2025 is shaping up to be a golden age for RPG fans. With long-awaited sequels, bold new IPs, and remastered classics finally getting their due, the genre continues to expand across styles, eras, and platforms. From massive open-world adventures to narrative-driven tactical experiences, there’s something for every kind of player this year—and beyond.
This explosion in RPG variety is also riding the wave of major hardware transitions. Nintendo’s next-gen Switch 2 has been officially revealed and is expected to launch in fall 2025, while portable PCs like the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally continue to thrive. Meanwhile, Sony and Microsoft are doubling down on cross-platform strategies—PlayStation titles are hitting PC more frequently, and Xbox continues to unify ecosystems with Game Pass. All of this means you’re more likely than ever to play the biggest games where and how you want.
Here are the RPGs we’re most excited for in 2025 and beyond, now with updated release dates and development status.
Already Released
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
🗓 Released: February 4, 2025
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
A direct sequel to Warhorse Studios’ cult historical RPG, KCD2 builds on the grounded realism of its predecessor with improved combat, larger maps, and better facial animation. Early player reviews praise its faithful recreation of 15th-century Bohemia and deeper narrative threads for protagonist Henry.
Avowed
🗓 Released: February 18, 2025
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S
Obsidian’s long-awaited Pillars of Eternity spinoff finally landed with mixed-to-positive reception. While praised for its magic system and deep lore, some criticized its world size and quest variety. Still, it’s a major win for fans of classic high-fantasy RPGs.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
🗓 Released: February 21, 2025
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
A wild blend of samurai drama and Hawaiian escapism, this Majima-led entry has become a cult favorite. Reviews commend the bold combat redesign and the ridiculous—but heartfelt—storyline.
Monster Hunter Wilds
🗓 Released: February 28, 2025
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Capcom’s latest entry pushed the series further into semi-open world design. It’s a critical and commercial hit, thanks to dynamic weather effects, mount-based combat, and cross-platform multiplayer. An expansion has already been teased for 2026.
Released or Newly Dated Since January
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
🗓 Released: March 20, 2025
Platform: Nintendo Switch
The remaster includes HD visuals, new side quests, and a long-lost epilogue chapter. It’s a major win for those who missed the original Wii U version.
Lunar Remastered Collection
🗓 Released: April 18, 2025
Platforms: PC, Switch, PS4/PS5, Xbox One
A faithful, nostalgic return that lets you toggle between modern and classic visuals. Includes voice acting redubs and balance tweaks.
Atomfall
🗓 Released: March 27, 2025
Platforms: PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Rebellion’s post-nuclear British RPG took players by surprise with its immersive world, Fallout-style decision-making, and dark humor.
Coming in Late 2025
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake
🗓 Release: October 2025
Platforms: PC, Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Square Enix officially dated this long-anticipated release at Summer Game Fest 2025. With Octopath-style visuals and a fully orchestrated soundtrack, this is a must-play for JRPG historians.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
🗓 Release: October 10, 2025
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Confirmed to launch ahead of the Switch 2’s debut, this charming sim-RPG brings back life class jobs and adds real-time weather systems and dynamic NPC schedules.
Fable
🗓 Release: November 2025
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S
We finally got a meaty gameplay demo at the Xbox Games Showcase. Humor, choice-driven storytelling, and magic combat are all front and center. Fans of the original trilogy have a lot to be excited about.
Elden Ring: Nightreign
🗓 Release: December 2025
Platforms: PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
This full-sized expansion builds on Shadow of the Erdtree’s lore and adds a semi-roguelike multiplayer mode. Expect brutal boss fights, new zones, and deeper co-op mechanics.
TBA – Still in Development
Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate
🎯 Status: In Development
Platforms: Likely PC, Switch 2, PS5
Square Enix recently reaffirmed its commitment to DQXII during its fiscal update. The game will have a darker tone and a revamped command battle system.
