9. Expeditions: Viking (PC - Q1 2017)
Logic Artists first staked their claim on the RPG map with their Kickstarter success: Expeditions: Conquistador back in 2013. Viking continues the turn-based series, this time as norsemen, restoring your clan to prominence. We previewed the game last month and praised its tactical combat and the huge amount of choice in crafting your journey. The game smartly avoids game over screens in all but rare encounters, so both wins and losses can change your path without forcing you to reload.
10. Dragon Quest 11 (PS4/Wii U/Switch - TBA 2017 - “Before May 27”)
The storied franchise returns! Get ready to slay some slimes and return to a series that’s been too long without a quality mainline entry. The release date is up in the air but Square has previously told players to expect it in the West “before May 27.”
11. Neir: Automata (PS4 - Feb. 23, 2017)
Add another cult classic to the list. The original Neir was highly praised but saw a limited audience due to its PS3 exclusivity and admitted weirdness. Automata is striking out in a different direction, creating an entirely new story with faster, more precise combat and an increased emphasis on RPG elements.
12. South Park: The Fractured But Whole (PC/PS4/XBO - Q1 2017)
South Park: The Stick of Truth was the surprise RPG hit of 2014. Voiced by the television series’ two creators, Obsidian created a game that transported players into the show as the “New Kid” and the results were hilarious. The upcoming sequel sees the return of The Coon with a superhero theme and ups the ante on combat with movement on the battlefield and ultimate abilities.
12. Scalebound (PC/XBO - TBA 2017)
If you’ve ever wanted your very own dragon, Scalebound is for you. Play as Drew, a man pulled into a magical world and bound to the last dragon in existence, Thuban. The world drips charm and there’s something incredible about romping around with a full-size dragon. The game also features cooperative multiplayer to take one gargantuan foes as a team.
13. Kingdom Come: Deliverance (PC/PS4/XBO - TBA 2017)
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a game apart. Where other games use the medieval era as a backdrop for swords and sorcery, the fine folks at War Horse Studios think there is adventure enough in the reality of middle ages life: kings, queens, sieges, and violent battles. The game will feature branching narrative paths, a classless progression system, and first-person melee combat.
14. Vampyr (PC/PS4/XBO - TBA 2017)
Coming by way of Dontnod Entertainment, Vampyr is the story of a World War 1 era doctor turned into a vampire in 20th Century Britain. Little is known about the game at the current time, but the internal conflict of taking life as a vampire or saving it as a doctor is sure to run through its core.
15. ELEX (PC/PS4/XBO - TBA 2017)
Set on the far flung planet Magalan, the world is thrown into chaos when a meteor hits. A mysterious substance called Elex can open the gates to both technology and magic once more for the people, and even hold sway over life itself. This action RPG runs the gamut from melee, to magic, to missiles, but also gives players’ words weight as they interact with the people of the world.
Bonus:
16. Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Wii U/Switch - TBA 2017)
Easily the most anticipated title from Nintendo for both the Wii U and Switch, Breath of the Wild is as close to a reboot as the series has seen since the jump to Nintendo 64. RPG systems now play a much more important role on Link’s journey, with changeable and upgradeable weapons and armor, crafting, cooking, and a fully explorable open world. We’re still not sure if it will really be an RPG, but it’s definitely coming close, and one we’ll want to keep a good eye on.
That wraps up the list so far, but there are definitely more than what I could include here. Let me know in the comments below! What games are you most excited for this year?
