Online, Crimson Desert is already looking like a huge and impressive RPG. It’s set in the same world, but focuses on exploration with realistic environments that aren’t overly restrictive. The game aims to deliver a truly epic experience, from vast open areas to massive battles – something few RPGs try to achieve.

Crimson Desert isn’t just visually impressive; it looks set to be a compelling RPG, potentially on par with games like The Witcher, but with a more dramatic flair. The combat feels powerful and strategic, rewarding careful positioning and timing. The story isn’t constantly told to you; instead, it’s discovered through exploring the world and interacting with it, creating a deeply immersive experience that RPG players will love.

3. Code Vein 2

Code Vein 2 improves on the original game by creating a more cohesive and immersive experience. It keeps the same dark, anime-inspired style, but the world feels more connected and realistic. The first game’s environments felt a bit separate, and this sequel addresses that by making them feel purposeful and interwoven. Characters now feel like a natural part of the world, which makes the story more emotionally engaging.

Okay, so I’ve been playing Code Vein 2, and honestly, they really nailed the RPG stuff this time around. Building my character felt super flexible – I could really make them my own, but it didn’t feel like I was losing the core Code Vein vibe. The Blood Codes are awesome – they let you change things up in really interesting ways without making the game overly complicated. And the combat? Way better than the first game! It actually encourages you to try different strategies and find what works best for you. It feels like they learned what players loved about the original and just built on that, keeping everything that made it special.

2. Titan Quest II

Titan Quest II aims to recapture the magic of classic action RPGs while also feeling fresh and modern. The game is set in a rich mythological world, providing a compelling setting for your character’s dangerous journey. Combat is engaging and feels familiar to fans of the genre, offering the satisfying loop of defeating enemies and finding powerful new equipment without being overly complex.

Titan Quest II updates the original game with a more flexible and forgiving character progression system. This encourages players to try out different abilities and strategies without being penalized for early choices. The game also seamlessly integrates cooperative play, making it a natural part of the experience. The result is an RPG that honors the spirit of the first game while feeling new and approachable. Fortunately, you can play Titan Quest II right now, as it’s currently available in Early Access.

1. Warhammer 40,000 Dark Heresy

As a huge Warhammer fan, it’s awesome to see so many great games set in that incredibly rich universe lately! And the upcoming Warhammer 40,000 Dark Heresy is really grabbing my attention. It looks like it could be the most exciting RPG coming out for anyone who loves a strong story. Forget being a galaxy-saving hero – this game puts you in the role of an investigator dealing with corruption and intense political struggles in a really dark future. You’re not a power fantasy character, and honestly, that’s what makes it so appealing. Every choice you make feels like it actually matters and has serious consequences.

Owlcat Games, known for immersive storytelling, returns to the Warhammer universe with Dark Heresy, a follow-up to Rogue Trader. Like its predecessor, your choices in conversations will genuinely impact relationships and the story’s direction, alongside your character’s growth and abilities. Combat isn’t the main focus; instead, it enhances the role-playing experience, giving players the freedom to truly connect with the game’s world and ideas. If you enjoyed Rogue Trader, you can expect Dark Heresy to be even more expansive and improved.

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2025-12-24 18:41