RPGs are a staple video game genre. Whether they're high fantasy or modern, turn-based or action, there's an RPG for pretty much anyone. 2024 was stacked with great RPGs from start to finish, with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth dominating the start of the year, and Metaphor: ReFantazio and Dragon Age: Veilguard stealing the spotlight at the tail end. How will 2025 compare?

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We've asked our editorial team to take a look at the RPGs coming in 2025 and see which ones they're most excited to play next year. Have a look yourself, and you'll perhaps find a new RPG to keep an eye out for heading into 2025.

Updated on January 4, 2025 by Rebecca Phillips: Who's ready for another great year of RPGs? We've updated this article to include our self-publishing writers' most anticipated RPGs for 2025.

Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii

Stacey Henley, Editor-In-Chief

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Action Adventure RPG Developer(s) Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio Publisher(s) Sega Platform(s) PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC Powered by Expand Collapse

I've managed to avoid writing about Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii across TheGamer's most anticipated lists so far, partly because of its incredibly long name, but mostly because I know about six other people from TG have it right at the top of their list too. But failing us writing a list on which pirate games set in Hawaii we're most looking forward to next year, this is too perfect an opportunity to pass up.

Infinite Wealth is my GOTY for 2024, so to see it followed up so quickly with pirates (the coolest thing the world has ever invented) is a treat. Not as traditional as Avowed, not as sprawling as Monster Hunter, not as nameless hero-y as Fable, Like a Dragon: Pirate And So On is the RPG I can't wait to while away hours on next year.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

Ben Sledge, Features Editor

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

RPG Adventure Developer(s) Jump Over the Age Publisher(s) Fellow Traveller Platform(s) PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, PC Powered by Expand Collapse

Have I already nominated Citizen Sleeper 2 for one of these? I don’t care. This is my most hotly anticipated game like, overall, so naturally it’s my top pick for the RPG category. However, I’m also worried about it. How do you follow one of my favourite games of all time? How do you better perfection? The Hexport demo assuaged some of my fears, adding in new companion mechanics and intense missions, but it still has a lot to live up to. I’m excited, I’m scared, I’m ready to go again.

Avowed

Amanda Hurych, Editor

Avowed

Action RPG Adventure RPG Developer(s) Obsidian Entertainment Publisher(s) Xbox Game Studios Platform(s) Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC Powered by Expand Collapse

I’m a basic person when it comes to RPGs. So, of course, the one I’m most looking forward to next year is Avowed. Funnily enough, it’s not the years of experience Obsidian Entertainment has making superb role-playing games like Fallout: New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity that has me so excited. Nope. It’s actually Pentiment that has filled me with faith regarding Obsidian’s next venture.

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This small, narrative game about an artist in the 16th century solving a murder was just stellar, and if Obsidian took the time to make such a passion project like that, with no guarantees that it would find a niche audience, I can’t wait to see what they give us with a hearty helping of classic, i.e. basic, RPG tropes!

Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Rebecca Phillips, Executive Editor

Pokemon Legends Z-A

RPG Developer(s) Game Freak Publisher(s) Nintendo Platform(s) Switch Powered by Expand Collapse

I'm keeping my mind open for RPGs going into 2025. Metaphor: ReFantazio was barely on my radar for the majority of 2024, but it ended up being my favourite game of the year (and crept its way into my personal favourites, period). That being said, I'm also cautiously excited for Pokemon Legends: Z-A. I love Legends Arceus, as janky as it is, but I did not get on well with Scarlet & Violet. If Game Freak sticks with everything it learnt from Arceus and, well, nothing from S&V, I'll be happy with it.

I'm hoping Z-A expands on Arceus' core concepts and takes them to where Pokemon could go, if the time and effort was put in. The overworld catching mechanic was doing a lot of heavy lifting in Arceus, particularly because the environments were a bit drab, so if it's got that, it's already got a big head start in my book.