The Outer Worlds 2
🎯 Status: 2026 Window Likely
Obsidian is reportedly focusing efforts on Avowed’s post-launch support first. Expect an Outer Worlds 2 re-reveal in early 2026.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A
🎯 Status: TBA
Platform: Switch 2 (rumored)
Game Freak has gone dark on this one, which originally aimed for a 2025 release. Leaks suggest a larger, urban-focused setting in Kalos with improved traversal and more dynamic combat.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
🎯 Status: Late 2025 / 2026
Now helmed by The Chinese Room, this sequel is said to be feature-complete and undergoing final polish. Expect more news at Gamescom 2025.
Borderlands 4
🎯 Status: In Production
Gearbox has confirmed active development but hasn’t shared gameplay. The rumor mill points to a big Fall 2025 surprise reveal, with a 2026 release.
Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault
🎯 Status: In Development
This indie sequel is shaping up nicely with 3D graphics, new vault biomes, and more shop mechanics. No release window yet.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
🎯 Status: TBA
Marvelous has confirmed this will launch on Switch 2, with deeper combat and environmental magic systems.
Bonus Mentions
- Metaphor: ReFantazio – Atlus’ next major project, now delayed to early 2026.
- South of Midnight – Not a traditional RPG, but with heavy narrative elements and character progression.
2025 is already overflowing with RPG content, and the year’s not even over. Whether you’re into slow-burn tactical combat, chaotic looter-shooters, or farming with a magical twist, there’s never been a better time to be an RPG fan. Stay tuned—many of these titles will only get more exciting as launch approaches.
Best Open World RPG Games Right Now
Open world RPGs offer endless adventure where you can explore vast landscapes, complete quests, and develop your character’s abilities. These games give you freedom to choose your path, whether you want to follow the main storyline or venture off to discover hidden treasures and side quests. The immersive worlds allow you to interact with unique characters and environments at your own pace.
The best open world RPGs combine compelling storytelling, meaningful character progression, and rich environments that reward your curiosity. Games like The Witcher 3, Skyrim, and Red Dead Redemption 2 have set high standards for the genre by creating living worlds that respond to your choices. When you’re looking for an open world RPG, you’ll want to consider how much freedom the game offers and how your decisions impact the game world.
1: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt stands as what many consider the best open-world game ever made. When you first step into the shoes of monster hunter Geralt of Rivia, you’ll immediately notice the breathtaking world around you.
CD Projekt Red created a visually stunning masterpiece with characters you can’t help but become attached to. The vast landscapes of Velen, Novigrad, and Skellige offer countless hours of exploration without feeling empty or repetitive.
You’ll find yourself drawn into complex storylines that go far beyond typical fetch quests. Each side mission feels meaningful with consequences that can affect the game world in surprising ways.
The combat system allows you to prepare for battles strategically using potions, oils, and signs (magic) tailored to each monster’s weaknesses. This preparation aspect adds depth to encounters that many other RPGs lack.
Despite being a technical achievement, The Witcher 3 isn’t perfect. It still falls prey to some common open-world traps like occasional control issues and repetitive combat mechanics.
The game technically functions as a semi-open world since it divides its massive areas into distinct regions. However, you can travel freely within each region without loading screens.
Two massive expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, add even more content to an already enormous game. Blood and Wine could easily stand as its own title with its vibrant new region.
2: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim stands as one of the most influential open world RPGs ever created. Released in 2011, this epic fantasy adventure continues to captivate players even years after its initial launch.
When you step into the province of Skyrim, you’re immediately granted freedom unlike many other games. You can wander anywhere your heart desires from the moment you complete the introduction.
The world feels genuinely alive, with every single NPC being interactive. You can talk to them, learn information, pickpocket them, or even attack them if you choose.
The game’s environmental storytelling is masterful. You’ll discover abandoned camps, mysterious ruins, and hidden caves that each tell their own tale without a single line of dialogue.
Skyrim’s character progression system gives you remarkable flexibility. You develop skills simply by using them, allowing your character to evolve naturally based on your playstyle.
