Upcoming RPGs and tactics from RPGWatch releases list that I noticed.
Another year, another list of short overviews of upcoming RPGs and tactics that I consider more-or-less noteworthy for whatever reason. As a reminder, this mostly means isometric turn-based games, though there might be exceptions, if a setting or some mechanic seems interesting enough to me.
This year seems to be another weak one when it comes to RPGs. Well, we have Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which, I’m sure, will again delight me with its story and setting and the make me suffer with its combat mechanics. Unlike KCD2, Avowed, the second “big name” release for this year, holds no interest for me: I never liked the world of Pillars of Eternity, and a first-person action game set in it is just not my cup of tea.
Of course, there is also Hades II – another exception for me, but, well, it’s not really a “true RPG”, more like “rogue-lite with story”.
1. RPG.
PARTICLE OF GOD (15.02.2025)
Survival RPG which looks like it was inspired by Fallout and/or ATOM RPG. From the state of Steam page and forums, probably vaporware, with last video released more than a year ago, but who knows.
Sector Unknown (15.02.2025)
A rare sci-fi RPG, this game offers an opportunity to lead resistance against mining corporation that exploits our little corner of space consisting of six planets. Authors promise turn-based combat, crafting, research, base building and random(?) quests (for grinding?). The game looks well enough, news are updated regularly, but there is no definite release date, and the project seems to be driven by a single developer, so probably don’t hold your breath for February release.
Glasshouse (01.03.2025)
This one was already on my list last year as a Disco Elysium-like, but now developers say there will be combat. Which is quite surprising, as the theme – survival of a group of friends in a house during lockdown – doesn’t seem to require combat mechanics. The release date seems to be pure speculation – developers made no promises I could find about exact timeline.
Rubedo: The Occult Dawn (01.05.2025)
Open-world RPG where you play an alchemist who survived witch hunt, and now must restore his Order. Authors promise some kind of unique, sigil-based combat system that’s not unlike card battler, but details are few. If I read the screenshots right, the world exploration happens in 3rd person. The news release about “first version of combat system” came out last September, so I would be very surprised if the game will be released by May – or, indeed, any time during this year.
Hades II (06.05.2025)
Supergiant Games’ titles are a rare expection to my turn-based habit, and Hades was the best of them since Bastion, so I have high hopes for the sequel. The release date seems to be official, for a change.
Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy (01.06.2025)
A new game from creators of ATOM RPG, this time in a fantasy settings. Authors promise switchable combat system (TB/RTwP) and classless character development (probably inherited from ATOM RPG). There is no magic, but you can brew potions and craft stuff. Atom Team earned some trust for me, so I’m eager to see what they’ll make this time. Early Access reviews seem to be positive, and the screenshots looks nice. Date of release, on the other hand, is pure speculation, and I’m not at all sure the game will actually come out this year.
The Necromancer’s Tale (July 2025)
A rare RPG where you get to play a Necromancer, with ability to build your own army of undead. It’s especially surprising that this is a full-blooded RPG, and not a tactic. I played the demo last year, and, well… It’s janky. The 3D graphics look dated, UI is not very readable and the choice of fonts in questionable – which is very unfortunate, because the game requires A LOT of reading. Still, considering the lack of “true” RPG releases this year, maybe I’ll find I can enjoy it.
New Arc Line (01.12.2025)
A steampunk RPG which many compare to Arcanum, New Arc Line seems to be one of the most interesting indie projects currently in development. The first reviews from Early Access, which started last year, were troubling, but it seems the situation improved since then. I’m really looking forward to this game, but if it gets delayed to next year, I wouldn’t be surprised – or sad. A game that stands in the shadow of the best RPG Troika Games ever made should take its time.
Shore of Jord (01.03.2025)
Intriguing combat-less detective RPG in a Scandinavian post-apocalypse setting. In this case, literal post-apocalypse: it’s been 1451 years since Mother of All Wars, Ragnarok. Still, life goes on, somehow, and our hero, a retired military officer, is plunged into world of intrigues and politics. Release date seems unlikely.
2. Tactics.
Shrouded Aspect (01.06.2025)
Epic fantasy in Celtic setting with turn-based combat. Looks very bad, and there is very little information about it otherwise.