I am looking forward to Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition a bit more, but I already talked about that in our most anticipated Nintendo Switch games article.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition

Hilton Webster, Staff Writer

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition

RPG Action Developer(s) Monolith Soft Publisher(s) Nintendo Platform(s) Nintendo Switch Powered by Expand Collapse

I never had a Wii U, though that’s probably not a unique situation. While the vast majority of that console’s exclusives finally found their way to the Switch, Xenoblade Chronicles X was the sole outlier. Now I have played that game, but certain aspects are a bit buggy in emulation, so I am simply ecstatic to finally have a proper port.

Xenoblade Chronicles X is such a weird game though. The dialogue is unhinged, the scale is genuinely absurd, and there is enough complex combat systems and cluttered UI to make any other game in the series seem tame in comparison. And I just can’t wait to get back into that delightful, indulgent game. And finally play online, too.

Plus I already said I’m dying to play Monster Hunter Wilds, and I can’t just keep saying that, can I?

Hexxen Hunters

Matt Arnold, Staff Writer

Hooded Horse is quickly becoming a favorite publisher of mine, so I’ve got my eye on one of their projects, a horror RPG by Ulisses Spiele Digital.

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Hexxen Hunters lets you train and command an order of witch hunters in a dark-gothic 18th century Europe. It looks like Darkest Dungeon meets Baldur’s Gate, which obviously has a lot of potential if done right.

Fable

Helen Ashcroft, Evergreen Editor

Fable (2025)

Action RPG Adventure Developer(s) Playground Games Publisher(s) Xbox Game Studios Platform(s) Windows, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Powered by Expand Collapse

The original Fable was developed by Lionhead Studios, who also created Black & White and The Movies. This trifecta of series were staples in my early gaming life and I love them all dearly to this day.

Admittedly, I'd probably sell out Fable for more Black and White, but the Fable trailer from 2023 still had me intrigued enough to be quietly anticipating its launch. The trailer is bad at telling us what the game is about, but it has three key things I love in it: stupid British humour, tiny borrower people, and Richard Ayoade. Sold!

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Ben Jessey, Self-Publishing Writer

Assassin's Creed Shadows

Action Stealth RPG Developer(s) Ubisoft Quebec Publisher(s) Ubisoft Platform(s) PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC Powered by Expand Collapse

The RPG Assassin’s Creed games weren’t to everyone’s tastes, but I enjoyed them, and I still like the series - albeit not as much as I used to. So, I remain intrigued by Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The protagonists seem interesting, and the Japanese setting should be a good one. I have doubts that it will bring back the glory days of the AC series, but I expect a solid instalment that I will sink many hours into. Plus, I’m hopeful that the delay in release means it won’t launch with as many issues as many other AC games did.

Monster Hunter Wilds

Seth Parmer, Self-Publishing Writer

Monster Hunter Wilds

Action Adventure Developer(s) Capcom Publisher(s) Capcom Platform(s) PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC Powered by Expand Collapse

I can talk about how beyond excited I am for Monster Hunter Wilds all day, especially after I played the beta and saw just how massive this game will be. Being able to take two weapons into a hunt with you makes combat that much more expressive and crucial, as you can now wield different elements that the monster may be weak to and means you will be gathering more materials to craft multiple weapons with, which you won’t ever see me complain about.

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There’s no doubt I will pour hundreds of hours into Monster Hunter Wilds, and being able to do that while unleashing devastating attacks with my trusty Switch Axe and Dual Blades is just a dream come true.

Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii

Kyle Chamaillard, Self-Publishing Writer

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Action Adventure RPG Developer(s) Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio Publisher(s) Sega Platform(s) PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC Powered by Expand Collapse

After finishing Yakuza 0 in 2018, I finally decided to catch up with the series in 2024 by completing Yakuza 4-7 and The Man Who Erased His Name. I'm excited to dive into Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii because I'll finally be able to play it alongside everyone else and witness the glory that is a game starring the great Goro Majima.

At this point, the Yakuza series can do no wrong. I just love existing in its infinitely hilarious and dramatic world, and I can't wait to be the Mr. Smee to Majima’s Captain Hook.

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