Every RPG Confirmed for 2018 Release

2018 Lost Sphear (Jan. 23) – Tokyo RPG Factory surprised everyone with I Am Setsuna when it originally released back in 2016. While it didn’t have the most innovative story, its combat system, soundtrack, and simple plot evoked a lot of the nostalgia associated with old-school JRPGs. Lost Sphear is the developer’s new project, and it aims to refine the systems from I Am Setsuna to deliver a more polished experience.

Monster Hunter: World (Jan. 26) – Monster Hunter is Capcom’s longstanding series, and it’s always been popular in Japan, but not so much in the west. Capcom hopes to change all that with Monster Hunter: World, which looks to be the most accessible and polished entry in the action RPG series. Players will get to create their custom character and Palico, and choose from a wide arsenal of weapons to go monster hunting with.

Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronol0gy (Feb. 13) – The 3DS isn’t quite dead yet, as Atlus seeks to bring a remake of Radiant Historia to the system. Dubbed Perfect Chronology, this RPG features a new opening, scenario, as well as tweaks to the combat system allowing for party members to execute follow-up attacks.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance (Feb. 13) – Developed by Warhorse Studios, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a first-person action RPG that will take place in a medieval open-world. The game allows players to build relationships with various NPCs, and their dialogue options will make an impact on that bond. The game also features a classless system, meaning that players will be able to shape their character however they want, with skills and abilities that are typically associated with specific jobs.

Secret of Mana (Feb. 15) – Secret of Mana was originally released back in 1993, and it also marked the series’ departure from being just a Final Fantasy spin-off game. The game is getting a 3D remake this year for the PS4, PS Vita, and PC. The remake also comes with a huge graphical update with 3D models as well as voice acting.

Valkyria Chronicles 4 (Mar. 21) – Valkyria Chronicles 4 is the fourth entry in SEGA’s popular strategy role-playing series, but it takes place during the events of the first game. Valkyria Chronicles 4 will also introduce a new Grenadier combat class, along with a new cast of characters on the continent of Europa.

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom (Mar. 23) – The first Ni no Kuni left quite the impression on us because of its beautiful animations and heartwarming story. While Studio Ghibli might not have anything to do with the sequel, this RPG still looks every bit as charming as we remember it to be, and it also improves the turn-based combat system to be quite a bit more fluid.

Wargroove (TBD) – Though we still don’t have a confirmed release date, Wargroove is slated for an early 2018 release. It was first shown off during Nintendo’s Nindies Direct back in 2017, and it’s a turn-based strategy RPG that allows you to play with up to three other friends. The pixel art looks gorgeous, and Advance Wars fans should definitely keep this one on their radar.

Code Vein (TBD) – As From Software continues plugging away at their new game, Bandai Namco has a new title in 2018 that should keep Souls fans satisfied. Code Vein takes many cues from the Soulsborne games, including the stamina-based action combat with i-frames, winding level design, and bonfire-like checkpoints which allow you to level up.

Kingdom Hearts III (TBD) – The last time Square Enix showed off Kingdom Hearts III, it proclaimed in its trailer that the game is coming in 2018. Well, we’ll believe it when we see it. Kingdom Hearts III is set to be the third and final main entry of the popular series that follows Sora’s story as he gathers up warriors of Light to fight back against the Darkness.

Project Octopath Traveler (TBD) – Project Octopath Traveler was first shown off at the Nintendo Switch debut event at the start of 2017. It’s a 2D sprite JRPG complete with a nice, classic turn-based combat system with several different characters you can play as. A demo was released for the Switch last year, and we liked what we saw. The 2D sprites look crisp, and the backgrounds certainly come with a lot of old-school charm.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire (TBD) – Pillars of Eternity is one of Kickstarter’s best video game success stories, and the original game did so well that developer Obsidian decided to make a sequel. The top-down isometric RPG is a callback to old-school PC CRPGs, where combat is challenging but fair, and everything revolves around creating a character that’s your own, and getting properly immersed in a fantasy world. The backer beta is already up and running, and there’s no confirmed release date for Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire just yet, but it’s currently slated for a 2018 launch.

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux (TBD) – Along with Radiant Historia, Atlus is bringing another of its beloved and underrated RPGs to the 3DS. Titled Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux, the game will feature new story content, new character portraits, and full voice acting. The classic SMT gameplay is back as well, and players will get to fuse demons to create a strong party to mow down foes in turn-based combat.

Dragon Quest XI (TBD) – There’s still no word on which platforms Dragon Quest XI will be coming to in the west, but we’re pretty sure the Switch and PS4 are a lock. The interesting thing about the 3DS version of the game was that it featured 2D sprites on the lower screen and 3D models on the main screen. That functionality will no doubt be lost on the other two consoles, but this could finally be Dragon Quest’s chance to establish a proper foothold in the west.

Fire Emblem (TBD) – We don’t have any details on the new mainline Fire Emblem game yet, but we know it’s coming. Nintendo and Intelligent Systems have already confirmed that the next game in the main series will be coming to the Switch, and we’ll no doubt hear more about it in the upcoming Direct.

Dauntless (TBD) – Dauntless is an action RPG that’s currently in early access, and it’s set to be released as a free-to-play game on PC in early 2018. The game takes place in a fantasy setting, where players are tasked with hunting down Behemoths for materials and parts to upgrade their equipment. Similar to the Monster Hunter series, Dauntless also allows players to team up with three other people to go on an animal hunt.