Some (but by no means all) of the RPGs I’m most looking forward to in 2027.
Today I’m just going to give you a taster of what to expect from 2027 if you’re always hunting out new RPGs and turn-based strategy games.
I came up with the idea for this piece after reading Ollie Tuscarny’s on GameRant (same subject, with a number of the games I’ve written about recently). Rather than do the same list of titles, I thought I’d skip those and go with 10 different games instead. Of course the full list of interesting projects coming in 2027 is a lot longer than that, but there will be a chance to explore further.
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These are all RPGs (some with a distinctly more strategic bent than others) and all of them currently have a 2027 release window (some of them having a very wide one).
Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy
- Developer: Owlcat Games
- Release window: 2027, reported in the Gamescom trailer description
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
- Steam: Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy
As an Acolyte of the Inquisition, you’ll investigate conspiracy in Owlcat’s next Warhammer CRPG set in the Calixis Sector. While interrogating suspects and assembling pieces of the puzzle to connect the dots (through turn-based battle), you’ll be able to analyze your enemies’ weaknesses as well as the morale of your companions, and make strategic decisions that will impact your success.
You can build your war-band from various members, including alien mercenaries and Imperial soldiers. The story also delves into how the Inquisition operates, its methods, and how they fight internally.
It goes without saying that the next project from one of the very best RPG developers around is going to be the subject of massive amounts of hype (before you even get around to considering the sheer number of Warhammer fans out there). A must-follow.
Starfinder: Afterlight
- Developer: Epictellers Entertainment
- Release window: Q1 2027 – Early Access
- Platforms: PC
- Steam: Starfinder: Afterlight
Another promising CRPG expected to arrive during 2027 is for sure Starfinder: Afterlight. When a captain goes missing, and when the galaxy suffers a catastrophic event, your crew will have to travel through Paizo’s Science Fantasy Universe.
Combat is conducted using a three-action system where you choose actions that affect your allies and/or factions. There are six classes, and six companions planned for the entire game, while the early access version should allow players to experience part of Act I with fewer characters.
Golel
- Developer: Ofer Rubinstein
- Release window: April 2027
- Platforms: PC
- Steam: Golel
One game that absolutely has to be in my library and in the library of anyone who likes first-person dungeon crawlers is Golel.
It’s an RPG which places a huge emphasis on using the environment to play nasty tricks on your enemies (and of course you can just as easily fall victim to those same hazards yourself). Talents for weapons, magic, and hybrids are used to support the various ways you can play through the non-linear campaign, which utilizes both hand-crafted content and randomization.
Nightbound
- Developer: Crooked Cats Studio
- Release window: January 2027
- Platforms: PC
- Steam: Nightbound
During the day Loren and Jun repair a house and learn to trust each other, but at night they defend it from the Bloom. That’s, in short, the experience that awaits you in the survival RPG Nightbound.
Manual aiming, cover and interceptive fire are supported during turn-based battles. Additionally, as Loren and Jun grow closer to one another, they gain the ability to execute cooperative attacks and heal one another.
Since the van is repaired, there is a chance for Loren and Jun to leave the island, but since storage space is extremely limited in the van, there will be many difficult decisions regarding what items they can bring with them.
Pathbreakers: Roaming Blades
- Developer: 6 Eyes Studio
- Release window: 2027
- Platforms: PC
- Steam: Pathbreakers: Roaming Blades
I’ve already spent a lot of space on the new project from the Fell Seal team and I’m likely to continue doing so. Having had the opportunity to speak to them as well, I’m even more convinced in the potential of this fantasy mercenary sim RPG as it heads towards its 2027 release.
Mercenaries lead companies throughout the Stormtossed Isle while balancing various aspects such as contracts, trade, exploration and expenses associated with running a company. Hex grid battles support up to eight units, while branching classes and background traits create unique recruits.
Each of these recruit types has separate reputation tracks related to being a Mercenary, Trader, or Explorer and each type of track provides access to new opportunities. Smaller teams are tested in expeditions against traps, hostile creatures and dwindling lamp oil.
