A new year means all sorts of new games to look forward to, and 2021 is an especially good year for RPG fans, with many big name franchises and long-running series getting new additions throughout the year. Fans of sci-fi and fantasy, as well as Western RPGs and JRPGs, should all be equally thrilled with the slate of games coming soon. From Bravely Default II to Horizon: Forbidden West, here are the most anticipated RPGs of 2021.
2020 was a big year for RPG fans, with titles like Final Fantasy VII Remake, Cyberpunk 2077, and Genshin Impact entering the cultural zeitgeist. Elder Scrolls Online and Final Fantasy XIV got regular updates, and World of Warcraft: Shadowlands became the fastest-selling PC game of all time. Dragon Quest XI S got released on PS4 and Xbox One, and the Trails of Cold Steel series came to its conclusion in the West. No matter what RPG fans preferred, 2020 offered a little something for everyone.
Not to be outdone, 2021 is going to be a big year for RPGs as well. A lot of great JRPG sequels are coming out in 2021, including Atelier Ryza 2 and Ys IX. Other titles, like Mass Effect and NieR, are getting long-awaited remasters or remakes that will surely delight fans. Other titles, like Final Fantasy XVI and Tales of Arise, are rumored for 2021 but aren't officially confirmed yet - so they aren't included here. The list of 2021 game releases just continues to grow, but these are the most anticipated RPGs of the year so far.
Most Anticipated RPG Of 2021 - Monster Hunter Rise
The Monster Hunter series has reached new heights of popularity and critical praise lately, which is why Monster Hunter Rise on the Nintendo Switch is one of the biggest releases of the year. The action RPG is set to release on March 26th, which also makes it one of the earliest big-name RPG releases of 2021. After Monster Hunter World won a number of awards, including Best RPG at The Game Awards in 2018, expectations are incredibly high for the next entry in the series, which includes new features like Wyvern Riding.
Most Anticipated RPG Of 2021 - Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
After a few series missteps, a complete remaster of the original Mass Effect trilogy has a lot of fans excited. It's been a while since a Mass Effect game released, and the Legendary Edition is seen as the first step toward redemption for the franchise. It remains to be seen if the payoff is worth it, but fans will know for sure when the game releases during the summer of 2021.
Most Anticipated RPG of 2021 - Bravely Default II
After two entries on the Nintendo 3DS that were adored by critics and players alike, the Bravely Default series is making the leap to the Nintendo Switch. Bravely Default II is releasing at the end of February 2021, bringing back its typical turn-based combat and beloved job system.
Originally expected to release in 2020, Bravely Default II was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Expectations are understandably high, and there's thankfully a new demo out to satisfy fans until the full game releases next month.
Most Anticipated RPG Of 2021 - Horizon: Forbidden West
As one of the biggest PS5 exclusives coming in 2021, Horizon: Forbidden West is also one of the most anticipated RPGs of the year. The action RPG promises even more breathtaking environments, open-world exploration, and action-packed gameplay than its predecessor, Horizon: Zero Dawn. For now, an exact release date is unknown, but a 2021 release window for Horizon: Forbidden West was previously announced. Hopefully, that means fans won't have to wait too much longer for the game to release.
Most Anticipated RPG Of 2021 - Shin Megami Tensei V
Although it was announced as one of the new titles coming to the Nintendo Switch before that console had even been released, Shin Megami Tensei V is finally set to arrive in 2021. The fifth mainline entry in this long-running and much-acclaimed franchise is known for its ability to let players fuse with demons and its turn-based combat, but SMT V promises new features as well. After an enormously long wait, Shin Megami Tensei V is one of the most anticipated releases of the entire year.
For now, these are the most anticipated RPGs coming out in 2021, from Bravely Default II to Horizon: Forbidden West and beyond. However, several big-name RPG franchises are reaching important anniversaries this year - like Dragon Quest, which turns 35, and Persona, which turns 25. This early in the year, the list of role-playing games will surely grow as 2021 continues, but it's a good time to be an RPG fan.