Most Anticipated Games

RPGFan’s 30 Most Anticipated Games of 2025 (Part 3)

Most Anticipated Games of 2025 with artwork from some 2025 releases in the background

Here we have some remasters that this author might be chomping at the bit to play, new entries in some long-running franchises, and some indie releases we’re chomping at the bit to play. We also have a couple of late bonus entries that we just had to include!


Monster Hunter Wilds (February 28th)

Writeup by Michael Sollosi

2018’s Monster Hunter: World eventually became the best-selling Capcom game in history, with sales (including the Iceborne expansion) surpassing 25 million units. Monster Hunter Wilds is the true successor to World, with the return of director Yuya Tokuda exploring an even grander open-world concept.

As in every Monster Hunter game, player-created characters track down, duel with, and harvest materials from a dangerous ecosystem of wyverns, beasts, and more. Now, players seamlessly move between settlements and hunting grounds for a more immersive experience, with all 14 Monster Hunter weapon types available to take on new monsters like the intimidating primate Ajarakan and terrifying insectoid Lala Barina alongside classics like Rathalos and Yian Kut-Ku.

Every new Monster Hunter game is a major event for the community of millions of enthusiastic hunters cultivated by Capcom over twenty years. Monster Hunter Wilds has fans like yours truly salivating like a ravenous Odogaron.


Phantom Blade Zero

Writeup by Tina Olah

Welcome to the Phantom World, Dear Stranger. The rain pours onto cold rocks and withered trees; the twang of a sanxian cuts through the gloom. An assassin is hunted down and left to die by his former companions, framed for the cardinal sin of murdering his organization’s leader. Yet he is given a second chance at life through a healer’s magic, and dang it, he is an angry, angry man.

A stand-out title at this summer’s game shows, 2025 will see the release of Phantom Blade Zero, a stunning dark fantasy action RPG by Chinese studio S-GAME. Explore a vast world peppered with steampunk technology, crawling with masked sentinels and hulking abominations to practice your swordplay on. Though the grim setting and fierce combat suggest a Souls-like, the game plays more like a classic hack-and-slash action game; think Devil May Cry with more RPG elements and multiple difficulty modes. 66 days remain before the powers keeping you alive run out. Use your time wisely, brave warrior!


Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Writeup by Tom Cox

The Pokémon franchise has seen some rather drastic changes in recent years, with Legends: Arceus shaking up the gameplay formula and Scarlet & Violet giving us our first fully open-world Pokémon experience. Pokémon Legends: Z-A looks to continue that trend by ditching the traditional region-based game in favour of containing the player in Lumiose City, the capital of the Kalos region.

We know very little about the game except that it’ll focus on the city’s “urban redevelopment” and a hint at the return of Mega Evolution. However, that alone was enough to send the community wild with speculation over potential new Mega forms. I’m personally rooting for Mega Dragonite!

Pokémon Legends: Z-A‘s single city focus is exciting, as it could allow Game Freak to deliver world-building more akin to the anime. I’ve always felt that Pokémon is at its best when it explores the idea of cohabitation between people and pokémon. Legends: Z-A has the potential to be one of the best examples of that so far, and I think that’s enough to get any fan excited.


Professor Layton and the New World of Steam

Writeup by Tim Rattray

We’re blessed to be living in a world where Level-5 is not only publishing outside of Japan again but also blessing us with the first Professor Layton game to star the titular academic sleuth himself in 12 years. From what little we’ve seen so far, the game picks up a year after the first trilogy’s conclusion and features Layton and Luke solving puzzles in a steampunk environment. Perhaps what has me most excited is that Level-5 seemingly isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel (or cog) here, which means if you’re anything like me and ate this series up on the DS and 3DS, you’re in for a nostalgia trip. Plus, a whole new generation will get to jump about this train full of puzzling delight.

Speaking of puzzles, did you catch mine in this writeup? Perhaps you’ll find the answer in Professor Layton and the New World of Steam on the Switch (or Switch 2?) next year!


Showa American Story

Writeup by Gio Castillo

“Zombies are the ones trapped in the past. They are the true nostalgists.”

These solemn words were our collective (re)introduction to Showa American Story, a profoundly unserious action RPG set in a United States de facto colonized by Japan. You play as Chouko, a young Hollywood (er, Neo Yokohama) stuntwoman searching for her sister. The catch is that Chouko died years ago, murdered by unknown assailants. Now, she’s risen from the grave in an anarchic 1990s America littered with roving gangs and zombie hordes. Worst of all, the president is a shameless otaku.

Judging by the latest trailer, this could be something special. Developer Nekcom Games is making some absolutely inspired choices, from the Golden Gate Bridge decorated like a torii gate to the bizarre presence of the Magic Mirror van (you’d best look this up privately…). Meanwhile, the combat looks to be a balls-to-the-wall gorefest with the goofiest action this side of Suda51. If Showa American Story is half the irreverent, subversive thrill ride I’m expecting, I’ll be happy.


Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog (February 20th)

Writeup by Tina Olah

I hope you like Cowboy Bebop and Gundam and all those wonderful classic anime series featuring a ragtag spaceship crew, because I do and this game sure does too. Heavily inspired by PC-9800 adventures, Stories from Sol: The Gun Dog is a visual novel with point-and-click elements that will take you to the edge of space, ’80s anime style.

Welcome aboard the Jovian patrol ship Gun-Dog! A relaxing place to kick back after the terrible Solar War? Not so fast! As the ship’s new security officer, you investigate strange signals beckoning from the depths of space while dealing with the chaos and drama that inevitably breaks out among the crew. Violence, in some form, is almost guaranteed.