The modding community has transformed Skyrim into something even more special. Thousands of free mods let you customize almost every aspect of the game to suit your preferences.
Dragons serve as both spectacular encounters and meaningful story elements. These battles create memorable moments as you absorb their souls to grow your power.
Many consider Skyrim to be one of the best medieval open world games ever created. Its blend of exploration, combat, and roleplaying sets a standard few games have matched.
3: Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 sets a gold standard for open world RPGs that’s hard to match. The game offers you the most intricate and immersive open world in gaming history, with details that make other games pale in comparison.
When you step into the boots of Arthur Morgan, you’re not just playing a character – you’re living in the late 1800s Wild West. You can walk into almost any building, interact with NPCs in meaningful ways, and experience consequences for your actions.
The game’s world feels truly alive around you. NPCs go about their daily routines whether you’re watching or not. They remember your interactions and respond differently based on your reputation and past behavior.
Red Dead Redemption 2 facilitates player immersion like few other games. Even simple activities like singing with your gang around the campfire create memorable moments that connect you to the world.
The attention to detail is staggering. Mud builds up on your clothes and horse during rainy weather. Your horse’s coat grows over time. Animals behave realistically in their environments.
Many fans consider it the best open-world game ever created, and it’s easy to see why. The blend of storytelling, environment, and player agency creates an experience that remains unmatched.
4: Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn stands as a unique entry in the open world RPG genre. While it fits the basic features of open world games, it offers a distinct experience through its post-apocalyptic setting where robotic creatures roam the land.
The game delivers gorgeous visuals that bring its lush environments to life. You’ll find yourself stopping often just to admire the stunning landscapes and lighting effects, even on the base PS4 hardware.
Combat in Horizon Zero Dawn feels fresh and exciting. You use various bow types and traps to take down mechanical beasts by targeting specific components, creating a strategic layer to each encounter.
The narrative drives much of the experience, similar to newer Assassin’s Creed games. You follow Aloy’s journey to discover the truth about her world’s past and her own origins.
Some players find the open world elements lacking compared to other titles in the genre. The collectibles and side activities don’t always feel meaningful or engaging.
The sequel, Forbidden West, builds on the foundation with many improvements. Many fans believe it exceeds the original in nearly every aspect.
You’ll enjoy Horizon Zero Dawn most if you appreciate action-RPGs with strong storytelling, unique combat, and beautiful worlds to explore.
5: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Breath of the Wild stands as a groundbreaking achievement in open-world game design. When you first step onto the Great Plateau, you’ll immediately notice how different this Zelda feels from its predecessors.
The game truly feels open compared to other open-world titles. You can literally go anywhere you can see, climbing nearly any surface and gliding across vast distances.
What makes Breath of the Wild special is its approach to exploration. You won’t find the typical checklist of activities and waypoints that plague many open-world games. Instead, your curiosity drives the adventure.
The physics engine adds another layer of depth. You can solve puzzles in multiple ways using realistic interactions between objects, elements, and the environment. This creates a sense of genuine discovery rather than following predetermined paths.
Combat feels refreshing as well. You’ll need to think strategically about weapons, as they break with use. This forces you to adapt and experiment rather than relying on a single overpowered tool.
Five years after its release, Breath of the Wild’s open world remains unmatched by competitors. Its influence on the genre is undeniable, though surprisingly few games have successfully captured its magic.
While the story may be thinner than other RPGs, focusing more on environmental storytelling, the freedom you experience more than makes up for it. The game represents a masterclass in open-world design that reinvented a 30-year-old franchise.
6: Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 offers one of the most visually stunning open worlds in gaming. Night City feels alive with its neon-soaked streets and diverse districts that you can explore freely. Despite a rocky launch, numerous updates have transformed it into a compelling RPG experience.
The game has some of the most memorable characters and compelling story arcs in modern RPGs. Your choices matter as you navigate the complex web of corporations, gangs, and fixers throughout the city.
