whatoplay presents the 10 Most Anticipated RPGs for 2021 and Beyond. To see the complete
list of all roleplaying games coming to your favorite gaming platforms,
visit All Upcoming RPG games on PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
1. Monster Hunter: Rise CAPCOM revolutionized their action RPG series with
Monster Hunter: World, improving the experience with persistent co-op and more open environments.
With this next entry, the mission is to refine it further. The exploration around their new,
beautiful landscapes will be made more seamless than ever. And on top of that,
we’ll also have more mobility tools to aid us in battles against formidable beasts, or to reach the
nooks and crannies of their detailed world. For veteran tamers, what will be more exciting is the
array of additions to their legendary bestiary and the exciting new weapons to take them down with.
Take up to three friends with you in your adventures,
when it comes out on the Switch on March 26, 2021.
2. NieR Replicant ver.1.22… on PC, PS4, and Xbox One
Yoko Taro’s Drakengard spinoff series has enjoyed quite a success since its release.
To follow up the existential RPG, they take a look back to their roots with a rerelease
of a 2010 title. Previously only available in Japan, it will finally be released to all the new
fans in the west, with refreshed visuals and the improved hack and slash combat ala Nier Automata.
While it has the original plot, it also comes with additions like new voice recordings from
the original cast. For the new fans of the series, Replicant’s entry to modern consoles
is the perfect opportunity to engage with the old games. We just got a first look at the gameplay,
and Square Enix promises a release on the PC, PS4, and Xbox One in April 2021.
3. Mass Effect: Legendary Edition on PC, PS5, Series X, PS4,and Xbox One
Mass Effect is just one of many iconic names in RPG history. Along with the arrival of the
new generation of consoles, Bioware is making sure their legend lives on with this complete
remaster of the original trilogy. It refreshes the familiar faces of past characters into
today’s stunning 4K resolutions. It may not be a full remake, from the looks of the trailers,
they’ve done just enough polishing to make it a worthy experience for first timers to the series.
This package will include the base game content of the first three games,
as well as all of their DLCs and promotional content. Bioware definitely has a new entry in
the works, and with this remaster, we’ll have plenty to get us by till the next.
This Legendary Edition comes out on PC, PS4, Xbox One and next-gen consoles in Spring 2021.
4. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin While Rise is busy with going bigger,
this spinoff series is dedicating itself to bringing a narrative-focused RPG experience
for fans of the Monster Hunter series. Instead of taking down the glorious beasts,
this sequel will revolve around forming deep connections
with the iconic creatures of the universe. As a Monster Rider who inherits the Kinship Stone,
unravel an epic story filled with monster encounters and heartwarming friendships.
With the first game being an underrated success on the 3DS, nobody quite expected getting a sequel to
the series. To see it on the Switch with a grander scale than ever is a relief for all its new fans.
Though not much news has come out so far, it’s scheduled to release on the Switch this Summer.
5. Hogwarts Legacy on PC, PS5, Series X, PS4, and Xbox One
This won’t be our first run-in with a video game adaptation of the popular franchise. There have
been countless adaptations of the movies. But, what makes this so special is the promise of open
world interactions with the magical institution. Some of us grew up dreaming of getting that
letter from Hogwarts and this just might be our chance to experience it all ourselves.
We only have an announcement trailer so far, but it showed off all the classes we might be taking,
as well as some of the monsters we’ll face. Become the boy wonder of 1800s Hogwarts and
wield ancient magic against those that threaten the school and world around it. The adventure
we’ve all been waiting for, it’s coming to the PC, PS4, Xbox One, and next-gen consoles in 2021.
6. Path of Exile 2 on PC, PS4, and Xbox One The action RPG known for its dizzying
customizations is getting a sequel. Developer Grinding Gear Games was aiming for a beta
release in 2020, but with this year’s many obstacles, it seems we’ll have to wait till
next year for a first-hand look at the game so far. Fortunately for us, their 14 minute
gameplay trailer gave us a deep dive into what to expect. With a revamped engine, it definitely
looks better and the combat has an added weight to it. It also comes with a new set of classes
to play around with in their 7 act campaign. All of these happen alongside the first game, which
means you’ll be working towards the very same endgame content. No confirmed release date yet.
7. Darkest Dungeon II Their first game gave us a dose of punishing
roguelike RPG in 2D. For this new installment, it looks like we’ll see the gritty lovecraftian
themes in three dimensions. While it will flip the tables in some respects, the follow-up promises
to remain true to the core concepts. We still won’t get our hands held through the gruesome,
depressing battles, but it will introduce new characters into the mix, as well as at least
some of the favorites. Narrator Wayne June, being one of those favorites, may get some changes to
his iconic lines. Their upcoming launch will be an early access preview exclusively on the Epic
Games Store, which will be about 60 percent of what to expect in the full game. While they’re
keeping many details close to the chest for now, the Early Access is scheduled sometime in 2021.
8. Tales of Arise on PC, PS4, and Xbox One Bandai Namco’s latest entry to the Tales
series will be nothing like we’ve seen before. Crafted on a new engine, the aesthetics have gone
through a more Western revamp. This seems to be the direction developers are taking for this entry
to expand their audience. Along with the aesthetic appeal, there’s also the promise of a simultaneous
release for Japan and the West. Unfortunately, this expanded form for the series will need a bit
more time in the oven. Supposedly set to release in 2020, their announcement last July moved it to
an indefinite date in 2021. What’s certain is, it will remain true to the JRPG traditions of
the previous games, with new characters and a whole lot more openness in their fields.
More updates will hopefully be available very soon. It's coming to PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
9. Final Fantasy XVI on PC and PS5 A stark contrast to the ultra modern
setting of XV, Square Enix’s next entry puts the fantasy back into the series with the throwback
to a magical medieval era. From what their trailer presented, it seems to tell a story
filled with political intrigue and stylish, fast-paced combat against gruesome monsters.
With the launch of their new website though, we now know that the world we’ll be exploring
is the land of mothercrystals, Valisthea. The three characters they introduced are intertwined
with Eikons in a story of tragic destiny that will span six realms. It’s already an exciting premise,
and we’re looking forward to a lot of action and heartfelt moments. It might be a while
till its full, official release but we can look forward to major updates to its gameplay in 2021.
10. Starfield It has been two years since
the announcement of Bethesda’s brand new RPG, but it seems they’ve been poring over development for
much longer. With that, there have been rumors of an imminent 2021 release for the title. However,
according to Tom Howard, despite the dedicated attention from Bethesda, we’ll need to be a little
bit more patient. Some updates from devs reveal that it will use a new custom animation system
with very high level performance, hopefully setting it apart from the current lineup.