We're not expecting this one in 2015, but that doesn't mean we're any less excited for the third numbered game in the Kingdom Hearts series. Early promises of Disney rides becoming new gameplay mechanics, transforming keyblades, and the potential for Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Pixar properties (none of which were owned by Disney way back when KHII was released) have us screaming for more info.
View gallery
It's hard to believe that Trails in the Sky first released back in 2011. Its re-release on Steam last summer introduced a whole new audience to plucky junior Bracers/adoptive siblings/thwackers of bad guys Estelle and Joshua Bright. We can't wait to see where the wind takes them next. The traditional turn-based RPG doesn't get much better than this.
When 2013's A Link Between Worlds broke from linear Zelda tradition, many hoped this freedom and non-linearity would make its way into the next console release. The Wii U Zelda could be the most monumental shift the 29-year-old series has ever seen with a switch to a massive open world. It's new ground for Nintendo, and we can't wait to see what they come up with.
View gallery
Majora's Mask is just bizarre. It's by far the darkest, most disturbing Zelda title ever, even if you don't dig into the well-researched fan theories. Fans have also begged for a re-release for years, so now a whole new generation will be able to experience the inventive time-based gameplay, along with the horrors and ****ed up **** of this Nintendo 64 black sheep.
View gallery
A lovely-looking pixel art RPG in which you build a mythology for both your world and your character. We were sold on that idea alone. But it's the fact that Moon Hunters is built to be played with 1-4 players cooperatively that really has us over the... moon with excitement. (Sorry)
Myst and its sequel Riven are legendary for their imaginative dreamlike visuals and intensely mind-melting puzzles. Obduction is an upcoming game by the creators of Myst and Riven that promises fans more of what they loved about these classic titles. Expect more lush environments to explore and more mind-bending puzzles to test your wits when Obduction drops later this year.
If this game hadn't made our list of most anticipated games, you'd think we had all lost our minds. The Persona series has honed its gameplay and storytelling to a razor-sharp experience, and we can't wait to find out more about its theme of "freedom."
The trend of retro gaming has resurrected classic computer RPGs. Some are inspired by the dungeon crawlers of yesteryear while others seek to recapture the magic of the Infinity Engine era, an epoch of potent, potent enchantment. Obsidian Entertainment is trying to conjure that magic with Pillars of Eternity, just a couple of months away. And from what we see in the latest
gameplay video, it seems like they're about to succeed. Look at that interface!
Read more in our preview...
View gallery
While many figurine collection games are geared toward children, figurine-based strategy RPG Prodigy offers a more mature style reminiscent of the Dragon Age series. The figurines look detailed, and the game promises solid production values. With detailed worldbuilding featuring two factions filled with cool characters and stylish creatures, Prodigy aims to entice the more "hardcore" gamer into the world of figurine video gaming.
If Firefly was your show, this is your game. What sort of space-traveler will you be? A kind-hearted thief? A charming trader? A merciless gun-for-hire? Or maybe all of that in a morally confused package? In Rebel Galaxy, you 'll travel to distant worlds to mine for resources. You'll consort with both benevolent and shady aliens. You'll build your own ship and outfit it for the adventure you choose.
Read more in our interview...
View gallery
Dark Souls has consistently won — and terrorized — the hearts of action and RPG fans alike. Much of its popularity resides in its punishing difficulty and atmosphere. With a few teaser trailers and gameplay videos out there, we can be sure of one thing: this 2D iteration certainly captures the feel of Dark Souls. Now if only we could get our hands on it...
It seems like we went a while without hearing anything about this 3DS remake of Devil Survivor 2, and now the game is coming out in a few months! The Neon Genesis Evangelion-esque plot and tactical combat of the DS original returns in Record Breaker, along with a brand-new scenario that reportedly doubles the length of the game. Atlus, you spoil us.