Combat gives you multiple approaches to handle situations. You can build your character as a stealthy netrunner, a brutal melee fighter, or a precision gunslinger. The cyberware customization adds another layer of gameplay depth.
While some critics argue that Cyberpunk fails in the same ways as other open world games, its immersive presentation sets it apart. The attention to detail in Night City’s architecture and atmosphere creates a uniquely dystopian playground.
The gunplay feels responsive and satisfying as you progress. Each weapon has distinctive handling that changes how you approach combat scenarios.
You’ll find that side quests often contain more interesting stories than some AAA games’ main plots. These missions reveal the soul of Night City and its inhabitants.
Night City invites you to ignore it at times, focusing instead on the compelling narrative threads. This tension creates an interesting dynamic as you decide how deeply to engage with the world around you.
7: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey takes open world gaming to new heights with its stunning recreation of ancient Greece. You’ll find yourself immersed in a huge and varied map that spans from dense forests to urban environments and open seas.
The game offers remarkable freedom in how you approach both the main story and side quests. You can choose to play as either Alexios or Kassandra, with each choice offering slightly different dialogue experiences throughout your journey.
Combat feels fluid and responsive, with multiple approaches available for any situation. You can develop your character as an assassin, warrior, or hunter through a robust skill tree that truly lets you customize your playstyle.
Naval combat makes a triumphant return, allowing you to sail across the Aegean Sea, engage in ship-to-ship battles, and discover hidden islands filled with treasures and stories. The sailing mechanics feel natural and add another layer to exploration.
Many players consider Odyssey one of the series’ best entries, particularly if you enjoy RPG elements. The game’s dialogue choices and multiple endings give your decisions real weight and consequence.
Side quests in Odyssey rarely feel like filler content. Most have engaging storylines with memorable characters that expand your understanding of this rich historical setting.
The scale matches the grandeur of other recent titles like Origins and Valhalla, but with a distinct Greek flavor that sets it apart in the open world RPG trilogy.
8: Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy stands out as an impressive open-world RPG that captures the magic of the wizarding world. You’ll find yourself immersed in a richly detailed environment that brings the Harry Potter universe to life in a way that previous games haven’t achieved.
The castle itself is truly remarkable. As you explore, you’ll discover intricate and maze-like corridors that create an authentic experience of being a student lost among classrooms, towers, and hidden passages.
Unlike many open-world games, Hogwarts Legacy strikes an excellent balance between size and substance. The world is surprisingly big, yet cozy, avoiding unnecessary sprawl just for the sake of making a larger map.
What sets this game apart is how it elevates itself above typical open-world experiences. You’ll notice the game focuses on creating a sense of adventure rather than following tired open-world formulas.
The developers have done an exceptional job with environmental puzzles. These challenges feel naturally discovered rather than artificially placed, enhancing your exploration experience.
As an immersive action RPG, you can experience the wizarding world on your terms. The game gives you freedom while maintaining enough story focus to keep you engaged in the narrative.
For Harry Potter fans, this game delivers a must-play experience that lets you create your own story within the beloved universe.
9: Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Kingdom Come: Deliverance stands out as a uniquely realistic medieval RPG experience. Unlike fantasy-filled competitors, this game drops you into a historically accurate recreation of 15th century Bohemia.
The game’s open world offers tremendous freedom for side quests, exploration, and looting. You’ll find yourself immersed in a living medieval landscape where your choices truly matter.
Combat deserves special mention for its skill-based approach. You won’t master swordplay overnight—it requires practice, patience, and strategy. This realistic learning curve mirrors how actual combat training would progress.
What makes this game truly shine is how it will make you question your understanding of medieval history. The developers at Warhorse Studios conducted extensive historical research to create an authentic experience.
The story follows Henry, a blacksmith’s son seeking revenge, but your path through this tale remains flexible. You can play as an honorable knight, a sneaky thief, or anything in between.
