2026 may be in July, but there's still plenty of gaming to be done. However Grand Theft Auto 6 overshadow each other Upcoming game To some extent, you don't need to pre-order tickets for Vice City. Action RPGs 2026 is primed for a big second half. Dragon's Dogma 2 and Alden Ring They will drop certain versions, and they aren't even the most exciting releases coming soon.
Cast me as a knight in a fantasy hell, and I'll stick around for at least 20 hours to make sure I give the RPG a fair chance. The near future includes Soulslikes, first-person, sci-fi, and vampires, all of which look like intense real-time combat that straddles the line between style and challenge. Crimson Desert Was great, but the best 2026 Action RPG May not be out yet.
So, let's rank the biggest upcoming action RPGs, based on how accurate they look.
I'm going to be strict with the classification, so there are Like any borderline cases Onimusha: Path of the Sword or Castlevania: Curse of Belmont. They look amazing, and Onimusa Mine is one of the most anticipated games of the year, but they only seem to have mild RPG elements. No re-releases/ports/remasters either.
Also, Action RPGs with confirmed 2026 release dates only.
6
Mortal Shell 2 could be the next great Soulslike RPG
August 20 release
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Platforms: PC, PS5, and Xbox
Released in 2020, the original mortal shell Was among the earliest non-FromSoftware Soulslikes to be truly decent. When copying Dark spirits The formula, Cold Symmetry, introduces some interesting ideas, particularly the concept of shells, which act as class loadouts that players can swap between.
A good first attempt though, mortal shell There were too many rough edges to justify a recommendation to non-Soulslike fans, but it laid the groundwork for a sequel that could expand its reach to casual action RPG fans. Mortal Shell 2 That looks like a game, offering a plethora of changes that could improve accessibility, hopefully without risking losing its identity.
The sequel will ditch the stamina meter, a change designed to accommodate more aggressive combat than the slow, deliberate pace of the first game. In the service of Mortal Shell 2 Doubles the number of shells of its predecessor, effectively offering 8 classes that come with their own skill trees and move sets. While not the ideal RPG for players who want to craft unique builds, this jump up should make a world of difference.
5
Blood of the Dawnwalker is a vampire epic with a Witcher 3 connection
Released on September 3
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Platforms: PC, PS5, and Xbox
When discussing a developer's impending debut game, expectations should be kept in check, just to avoid setting the bar too high for a young team's reach. However, the Rebels were founded by Wolves The Witcher 3's game director, Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, and several experienced developers who know a thing or two about putting together top-notch action RPGs. Blood of the Dawnwalker Could be the most exciting debut game in a long time.
As the title suggests, you play a Dawnwalker, a person stuck between human and vampire, and this dichotomy defines the cycle of day and night. In Light, players control an agile human who relies on swordplay and magic; When the sun goes down, the hero assumes his vampire form and becomes very cruel (with a taste for blood). Combat uses directional inputs, so you have to match the enemy's actions.
In a gothic medieval fantasy world ravaged by plague, vampires gain control by promising humanity salvation, albeit at a price. The protagonist, Coen, survives a forced conversion, gaining the powers he must use to save his family. Player agency should be a big part of the game, as players are on a timer and must decide which quests to commit to.
4
Beast of Rebirth asks what would happen if Game Freak took a break from Pokemon
Released on August 4
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Platforms: PC, PS5, and Xbox
Who could have imagined that Game Freak's big 2026 game would be a post-apocalyptic action RPG released on every console except Nintendo? Animal of ReincarnationThe existence of is fascinating, but it also looks very good. This is hardly the first time that the game has strayed from Freak Pokemonbut Little Town Hero and The Hidden Treasures of Field Zero Felt more like a small side adventure than a tentpole project.
Set in a corrupt dark fantasy version of Japan inspired by Studio Ghibli, which is always a plus, Animal of Reincarnation Players cast as Emma, a woman who has blight powers and also knows how to use a katana. While other people are hard to come by, Emma has something even better: a canine companion.
Animal of ReincarnationThe fight looks pretty complicated, at least looking at the previews that have come out so far. While potentially containing some Soulslike elements, that's often seen through things like campfires, while real-time combat emphasizes something like speed and reflexes. Sekiro (including a parry and currency system). Emma also needs to make full use of Koo's blooming art abilities, as her friend isn't just there for emotional support.
3
Valor Mortis is a rare first-person Soulslike
Released on October 13
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Platforms: PC, PS5, and Xbox
Yes, this upcoming action RPG will likely be an acquired taste, as is first-person games in a genre more traditionally associated with third-person. First-person Soulslikes already exist, but they mostly consist of indie titles that pop up on Steam. As a result, Heroic Mortis It is the first major effort to present Dark spirits Sutra from New Dimension, and One more levelwho ghost runner The pedigree is encouraging.
Beyond the fight, Heroic Mortis Stands out as a historical fantasy game set during the Napoleonic era, casting players as Bonaparte's fallen soldiers. Yes, we have another area affected by the plague, but that's basically standard practice for modern action RPGs. Reflecting the era, your weapon arsenal includes guns like cutlass and shotguns, and they are complemented with magic.
2
Phantom Blade Zero is (hopefully) the latest Wuxia action RPG masterpiece.
Released on October 29
In recent years, games developed by Chinese studios have begun to crossover to international markets more often, Black Myth: Wukong Being the most famous traditional single-player release. well, Phantom Blade Zero It looks set to challenge for that crown by presenting yet another stylish epic with combat and impressive looking visuals. Also, This game is not Soulslike.
The director, Soulframe Liang, described the RPG's setting as “kung fu punk,” a subgenre that sounds absurdly cool and needs to catch on. Focusing on the Chinese Wuxia martial art, Phantom Blade Zero Casts you as an assassin who has 66 days to live, which he plans to use to uncover a trick that has him framed for murder.
Although I won't know until I spend real time with it, Phantom Blade ZeroThe fight seems like it was designed for me. Focusing on combos, acrobatics and parries, this steampunk looks like a martial arts action epic bolstered by a dark fantasy aesthetic.
1
Control resonance
Released on September 24th
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Platforms: PC, PS5, and Xbox
Finally, let's end with a game that isn't a combination of fantasy, history and medieval. Control resonance ditches its predecessor's third-person shooter classification for the action RPG genre, substituting a shapeshifting gun for a shapeshifting rod. Instead of exploring the FBC headquarters, players travel to Manhattan, which is warped and broken due to cosmic presence.
This time around, we play as Dylan, the supernaturally gifted brother of the first game's protagonist, who seems to have a much broader set of unique abilities that will be customizable. Remedy Entertainment has earned the trust of players, but the developer is entering new territory as this will be its first RPG. ControlThe gameplay was generally fantastic, and the sequel takes it in a new direction that could be polarizing or, at the very least, require some adjustment.
still, Control resonance Looks incredible.
