We have seen a lot of incredible games over the past few years that will no doubt go down in the books as some of the greatest of all time. When zooming in on the RPG genre, titans like Baldur's Gate 3 have raised the bar massively, but 2026 is looking to add even more names to the hall of fame.

Over the next few months, we are going to see action epics set in the East, sci-fi adventures across the galaxy, and a few unique standouts that don't fit into a single box. If you are an RPG fan, strap in because by the end of this year, you may very well have a brand-new game to call your favorite.

Beast Of Reincarnation

GAME FREAK's Next Experiment

• Dual turn-based and real-time combat.
• Brand-new IP and setting from an iconic developer.

Beast of Reincarnation is far from your typical GAME FREAK project, but that is what makes it such an exciting prospect. You find yourself in a post-apocalyptic Japan, where machines and nature collide, and your only hope is to work with your trusty dog Koo to fight for the final strands of humanity.

When it comes to gameplay, the thing that fascinates me the most is the dual approach to combat, where you are able to issue commands to Koo and fight head-on with Emma, using both real-time and turn-based mechanics to take down anything standing in your way. The action looks amazing, and running through the experience is an emotional story that will test just how strong the connection between man and pet can really be, and may be the final nail that cements its place as a truly timeless RPG.

Phantom Blade Zero

Where Swords Collide

• Wuxia-inspired martial arts combat.
• Several styles of gameplay and weapons.

Phantom Blade Zero is one of the most exciting ARPGs in years, and a big reason for that is its insistence on setting itself apart from other martial arts games and soulslikes in the genre. Fighting is everything, and you have access to so many different styles and tools that it seems as though one playthrough just won't be enough to experience it all.

I think the coolest part, though, comes from the authenticity. Not only are you dueling deadly assassins and taking on gigantic opponents, but you are doing so with a faithful recreation of classic kung fu techniques across this cinematic world. As far as ARPGs go, I don't see any other game competing with it anytime soon, and I can honestly imagine a world where Phantom Blade Zero is looked back on with the same level of praise as massive titles like Elden Ring.

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn

Every Decision Counts

• Squad dynamics function in and out of combat.
• Choices have a big influence on your future.

Not all RPGs have to take the fantasy route, and The Expanse: Osiris Reborn shows that there are plenty of exciting stories to be told in the outer reaches of the galaxy. The solar system has now been conquered, but despite how advanced humans have become, there is still corruption and conspiracies running through society. It is up to you and your crew to uncover the secrets hiding beneath the surface.

In terms of combat, you gain access to a dynamic style of third-person shooting that lets you play around cover and issue commands to your squad, creating a much more tactical experience than many other games in the space. Like any good RPG, choices matter a lot, and because of how different a playthrough can be from person to person, I really do believe that The Expanse: Osiris Reborn could have a lasting impact for many years to come.

Exodus

All In Due Time

• A variety of sci-fi and fantasy mechanics and settings.
• Action-packed missions with a range of pacing.

Exodus brings virtually every concept from the sci-fi genre into a single game that may turn out to be just as exceptional as it is ambitious. Far in the future, time itself has become a powerful tool that may very well hold the key to humanity's survival, and by journeying across the universe, you and your unlikely crew may be the key to a brighter tomorrow.

The story does take center stage, but that doesn't mean the gameplay has to fall behind. You get to leap, blast, and smash your way through various stages, ranging from technological outposts to ancient ruins. I think that the potential for success is so high that even if the game achieves an ounce of what it is trying to create, then we are in for something truly special.

Light No Fire

No Spaceships Here

• Next game from No Man's Sky devs, Hello Games.
• A world the size of Earth.

Light No Fire is the next big project from Hello Games, the creators of No Man's Sky, but rather than thrusting you into outer space, you are presented with an Earth-sized fantasy world full of possibilities and friends to meet. Limitless is the best way of describing it, as you are able to effectively run or fly in any direction you choose, and can do so alone or with a group of friends at your side.

The procedural nature of the planet also means there are far more opportunities for organic discoveries, atop mountains and deep into the ground below them. I spent a lot of time on No Man's Sky, and assuming the devs have learned their lesson from that game's lackluster launch, I see no reason why this one can't shoot for the same stars. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

The God Slayer

Steampunk Never Looked So Cool

• Elements drive the gameplay.
• Huge set pieces across the open world.

The God Slayer is a very different kind of Eastern RPG that trades typical samurai swords and ghostly entities for a steampunk aesthetic infused with elemental power. The world is enormous, and there are many different aspects of society for you to explore, with questlines taking you from the lowly streets on the outskirts all the way to the highest peaks of the capital.

What draws me to the game is primarily the aesthetic, but also how that aesthetic translates to the gameplay. You fight with the elements against mechanical titans, and the blend of mythology and technology makes for an incredibly unique look that could become a trend in itself when the game is released into the wild.