Graphics and sound design work together to create a believable medieval atmosphere. From bustling towns to tranquil forests, every environment feels genuinely lived-in.
The game’s commitment to realism extends to survival mechanics. You’ll need to eat, sleep, and maintain your equipment as you navigate this challenging world.
Many fans consider it one of the best RPGs ever created due to its dedication to historical accuracy and immersive gameplay systems.
10: Fallout 4
Fallout 4 creates one of the most organic open worlds you’ll ever explore in an RPG. The post-apocalyptic Boston wasteland invites your curiosity at every turn, with ruins and secrets that beg to be investigated.
When you first step into the Commonwealth, you’re greeted with a vast landscape filled with danger and opportunity. The freedom to go anywhere immediately sets this game apart from more structured RPGs.
Combat in Fallout 4 blends traditional RPG elements with first-person shooting mechanics that feel responsive and impactful. You can approach conflicts with stealth, brute force, or clever use of the V.A.T.S. targeting system.
The base-building feature adds another layer to your adventure. You’ll find yourself collecting junk throughout the wasteland to construct and improve settlements for survivors.
While some fans debate whether Fallout 4 is Bethesda’s best open world RPG, the game excels at environmental storytelling. You’ll discover compelling narratives just by exploring abandoned buildings and reading terminal entries.
Fallout 4 shines as an impressive open world experience even if some RPG elements feel streamlined compared to earlier entries. The Commonwealth’s diverse locations and inhabitants create a convincing world that reacts to your choices.
You’ll find yourself easily losing track of time as side quests and exploration pull you away from the main storyline, which is the hallmark of any great open world RPG.
Key Features of Open World RPGs
Open world RPGs captivate players through several essential elements that create immersive and engaging experiences. These games stand apart from other genres through their unique approach to storytelling, exploration, and world design.
Immersive Storytelling
Open world RPGs balance narrative depth with player freedom. Unlike linear games, they give you choices that impact how the story unfolds, creating personal connections to the game world.
Main quests provide structure, but side quests add depth to the world. These optional storylines often reveal fascinating lore and develop secondary characters that make the world feel alive.
Your choices matter in the best open world RPGs. Decisions can affect relationships with NPCs, change quest outcomes, or even alter the game’s ending. This creates meaningful consequences that encourage multiple playthroughs.
Dialogue options let you shape your character’s personality. Whether you play as heroic, villainous, or somewhere in between, these choices help you roleplay your character consistently throughout the adventure.
Exploration and Freedom
Vast landscapes define the open world experience. You can travel freely across diverse environments like mountains, forests, cities, and deserts without loading screens interrupting your journey.
Discovery drives gameplay with hidden locations, treasures, and encounters scattered throughout the world. Finding a secret cave or ancient ruin gives you that satisfying sense of genuine exploration and reward.
Fast travel systems balance immersion with convenience. While walking or riding through landscapes provides the full experience, fast travel options respect your time when you need to move quickly between locations.
Character customization extends the freedom beyond the world itself. You can typically choose your appearance, skills, and abilities to create a unique character that fits your preferred playstyle.
Dynamic Environments
Living worlds with NPCs following daily routines make environments feel authentic. Citizens wake, work, eat, and sleep, creating the illusion of a world that exists independently of your character.
Weather and day-night cycles affect gameplay in meaningful ways. Some quests only activate at night, certain enemies appear in specific weather conditions, and visibility changes can impact stealth or combat.
Reactive ecosystems feature wildlife and vegetation that respond to your actions. Animals hunt each other, plants can be harvested, and resources may regenerate over time.
Dynamic events occur randomly throughout the world. These unexpected encounters, from bandit ambushes to stranger requests for help, make each playthrough unique and prevent the world from feeling static.
Role of Character Development in Open World RPGs
Character development serves as the backbone of any engaging open world RPG experience. It connects you to the virtual world and gives meaning to your adventures across vast landscapes.
