2026 may already be in July, but there's still a lot of gaming left to do. Even if Grand Theft Auto 6 overshadow each other upcoming games to some extent, you don't need to pre-order a ticket to Vice City to have something to look forward to, and action RPG is poised for a big second half of 2026. Dragon's Dogma 2 and Fire Ring will release their definitive versions, and they aren't even the most exciting releases coming soon.
Throw me as a knight in a fantasy hellscape, and I'll stick around for at least 20 hours, just to make sure I give the RPG a proper shot. The immediate future includes Soulslikes, first-person, sci-fi, and vampires, all of which come with what looks like intense real-time combat that straddles the line between style and challenge. Crimson Desert was good, but the best Action RPG 2026 may not be out yet.
So let's rank the biggest upcoming action RPGs based on how perfect they look.
I will be strict with the classification, so there is no limit cases which Onimusha: Path of the Sword or Castlevania: Curse of Belmont. They look amazing, and Onimusha is one of my most anticipated games of the year, but they only seem to have light RPG elements. No re-releases/ports/remasters either.
Also, only action RPG with confirmed 2026 release dates.
6
Mortal Shell 2 could be the next great soulslike RPG
Released August 20
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Platforms: PC, PS5 and Xbox
Released in 2020, the original Mortal Shell was among the earliest non-FromSoftware Soulslikes to be really decent. While replicating Dark souls formula, Cold Symmetry introduces some interesting ideas, particularly the concept of Shells, which act as class loadouts that players can switch between.
Although a good first effort, Mortal Shell had too many rough edges to warrant a recommendation to non-Soulslike fans, but it set the stage for a sequel that could expand its reach to general action RPG fans. Mortal Shell 2 seems to be that game, offering a plethora of changes that could improve accessibility, hopefully not at the risk of losing its identity.
The sequel will drop the stamina meter, a change designed to accommodate more aggressive combat rather than the slow, deliberate pace of the first game. In service of that, Mortal Shell 2 doubles its predecessor's number of shells, effectively offering 8 classes that come with their own skill trees and moves. While not an ideal RPG for players looking to create unique builds, this jump up should make a world of difference.
5
The Blood of Dawnwalker is a vampire epic with a Witcher 3 connection
Released on September 3rd
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Platforms: PC, PS5 and Xbox
When discussing a developer's upcoming debut game, expectations should be kept in check, just to avoid setting the bar too high for a young team to reach. However, the Rebel Wolves were founded by The Witcher 3s game director, Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, and has tons of experienced developers who know a thing or two about putting together top-notch action RPGs. The Blood of Dawnwalker may be the most exciting debut game in a long time.
As the title suggests, you play as a Dawnwalker, a person stuck between human and vampire, and this dichotomy defines the day and night cycle. In the Light, players control an agile human who relies on swordplay and magic; when the sun goes down, the protagonist assumes his vampire form and becomes much more brutal (along with developing a taste for blood). Combat uses directional inputs, so you would have to match an enemy's actions.
In a gothic medieval fantasy world ravaged by a plague, vampires gain control by promising salvation to humanity, albeit at a cost. Protagonist Coen survives a forced transformation and gains powers that he needs to use to save his family. Player agency should be a big part of the game, as players are on a timer and have to decide which quests to pursue.
4
Beast of Reincarnation asks what if Game Freak took a break from Pokemon
Released on August 4th
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Platforms: PC, PS5 and Xbox
Who could have imagined that Game Freak's big 2026 game would be a post-apocalyptic action RPG released on every console except Nintendo? The Beast of Reincarnations existence is fascinating, but it also looks pretty good. It is hardly the first time that Game Freak has stepped away Pokémonbut Little Town Hero and The hidden treasure of Area Zero felt like little side adventures rather than tentpole projects.
Set in a corrupt dark fantasy version of Japan inspired by Studio Ghibli, which is always a plus, The Beast of Reincarnation players play as Emma, a woman who has bleeding powers and also knows how to use a katana. While other people are hard to come by, Emma has something even better: a canine companion.
The Beast of Reincarnations battle seems to be pretty complicated, at least from the previews that have come out so far. While it potentially contains some soul-like elements, it mostly seems to be through things like a campfire, while the real-time combat emphasizes speed and reflexes akin to something like Sekiro (including a parry and hold system). Emma also needs to make full use of Koo's Blooming Arts abilities, as her companion isn't just there for emotional support.
3
Valor Mortis is a rare soul-like first person
Released on October 13th
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Platforms: PC, PS5 and Xbox
Yes, this upcoming action RPG will probably be an acquired taste, as is usually the case with first-person games in a genre more traditionally associated with third-person. First-person Soulslikes already exist, but they mostly consist of indie titles appearing on Steam. Consequently, Valor Mortis is the first major attempt to present Dark souls formula from a new dimension, and One more levelpp Ghostrunner pedigree is encouraging.
Even beyond the battle, Valor Mortis stands out for being a historical fantasy game set in the Napoleonic era, casting players as a fallen soldier of Bonaparte himself. Yes, we have another world ravaged by a plague, but that's basically standard practice for modern action RPGs. Reflecting the era, your weaponry includes a slasher and firearms such as muskets, complemented by magic.
2
Phantom Blade Zero is the latest Wuxia Action RPG masterpiece (hopefully)
Released on October 29th
In recent years, games developed by Chinese studios have more often started to cross over to international markets, with Black Myth: Wukong is the most famous traditional single player release. Well, Phantom Blade Zero seems set to challenge for that crown by serving up another stylish epic with battles and visuals that look impressive. Also, this game is not Soulslike.
The director, Soulframe Liang, described the RPG's approach as “Kung Fu Punk,” a subgenre that sounds absurdly cool and needs to be captured. Focusing on Chinese Wuxia martial arts, Phantom Blade Zero casts you as an assassin with 66 days left to live, which he plans to use to unravel the ruse that got him convicted of murder.
Although I won't know until I spend time with it, Phantom Blade Zeros combat seems like it was designed for me. With a focus on combos, acrobatics and parrying, it looks like a martial arts action epic enhanced by a steampunk dark fantasy aesthetic.
1
Control resonant
Released September 24
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Platforms: PC, PS5 and Xbox
Finally, let's finish with a game that is not a combination of fantasy, history and medieval. Control resonant ditches its predecessor's third-person shooter classification for the action-RPG genre, replacing a shapeshifting gun with a shapeshifting staff. Instead of exploring the FBC headquarters, players travel to Manhattan, which has been warped and broken by a cosmic presence.
This time we play as Dylan, the preternaturally gifted brother of the first game's protagonist, who appears to have a much wider set of strange abilities that will seemingly be customizable. Remedy Entertainment has more than earned the trust of gamers, but the developer is entering new territory as this will be its first RPG. Verifys gameplay was generally fantastic, and the sequel takes this in a new direction that could be polarizing or at least require some tweaking.
Still, Control resonant looks incredible.