View gallery
Sure, we still question if this game really exists. Nintendo insists it does, even if it was announced with literally no information but a title, and even that is probably a placeholder. But the mere idea of Nintendo and Atlus combining their biggest RPG franchises is so wildly fascinating that we continue to hope that we'll hear more about it, sooner rather than later.
It's easy to look at Shiness and write it off as "that furry RPG" but a deeper look reveals much more. The visuals and Tales-inspired gameplay appear smooth and fluid in the trailer, and the music is great too. But what's really incredible is that the developers painstakingly created their own distinct language that permeates the game's world, allowing another layer of immersion.
Daedalic's The Whispered World engaged players with its hand-drawn visuals and emotionally-charged story of a nihilistic clown. Silence: The Whispered World II promises a more engaging experience with lush 3D cutscenes, a gripping storyline, and plenty of old and new friends. Daedalic has yet to disappoint, and this sequel definitely looks to be bigger, better, and more than its predecessor.
Read more in our preview...
View gallery
Steins;Gate is a critically acclaimed visual novel that was released for PC last year. Praised for its incredibly written and detailed storyline, it has quickly earned its place as a paragon of the genre. This year, Steins;Gate will find its way onto consoles so even more gamers can experience one of the finest titles this genre has to offer.
Read more in our review of the PC version...
View gallery
Although the latest Natsume game entitled Harvest Moon was poorly received, the real McCoy lives on as Story of Seasons. Localized by XSeed, Story of Seasons promises to be the title that fans have been waiting for. It may be difficult to leave the name "Harvest Moon" behind, but it's a necessary sacrifice fans must make for the love of the series.
Read more in our preview...
View gallery
Sure, the first episode of this game has already been released,
but it's great! It's a new adventure set in a world we know, and it remains true to the Borderlands blend of serious and silly that we've come to adore. We love Borderlands and we love Telltale, so we're very much looking forward to the episodes still remaining.
Read more in our review of Episode 1...
View gallery
Tales of Zestiria should look and feel familiar to players of the Tales of Xillia duology, right up until you begin fusing your party members together to make glowing elemental Seraphim warriors. Seamless battle transitions and dramatic dragon fights also highlight this Tales series swan song for the PS3.
Read more in our preview...
View gallery
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy proved that nostalgia can apparently be distilled into a game cartridge. The series continues on in the name of an equally well-established RPG behemoth, Dragon Quest, which has its own legacy of sights and sounds to appreciate.
A Theatrhythm Dragon Quest approaches!
>Command? [BUY]
Developer Arc System Works is best known for their Guilty Gear and BlazBlue fighting game series, so Tokyo Twilight: Ghost Hunters is a radical departure — a visual novel with RPG style battles, music by the legendary Nobuo Uematsu, and what appears to be a macabre storyline with darkly twisted visuals. Their fighting games have always exuded a killer sense of style, and this venture promises to be just as cool.
View gallery
Some say the RPG genre is dead. Some say gamers hate to read. 83,000 Torment fans disagree, and we're glad inXile Entertainment is creating a spiritual successor to Planescape: Torment. Although set in the science fantasy setting of Numenera — where nanomachines and ancient technology linger after the death of civilization — Tides seeks to get all Torment-y with walls of text, Infinity Engine-esque perspectives, and player choice.
Already voted Most Anticipated game of 2015 by gamers everywhere, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the logical evolution of the series: from glitchy, but endearing eurojank to gorgeous choice-driven masterpiece to massive open world RPG. There are fans worried by the game's delays and controversy surrounding the graphical "downgrade," but if I know CD Projekt RED, they'll deliver a wondrous fantasy playground. Come for the dark fantasy, stay for the poetry.
Read more in our previews...
View gallery
It's like Xenoblade, except you get to fly around an even bigger world in a giant robot. And listen to music by Hiroyuki Sawano. And fight giant insectoid horrors with a party of three in cooldown-based action combat. It's going to be awesome. Don't doubt us. We are prescient. We are legion. We are RPGFan.
