The most anticipated RPGs released in 2025

RPGs are a genre of basic video games. Whether fantasy or modern, turn-based or action, there's an RPG for just about everyone. 2024 was full of 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 end. How will 2025 compare?

We 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. Take a look and maybe you'll find a new RPG to keep an eye on heading into 2025.

Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii

Stacey Henley, Editor-in-Chief

I've managed to avoid writing about Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii in TheGamer's most anticipated lists so far, partly because of its incredibly long name, but mostly because I know six other people at TG actually have it at the top of their list. But if we're not going to write a list of the pirate games set in Hawaii that 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 so quickly by 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 no-name hero as Fable, Like a Dragon: Pirate And So On is the RPG I can't wait to tear apart for hours on end this year future.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

Ben Sledge, Features Editor

Have we already nominated Citizen Sleeper 2 for one of these? I don't care. This is my most anticipated game overall, so of course it's my top pick for the RPG category. However, I am concerned about this as well. How do you watch one of my favorite games of all time? How do you do perfection better? The Hexport demo eased some of my fears by adding new companion mechanics and intense quests, but it still has a lot going for it. I'm excited, I'm scared, I'm ready to go again.

Declared

Amanda Hurych, editor

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. Oddly enough, it's not Obsidian Entertainment's years of experience making gorgeous RPGs like Fallout: New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity that excites me so much. Not. In fact, Pentiment filled me with faith in Obsidian's next adventure.

This little narrative game about a 16th century artist solving a crime was simply spectacular, and if Obsidian took the time to make such a passion project with no guarantees that it would find a niche audience, i can't wait to see what he's got with a hearty helping of classic RPG tropes, that is, core!

Pokemon Legends: ZA

Rebecca Phillips, Executive Editor

I'm keeping my mind open for RPGs in 2025. Metaphor: ReFantazio was barely on my radar for most of 2024, but it ended up being my favorite game of the year (and sneaked into my personal favorites, period) . That said, I'm also cautiously excited about Pokemon Legends: ZA. I love Legends Arceus, as idiotic as he is, but I didn't get along with Scarlet & Violet. If Game Freak sticks with everything they learned from Arceus and, well, nothing from S&V, I'll be happy with it.

I hope ZA expands on Arceus' core concepts and takes them where Pokemon goes TO go, if the time and effort has been put in. The overworld capture mechanic was doing a lot of heavy lifting in Arceus, especially because the environments were a bit monotonous, so if it has that, it's already got a big head start in my book. .

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition

Hilton Webster, staff writer

I've never owned a Wii U, though that's probably not a unique situation. While the vast majority of that console's exclusives eventually found their way to the Switch, Xenoblade Chronicles X was the one standout. Now I've played that game, but certain aspects are a little off in the emulation, so I'm just excited to finally have a proper port.

Xenoblade Chronicles X is such a weird game though. The dialogue is disjointed, the scale is truly absurd, and there are enough complex combat systems and cluttered UI to make any other game in the series look bland by comparison. And I can't wait to get back into that delightful and indulgent game. And finally, play online too.

Plus, I've already said that I can't wait to play Monster Hunter Wilds, and I can't keep saying that, can I?

Hexxen Hunters

Matt Arnold, writer

Hooded Horse is quickly becoming a favorite publisher of mine, so I set my sights on one of their projects, a horror RPG by Ulisses Spiele Digital. Hexxen Hunters lets you train and command an order of witch hunters in a dark 18th century Europe. It's like Darkest Dungeon meets Baldur's Gate, which obviously has a lot of potential if done right.

Fable

Helen Ashcroft, Evergreen editor

The original Fable was developed by Lionhead Studios, who also created Black & White and The Movies. This trifecta of series has been a staple since the beginning of my gaming life and I love them all dearly to this day.

Granted, I'd probably trade Fable for more Black and White, but the Fable 2023 trailer still intrigued me enough to quietly anticipate its release. The trailer is bad at telling us what the game is about, but it has three key things I love about it: British bad humor, little people who borrow, and Richard Ayoade. Sold!