Veterum (01.06.2025)
Good looking tactic game from the authors of Warbanners (which I still haven’t played, despite having it on my Wishlist for some years already). Authors promise full release or Early Access in 2025.
Paraside: Duality Unbound (01.07.2025)
Very good looking game with an interesting twist: characters exist and can act in two worlds at once. This feature, along with tight combat arenas should force the player to plan ahead. It reminds me, and some forum posters of Into the Breach, which isn’t so bad. The release date isn’t officially mentioned anywhere.
Plague Lords (01.06.2025)
Tactic with base-building in 14th century. You’ll have to fight the Plague and investigate its origins in one particular barony. Release is planned for 2025.
Scourge of the Reptiles (01.06.2025)
Tactic game with a story mode where you can control and fight dinosaurs. Authors promise 19 species of dinos. And magic. No concrete release date I could find.
The Royal Office of Magick Affairs (01.06.2025)
Tactical RPG where you control a secret government agency in Victorian times tasked with questions of magic. Agents are recommended to minimize use of deadly force to avoid drawing attentions, so I guess we’ll have stealth, and maybe some other options during missions. The screenshots aren’t very inspiring, but I like the idea. There is no official release date.
Chains of Freedom (01.06.2025)
Eastern European tactic, involving politics (duh), mind control and fate of your people. No concrete release date.
Covert Crew (01.04.2025)
Japanese-style tactical RPG which kind of reminds me of Chroma Squad. Combats will have additional goals, and there will be bosses. No true release date.
Dead Weight (01.05.2025)
Steampunk rogue-lite with pixel graphics and small combat locations. Officially planned for Q2 2025.
Fight Life: Vanguard (12.02.2025)
Nice-looking tatical game. Unfortunately, details are lacking and there is no release date.
Burden of Command™ (01.03.2025)
An interesting tactical project where you control a company of soldiers in WW2. You will not only have to win missions, but also hearts and minds of your soldiers. Release seems to be close: developers planned to have the game ready last December or this January, but it got delayed.
3. Updates for last year’s entries.
Zodiac Legion (01.06.2025)
Tactical game in destructible dungeons. Doesn’t seem to have much of a story, more of a sandbox, maybe? New release date is Q2 2025.
MENACE (01.10.2025)
A new game from Battle Brothers authors. Release seems to be planned for Q3 2025.
Void Marauders (01.10.2025)
An X-Com inspired tactical game about space pirates. Early Access reviews seem to be positive, but I couldn’t find much details about the game, and release date is entirely unclear.
Guild Saga: Vanished Worlds (15.10.2025)
Very ambitious game I noticed last year. Early Access reviews are positive, but it doesn’t seem to be planned for full release any time soon.
Project Haven (01.06.2025)
Tactical game with emphasis on realistic gunplay. Last year I thought the game might be dead, but it got some updates since then, and now authors hope for release this year.
Mars Tactics (01.06.2025)
Interesting tactical game about war between Labour and Corporation on Mars. Authors “hope” for 2025 release.
The Way of Wrath (01.04.2025)
A tactical game about prehistoric tribe that I’ve been tracking for 3 years, I think. Still no official release date, but authors wrote they are in the final stages of development.
Demonschool (12.02.2025)
A wizzard school game. New release date – Q1 2025.
Urban Strife (01.06.2025)
A tactical game with zombies that reminds me of Dead State. Release date is not announced.
Archaelund (2026)
RPG with first-person exploration and isometric combats in style of Betryal at Krondor. Full release is planned for the next year, according to the official roadmap.
Sacred Fire: A Role Playing Game (2025)
An RPG with some kind of unique emotions mechanics. Authors hope for 2025 release.
Released since last year.
HeistGeist
Robin Hood: Sherwood Builders
Geneforge 2 – Infestation
Yet Another Fantasy Title (YAFT)
Zoria: Age of Shattering
Crown Wars: The Black Prince
King Arthur: Legion IX
Capes
SKALD: Against the Black Priory
Broken Roads
VED
Failed projects.
Interesting RPG from a Polish developer that I mentioned last year seems to be dead because the small team couldn’t handle it.