The RPG genre is one of the pillars of gaming, and 2023 is going to be a big year for it. From real-time action RPGs to turn-based strategy games, there’s never a shortage of titles to sift through. Here are the 10 biggest RPG titles to come out in the next 12 months.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild pretty much brought the franchise back to the forefront of RPG, as it is the first Zelda game to adopt the open-world formula. The best part of BotW is the interaction system, where physics objects, tools, and abilities could be combined in non-conventional ways to defeat enemies, solve puzzles, and reach new areas.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is going to be the direct sequel to BotW. There has only been one short reveal trailer for it - looks like TotK is going to follow BotW's formula, with an improvement in graphics. It is also likely to be the last Switch title before next-gen. TotK is coming out on May 12.
2. Starfield
Platforms: PC, Xbox
Starfield is the first new universe in 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next-generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.
The title is likely to be similar to Fallout 4, where the gunplay is taking the backseat to the RPG mechanics and story. Starfield's initial release date was November 2022 but was later changed to 2023.
3. Final Fantasy XVI
Platforms: PlayStation 5
Final Fantasy XVI reigns in Final Fantasy XV‘s standard open world structure in favor of something more linear. It also reverts back to traditional medieval fantasy, which the main singleplayer entries haven’t seen since Final Fantasy XII.
Combat revolves around a combination of melee and magic attacks, with Clive (protagonist) having the ability to dodge. During the game, Clive ends up in battles with summoned monsters called Eikons, with their battles having dedicated mechanics. After defeating them, Clive gains access to powers and fighting techniques themed around these Eikons.
4. Forspoken
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5
Forspoken follows the journey of Frey, a young New Yorker transported to the beautiful and cruel land of Athia. In search of a way home, Frey must use her newfound magical abilities to traverse sprawling landscapes and battle monstrous creatures.
Explore the sprawling realms of Athia, a striking land of remarkable vistas and otherworldly creatures brought to life through stunning graphics and cutting-edge technology. Venture deep into corrupted territories where a mysterious darkness defiles everything it touches.
5. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Platforms: PlayStation 5
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a direct sequel to Final Fantasy VII Remake, further diverging from the original entry’s story. The Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth trailer shows Cloud and Sephiroth stalking some familiar areas as the party pushes out of Midgar and into the wider world.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth reveal trailer also gave us our first look at the upgraded visual style, with Square Enix leveraging the power of the PS5 for this new RPG adventure.
6. Dragon Age Dreadwolf
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5
Dragon Age Dreadwolf is the fourth major game in the Dragon Age franchise, Dreadwolf will be the sequel to Dragon Age: Inquisition (2014). It follows the story of Solas, a major character in DA:I.
After the success of the single-player game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and the decision to cancel the reworking of the massively multiplayer online Anthem in February 2021 following its lackluster launch, EA and BioWare decided to remove the planned multiplayer components from Dragon Age Dreadwolf and to develop it as a single-player game only.
7. Diablo IV
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
In Diablo 3 and its expansion, pretty much all the prime Evils and most of the angels have been destroyed. Diablo 4 takes place a few years after the events of its predecessor and is going to feature Lilith, the daughter of Mephisto. She will likely be the upcoming title’s main antagonist. Diablo 4 will be an open-world adventure that sees players travel between various hubs. This means players would be able to travel between regions, just like in previous diablo games.
To add more visual variety and challenge, these regions will have day/ night cycles along with a weather-changing system. Additionally, the game will feature hundreds of dungeons, which will be randomly generated. It also has a non-linear storyline and players won’t be forced to stick to a particular quest order.
8. Hogwarts Legacy
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Hogwarts Legacy is an open-world action RPG set in the world first introduced in the Harry Potter books. Embark on a journey through familiar and new locations as you explore and discover magical beasts, customize your character and craft potions, master spell casting, upgrade talents and become the wizard you want to be.
Experience Hogwarts in the 1800s. Your character is a student who holds the key to an ancient secret that threatens to tear the wizarding world apart. Make allies, battle Dark wizards, and ultimately decide the fate of the wizarding world. Your legacy is what you make of it. Live the Unwritten.
9. Baldur’s Gate 3
Gather your party, and return to the Forgotten Realms in a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Mysterious abilities are awakening inside you, drawn from a Mind Flayer parasite planted in your brain. Resist, and turn darkness against itself. Or embrace corruption, and become ultimate evil.
From the creators of Divinity: Original Sin 2 comes a next-generation RPG, set in the world of Dungeons and Dragons.
10. Fable
Platforms: PC
Fable reboot or Fable 4 is in development, and it's one of the most anticipated upcoming Xbox Series X games around. Playground Games, the studio behind the excellent Forza Horizon series, has expanded to take on this beloved RPG.
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