Anyone who grew up in the '80s with the rise of the NES and continued to play games in the decades that followed can witness first-hand just how quickly the industry has grown. that role playing The genre is a particularly fascinating one to watch. Because there are so many examples of people changing things forever and staying original or creating templates for others to copy.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars and Chrono Trigger Here are two great examples from the SNES. So, what The upcoming RPG looks like it has some cool unique mechanics. Could it change the industry like the SNES Classic did? Even if they're not original, these examples at least seem like they're trying to contribute to the genre as a whole and shake things up in a cool, new way.
Octopath Traveler 0
A huge party awaits
- Expected release date: 12/4/25
- planned system: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Switch 2, Xbox Series X/S
first two Octopath Traveler The game already had a new approach to gameplay. Players can start by choosing one of eight characters, and can collect the remaining seven as they progress. Battles were turn-based with four party members, all of whom had to defend on their turns to gain extra turns later and even destroy monsters.
The upcoming prequel, Octopath Traveler 0will allow players to turn a party of eight into columns, doubling the party size of most turn-based RPGs. There's also a new character creator and city-building elements, so these options make this an interesting new entry in the franchise.
ChronoScript: Endless End
A dirty metroidvania
- Expected release date: 2026
- planned system: PC and PS5
ChronoScript: Endless End is one of the coolest games scheduled to be released in 2026. The game actually takes place in 2026, when the book editor is warped to the pages of the current project.
Now the player, as a tiny knight, must navigate the pages of the book through a giant, paper-and-ink Metroidvania map. The visuals are stunning, but the mechanics also look rough, from the action-RPG combat to the way players interact with the map. There are few games that break the fourth wall and look this interesting while doing so.
Ariana and the Elder Codex
Reserve your magic
- developer: Idea Factory, Compile Heart, Hide
- publisher: Idea Factory
- Expected release date: 2026
- planned system: PS4, PS5, Switch
Ariana and the Elder Codex It has a similar atmosphere to ChronoScript: Endless EndBecause visually it has a book-like aesthetic. The gameplay seems to be particularly appealing to magic enthusiasts, as it looks like players will be able to find and equip spell books as they progress.
The face buttons have direct links to attacks, and the D-pad has a variety of elements. How these two mechanisms combine to form a spell is a mystery. But looking at the first trailer, it looks like there will be plenty of combat in this upcoming 2D RPG. It could be a metroidvania. RPGs with deep spell systems are always worth a look, Ariana and the Elder Codex It's no different.
Dosa Divas
Free people through cooking
- Expected release date: 2026
- planned system:PC
Dosa Divas It's happening in a world where people no longer cook but get their nutritional value through pre-made kits. The heroes aim to revive the world's love for cooking by fighting corporate fat cats through turn-based combat.
Gameplay looks active. Super Mario RPGGorgeous visuals abound. Outside of combat, players can explore, acquire ingredients, cook for NPCs, and customize machines to enhance their combat and exploration abilities. Outerloop Games is developing a food-themed RPG. thirsty suitorThat's a game worth checking out, too.
thread of time
homage to the classics
- Expected release date: Notice later
- planned system: PC and Xbox Series X
thread of time looks like an homage to Chrono Trigger In a major and minor way. Characters appear as small sprites on the world map. There is time travel between modern, prehistoric, and future times. Plus, the combat system looks similar to the SNES classic, although it's been beefed up in some key ways.
Context clues suggest that combo attacks will be executed between party members, and there's a timeline for the turn order below. grandia. That's really nice thread of time It's both an homage and an upgrade to more modern turn-based games, and I hope time mechanics are also introduced into combat.
parasite mutation
Return of Parasite Eve
- Expected release date: Notice later
- planned system: PC and PS5
Square Enix doesn't seem interested in revisiting it. parasite eve Indie developers will emerge sooner or later. parasite mutation It looks like a spiritual successor to the blonde protagonist, with a similar combat system.
Players will explore mundane areas such as factories and sewers while looking for mutants. Once combat begins, players can move around the battlefield, but combat is paused once players take aim and use a domed grid to pinpoint the range of their attacks. This is a great mix of tactics that worked in 1998, and will likely work in 2026 as well. parasite mutation We arrive.
Prisma
play with yourself
- developer: Dreams non-corporation
- publisher: Dreams non-corporation
- Expected release date: Notice later
- planned system:PC
prisma It seems unrealistic. The game is completely hand-drawn, from exploration to turn-based combat system. What makes this game special is that the female protagonist, Alma, is a journalist who stumbles upon a magic camera lens that allows her to change her perspective during combat. For example, different lenses can curve attacks to hit more opponents.
Also, her party members are all different versions of her, like in the Multiverse RPG. From a developer perspective, this fits in well with Dreams Uncorporated's other hand-drawn RPGs. Chris TalesDivide the combat system into different time periods: past, present, and future. I hope their experimental storytelling and use of gameplay can lead to something interesting again anytime soon. prisma Here we go.
