2023 is going to be a great year for RPG fans, as a number of highly anticipated titles are set to be released in the coming months. Some games already have a set release date, while others are still in development. In our list, we present the most interesting role-playing games for 2023 and sort them by release date. Games without a set date can be found at the end of the list.
Fire Emblem Engage
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Fire Emblem Engage - releasing on January 20th, 2023 exclusively on the Nintendo Switch. Fire Emblem Engage is the next installment in the popular tactical RPG series. The game takes place on the continent of Elyos and sees the player teaming up with past Fire Emblem heroes to take down a powerful Fell Dragon.
The new "Engage" mechanism allows players to merge their appearance with heroes to unlock new weapons, abilities, and more.
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Forspoken
Platform: PC, PS5
Forspoken - developed by Luminous Productions, a new game studio founded by members of the Final Fantasy 15 team, Forspoken is an open-world action-adventure game releasing on Windows and PS5 on January 24th, 2023. The game follows a nimble young woman exploring a mysterious world filled with snow-capped mountains, lush forests, and ancient ruins.
Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy - releasing on February 10th, 2023 on Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One. Hogwarts Legacy is an open-world action-RPG exploring the magical world of Harry Potter. Players take on the role of a new Hogwarts student, choose their house, and attend classes while exploring the school's mysterious grounds.
Like a Dragon: Ishin!
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Like a Dragon: Ishin! - releasing on February 21st, 2023 on Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One. Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a remake of the Yakuza spin-off beat 'em up RPG set during late Edo period Japan. The game follows Sakamoto Ryōma as he navigates the uncertainties of society while hunting down the killer of his mentor.
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Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty - releasing on March 3rd, 2023 on Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is an action RPG developed by Team Ninja and based on East Asian folklore. Players take on the role of a militia soldier fighting for their survival in a dark fantasy setting inspired by the Three Kingdoms era. Throughout the game, they will be making decisions that will have an impact on their relationships with other characters and their progress in the game.
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Darkest Dungeon II
Platform: PC
Darkest Dungeon II - Developed by Red Hook Studios and published by the same publisher, Darkest Dungeon II is a challenging turn-based RPG that is not for the faint of heart. The game features a unique stress system and status effects that can change the course of combat and players will have to take care of their party members or risk them having a heart attack in the middle of a dungeon expedition. The game is set to release in February 2023 and will be available on PC.
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Crimson Desert
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Crimson Desert - Developed and published by Pearly Abyss, Crimson Desert is an upcoming open-world game set in a medieval fantasy world. Players take on the role of a mercenary who must complete quests and recruit other mercenaries to fight alongside them as they travel through a war-torn world with harsh weather conditions. The release date for Crimson Desert has not been announced yet and it will be available on Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Platform: Nintendo Switch
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - will be released on May 12, 2023 exclusively on the Nintendo Switch. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the highly anticipated sequel to Breath of the Wild. The game sees players explore both the land and sky portions of Hyrule with new powers, including enhanced object stasis manipulation and teleportation abilities.
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Diablo IV
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S
Diablo IV - Developed by Blizzard Entertainment and Vicarious Visions and published by Blizzard Entertainment, Diablo IV is the highly anticipated fourth installment of the iconic hack-and-slash RPG series. The game has a darker tone and different art style and is the first truly open world part of the series.
Players can look forward to post-launch content and limited-time events for several years, similar to Diablo III. The release date for Diablo IV has not yet been announced and it will be available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Final Fantasy XVI
Platform: PS5
Final Fantasy XVI - developed and published by Square Enix, Final Fantasy XVI is planned for a summer 2023 release and will be available exclusively on the PlayStation 5. The game takes a more linear approach than previous entries in the series and features traditional medieval fantasy, which hasn't been seen in the mainline singleplayer entries since Final Fantasy XII. The combat is being led by Ryota Suzuki, known for his work on Devil May Cry 5 and Dragon's Dogma, which should lead to some of the series' most exciting real-time battles.