Stories from Sol: The Gun Dog perfects the retro PC aesthetic and is sure to delight fans of classic anime; you can even switch between full-color and nostalgic green graphics and enjoy (or fear) the presence of mechs. Expect the game to fly into your orbit in February 2025; until then, you can catch up on some Macross!


Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars (March 6th)

Writeup by Rob White

It’s safe to say that Suikoden II is one of my favourite games of all time, and this remaster double bill with the first entry has been high on my list of anticipated games since it was announced. These remasters come with a swathe of exciting updates to elevate and modernise the experience—new character art from Junko Kawano, the original artist, is something I’m particularly looking forward to seeing. Alongside that, we’re also getting new and improved environmental and battle sound effects and graphical improvements that look to put these games somewhere between the originals and the HD-2D style seen in Octopath Traveler and Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. How effective the blending of original and new graphical elements is in the finished product remains to be seen, but I am optimistic. How about other QOL additions—auto battle? Check! 2x battle speed? Check! I’m very ready to dive into the intricate political drama of these games once again.


Tales of Graces f Remastered (January 17th)

Writeup by Niki Fakhoori

Some Tales of games have been ported countless times yet aren’t accessible through modern consoles. Others have been released only a handful of times or less, further limiting their availability. Tales of Graces is one such title: the original didn’t get an international release— only its PlayStation 3 port with expanded story, Tales of Graces f, saw the light of official localization. The game hasn’t been released since, despite its popularity among fans. In January, Tales of Graces f Remastered will finally bring the world of Ephinea to a new audience and allow old fans another chance to return after more than 13 years. This exciting news is already a fantastic start to the series’ 30th anniversary celebration, but we also wouldn’t complain if it opened the floodgates for other classic Tales of titles to make their own triumphant returns in 2025 and beyond.


Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition (March 20th)

Writeup by Zek Lu

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is finally bringing one of the Wii U’s standout RPGs to the Switch, and as my favorite Wii U game, I’m excited to see the adventure on Mira return with added story elements and fresh content. This version also introduces the ability to unlock a powerful new Skell—massive mechs that aid in exploration—once players prove themselves to the BLADE organization.

The Switch version aims to refine the game’s sprawling exploration and promises to make the world feel even more alive and dynamic. With stunning landscapes and thrilling alien encounters, players can look forward to a vibrant experience that rewards those who dig into its secrets.

For newcomers, Xenoblade Chronicles X is a standalone entry in the series, so it’s easy to dive into without prior knowledge of the other games. With its Switch release, it’s poised to remind fans why it shined on the Wii U and to captivate a new generation of players with its unique sci-fi setting and expansive open world.


Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana (January 7th)

Writeup by Michael Sollosi

Ys: The Oath in Felghana is one of the heralds of Nihon Falcom’s 20th-century renaissance. A remaster of 1990’s Wanderers from Ys, The Oath in Felghana introduced a new generation of fans to the exploits of Adol the Red and his confidant Dogi the Wall-Crusher. In 2025, the duo returns in Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana to save Dogi’s hometown and childhood friends from ruin (again). 

Ys Memoire features refined visuals and illustrations, plus remastered versions of Felghana’s awesome soundtrack; players can switch between visual and audio styles at will. Ys Memoire will have at least some changes to the original script because Adol is no longer a silent protagonist, with the game including narration and dialog beyond grunts accompanied by sword slashes. 

The intense action and challenging boss fights from the 2005 original hold up beautifully, so let’s hope Ys Memoire won’t fix what wasn’t broken. Except for walls. Dogi’s gonna break a few of those. 


Bonus!: The Outer Worlds 2

Writeup by Jonathan Logan

Announced almost four years ago, The Outer Worlds 2 getting a 2025 release date was a surprise no one saw coming. After all, Obsidian already has a massive RPG launching this year in Avowed. Personally, I’m thrilled because it means twice the RPG goodness from one of my favorite developers in the upcoming year—and it’s multi-platform!

Building on everything we loved about The Outer Worlds—endearing companions, over-the-top science weapons, and biting satire—TOW2 looks to double the original’s size. The first game was proudly an AA title, but with the sequel, I’m hopeful Microsoft has given Obsidian the budget to add an extra A and let their creativity shine. No matter the scope, I’m excited for what’s to come, but honestly, I’d be satisfied with anything as long as Parvati gets at least a cameo appearance.


Bonus!: Elden Ring Nightreign

Writeup by Jonathan Logan

FromSoftware is almost single-handedly responsible for creating a new genre of video game: the Souls-like. Since Dark Souls released in 2011, players have ravenously craved their trademark grindfests, banging their heads against boss after boss until they either win or their controllers buckle under the strain.

These punishing journeys were always single-player affairs, occasionally punctuated by helpful (and not so helpful) notes left by other players. But all that is about to change with one of the most unexpected announcements at The Game Awards 2024: Elden Ring Nightreign. This Elden Ring spin-off brings co-op and roguelike mechanics to the Souls-like formula for the first time! Though you can still play solo, the gameplay is balanced for squads of three players trying to survive a grueling three-day, three-night cycle. With constantly changing maps and returning bosses from other FromSoft games, Elden Ring Nightreign offers fans a whole new way to get stomped into oblivion—but this time, with friends!


Zach Wilkerson

Zach Wilkerson

After avidly following RPGFan for years, Zach joined as a Reviews Editor in 2018, and somehow finds himself helping manage the Features department and running our Retro Encounter podcast now. When he's not educating the youth of America, he can often be heard loudly clamoring for Lunar 3 and Suikoden VI.