RPGs Coming This Week, 1/25/26

Earth Must Die – January 27th (Windows)

Anyone who has ever longed to have the power to destroy a planet (and who hasn’t?) has the chance to live out that fantasy this week. Size Five Games’ new adventure game, Earth Must Die, casts players in the role of a megalomaniacal dictator who decides to end the plane to avenge the loss of their father and kingdom.

Earth Must Die is an interactive point-and-click game, where players must use various “dictatorial” skills to solve puzzles and progress. Many puzzles involve the player using other characters to assist them, either through manipulation, coercion, or good old-fashioned iron-fisted force. Aside from the gameplay mechanics, Earth Must Die is fully voice-acted and boasts a deep roster of voice talent including Alex Horne (Taskmaster), Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI, Hades II), and many others. From the footage and trailers, it looks like there will be no shortage of British-style humor soaked into the story. Players can experience their own personal world destruction on January 27th.

by Jimmy Turner

Steel Century Groove – January 28th (Windows)

Steel Century Groove brings a new twist, or cha-cha, or pop and lock, to the RPG space this week. The game is a hybrid between a rhythm game and RPG in which players control giant mechs in dance-off style battles against other groovy mechs. While this isn’t the first game to incorporate rhythm mechanics into an RPG (see Theatrhythm Final Bar Line) it certainly aims to ratchet up the scale.

The various mechs each have their own gimmicks and playstyles. Mechs build Acclaim by successfully executing dance moves, with the objective of filling their bar before their opponent. Think of it as if Transformers and Step Up did a crossover. Yep, I stand by that comparison. [Editor’s Note: Well there’s two things I never thought I’d see in the same sentence!]

Steel Century Groove looks like a ton of fun, and might have something for fans of RPGs and rhythm enthusiasts alike. The game shimmies onto PC on January 28th.

by Jimmy Turner

Code Vein II – January 30th (PS5, XBX, Windows)

Code Vein II releases this week and takes the series in a new direction. Bandai Namco seems to be taking its direction from that of FromSoftware. Much like how FromSoft shifted from more linear action-RPGs like Dark Souls and Bloodborne to an open world in Elden Ring, Code Vein II introduces an open world not seen in 2019’s Code Vein.

Much of the gameplay will feel familiar to fans of soulslikes. In fact, Code Vein has often been referred to as “anime souls.” Whether or not that’s a totally fair description, there are definitely several elements of Souls titles at the forefront of Code Vein II. Challenging action combat, brutal boss encounters, and a campfire-like checkpoint system are all there. A notable feature for players who may be wary of the soulslike challenge are the companion characters that can offer a sacrificial heal in the event they die. The game also allows players to traverse the world on a motorcycle. If there is something more rad than an anime biker, I haven’t heard of it. Code Vein II will be available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S on January 30th.

by Jimmy Turner