RPGs Coming This Week, 7/13/25

Edens Zero – July 15th (PS5, XSX, Windows)

Edens Zero is a new action RPG based on a sci-fi/fantasy manga series by Hiro Mashima, who you may know as the author behind Fairy Tail. Even as an outsider, I can say the art style’s a dead giveaway; the protagonist’s eyes (see the thumbnail above) are unmistakable.

You’d be forgiven for mistaking Edens Zero for Edens Zero Pocket Galaxy, the mobile game that was quietly shuttered in 2024. The pair were unveiled together all the way back in 2020 by Konami, and my initial impression was that this upcoming game was just a port. Thankfully, Edens Zero looks to be far more. Far, far more.

Edens Zero basically adapts the manga, which has a sprawling story centered around a spacefaring crew looking for the literal goddess of the cosmos. It’s open-world with potentially tons of exploration and quests. Fans have compared this game to the likes of Star Ocean, and it’s easy to see why with the environments and combat. Everything I’m seeing tells me a lot of thought was put into this, and it might just appeal even to non-fans of the franchise. Here’s hoping this spaceship — Edens Zero is the name of the heroes’ main vessel — sticks the landing.

by Gio Castillo

Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition – July 15th (PS5, XSX, Switch, Windows)

Neverwinter Nights 2 came out nearly 20 years ago, and it’s finally coming back with this new enhanced version. Originally released in October of 2006, the follow-up to the critically acclaimed Neverwinter Nights would be Obsidian Entertainment’s second attempt at a Bioware sequel. Neverwinter Nights 2 would end up being a divisive release, as some fans considered it superior to the original while some still considered the original a greater masterpiece. Neverwinter Nights is also the last time Bioware and Obsidian Entertainment would touch the Dungeons and Dragons license.

The game takes place in Faerûn, where players take the role of the shard-bearer meant to stop the King of Shadows and his army from attacking. Its smoother gameplay, refined camera, polished mechanics, enhanced textures, and full controller support with a new controller-specific UI has me both excited and concerned, but the price is right for the game itself and all three expansions.

I’m excited to pick up Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition when it releases on July 15th.

by Nick Mangiaracina

The Drifter – July 17th (Windows, macOS, Linux)

The Drifter is one of the most interesting point-and-click adventure demos I’ve played this year, and I’ve played a lot. Players take the role of Mick Carter as he drifts through various towns on his way back to visit his sister. Unfortunately, he’s not alone in the box-car he’s decided to sleep in, and when the train comes to a stop, he’s met with an even stranger situation when he’s attacked.

Something’s going on in the world of The Drifter as Mick is murdered by a shadow organization only to have his consciousness returned to him mere seconds later. The developers promise you won’t be spending too much time wandering around lost or confused — they’re keeping the pace quick and lean.

I’m ready to see where Mick’s adventure takes him when The Drifter releases on July 17th.

by Nick Mangiaracina

Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson – July 17th (Windows)

Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson, a turn-based musical deckbuilder RPG, is the debut title of indie studio Ritual Studios. In this Assuming the role of aspirational rocker Rob, you will find yourself entering a nefariously orchestrated Battle of the Bands, held by the titularly wrathful head of Super Metal Records, Rick Riffson. Riffson’s plan? to trick desperate musicians into signing over their riffs, songs and creative rights, furthering his chokehold over the rock industry.

Players will take part in solo battles against the noisy, weird and melodious denizens of the Super Metal madman. Rob’s weapons of choice are a collection of progressively more badass, and customizable guitars, which he uses to rock a deck of “riffs” of varying effect and potency. Timed attacks offer a rhythmic and thematically relevant variation to the more typical turn-based combat.

by Claton Stevenson

The Necromancer’s Tale – July 17th (Windows, macOS)

The sheer amount of labor these smaller developers put into their games constantly floors me. I’m checking out the Steam page for The Necromancer’s Tale and it says, point blank, that the game has 400,000 words of narrative and lore, and there are over 180 NPCs to interact with — each having their own handdrawn portrait art. Your dialogue choices matter because every townsfolk has a trust level; betraying that confidence has potentially dire consequences. As a huge flex and plus, the description notes that generative AI was not used during development.

What even is The Necromancer’s Tale? It’s a tactical turn-based game set in an alternate 1733, in a kingdom “near Venice and the Adriatic Sea”. You play as a noble dabbling in dark magic to gain knowledge and take revenge. On Steam, it says an average playthrough will take between 25 and 50 hours, depending on how much side content you do and whether you use the automatic combat resolution feature — sick! I’m not the biggest CRPG guy in the world, but I’m so down for this.

by Gio Castillo