View gallery
Adol Christin, you scoundrel. Stop leaving Dogi behind while you abscond to far-off territories and break local girls' hearts. The latest chapter in the storied Ys series promises more supercharged action and exotic locales to explore. Our red-haired hero hasn't added a new chapter to his chronicle of adventures in quite some time. We're ready for his comeback.
View gallery
We're not expecting this one in 2015, but that doesn't mean we're any less excited for the third numbered game in the Kingdom Hearts series. Early promises of Disney rides becoming new gameplay mechanics, transforming keyblades, and the potential for Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Pixar properties (none of which were owned by Disney way back when KHII was released) have us screaming for more info.
It's hard to believe that Trails in the Sky first released back in 2011. Its re-release on Steam last summer introduced a whole new audience to plucky junior Bracers/adoptive siblings/thwackers of bad guys Estelle and Joshua Bright. We can't wait to see where the wind takes them next. The traditional turn-based RPG doesn't get much better than this.
When 2013's A Link Between Worlds broke from linear Zelda tradition, many hoped this freedom and non-linearity would make its way into the next console release. The Wii U Zelda could be the most monumental shift the 29-year-old series has ever seen with a switch to a massive open world. It's new ground for Nintendo, and we can't wait to see what they come up with.
Majora's Mask is just bizarre. It's by far the darkest, most disturbing Zelda title ever, even if you don't dig into the well-researched fan theories. Fans have also begged for a re-release for years, so now a whole new generation will be able to experience the inventive time-based gameplay, along with the horrors and ****ed up **** of this Nintendo 64 black sheep.
A lovely-looking pixel art RPG in which you build a mythology for both your world and your character. We were sold on that idea alone. But it's the fact that Moon Hunters is built to be played with 1-4 players cooperatively that really has us over the... moon with excitement. (Sorry)
Myst and its sequel Riven are legendary for their imaginative dreamlike visuals and intensely mind-melting puzzles. Obduction is an upcoming game by the creators of Myst and Riven that promises fans more of what they loved about these classic titles. Expect more lush environments to explore and more mind-bending puzzles to test your wits when Obduction drops later this year.
If this game hadn't made our list of most anticipated games, you'd think we had all lost our minds. The Persona series has honed its gameplay and storytelling to a razor-sharp experience, and we can't wait to find out more about its theme of "freedom."
The trend of retro gaming has resurrected classic computer RPGs. Some are inspired by the dungeon crawlers of yesteryear while others seek to recapture the magic of the Infinity Engine era, an epoch of potent, potent enchantment. Obsidian Entertainment is trying to conjure that magic with Pillars of Eternity, just a couple of months away. And from what we see in the latest gameplay video, it seems like they're about to succeed. Look at that interface!
While many figurine collection games are geared toward children, figurine-based strategy RPG Prodigy offers a more mature style reminiscent of the Dragon Age series. The figurines look detailed, and the game promises solid production values. With detailed worldbuilding featuring two factions filled with cool characters and stylish creatures, Prodigy aims to entice the more "hardcore" gamer into the world of figurine video gaming.
If Firefly was your show, this is your game. What sort of space-traveler will you be? A kind-hearted thief? A charming trader? A merciless gun-for-hire? Or maybe all of that in a morally confused package? In Rebel Galaxy, you 'll travel to distant worlds to mine for resources. You'll consort with both benevolent and shady aliens. You'll build your own ship and outfit it for the adventure you choose.
Dark Souls has consistently won — and terrorized — the hearts of action and RPG fans alike. Much of its popularity resides in its punishing difficulty and atmosphere. With a few teaser trailers and gameplay videos out there, we can be sure of one thing: this 2D iteration certainly captures the feel of Dark Souls. Now if only we could get our hands on it...
It seems like we went a while without hearing anything about this 3DS remake of Devil Survivor 2, and now the game is coming out in a few months! The Neon Genesis Evangelion-esque plot and tactical combat of the DS original returns in Record Breaker, along with a brand-new scenario that reportedly doubles the length of the game. Atlus, you spoil us.
