This last year was an interesting for role-playing games. While some showcased exciting innovation, such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, others, like Tales of Zestiria and Xenoblade Chronicles X, remained complacent and didn't move the needle. A dearth of quality RPGs on handheld also didn’t help, as in past years that has been a place for niche games to shine. Thankfully, 2016 looks to be a more varied and solid year, giving us new entries in popular series, while also finally offering niche games that dedicated fans have long been pining for. As a staff, we discussed which RPGs we have the most fervor for that are coming in 2016. Without further ado, here are the games we're most happy to see on this year’s release schedule.
Note: List is in alphabetical order.
Bravely Second(3DS)
Release: 2016
Bravely Default was one of the most talked about role-playing games of 2012, capturing a perfect blend of nostalgia and innovation. Its sequel, Bravely Second, takes place two years later and is poised to be even better. Returning characters like Tiz and Agnes are exciting, but Bravely Second is also out to right the first game’s wrongs, such as the repetitive content. Who could forget the boring, grindy road to the ending? With its gorgeous art style, returning Brave and Default system, and new jobs and abilities, Bravely Second looks to give us plenty of what we loved with the first while refining the rough edges. Reviews of the Japanese release have already doled out high praise, making us even more eager for the North American release this year.
Dark Souls III (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC)
Release: April 12
You’re not done dying yet, are you? We didn’t think so. The acclaimed and challenging Dark Souls series is back and so is Hidetaka Miyazaki in the director’s chair. We discovered in our recent cover story trip just how much time and dedication goes into making the Souls series and how this next entry is incorporating both new and familiar concepts. Combat and movement continues to be refined; for this entry, it’s faster and more fluid. For instance, expect backstepping and heavy weapons to feel less clunky. While plenty is returning, an improved magic system and new playstyles also give players room for experimentation. Miyazaki has indicted this entry will be a turning point for the series, so we’re curious to find out just what that means. So far he hasn’t steered us wrong, and the time is ripe for some new challenges that test our will to overcome them.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC)
Release: August 23
Deus Ex is a triple threat on this list. This action/RPG series combines stealth, FPS, and role-playing elements in a choice-driven world. Last we heard from Adam Jensen was in Human Revolution (2011), but he’s back for Mankind Divided, which takes place two years after Human Revolution’s events. It seems tensions surrounding the futuristic tech are reaching an all-time high; augmentations are causing a lot of ire, even sparking terrorist attacks. As the title implies, mankind is divided on the issue; unsurprisingly, augmented and non-augmented individuals are at odds. Can Jensen help keep the peace? Thankfully, he’ll have new augmentations and technology to help. Eidos Montreal has promised plenty of improvements from the boss fights to production levels. Of course, we expect all of that will come with philosophical questions about human nature and the future, and we can’t wait to see what choices and conundrums Mankind Divided will pose.
Final Fantasy XV (PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
Release: 2016
We’ve been waiting a long time for Final Fantasy XV – close to a decade if you count when it was Final Fantasy Versus XIII. A lot is riding on this brotastic entry for the future of the franchise; however, Square Enix has a reputation for entering a new console generation and wowing with its vision for role-playing games. This is why we’re so interested to see how Final Fantasy XV turns out. While Square has a knack for creating breathtaking visuals, it also needs to prove the series has some new lifeblood in it. Hajime Tabata replaced Tetsuya Nomura in the director’s seat, and so far he’s done a lot to hear fan input, including releasing a meaty demo and then even updating that based on feedback. What we’ve seen so far looks promising, such as the more open-world, the incredible summons, and the more action-oriented battle system. Tabata is promising an emotional and complex story to go along with it. All said, just seeing if this game can bring the franchise back to the top of the RPG pack is enough reason to have it on our list.
Fire Emblem Fates (3DS)
Release: February 19
Fire Emblem: Awakening put this long-running strategy/RPG series back on map and proved it still had plenty fresh ideas (Hello relationship-building and children). Fire Emblem Fates is going even bigger, releasing two different versions – Birthright and Conquest – that have different storylines revolving around the same characters. Again, you’ll customize your avatar, but depending on what you pick you’ll be supporting a different side of the war, either Kingdoms of Hoshida (where you were born) or Nohr (your adopted home). Expect the fun strategy gameplay as past games, including permadeath and relationships, but this time around Intelligent Systems wanted to put more effort toward the story, enlisting the help of manga and television writer Shin Kibayashi (Kodansha). Oh, and did we mention your main character has the ability to turn into a dragon? The game has already received rave reviews for the Japanese version, so that’s a good sign.
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