Here are some of the most important turn-based RPGs, in my opinion, set to release before the end of 2025.
There’s still a lot coming our way before the year is over, and I’ll admit I had to leave several titles out. But rest assured, I’ll find a way to spotlight them sooner or later.
One note before we dive in: for this list, I focused specifically on RPGs without a strong strategic layer, meaning no heavy emphasis on resource management, base building, or similar systems. I’d like to dedicate a separate list to those kinds of games since there’s plenty of choice there as well.
2025 has already been a packed year in terms of RPGs, but the last stretch of the calendar might be the most exciting yet. Between long-awaited remasters, bold new IPs, and experimental blends of genres, the coming months are stacked with turn-based RPGs worth keeping on your radar.
Some bring back classics that defined the genre, others push forward with fresh mechanics and striking worlds, but all share the same heart.
With that said, here are what I see as the most exciting turn-based RPGs set to launch before the end of 2025.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
- Developer: Square Enix
- Release Date: September 30, 2025
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S
- Steam Page
First unveiled during Sony’s June 2025 State of Play, Square Enix’s remaster of the tactical RPG classic is finally set to arrive this fall, and of course, it had to be on my list as the first entry.
The Ivalice Chronicles brings the original 1997 experience back with updated visuals, full voice acting, a modernized interface, and several quality-of-life features. For purists, a classic mode is also included, keeping the War of the Lions localization and the original look intact.
The Temple of Elemental Evil Remaster
- Developer: Troika Games (original), curated/enhanced by SNEG
- Release Date: September 2025
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
A legendary name in Dungeons & Dragons lore returns with a faithful, modernized remake. The Temple of Elemental Evil: A Classic Greyhawk Adventure recaptures the original 2003 tale with deep tactical turn-based combat built around the D&D 3.5 ruleset.
This re-release honors fan contributions over the years while refining party creation, environment interaction, and combat dynamics for today’s RPG audience.
Golel
- Developer: Ofer Rubinstein
- Release Date: Q4 2025
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Step into a haunting, tile-based dungeon world with Golel, a turn-based dungeon crawler that refuses to play by the usual rules. One of the games I got to try in demo form earlier this year, and honestly, it really surprised me.
Developed by Ofer Rubinstein, this atmospheric first-person RPG leans heavily on environmental tactics, whether that’s dropping a bookshelf on a skeleton, sending an enemy tumbling into a pit, or luring foes into narrow traps to tip the odds in your favor.
With a deeply customizable character system, a branching campaign bolstered by a procedural challenge mode, and full VR support, Golel promises a dark and replayable adventure that’s anything but predictable.
Wander Stars
- Developer: Paper Castle Games
- Release Date: September 19, 2025
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
- Steam Page
Bursting with 90s anime flair, Wander Stars is a quirky and imaginative turn-based RPG where Ringo, a martial artist, and Wolfe, a mysterious rogue, journey across the universe in search of the pieces of the legendary Wanderstar Map.
Players combine words, action, modifiers, and elemental categories to forge custom attacks in battle, blending strategic deckbuilding with a flashy anime show’s style.
With over 200 words to collect, the combat is deep, playful, and endlessly flexible. Every episode of the story serves up procedural events, hidden secrets, and the odd surfing capybara, making each playthrough a fresh adventure.
Octopath Traveler 0
- Developer: Square Enix in collaboration with DOKIDOKI GROOVE WORKS
- Release Date: December 4, 2025
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- Steam Page
This brand-new prequel expands the beloved Octopath Traveler formula in exciting ways. Set in Orsterra years before the original, players create their custom protagonist, for the first time in the series, and recruit up to 30 allies while rebuilding their hometown after a devastating fire.
The game retains the signature HD-2D art style and turn-based combat, now enhanced with eight-character battles, Path Actions, Break and Boost mechanics, and even town-building elements. Here is my overview of the game.
Demonschool
- Developer: Necrosoft Games
- Publisher: Ysbryd Games
- Release Date: November 19, 2025
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- Steam Page
A uniquely stylish mix of university life and gothic horror, Demonschool stands out with its motion equals action turn-based combat, meaning movements themselves trigger attacks or effects in a carefully planned, ballet-like execution.
You’ll guide Faye, a freshman with a demon-hunting legacy, through a semester of supernatural investigations, side quests, and social bonds that all feed into combo-driven combat, between lectures and demon hunting, school schedules, friendships, and training.
Unfortunately, while I was preparing the article, news came in of yet another delay for the title, which was originally expected in September, but don’t worry, you’ll still get this Persona-Like before the year ends.
Blightstone
- Developer: Unfinished Pixel
- Release Date: Early Access – 2025
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Enter a dark, post‑apocalyptic realm in Blightstone, a tactical roguelite RPG that blends fluid, grid‑less turn‑based combat with environmental interaction and light resource management.
Players lead a team of heroes through procedurally generated encounters, using terrain, weather, and strategic positioning to overcome challenges.
Failure isn’t the end; it fuels progression as defeated heroes leave behind Earthglass shards that empower future runs. A demo is currently available on Steam, with the full launch slated for later in 2025.
DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake
- Developer: Square Enix
- Release Date: October 9, 2025
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
- Steam Page
Square Enix continues its celebration of the Dragon Quest series with an HD-2D remake of the first two entries.