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Baldur's Gate 3
Platform: PC
Baldur's Gate 3 - Developed and published by Larian Studios, Baldur's Gate 3 is the highly anticipated third installment of the iconic Western RPG series. The game features a massive open-world that can be explored alone or with up to three friends and is based on the Dungeons & Dragons 5. Edition rulebook, making it perfect for tabletop gamers. Players can also pause the game world at any time to survey the environment, set ambushes, or sneak past enemies. The release date for Baldur's Gate 3 has not yet been announced.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Platform: PS5
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth - planned for winter 2023, is Final Fantasy VII Rebirth the direct continuation of Final Fantasy VII Remake and continues the story beyond the original game. The game is a PlayStation 5 exclusive and fans can look forward to even more ambitious gameplay and graphics with the advanced hardware. The game promises to take the series to new heights and fans are eagerly awaiting the release.
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Starfield
Platform: PC
Starfield - with a release date that has yet to be announced, Starfield is a upcoming RPG developed by Bethesda that will be available exclusively for Windows and Xbox Series X/S. Similar to previous Bethesda games like Skyrim, players in Starfield will go on an epic open-world adventure in a space-based world. The game will also be available on Game Pass on release day.
Gothic 1 Remake
Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Gothic 1 Remake - developed by Alkimia Interactive and THQ, and published by THQ Nordic, the Gothic 1 Remake is a modern remake of the original Gothic game. The new studio was specifically founded for this game and promises to be a faithful remake of the original game. The release date for the Gothic 1 Remake has yet to be announced and it will be available on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn - developed by A44 Games and published by Wiser Interactive, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is an open-world action RPG that mixes typical fantasy conventions with real-world elements. The game is set in a world where gunpowder has just been invented and players must use both guns and melee weapons to fight against fantastical creatures and standard pre-war architecture. The game is set to release in early 2023 and will be available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty - developed and published by CD Projekt Red, Phantom Liberty is a upcoming DLC for the popular RPG game Cyberpunk 2077. The DLC is said to be a "spy thriller" and will likely offer new RPG-like options for players to handle their character and missions. The release date for Phantom Liberty is yet to be announced, but it will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.
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Lies of P
Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Lies of P - another action RPG to keep an eye on is Lies of P, which focuses on the Dark Souls-inspired combat system that is executed by the titular "P", which in this case stands for Pinocchio. The game is set in a dark fantasy environment during the European Belle Époque era and features a procedurally-generated quest system with lie mechanics that will have Pinocchio's choices affect the course of the story
Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
The Lords of the Fallen - releasing in 2023, The Lords of the Fallen is the sequel to the popular RPG developed by Defiant Studios and HEXWORKS and published by CI Games. Players take on the role of a new Dark Crusader, many years after the first wars in the game's world. The goal is to prevent the resurrection of the demon god by traveling between worlds and striking out on their own path of justice and destruction.
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Avowed
Platform: PC, Xbox Series X/S
Avowed - Developed by Obsidian Entertainment and with an unannounced release date for Windows and Xbox Series X/S, Avowed is a brand new first-person RPG set in the fantasy-inspired world of Eora. Players take on the role of an unknown hero who wields a sword and casts magical spells with unique hand gestures. With Obsidian's extensive experience in creating RPGs, including Fallout: New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity, Avowed is sure to be an exciting and immersive experience. The dark tone and mysterious story of the game will keep players on the edge of their seats.
The Elder Scrolls VI
Platform: PC, Xbox Series X/S
The Elder Scrolls VI - with a release date that has not yet been announced, The Elder Scrolls VI is the highly anticipated next entry in the popular RPG series. Although Bethesda is currently focused on The Elder Scrolls: Online, they have reminded fans that the new game is in development. Although we haven't received an update since 2018, it's likely that Bethesda will have something to show soon. Speculation has it that the game could take place in the Skyrim-adjacent area of High Rock and that the ongoing conflict with the Thalmor could be a key part of the game's story.
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Black Myth Wukong
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Black Myth Wukong - developed and published by Game Science, Black Myth Wukong is an action RPG based on Chinese folklore. The game features a slow and methodical combat system similar to the Souls series and is powered by Unreal Engine 5, which should make it shine on PC and next-gen consoles. The release date of Black Myth Wukong is still to be announced.
