The Best RPGs of 2025

The year 2025 marked a transformative era for role-playing games, characterized by a blend of long-awaited sequels and innovative new intellectual properties. Developers utilized advanced hardware to create expansive worlds with unprecedented levels of player agency and environmental reactivity. This collection represents the most significant contributions to the genre over the past twelve months, highlighting technical excellence and narrative depth. From intimate indie projects to massive triple-A blockbusters, these titles defined the gaming landscape of the year.

‘Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector’ (2025)

‘Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector’ is a narrative-heavy role-playing game developed by Jump Over the Age and published by Fellow Traveller. Players control a “Sleeper,” a digitized human consciousness in a decaying corporate body, as they navigate the lawless fringes of a star system. The game utilizes a dice-based mechanic to simulate the risks and rewards of living on the edge of space society. This sequel introduces a ship and crew management system, adding new layers of strategy to the established tabletop-inspired gameplay.

‘Monaco 2’ (2025)

‘Monaco 2’ is a tactical role-playing and stealth game developed by Pocketwatch Games and published by Humble Games. It serves as a sequel to the original heist classic, featuring a 3D perspective and procedurally generated environments. Players must choose from a variety of specialized characters to plan and execute complex robberies in highly guarded locations. The game emphasizes cooperative play and quick thinking as heists often devolve into chaotic escapes.

‘The Elder Scrolls Online: Scions of Ithelia’ (2025)

‘The Elder Scrolls Online: Scions of Ithelia’ is a major expansion for the long-running MMORPG developed by ZeniMax Online Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. This update introduces new dungeon content and furthers the overarching narrative involving the Daedric Princes. Players explore new corners of Tamriel while engaging in refined combat systems and character customization. The expansion continues to build upon the deep lore of ‘The Elder Scrolls’ universe through extensive questlines.

‘Wanderstop’ (2025)

‘Wanderstop’ is a management-focused role-playing game developed by Ivy Road and published by Annapurna Interactive. The game follows Alta, a former warrior who now runs a tea shop in a magical forest while struggling with her past. Players must balance the demands of running a business with Alta’s internal conflict and desire for her old life of combat. The gameplay blends cozy simulation elements with a poignant narrative about trauma and identity.

‘Lost Records: Bloom & Rage’ (2025)

‘Lost Records: Bloom & Rage’ is a narrative-driven role-playing game developed and published by Don’t Nod. The story follows a group of high school friends who reunite after twenty-seven years to confront a secret they buried in the summer of 1995. Players navigate dual timelines, making choices that affect the relationships and fates of the characters in both the past and the present. The game focuses on atmosphere, character development, and the consequences of long-held secrets.

‘Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road’ (2025)

‘Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road’ is a sports role-playing game developed and published by Level-5. The game follows Unmei Sasanami, a boy who loves soccer but cannot play, as he forms a team at Nagumohara Junior High. Players engage in tactical soccer matches where they must use supernatural special moves to defeat opponents. This entry features over 4,500 characters from the series’ history, allowing for immense team customization.

‘Decapolice’ (2025)

‘Decapolice’ is a crime-suspense role-playing game developed and published by Level-5. Players take the role of Harvard, a detective who hunts criminals in a virtual world that perfectly replicates reality. The gameplay alternates between investigating crime scenes in the real world and engaging in turn-based battles in the digital realm. The game utilizes a unique system where evidence found during investigations can be used as attacks or debuffs during combat.

‘Eternal Strands’ (2025)

Developed and published by Yellow Brick Games, ‘Eternal Strands’ is a third-person action role-playing game. Players control Brynn, a Weaver who uses powerful magic and a variety of weapons to fight giant creatures. The game emphasizes physics-based combat, allowing players to climb massive enemies and use the environment to their advantage. A dynamic weather system also plays a crucial role, affecting how elemental magic interacts with the world and its inhabitants.

‘Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter’ (2025)

‘Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter’ is a challenging action role-playing game developed by Odd Bug Studio and published by United Label. Players take on the role of Arlo, the heir to the Warden of the Wastes, as he battles a primitive force of bats in the frozen North. The game features brutal, soulslike combat and a deep crafting system for weapons and armor. Narrative progression is told through a gritty, hand-drawn art style and narrated by a deep, gravelly voice.

‘Steel Seed’ (2025)

‘Steel Seed’ is a sci-fi action role-playing game developed by Storm in a Teacup and published by ESDigital Games. The story is set in a subterranean facility where the last remnants of humanity reside after a planetary disaster. Players control Zoe, who is accompanied by a flying drone named Koby, as they navigate dangerous environments and engage in stealth-focused combat. The game explores themes of artificial intelligence and the survival of the human spirit in a mechanical world.

‘Hell is Us’ (2025)

Developed by Rogue Factor and published by Nacon, ‘Hell is Us’ is a third-person action role-playing game set in a country torn by civil war. Players must face supernatural creatures that cannot be defeated with conventional weapons, requiring the use of special equipment and ancient magic. The game emphasizes discovery and exploration, intentionally omitting a traditional map or quest markers to encourage player intuition. Its dark atmosphere and philosophical narrative focus on the cycle of violence and human suffering.

‘Where Winds Meet’ (2025)

‘Where Winds Meet’ is an open-world action role-playing game developed by Everstone Studio and published by NetEase. Set during the Ten Kingdoms period of ancient China, players assume the role of a wandering swordsman. The game offers immense freedom, allowing players to choose professions such as a merchant, a doctor, or even a construction worker. Martial arts combat is a core focus, featuring wall-running, water-walking, and intricate swordplay.

