Say hello to the next 5 great action RPGs

Who doesn't love a good old fashioned one action RPG? Although turn-based gaming has a long and illustrious history, real time combat seems to be more common these days, at least in major AAA projects. From traditional hack-and-slash like Diablo to story shooters such as Cyberpunk 2077JRPG like FF7 Rebirthand Soulslike epics like Elden Ringaction RPGs come in many shapes, sizes, and weapon arsenals, so there's often something to suit every taste or mood. Heck, we can't forget the indie scene, which is largely responsible for filling the quota of isometric and top-down RPGs.

2025 is almost over, but the year still has a lot to offer, regardless of the platform one chooses. Plus, 2026 won't be wasting any time getting started, as major releases should start dropping within a few weeks. February and March are especially LOADED with goodies. With so much going on every day, it's absurdly easy to miss out on potentially big games; so let's highlight some of them an upcoming action RPG which will be launched in the next few months.

Here are some notes and criteria:

Only games with a confirmed release date will be included, and we're focusing on projects slated to launch between December 2025 and February 2026.
No ports, though we'll include an honorable mentions section at the end covering those games.
A trailer for each game is included for reference.

Cloudheim (PC Early Access)

A beautiful co-op adventure is coming to the Steam store and Epic Games

Starting with a somewhat small release, Cloudheim might not be on too many people's radar, but the upcoming Noodle Cat title looks incredible based on the leaked footage.

Cloudheim describes itself as an “Action-Adventure for 1-4 players”, but “Action RPG” is also one of the first brands on Steam. As a result, we decided to include it as a mention, especially since it doesn't have the designation for every other recommendation. The game is also planned for PS5 and Xbox, though at a later date and not for its early access.

After Ragnarok left Cloudheim in ruins, you and your allies must travel through a beautiful but ruined world full of dungeons, impressive monsters and cute, friendly creatures. Although the co-op is advertised quite heavily, Cloudheim is also a single-player experience that can be enjoyed as a standard solo adventure. Crafting should be a central part of the experience, as you'll be able to create weapons and equipment that unlock new abilities for combat. Speaking of which, the latter is physics-based and fast-paced, offering quite a bit of variety depending on your chosen weapon and build. You even run a shop that serves as a way to improve your reputation and earn money.

Code vein 2

Bloody anime Soulslike RPG with intense combat

Soulslikes are considered by many to be a separate thing, but ultimately they are action RPGs that contain specific mechanics. Code vein has gained attention for being a “Soulslike anime”, an achievement that already follows the release of games like it AI limit. Although a little rough around the edges, Code vein was a solid enough first effort from Bandai Namco, and had some interesting concepts along with a more story and character driven approach than is typical of the subgenre. The first game laid a solid foundation that should serve the sequel well, provided it improves on its predecessor's inconsistent combat and level design.

After the narration, it seems that the game will offer a time travel story where you will be reunited with many partners in the fight against the Revenants who have been corrupted and turned into monsters. Code vein 2 it retains the blood-spewing mechanics of the first game, and the game feels considerably more flashy (which is a good thing). You'll be able to customize weapons and skills, allowing for different builds that should hopefully provide a few different ways to approach battles.

Deus Ex Remastered

The return of the definitive immersive action RPG

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Deus Ex is one of the greatest and most influential games of all time. The first game exemplifies the immersive sim genre, providing a player-driven experience that lets you handle most situations your way.

The series has been virtually inactive since 2016 Humanity dividedbut he's finally coming back, though not with a brand new outing. To be honest, remasters aren't that exciting these days and the original game probably deserves a full remake; he said if Deus Ex Remastered allows a new generation to experience this masterpiece, then its existence will be fully justified. Aspyr takes care of this process and they have done a good job with it Legacy of Cain and Tomb Raider franchises.

Nioh 3

The Biggest Action RPG of 2026 (So Far)

Yeah, I know, another Soulslike? Nowadays, many action RPGs adopt this style of play, making it impossible to escape the fire. However, Nioh it's always had a fresh identity that sets it apart from the crowd, one that emphasizes fast-paced action, mechanical complexity, loot, and many, many bosses. Nioh 2 was simply one of the best action RPGs of the 2010s, and there's a chance that its successor will achieve the same in the current decade.

Now, Nioh 3 it changes a few things from its predecessors, including incorporating open areas rather than sticking to linear missions. I personally liked the latter because it made the games more accessible to pick up and play, but this shift could allow for more complex level design and better exploration. In addition, combat features two playstyles, one that reflects previous entries and another designed for ranged attacks and evasions. If it's anything like that Nioh 2the game will have a billion mechanics that complement each other.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties

The dragon is back

Yakuza games used to be seen as neighbors of RPGs rather than full-fledged members of the genre, but I feel that perception has shifted after Yakuza: Like a dragon. In fact, older games are also part of the role-playing world; they simply feature combat rather than turn-based combat. They're all story-rich epics that feature leveling systems, (mostly) random encounters, fantastic optional content, exploration, and some degree of customization. Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties will be no exception, and if the previous remakes are anything to go by, it will be one of the best games of the year.

Yakuza 3 it's already been remastered and is somewhat easier to get back into these days than the first two games in the series, but it's also pretty bloated and notoriously slow to start. The combat is also not great in any version of the game, something Kiwami version should be fixed. In addition to game improvements and side content, Dark ties features a new storyline revolving around the Yoshitaka Mine that you can enjoy separately from the main game.