Sure, we still question if this game really exists. Nintendo insists it does, even if it was announced with literally no information but a title, and even that is probably a placeholder. But the mere idea of Nintendo and Atlus combining their biggest RPG franchises is so wildly fascinating that we continue to hope that we'll hear more about it, sooner rather than later.
It's easy to look at Shiness and write it off as "that furry RPG" but a deeper look reveals much more. The visuals and Tales-inspired gameplay appear smooth and fluid in the trailer, and the music is great too. But what's really incredible is that the developers painstakingly created their own distinct language that permeates the game's world, allowing another layer of immersion.
Daedalic's The Whispered World engaged players with its hand-drawn visuals and emotionally-charged story of a nihilistic clown. Silence: The Whispered World II promises a more engaging experience with lush 3D cutscenes, a gripping storyline, and plenty of old and new friends. Daedalic has yet to disappoint, and this sequel definitely looks to be bigger, better, and more than its predecessor.
Steins;Gate is a critically acclaimed visual novel that was released for PC last year. Praised for its incredibly written and detailed storyline, it has quickly earned its place as a paragon of the genre. This year, Steins;Gate will find its way onto consoles so even more gamers can experience one of the finest titles this genre has to offer.
Although the latest Natsume game entitled Harvest Moon was poorly received, the real McCoy lives on as Story of Seasons. Localized by XSeed, Story of Seasons promises to be the title that fans have been waiting for. It may be difficult to leave the name "Harvest Moon" behind, but it's a necessary sacrifice fans must make for the love of the series.
Sure, the first episode of this game has already been released, but it's great! It's a new adventure set in a world we know, and it remains true to the Borderlands blend of serious and silly that we've come to adore. We love Borderlands and we love Telltale, so we're very much looking forward to the episodes still remaining.
Tales of Zestiria should look and feel familiar to players of the Tales of Xillia duology, right up until you begin fusing your party members together to make glowing elemental Seraphim warriors. Seamless battle transitions and dramatic dragon fights also highlight this Tales series swan song for the PS3.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy proved that nostalgia can apparently be distilled into a game cartridge. The series continues on in the name of an equally well-established RPG behemoth, Dragon Quest, which has its own legacy of sights and sounds to appreciate.
Developer Arc System Works is best known for their Guilty Gear and BlazBlue fighting game series, so Tokyo Twilight: Ghost Hunters is a radical departure — a visual novel with RPG style battles, music by the legendary Nobuo Uematsu, and what appears to be a macabre storyline with darkly twisted visuals. Their fighting games have always exuded a killer sense of style, and this venture promises to be just as cool.
Some say the RPG genre is dead. Some say gamers hate to read. 83,000 Torment fans disagree, and we're glad inXile Entertainment is creating a spiritual successor to Planescape: Torment. Although set in the science fantasy setting of Numenera — where nanomachines and ancient technology linger after the death of civilization — Tides seeks to get all Torment-y with walls of text, Infinity Engine-esque perspectives, and player choice.
Already voted Most Anticipated game of 2015 by gamers everywhere, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the logical evolution of the series: from glitchy, but endearing eurojank to gorgeous choice-driven masterpiece to massive open world RPG. There are fans worried by the game's delays and controversy surrounding the graphical "downgrade," but if I know CD Projekt RED, they'll deliver a wondrous fantasy playground. Come for the dark fantasy, stay for the poetry.
It's like Xenoblade, except you get to fly around an even bigger world in a giant robot. And listen to music by Hiroyuki Sawano. And fight giant insectoid horrors with a party of three in cooldown-based action combat. It's going to be awesome. Don't doubt us. We are prescient. We are legion. We are RPGFan.
Adol Christin, you scoundrel. Stop leaving Dogi behind while you abscond to far-off territories and break local girls' hearts. The latest chapter in the storied Ys series promises more supercharged action and exotic locales to explore. Our red-haired hero hasn't added a new chapter to his chronicle of adventures in quite some time. We're ready for his comeback.