‘The Outer Worlds 2’ (2025)

‘The Outer Worlds 2′ is a first-person role-playing game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios. This sequel takes players to a new star system with a fresh cast of companions and eccentric factions. The game maintains the series’ signature dark humor and emphasis on player choice, allowing for various diplomatic or violent solutions to problems. Its expanded character progression and weapon customization offer more ways to survive the corporate-controlled galaxy.

‘Titan Quest II’ (2025)

Developed by Grimlore Games and published by THQ Nordic, ‘Titan Quest II’ is an action role-playing game rooted in Greek mythology. Players must stop Nemesis, the Goddess of Retribution, who is corrupting the Threads of Fate and punishing all who oppose her. The game features a flexible character system that allows players to combine two masteries to create unique classes. The world is filled with legendary beasts and hand-crafted environments that reflect the grandeur of ancient legends.

‘Hades II’ (2025)

‘Hades II’ is a god-like rogue-like role-playing game developed and published by Supergiant Games. Players take on the role of Melinoë, the Princess of the Underworld, as she seeks to defeat Chronos, the Titan of Time. The game introduces new magical abilities and a deep relationship system with various figures from Greek mythology. This sequel expands on the original’s acclaimed storytelling and fast-paced combat while introducing a craftable upgrade system.

‘Tales of the Shire’ (2025)

‘Tales of the Shire’ is a cozy life-simulation role-playing game developed by Wētā Workshop and published by Private Division. Set in the world of Middle-earth, players create their own Hobbit and settle into the peaceful village of Bywater. The gameplay involves gardening, fishing, cooking, and building relationships with other residents of the Shire. This title offers a gentle, narrative-focused experience that celebrates the simple joys of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary world.

‘The First Berserker: Khazan’ (2025)

Developed by Neople and published by Nexon, ‘The First Berserker: Khazan’ is a hardcore action role-playing game set in the ‘Dungeon & Fighter’ universe. Players control Khazan, a general who was falsely accused of treason and seeks revenge against those who betrayed him. The combat is brutal and requires precise timing, blending traditional hack-and-slash mechanics with soulslike difficulty. The game features a striking cel-shaded art style that enhances its visceral and dark narrative.

‘South of Midnight’ (2025)

‘South of Midnight’ is a third-person action role-playing game developed by Compulsion Games and published by Xbox Game Studios. Set in a fantastical version of the American Deep South, the story follows Hazel as she hunts supernatural creatures and untangles her family’s past. The game features a unique stop-motion animation style and a world inspired by Southern Gothic folklore. Players use magical weaving abilities to combat monsters and navigate the hauntingly beautiful environments.

‘Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2’ (2025)

‘Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2’ is a narrative-driven role-playing game developed by The Chinese Room and published by Paradox Interactive. Players take on the role of an Elder vampire navigating the modern-day blood politics of Seattle. The game features visceral first-person combat and a deep dialogue system where social status is as important as physical strength. Choices made throughout the game determine the balance of power among the city’s various vampire factions.

‘Wuchang: Fallen Feathers’ (2025)

Developed by Leishen Games and published by 505 Games, ‘Wuchang: Fallen Feathers’ is a dark fantasy action role-playing game set in the Ming Dynasty. Players control a female warrior afflicted with a mysterious feathering disease that grants her supernatural powers. The game features a challenging combat system inspired by the soulslike genre, requiring players to master various weapons and magical abilities. The world is filled with grotesque monsters and corrupted humans, all rendered in a gritty, historical aesthetic.

‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ (2025)

‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ is a turn-based role-playing game developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive. Set in a world inspired by Belle Époque France, players lead a desperate expedition to kill the Paintress before she erases more people from existence. The game features a unique reactive turn-based combat system where players must dodge and parry in real-time. Its breathtaking visuals and melancholic narrative explore themes of legacy and the passage of time.

‘Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’ (2025)

‘Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’ is an experimental action role-playing game developed by Kojima Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Sam Porter Bridges returns to traverse a world reshaped by supernatural phenomena, focusing on reconnecting a fractured society. The game introduces new traversal mechanics, customizable vehicles, and expanded base-building systems. Its narrative continues to explore complex themes of human connection and environmental consequence through a star-studded cast.

‘Avowed’ (2025)

‘Avowed’ is a first-person fantasy role-playing game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios. Set in the world of Eora, players investigate a mysterious soul-plague in the Living Lands, a frontier full of diverse ecosystems and dangerous creatures. The gameplay emphasizes a dual-wielding system, allowing players to combine swords, shields, and magic in real-time combat. Extensive dialogue options and moral choices define the player’s journey and the fate of the region.

‘Pokémon Legends: Z-A’ (2025)

‘Pokémon Legends: Z-A’ is an ambitious role-playing game developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo. The game is set entirely within Lumiose City as it undergoes an urban redevelopment plan to allow humans and Pokémon to coexist. It revisits the Mega Evolution mechanic while introducing a new style of mission-based gameplay and exploration. Players must balance the needs of the city’s inhabitants with the preservation of wild Pokémon habitats.

‘Monster Hunter Wilds’ (2025)

‘Monster Hunter Wilds’ is the latest major entry in the acclaimed action role-playing series developed and published by Capcom. The game introduces massive, seamless open environments that change dynamically with the weather and the presence of colossal predators. Players take on the role of hunters exploring the Forbidden Lands, utilizing new mobility options and expanded weapon mechanics to take down dangerous beasts. This installment sets a new standard for the franchise with its deep ecological systems and immersive cooperative gameplay.

Which of these massive role-playing experiences did you spend the most hours in this year? Please share your thoughts in the comments.