Skill Trees and Abilities
In open world RPGs, skill trees offer you pathways to shape your character’s abilities and playstyle. Games like Skyrim let you develop specific skills through usage—the more you use a bow, the better archer you become.
Modern RPGs often feature branching skill trees that allow for specialization. You might focus on stealth, combat, or magic depending on your preferred approach to challenges.
These progression systems provide a sense of growth as you journey through the game world. Your character becomes noticeably more powerful, opening up new areas to explore and tougher enemies to face.
The best RPGs balance skill acquisition, making early abilities useful throughout your adventure while gradually introducing more complex mechanics that expand your options rather than simply increasing numbers.
Player Choices and Consequences
Your decisions in open world RPGs shape both your character’s development and the game world itself. Meaningful choices create multi-dimensional characters who evolve throughout your journey.
Moral choices often impact how NPCs perceive you. Will you be known as a hero or villain? Games like The Witcher 3 excel at presenting morally gray scenarios where decisions have unexpected consequences that unfold hours later.
Dialogue options allow you to express your character’s personality. You might play as diplomatic, aggressive, or humorous, creating a consistent persona that feels uniquely yours.
The most compelling RPGs ensure your choices affect the narrative in significant ways. When you care about the world and its inhabitants, decisions carry emotional weight, making your character’s journey more meaningful and personal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Players across different platforms have burning questions about finding their next immersive open world RPG adventure. These top recommendations vary by platform and feature games with distinctive worlds, gameplay mechanics, and storytelling approaches.
What are the top-rated open world RPGs currently available for the Nintendo Switch?
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild stands as the premier open world RPG for Nintendo Switch. Its vast landscape and physics-based gameplay have redefined exploration in gaming.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition brings Geralt’s monster-hunting adventures to the portable platform with impressive technical performance despite hardware limitations.
Skyrim also performs remarkably well on the Switch, offering the complete Elder Scrolls experience with added motion controls for magic and archery.
Which open world RPGs for Android devices are most recommended by gamers?
Genshin Impact leads mobile open world experiences with its beautiful anime-inspired world and solid action RPG mechanics. The game receives regular updates with new areas to explore.
Black Desert Mobile brings the PC MMORPG experience to phones with impressive graphics and complex character customization.
Pascal’s Wager offers a Souls-like experience with challenging combat and a dark fantasy setting rarely seen in mobile RPGs.
What open world RPGs are Redditors currently discussing as the best?
Cyberpunk 2077 receives significant praise on Reddit for Night City’s dense design despite its smaller size compared to other open worlds.
The Witcher 3 consistently appears in discussions about storytelling excellence and meaningful side quests.
Elden Ring dominates conversations about challenging open world experiences with its unique approach to discovery and combat depth.
What are the most immersive open world RPG titles available for the PS4?
Red Dead Redemption 2 creates an unparalleled sense of immersion with its detailed Wild West setting. The realistic interactions and dynamic world make every journey feel unique.
Horizon Zero Dawn combines post-apocalyptic settings with prehistoric-like robot creatures for a distinctive exploration experience. The combat against machine beasts remains thrilling throughout.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance offers historical immersion with its realistic medieval Bohemian setting and commitment to period-accurate systems and combat.
Which open world RPGs for PC offer the most expansive and engaging experience?
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt maintains its position as a benchmark for open world RPGs on PC. The complete edition with both expansions offers over 150 hours of content.
Skyrim with its extensive modding community provides nearly endless customization. Fan-created content has kept the game relevant for over a decade.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 brings incredible freedom of choice and consequences with its reactive world and deep character building systems.
Are there any notable free open world games for PC with RPG elements?
Path of Exile provides a free Diablo-like experience with one of the most complex character building systems in any RPG. The skill tree alone has hundreds of options.
Guild Wars 2 offers its base game completely free with vast open zones and dynamic events that don’t require the traditional MMO subscription.
Genshin Impact’s PC version improves upon the mobile experience with enhanced graphics while maintaining the same free-to-play model with regular content updates.
