As I promised last time, the next two articles in my ongoing series will highlight just a few of the indie and AA RPGs coming out this year.
As I keep emphasizing, this is by no means a comprehensive list, but hopefully I’ve managed to introduce you to loads of interesting upcoming titles you weren’t aware of.
Here’s 15 RPGs to watch out for in 2019:
Warhammer: Chaosbane
Publisher: Bigben Interactive
Developer: Eko Software
Platforms: Windows PC, PS4, Xbox One
Chaosbane is the first isometric action-RPG set in Warhammer Fantasy‘s pre-Age of Sigmar Old World, and takes place in the immediate aftermath of the Great War Against Chaos. The game features a roster of 4 characters on a crusade against the remaining forces of Chaos that still infest the Empire, and includes drop-in, drop-out co-op. No release date has been announced yet.
Alaloth- Champions of The Four Kingdoms
Developer: Gamera Interactive
Platforms: Windows PC, Xbox One
Speaking of isometric action-RPGs in dark fantasy worlds, Alaloth- Champions of The Four Kingdoms will be releasing sometime this year as well. What sets Alaloth apart from many other isometric RPGs is the high focus on skill, dodging, and stamina meters that are typically seen in third-person action games instead of isometric RPGs. The game doesn’t have a release date yet.
Children of Morta
Publisher: 11 bit studios
Developer: Dead Mage
Platforms: Windows PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Children of Morta is a dungeon crawling action-RPG with roguelite elements that follows the Bergson family, the guardians that have watched over Mount Morta for generations. Their beloved home has suddenly been corrupted and overrun with monsters, and the family once again sets out to cleanse the land of darkness. The game is split between dungeon crawling action and the evolving familial bonds of the Bergsons on their quest to retake the mountain. No release date has been announced.
Undead Horde
Developer: 10tons Ltd
Platforms: Windows PC, Mac, Linux
Undead Horde is the next game from the developers of Crimsonland, Neon Chrome, and Tesla vs Lovecraft. Normally a developer known for twin-stick shooters, 10tons is creating an interesting blend of action-RPG and strategy game with Undead Horde. Raise a horde of skeletons and rampage through the realms of the living to expand your army. The game is supposed to release sometime within the next few months.
Griftlands
Developer: Klei Entertainment
Platforms: Windows PC
Griftlands is the next game by Klei, a personal favorite of mine when it comes to indie developers. Form a party of greedy rogues and mercenaries as you explore an alien world where money is the only thing that matters. No release date has been announced, and there’s no guarantee yet that Griftlands will even come out this year since Klei is still occupied with finishing up their Early Access game Oxygen Not Included.
Eitr
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Developer: Eneme Entertainment
Platforms: Windows PC, Mac, Linux, PS4
After appearing on yearly lists of anticipated indie games for what seems like decades, Eitr finally has a scheduled release window of Summer 2019. This skill-focused action-RPG places you in control of a shieldmaiden trying to earn her place in Valhalla by slaying monsters and evil spirits. The game’s leveling system comes in the form of divine favor, where you gain access to new skills and abilities by impressing the Norse gods.
Indivisible
Publisher: 505 Games
Developer: Lab Zero Games
Platforms: Windows PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Another anticipated indie RPG that is finally coming out soon (“Early 2019,” in fact) is Lab Zero’s Indivisible. This platformer/RPG hybrid follows Ajna and the 20+ Incarnations she can manifest in battle on her quest to save the world from evil, and features the gorgeous hand-animated art style that Lab Zero is famous for.
Away: Journey to the Unexpected
Publisher: Playdius, Plug In Digital
Developer: Aurelien Regard Games
Platforms: Windows PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Away: Journey to the Unexpected is a light-hearted first-person RPG with visuals heavily influenced by the works of Akira Toriyama. Negotiate with characters to convince them to become your friends and join you on your adventures through a quirky and colorful world. After a very lengthy development cycle, the game is finally set to release in February.
Wasteland 3
Developer: inXile Entertainment
Platforms: Windows PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, Xbox One
Certainly one of the biggest RPGs coming this year is Wasteland 3, the next game to spawn from inXile’s continued crowdfunding efforts. This latest installment in the franchise will take players to the frigid wastes of post-apocalyptic Colorado as a Ranger squadron that finds themselves stranded in the wilderness. No release date has been announced.
Greedfall
Publisher: Focus Home Interactive
Developer: Spiders
Platforms: Windows PC, PS4, Xbox One
I’ve always felt that Spiders is one of those developers that is just on the edge of making a truly great RPG, and hopefully Greedfall will be that game. The game is set in a fantasy world inspired by 17th century European expansion, and involves the colonization of a magical island populated by shamanistic natives and massive monsters. No release date has been announced.
Outward
Publisher: Deep Silver
Developer: Nine Dots Studio
Platforms: Windows PC, PS4, Xbox One
Outward is an open-world sandbox RPG set in the fantasy realm of Aurai. The game’s main draw is that you are a normal person living in a dangerous world of magic and monsters, and will need to rely on planning, traps, and wit to overcome much stronger enemies. The game is set to release on March 26th.
Hellpoint
Publisher: tinyBuild
Developer: Cradle Games
Platforms: Windows PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, Xbox One
Hellpoint is a dark sci-fi action-RPG set in a universe that has just experienced a quantum cataclysm that turned everyone onboard the Irid Novo space station into insane killing machines. Enemy behavior changes based on the orbital path of the station, causing them to become fearful or even more enraged as the station orbits a collapsing black hole. The game is set to release Q1 of this year.
Eastward
Publisher: Chucklefish
Developer: Pixpil
Platforms: Windows PC, Mac
Eastward is a colorful post-apocalyptic RPG about an unlikely duo’s journey to discover the truth. John’s world is change forever when he finds a secret underground facility while mining for valuable minerals. There, he meets the mysterious girl Sam, and the two set out to uncover her past. Eastward doesn’t currently have a release date.
Maneater
Publisher: Tripwire Interactive
Developer: Blindside Interactive
Platforms: Windows PC
Maneater is the latest game to be picked up by Tripwire, the publisher behind Killing Floor, Rising Storm, and Red Orchestra. In this bizarre action-RPG, you play as a bull shark terrorizing the Gulf Coast by devouring swimmers, divers, and anything else that crosses your path. Evolve your shark by tweaking it’s stats and special abilities. No release date has been announced.
Biomutant
Publisher: THQ Nordic
Developer: Experiment 101
Platforms: Windows PC, PS4, Xbox One
Finally, we come to Biomutant, a post-apocalyptic action-RPG that was acquired by THQ Nordic a while back. You play as a customizable racoon-like creature in a lush world full of mutants and monsters. The game’s combat focuses on a mix of high-speed melee combat and acrobatic gun-fu, with a few vehicles thrown in for good measure. The game is set to release by mid-2019.
That’s all for my first batch of 2019’s indie RPG highlights. Come back tomorrow to see 15 more RPGs worth keeping an eye on this year, and after that I’ll be doing another pair of articles focusing on Early Access games targeting a full release this year. Until then, which of these games caught your attention?
