Say hello to the next 5 great action RPGs

Who doesn't love a good oldie action RPG? Although turn-based gaming has a long and storied heritage, real time battle seems to be more common these days, at least in notable AAA projects. From traditional hack-and-slash as Diablo to story-driven shooters like Cyberpunk 2077likes JRPGs FF7 Rebirthand Soulslike epics that Fire RingAction RPGs come in many shapes, sizes and arsenals, so there's often something to suit every fancy and mood. Heck, we can't forget the indie scene either, which is largely responsible for fulfilling the isometric and top-down RPG quota.

2025 is almost over, but the year still has a lot to offer, regardless of which platform someone has chosen. Also, 2026 won't waste any time getting started, as major releases should start rolling out within weeks. February and March are especially STACKED with goodies. With so much happening every day, it's absurdly easy to miss out on potentially big plays; therefore let us highlight a few upcoming action RPG which will be launched within the next few months.

Here are some notes and criteria:

Only games with confirmed release dates will be included, and we're targeting projects set to launch between December 2025 and February 2026.
No ports, although we will include an honorable mentions section at the end covering those games.
Each game's trailer is included for reference.

Cloudheim (Early Access on PC)

A wonderful Co-Op adventure is coming to Steam and the Epic Games Store

Starting with a slightly petty edition, Cloudheim might not be on too many people's radars, but Noodle Cat's upcoming title looks incredible from the released images.

Cloudheim describes itself as “an action adventure for 1-4 players”, but “Action RPG” is also one of the first tags on Steam. Consequently, we decided to include it as a mention, especially since it doesn't have the name recognition of all the other recommendations. The game is also planned for PS5 and Xbox, albeit at a later date and not for early access.

After Ragnarok leaves Cloudheim in ruins, you and your allies must journey through a wonderful but ruined world filled with dungeons, imposing monsters, and cute, friendly creatures. Although co-op is advertised relatively heavily, Cloudheim is also a single-player experience that can only be enjoyed as a standard solo adventure. A central part of the experience should be crafting, as you'll be able to craft weapons and gear that unlock new abilities for combat. Speaking of which, the latter is physics-based and fast-paced, along with quite a bit of variety depending on your chosen weapon and build. You even run a store that serves as a way to improve your reputation and earn money.

Code Vein 2

A bloody anime Soulslike RPG with intense combat

Soulslikes are treated as a separate thing by many, but they are ultimately action RPGs that contain specific mechanics. Code Vein gained attention for being “anime Soulslike”, a feat that no longer feels special after the release of games like AI limit. Although a little rough around the edges, Code Vein was a solid enough first effort by Bandai Namco, and it had some interesting concepts along with a more story-driven and character-focused approach than is typical of the subgenre. The first game laid a solid foundation that should serve the sequel well, provided it improves on its predecessor's inconsistent combat and level design.

Narrative-wise, the game looks set to offer a time-traveling story that will once again see you team up with a host of partners to fight Revenants who have been corrupted and turned into monsters. Code Vein 2 retains the blood-draining mechanics of the first game, and the game seems significantly flashier (which is a good thing). You'll be able to customize weapons and skills, allowing for varied builds that should hopefully provide some different ways to approach battles.

Deus Ex Remastered

The Return Of The Definitive Immersive Action RPG

It would not be an exaggeration to say so Deus Ex is one of the greatest and most influential games of all time. The first game exemplifies the immersive sim genre, providing a player-driven experience that allows you to tackle most situations in your own way.

The series has actually been dormant since the 2016s Humanity dividedbut it's finally coming back, albeit not with a brand new outing. To be honest, remasters aren't that exciting in this day and age and the original game undoubtedly deserves a full-scale remake; as said, if Deus Ex Remastered allows a new generation to experience this masterpiece, then its existence will be fully justified. Aspyr handles the process, and they've done a great job with it The legacy of Cain and Tomb Raider franchise agreement.

Nioh 3

The Biggest Action RPG of 2026 (So Far)

Yeah, I know, another soulslike? Nowadays, many action RPGs use this style of play, so there is no escaping the fire. However, Nioh has always had a fresh identity that sets it apart from the crowd, one that emphasizes fast-paced action, mechanical complexity, loot, and many, many bosses. Nioh 2 was simply one of the best action RPGs of the 2010s, and there's a chance its successor will accomplish the same in the current decade.

Now, Nioh 3 changes a few things from its predecessors, including incorporating open spaces instead of sticking to linear missions. Personally, I liked the latter because it made the games more accessible to pick up and play, but this shift could allow for more intricate level design and superior exploration. Beyond that, combat has two playstyles, one that echoes previous entries and another designed around ranged attacks and evasions. If it is something similar Nioh 2the game will have a billion mechanics that complement each other.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties

The dragon is back

Yakuza games used to be considered RPG-adjacent rather than full-fledged members of the genre, but I feel that perception changed after Yakuza: Like a dragon. In truth, the older games are also part of the RPG world; they only have beat 'em up battles rather than turn based. They're all story-rich epics that feature leveling systems, (mostly) random encounters, awesome optional content, exploration, and some degree of customization. Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties will not be an exception, and if it is anything like the previous remakes, it will be one of the best games of the year.

Yakuza 3 has already been remastered and is somewhat easier to revisit these days than the first two games in the series, but it's also pretty bloated and gets off to a notoriously slow start. The combat is also just not good in any version of the game, sort of Kiwami version should fix. In addition to improving gameplay and side content, Dark ties has a new storyline that revolves around the Yoshitaka Mine, and this can be enjoyed separately from the main game.