It's pretty hard for any new RPG release to not be able to compare Baldur's Gate 3. The game represents several decades of design condensed into a massive, epic adventure that the entire world has come to love, and since then, whenever another game of its kind launches, players are quick to point out the similarities and where the newcomer falls short of their favorite.
8 Best Story RPGs, Ranked
While some RPGs stand out for their gameplay and combat, these titles combine the best of everything by providing amazing stories.
However, while many have experienced hundreds of hours of Gale, Karlach and more, sometimes it's nice to move on to something different, and as it turns out, 2026 has already brought with it so many great RPGs that can actually stand up to Larian's masterpiece. There are remasters for some classic franchises, brand new IPs looking to make a splash, and a few outliers that don't really fit into a particular box but are still ready to wreak havoc on the RPG world by showing that all kings are eventually dethroned.
Arrange the covers in the correct US release order.
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Arrange the covers in the correct US release order.
Easy (5) Medium (7) Hard (10)
Esoteric ebb
Many years in the making
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Emphasis on choice
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Dialogue systems shape the story and outcomes of the game
Esoteric ebb is a love letter to early CRPGs that places a heavy emphasis on dialogue and player options, allowing players to take full control of their own gameplay. The world is weird, silly, and fantastical in almost every way imaginable, and players are placed right at the heart of it, with the power to spin the campaign in whatever direction they see fit.
Dice are key, and many actions are governed by a single roll, whether it's stealing, fighting, or keeping out of sight. But as is the case with any good RPG, when things go wrong, the results can often be some of the most interesting in the entire game, despite their bad looks at first glance. It's all about conversations and deciding exactly how to play certain encounters, and assuming players get the hang of it the first time, then it's almost certain that they'll launch it with a completely different set of options the next time around.
A banquet for fools
Stylish yet dark
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A classic adventure-based party
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Huge customization options in all areas
A banquet for fools is a beautiful and terrifying party-based RPG that sends players to the islands of Invimona to solve a mystery. The world is all about interactivity, and players will find themselves faced with many different puzzles, both in and out of combat, many of which require massive amounts of brainpower to even get into.
Action RPG with the best building in the world
Explore exceptional world-building in the best action RPG games that feature complex histories, compelling stories, and immersive environments.
Combat revolves around making active mid-fight decisions about what abilities to use and where best to strike; if players aren't careful, they can be sent packing very quickly. And when they're done looting and slaughtering their enemies, they're more than welcome to visit the locals, discover new clues, and a few quests that can give them some pretty useful bits of loot to help them later on in this unsettling yet deeply engaging RPG.
Ether and iron
Where the revolution will collide
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Decopunk aesthetics and environment
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Turn-based combat of vehicles
Turn-based RPGs take many different forms, but Ether and iron seeks to defy those expectations even further, introducing the world to a strategic, vehicular style of combat that is truly unlike anything else in the universe. Driving along neon highways, players will not only engage in some pretty intense car chases, but they'll also have the chance to converse on the go, uncover secrets behind the wheel, and discover just how deep the dark roots beneath the city seem to run.
Stylishly described as a noir adventure game above the clouds, the game is quite stellar, with a perfect blend of 1930s fashion and futuristic technology that gives it a unique flavor that many players have yet to experience. And to make it even better, in the audio department there are over 100 voiced NPCs to meet and talk to, along with an exceptional soundtrack from some Grammy-level composers to ensure the gaming experience sounds as good as it looks.
Escape from Ever After
Something a little cuter
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A satirical RPG with a comedic setting
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Various exploration and combat mechanics
Escape from Ever After it plays with expectations and presents a world that actively challenges its own logic. The seriousness that many other RPGs are known for is replaced with comedic cuteness, spearheaded by 2.5D character models that give the game a much more relaxed feel overall. In terms of gameplay, players will spend most of their time running, jumping and fighting their way through the various story levels, each with its own environment and unique set of enemies.
5 Open World RPGs That Can Rival Elden Ring
In terms of diverse systems, these open world games have the potential to rival even a behemoth like Elden Ring in certain areas.
What makes the game so great is how aware it is of its own absurdity. The story of a megacorporation expanding into a fairy tale world is silly enough in itself, but the game constantly pokes fun at the insanity of the action, and there are countless references to the dynamics of the real and fictional worlds, another factor that allows it to stand out from the crowd of other titles that are often more focused on hard emotional stakes than pure entertainment. In this case, if players are looking for a much simpler, more relaxed, almost meditative experience, then there are very few RPGs that come close Escape from Ever After.
DRAGON QUEST 7 Reimagined
Rediscovering a classic
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Iconic characters and world with a modern remaster
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The original battle system has been improved and refined
The RPG space contains so many great franchises spanning decades of innovation, but if there's one series that stands above them all, it has to be Dragon Quest. Many people grew up on the first games, experiencing countless character-driven stories that all feel as exciting as the previous ones, but now with VII Reimagined, players can step back in time and experience a story of discovery, renewal, and most of all, hope.
The original story remains mostly intact, but major updates come to the gameplay and visuals. Firstly, the combat system has been given a major overhaul, with new abilities and battle elements to ensure things feel modern while maintaining a similar pace as before. Then there are the visuals, which have also undergone a major overhaul, allowing the iconic art style to shine with some more vibrant models that bring all the emotions and screams to life with more joy than ever before.
A big upcoming RPG that focuses on player choice
The freedom to make impactful decisions with far-reaching consequences lies at the heart of these upcoming RPGs.
