Which RPG should you start in 2026?

They are pretty good there RPG to play in 2026like Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined and now newly released Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. What else is coming in 2026? Although there is no release date yet, Nintendo is confident that Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave will launch on Switch 2 this year as expected.

In addition to the new games, there are also some classics worth revisiting to celebrate some RPG anniversaries in 2026, such as Final Fantasy 12. Let's get to it all the classic and upcoming RPGs you won't forget this year. It's safe to say that 2026 will not be a year without RPGs across all platforms.

The Adventures Of Elliot: The Millennium Tales

New HD-2D style

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is a new HD-2D style game from Square Enix that includes The Legend of Zelda and part The Secret of Mana instead of being another turn-based game Octopath Traveler or Triangle strategy. That alone should pique the interest of RPG fans to see how this HD-2D game fares with the new playstyle. Gamers can also get involved with it right now, as a demo is available on Switch 2.

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales has a unique concept for an action adventure RPG. Players can switch between timelines, which could lead to some similar logic elements Chrono Trigger or Brilliant history. Players can find different weapons and upgrade them, and the combat takes place in real time. From exploring the world to fighting monsters to diving into dungeons, this next HD-2D game from Square Enix looks convincing.

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave

The tactical waves of war are calling

Very little is known about it Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave. Nintendo has been tight-lipped about the release date, and other details aside from the one trailer shown have remained under wraps. That said, the original trailer gave enough information about what Fire sign fans can expect. First, the game will look familiar as players move units around the grid-based map.

Units can attack enemies with weapons or skills, and the playable characters shown have different options. There are also horses that look like ostriches instead of horses, and it will be interesting to see how they translate into the missions. The theme appears to be inspired by the Roman Colosseum, but whether it will be the focus remains to be seen. It would be wild to set the whole FIrish Emblem game in one place, though Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Pokemon Legends: ZA they were also set in one city and were convincing so it could work Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, too.

Beast from Reincarnation

Freak's big RPG game

Game Freak is primarily known as a company that produces Pokemon games. Since 1996, when the series debuted in Japan, Game Freak has continued to produce smaller games that don't get as much attention. Small town hero and Tembo the Badass Elephant are two examples. While both examples are interesting, compared to Beast from Reincarnationwhich looks set to be Game Freak's most ambitious game yet, and for better or worse, it'll be an interesting point in 2026.

Players will control one character, but have a wolf companion helping them in battle. They can explore a post-apocalyptic environment that looks like a semi-open world covered in moss and overgrown trees. The coolest part of the game is that the heroine can grow vines in combat and during exploration. Save the world by turning the environment green and destroying the corruption that plagues it. This seems like a good assumption and good news Beast from Reincarnation.

Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen

Celebrate a landmark 30th anniversary

Beast from Reincarnation isn't the only Game Freak RPG worth playing in 2026. As mentioned, this year marks thirty years since Pokemon franchise. Original games released in Japan, Pokemon green and Pokemon redcan't officially play today. The next best thing is Pokemon FireRed and Pokemon LeafGreenGBA remakes originally released in 2004, now playable on both Switch and Switch 2 consoles.

It's the best way to celebrate the series, and it's safe to say a lot Pokemon fans lacked the hype of 1996 and 1998 when North America originally received the games. See where the series began in Kanto, choose a classic starter, battle iconic gym leaders and more. In addition, the game can link and trade with the stream Pokemon games like Pokemon Legends: ZAthrough extended apps, so that's a good reason to play these classic GBA remakes too.

Final Fantasy 12

Twenty years of shadowing

In 2026 it will be 20 years Final Fantasy 12which was originally released in 2006 for the PS2. For North American fans, the game was released very close to the launch of the PS3, so all the hype around it was dropped by the new console. This immediately made him an underdog and the game took a different gameplay direction.

Instead of turn-based combat, players engage with enemies in real-time like an MMO. Action can be paused and orders can be issued, but it's much easier to pre-program properties on the party through the Gambit system instead. So while it's an odd outlier in the series, it's also easily one of the most underrated games in the series Final Fantasy a franchise that requires a different perspective. 2026 is a good excuse to replay the game for its 20th anniversary, and thankfully the 2017 remaster makes it readily available.

Odin Sphere Leifthrasir

Nordic 2D brawler

Orb of Odin is another PS2 game that didn't get its due due to being released late in the console's life cycle in 2007, well past its prime as the PS3 was a new hit. The original game does not celebrate its anniversary in 2026, but its remaster/remake, Odin Sphere Leifthrasirit sure is. The game enhances the game's already gorgeous visuals, but also improves the gameplay to make it more user-friendly. The great thing for longtime fans is that the full classic version is still playable, which is always nice to see in an updated re-release.

The developer, Vanillaware, released this game on PS3, PS4, and PS Vita in 2016, so it's available on PS5 today. Players can play as multiple characters in this anthology action RPG, and each scenario subtly affects the others. Based on everything from Norse mythology to fairy tales, there's nothing quite like it Odin Sphere Leifthrasirand more than Final Fantasy 12this is one PS2 classic that deserves more attention. Fans of 2D action games will love it Hollow Knight will appreciate the almost hand-drawn aesthetic and killer combat Odin Sphere Leifthrasir.