Critical Shift
- Developer: Rhinotales
- Release window: 2027
- Platforms: PC; PlayStation and Xbox versions are also in development, with timing unspecified.
- Steam: Critical Shift
A distress call has your team heading out to an Antarctic research facility that is completely overrun by mutants, hostile machines, and reality-warping anomalies, and that’s immediately the Resident Evil type of mood, which I personally love to death.
Players navigate through the research facility in real-time while engaging in turn-based battles that immediately allow the enemy to counterattack you for every action taken. As players progress through the game eleven agents become available allowing for numerous combinations of squads, and limited supplies force players to use tactics such as setting traps, distractions, and turning enemy factions on each other. Here you can learn more about Critical Shift.
Shadow of the Road
- Developer: Another Angle Games
- Release date: March 10, 2027
- Platforms: PC
- Steam: Shadow of the Road
Shadow of the Road has had a very long development history. I can’t remember precisely how many years it’s been, but when I first came across it some time ago, it appeared to have been completely abandoned.
Then, of course, thanks once again to the Owlcat team (who are the publishers here) who brought it back into the spotlight, thank goodness.
A quite original setting and background story: two Rōnin protect a child with uncontrollable powers as they travel through Civil War-torn Japan, where supernatural forces and steam-powered machines clash.
In tactical battles each ally brings their own special abilities. Story choices determine how each ally feels toward others on the journey; therefore influencing how allies will work together. Another Angle Games claims that how closely allies feel toward one another (as well as their individual objectives) affects combat strategy and creates connections between party dynamics and decision-making in battle.
Ghost Justice
- Developer: Centurion Developments
- Release window: Q1 2027
- Platforms: PC
- Steam: Ghost Justice
Managing several groups of people simultaneously is essential for Ghost Justice‘s anti-cartel operation. Gathering intelligence and ambushing cartel members are among the ways you may approach this mission. From Forgotten but Unbroken comes this tactical RPG with a Jagged Alliance vibe, and I couldn’t be happier.
Spotters and snipers work together to kill high-priority targets by coordinating simultaneous moves from different angles. Equipping specialists with specific gear prepares them for various missions across cities, isolated settlements, and jungles where synchronizing movements from different angles can create opportunities for coordinated attacks.
Ascenders: Beyond the Peak
- Developer: Ludogram
- Release window: Early 2027 – Early Access.
- Platforms: PC
- Steam: Ascenders: Beyond the Peak
There’s a very original concept at the heart of this promising roguelite RPG, Ascenders, which is to take the turn-based mechanics and apply them to the verticality of climbing sheer walls. Add a visual style that I personally just absolutely love, and you’ve got a project that really does stand out from the rest.
While climbing mountains rope-bound climbers can anchor themselves and pull-in down-falling comrades while taking risks that apply disaster effects equally to all.
Nine planned classes will aid climbers in navigating treacherous terrain as well as dealing with Lovecraftian terrors. Permadeath in addition to lasting psychological scars from previous failures will have a lasting effect on future climbs. Headquarters upgrades as well as other camp activities will aid in preparing survivors for a new climb.
Precinct IX
- Developer: ZataForge Studio
- Release window: 2027
- Platforms: PC
- Steam: Precinct IX
Everyone wants to run a Cyberpunk Police Department, selecting cases, allocating resources, and deciding which officers go into danger and in 2027 this will come true with management RPG Precinct IX.
Field assignments involve investigative interviews/dialogue & turn-based battles. Resources are allocated between weapons/cyberware/medical support so resource management is crucial. Officers develop a bond with you as you get to know their history/secret, so they reveal more information about themselves.
These are the ten games that popped into my head as I was putting this article together on the promising RPGs of 2027. There’ll be loads more over the coming days as my wishlist is absolutely overflowing with them. Now, if you feel like it, let me know what you think and whether you’ve got anything to suggest for an aging, slightly weary RPG veteran such as myself. Ciao
