2017 was a fantastic year for the RPG genre. Games like Divinity: Original Sin 2, Torment: Tides of Numenera, and many others show that the genre still stands firm in the face of many big-budget AAA titles that dominate the gaming market these days.
2018 will also introduce a huge variety of sub-genres, settings, characters, and combat mechanics in a number of completely original RPG projects and sequels to long-running franchises.
Many upcoming games still don't have exact release dates, but teaser trailers are already available, so you will have the chance to see what these most anticipated RPG games of 2018 have to offer.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Developer: Warhorse Studios
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Release date: February 13, 2018
The development of one of the most anticipated non-fantasy RPGs of 2018 is an adventure of its own. It started back in 2012, after the former developers of the Mafia franchise licensed the CryEngine for their new unknown project.
After two uncertain years, the Kickstarter campaign was able to help Warhorse Studios finance the rest of the development. In 2016, the Kingdom Come: Deliverance team showed the results of four years of development, which was an almost finished version of the game.
Finally, in just a few months, you will get the chance to experience one of the most realistic single-player RPGs in history, complete with period-accurate armor, combat, and a 15th-century setting.
Kingdom Hearts III
Developer: Square Enix
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One
Release date: TBA 2018
As usual, Team Disney and Team Final Fantasy, including new characters from Toy Story, comprise the theme of the 12th installment of this beloved RPG franchise that first emerged way back in 2002. There have been many ups and downs on the way for the Kingdom Hearts series, but after years of development complications, Kingdom Hearts III will finally come out in 2018.
The game runs on Unreal Engine 4, allowing all the characters from Disney movies to look as cinematic as possible, which is also the main reason why the game was delayed for so long.
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Platforms: PC
Release date: TBA 2018
The narrative of Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire will continue the plot of the original game, which was released in 2015. Players will be able to use the save files from the original game and continue the story where they last finished it. This means that the events of the first game will directly affect the course of Deadfire.
The developers also promise the possibility to travel not only on land but also on the sea, where players will encounter new cultures and environments. Lastly, NPCs in Deadfire will behave in a more dynamic way, which will result in a series of much more interesting side quests.
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
Developer: TaleWorlds Entertainment
Platforms: PC
Release date: TBA 2018
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is a medieval action-RPG developed by TaleWorlds Entertainment, which has been responsible for the Mount & Blade series from its very inception.
The game takes place 200 years before Mount & Blade: Warband, during the period of the fall of the Empire and the formation of independent kingdoms.
The armor, weapons and architecture in Bannerlord will correspond to the period between the seventh and thirteenth centuries.
Monster Hunter: World
Developer: Capcom
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Release date: January 26, 2018
Unlike the previous games in this popular series, Monster Hunter: World is set in an open-world environment.
The game will support a cooperative mode with up to four players who can jointly overcome even the biggest and strongest enemies. It is already known that players from Japan and Western countries will be able to play freely with one other.
The playable demo will be available on consoles in December 2017, so keep your eyes open for further announcements.
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
Developer: Bandai Namco (Level-5)
Platforms: PC, PS4
Release date: January 19, 2018
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom is the the continuation of the much-loved Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch from 2013. In the sequel you will meet the main character of the game -- Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum -- as well as his friends and allies, who find themselves tasked with saving their kingdom from the dark forces.
Just like the first game, Revenant Kingdom is set in an open-world environment full of lush and colorful locations. If you enjoyed playing the first game, you will definitely have a blast playing this one, too.
Indivisible
Developer: Lab Zero Games
Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Release date: TBA 2018
Lab Zero Games is an indie developer that became known for its work on 2D fighting game Skullgirls. Its latest project, Indivisible, is an action-RPG funded entirely with the help of IndieGoGo's crowdfunding campaign last year.
The main character of the game is a girl named Ajna. She goes on a distant and very difficult journey to learn all about the mysterious powers she possesses. On her way, she will not only meet deadly foes but also loyal allies.
The developers of Indivisible were mainly inspired by classic games such as Valkyrie Profile and Super Metroid. Also interesting to note is that the music for the game was written by the composer of Secret of Mana, Hiroki Kikuta.
Shenmue III
Developer: Neilo, Ys Net
Platforms: PC, PS4
Release date: Q3/Q4 2018
During this year's Gamescom, fans of the Shenmue series were finally able to see the first teaser trailer for Shenmue 3. Originally, the project was set to premiere at E3 2017, but the event was canceled.
Shenmue 3 will offer players a chance to experience several genres at once. It combines action-adventure and RPG elements with an open-world setting. Also at your service will be arcade machines, mini-games, and many interesting NPCs with their own personal stories for you to discover.
For those of you who may have never heard of the Shenmue series, an interesting tidbit is that the first game from 2000 introduced QTE (Quick Time Events) mechanics, which are frequently used in many games up to this very day.
Vampyr
Developer: Dontnod Entertainment
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Release date: Q1/Q2 2018
Vampyr is an action-packed RPG with complex but very intuitive combat mechanics. You will be involved in an investigation during which you have to collect a lot of clues and interview a large number of NPCs on the streets of London.
Using the vampire's skills along with improvised weapons, you will have to fight not only physical enemies but also your own fears. Anyone you meet in the game can be either a victim of the crime or the criminal.
Vampyr is a true gothic horror story about vampires in the real world, where death and crime on the streets reflect inevitable social and political changes after WWI.
GreedFall
Developer: Spiders
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Release date: TBA 2018
If you like to explore remote, isolated islands populated by indigenous people and supernatural beings who fend off uninvited guests, then GreedFall is your type of game. Alongside other settlers, mercenaries, and treasure hunters, you will experience a living and ever-changing world.
Your actions, from the simplest decisions to the global ones, will effect changes in the political situation of the island, which in turn will change the course of events and your relations with the various factions that coexist within the game.
Dauntless
Developer: Phoenix Labs
Platforms: PC
Release date: Q1/Q2 2018
Dauntless is an action-RPG inspired by the Dark Souls series, Monster Hunter, and World of Warcraft, with classic Diablo-like gameplay in a fantasy setting.
You will have the chance to take on the role of a hunter whose prey are none other than giant monsters that actually look very similar to dinosaurs. In Dauntless, you can go on an adventure alone, or assemble a group to hunt for monsters together.
---
That's it for the most anticipated RPGs of 2018. Hopefully you have found a project or two that have you interested. Stick with GameSkinny for more upcoming game news and information, including our take on the most anticipated MMOs of 2018.
Which upcoming RPG do you want to play the most? Leave your opinion in the comments section below.
Published: Nov 27, 2017 09:48 am