I’ll admit this edition of the Future Games Show completely slipped past me—stealthily evading my usually sharp radar, which might be getting jammed by the 360,000 things I juggle every day. Still, I caught up this morning and combed through all the announcements to spotlight the ones that matter most to our readers.
Only one title was a true world premiere, but even so, this is a great chance for many to discover turn-based RPGs they might’ve missed. So here’s a roundup of all the turn-based RPGs featured during the Future Games Show 2025.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
I just installed the preview build I was invited to, and I’ll be diving deep into it over the weekend. In the meantime, what might turn out to be one of the biggest breakout hits in recent memory—Clair Obscur: Expedition 3—made another appearance with a new trailer. This time, it introduces one of the playable characters, Maelle, and her trusty rapier.
The game features a gripping story that puts you in charge of an expedition to stop a mysterious painter whose power allows her to erase people of the age she paints. A combat system packed with unique mechanics and stunning visuals are among the key elements keeping RPG and JRPG fans eagerly awaiting its release. Clair Obscur: Expedition 3 is set to launch on April 24 for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox—and don’t forget, it’ll also be available on Game Pass.
NITRO GEN OMEGA
Maybe NITRO GEN OMEGA flew under the radar for many—but its appearance at the Future Games Show was a welcome surprise, giving the team at DESTINYbit a chance to showcase new gameplay from their survival RPG. The game blends anime aesthetics with tactical combat, where you’ll issue commands to various characters, each controlling a different part of your massive super robot.
You’ll be able to explore the world, gather resources, and assign your squad members to a variety of tasks. Battles unfold in animated sequences that genuinely make you feel like you’ve stepped into a manga. The full release is slated for 2025, and the best part? You can already check out the demo on Steam.
Chains of Freedom
Another title with seriously intriguing potential is Chains of Freedom—a tactical RPG that seems to borrow some of the charm and post-apocalyptic setting of Mutant Year Zero. Set in an Eastern European wasteland teeming with all kinds of monsters, it offers a rich world to explore and a tactical combat system that closely mirrors the structure of the aforementioned RPG.
The latest gameplay trailer also comes with a release date announcement: Chains of Freedom is launching on April 15 for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. If you’re interested, you can check out the trailer—and our video preview—at this link.
Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson
Here’s a title you absolutely shouldn’t miss if you’re into JRPGs and rhythm-based mechanics. Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson is a full-on musical journey through a pixelated world, where battles unfold through chords, solos, and a wild variety of instruments. I got to try it about a month ago and covered it in both an article and a video preview.
It’s essentially an RPG that replaces traditional cards with Riffs—each riff representing a different type of attack or skill. The music is insane, and the gameplay mechanics are refreshingly unique. The latest trailer revealed new gameplay sequences, two new guest composers joining the soundtrack, and confirmed the release date: May 22, 2025 on PC.
Crown Gambit
Managing a medieval empire through cards—that’s the core concept behind Crown Gambit, which made an appearance at the event with a brand-new trailer. The game’s packed with style and, even better, there’s a playable demo available now. I’ve promised myself I’ll give it a go over the weekend—and maybe you should too. The release window is currently set for this summer.
Frosthaven
And we’re closing with the one true world premiere from the show—Frosthaven. Apparently, it’s a well-known board game (apologies, I’m not too deep into that scene), and the team at Snapshot Games—led by none other than X-COM creator Julian Gollop—is working on its digital adaptation, which also acts as a sort of sequel to Gloomhaven.
From the footage and screenshots shown, Frosthaven appears to carry the tactical DNA of Gloomhaven, but with an added management layer where you’ll build and expand elements within the city. Visually polished and backed by a veteran dev team, this one’s shaping up to be something special. Even better—there’s a limited access closed beta kicking off on March 27.