Using the same beautiful style made famous by Octopath Traveler and Dragon Quest III HD-2D, this collection preserves the classic charm of the original adventures while giving them a modern presentation. Both games are bundled together, letting players relive the beginnings of the saga that defined Japanese RPGs.
Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked
- Developer: Resolution Games
- Release Date: Q4 2025
- Platforms: PC (Flatscreen, VR), PlayStation 5 (with PS VR2 support), Meta Quest (Quest 3/S), and other XR devices
- Steam Page
Explore the Forgotten Realms with a blend of classic D&D narrative and the acclaimed Demeo Action Roleplaying System.
I’m not a huge fan of VR, though maybe that’s just because I’ve never actually tried one, but in any case, this title can also be enjoyed without a VR headset, and that’s exactly how I’ll be playing it.
Battlemarked drops the need for a Dungeon Master by automating the storytelling, letting 1–4 players navigate tactical turn-based combat, uncover conspiracies, and explore iconic locales like Cragmaw Castle and Mount Hotenow. Expect rich narrative sequences, strategic depth, and cooperative play that feels truly epic.
Aethermancer
- Developer: Moi Rai Games
- Publisher: offbrand games
- Release Date: September 23, 2025 (Early Access)
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Step into the role of the Aethermancer, a master of mythical creature bonds in this creature-collecting roguelite RPG.
From the creators of what I consider one of the best indie RPGs of recent years, Monster Sanctuary, comes another truly promising title.
Dive into procedurally generated Fractured Ruins, lead a party of three monsters, and harness the four elements of Aether to shape turn-based battles. Even death becomes part of the loop; monsters can be reborn, gaining strength across runs, while you unlock new player classes and meta-progression features as you play.
Mystic Land: The Search for Maphaldo
- Developer: MegaVision Software
- Release Date: Scheduled for 2025
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
A long-gestating passion project from MegaVision Software, Mystic Land: The Search for Maphaldo finally aims to revive the spirit of classic 90s dungeon-crawlers.
Drawing inspiration from old-school favorites like Wizardry 7, Might and Magic, and Eye of the Beholder, this turn-based RPG features grid-based exploration, party-based combat, and richly detailed environments packed with puzzles and lore.
After decades in development, the team has now confirmed a release targeting 2025, and given my deep love for dungeon crawlers, I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter
- Developer: Nihon Falcom
- Publisher: GungHo Online Entertainment, Nihon Falcom
- Release Date: September 19, 2025
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- Steam Page
Nihon Falcom revives the beloved JRPG classic with Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, a beautifully overhauled 3D remake that brings the first installment of the Trails saga to modern platforms.
Featuring fully voiced dialogue, refined visuals, and a hybrid combat system blending real-time and turn-based elements, the remake enriches Estelle and Joshua’s journey to explore Liberl Kingdom.
A prologue demo is already live on Steam and PS5, and the full release is confirmed for September 19, 2025, on PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2.
Aether & Iron
- Developer: Seismic Squirrel
- Release Date: 2025
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Set in an alternate 1930s where anti-gravity technology has lifted New York into the skies, Aether & Iron blends noir storytelling with tactical combat.
You play as Gia Randazzo, a smuggler caught in a web of crime and corruption, recruiting a crew and commanding customizable aether-powered vehicles in turn-based battles.
Every choice matters, from outfitting your rides with weapons or gadgets to navigating branching storylines shaped by a notoriety system that tracks your actions.
Digimon Story: Time Stranger
- Developer: Media.Vision
- Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Release Date: October 3, 2025
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
- Steam Page
Dive into a rich monster‑taming RPG where the boundaries between the human world and the Digital World blur.
In Digimon Story: Time Stranger, players collect, raise, and battle with a vast array of Digimon through turn‑based encounters. Uncover a mysterious world, collapse, and explore time-bending narratives while forging strong bonds with your Digimon companions.
This entry marks the first in the Story series to feature an English dub and the franchise’s expansion onto Xbox. It’s poised to be one of the standout RPGs of late 2025.
Rue Valley
- Developer: Emotion Spark Studio
- Publisher: Owlcat Games
- Release Date: November 11, 2025
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
- Steam Page
Wrapping up my list of what I consider the best turn-based RPGs set to debut before the end of 2025 is a narrative-driven experience very much in the vein of Disco Elysium.
Rue Valley, a narrative-rich, isometric RPG where you’re trapped in a mysterious time loop during a therapy session. Every reset resets the day, offering fresh emotional discoveries and new interactions.
You’ll shape your character’s personality, cold and reserved, dramatic and outspoken, and those choices ripple through dialogues and connections. The game features memory graphs, evolving mindsets, and status effects that reflect your emotional state, offering deeply personal storytelling in a surreal, introspective world.
My list ends here. There’s always the chance that some of these titles won’t actually make it in 2025, and some others may arrive without warning, but don’t blame me if that happens. In the meantime, I’m already working on another list focused on RPGs with a much stronger strategic edge, which I plan to publish next week.
Now it’s your turn. Let me know what you think of this list and if I left out something major. I always get that feeling when I put together this kind of article. Ciao
