What are the best new fantasy games that have come out recently?

The fantasy genre has seen a massive surge of incredible titles, ranging from inventive tactical RPGs to sprawling open-world epics.

Standout Recent Fantasy Releases

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
A breathtaking turn-based RPG with real-time reactive mechanics set in a stunning Belle Époque France-inspired dying world. You lead a doomed expedition against a deity known as the Paintress, and it has received widespread acclaim for its art direction and deep narrative.

Avowed
Obsidian Entertainment’s first-person fantasy action RPG drops you into the vibrant, mysterious Living Lands of the Pillars of Eternity universe. It offers punchy, flexible combat blending magic, swords, and guns with reactive companion storytelling.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
While strictly historical fiction rather than high fantasy, this massive medieval Bohemia sequel scratches the exact same immersive-sim and gritty realism itch that hardcore fantasy fans adore, boasting a sweeping narrative and deep simulation mechanics.

Monster Hunter Wilds
An absolute powerhouse for epic boss-slaying fantasy, featuring seamless open ecosystems, dynamic weather systems, and visceral weapon-based combat against towering fantastical fauna.

Crimson Desert
An open-world action-adventure blending high-fantasy and dark-fantasy grit, known for its high-octane physical combat and staggering technical fidelity across a sprawling continent.

Community Impressions

Players have been particularly floored by the creative risks taken by independent and mid-to-large studios outside of traditional franchises:

Clair Obscur expedition 33 and I can say thats it the greatest game of all time.

Are you looking for a specific platform (PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch) or a particular sub-genre (like turn-based tactical, souls-like, or open-world action) so I can narrow down the best recommendation for you?

If by “recently” you mean roughly 2025–2026, there’s been a surprisingly strong run of fantasy RPGs. My shortlist:

1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2025) — Best overall

   • Gorgeous dark-fantasy world, memorable characters, excellent story.
   • Turn-based combat with real-time dodges/parries that make battles unusually active.
   • It’s widely regarded as one of the standout RPGs of 2025.
   • Play this if: you want Final Fantasy-style storytelling with a very distinctive European aesthetic.

2. Avowed (2025) — Best traditional fantasy RPG

   • First-person fantasy from Obsidian, with magic, companions, exploration, dialogue choices, and branching quests.
   • Particularly good if you liked The Elder Scrolls or Dragon Age. It was also among the most praised RPGs of 2025.
   • Play this if: you want a classic, character-driven fantasy adventure.

3. Hades II (2025) — Best action/roguelike fantasy

   • Fast, addictive combat wrapped in Greek mythology.
   • Excellent art, music, characters, and build variety.
   • Play this if: you want something you can play for 20 minutes or lose an entire weekend to.

4. Elden Ring Nightreign (2025) — Best dark fantasy action

   • A more compact, multiplayer-focused take on Elden Ring's formula.
   • Designed around repeated runs, powerful builds, bosses, and three-player cooperation.
   • Play this if: you love Elden Ring but want something more replayable and co-op oriented.

5. Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon (2025) — Best hidden gem

   • First-person dark fantasy RPG inspired by Arthurian legends.
   • Much closer to the Skyrim style of fantasy RPG than many newer releases.
   • Play this if: you want a big, grim world to explore rather than a tightly scripted adventure.

And if you're looking ahead…

There are some very interesting fantasy games arriving in the next few weeks. As of August 29, 2026, Crimson Moon is scheduled for September 1, The Blood of Dawnwalker for September 3, and Onimusha: Way of the Sword for September 4.

The Blood of Dawnwalker is probably the one I'd watch most closely: it's a dark-fantasy/vampire RPG set in 14th-century Europe, from developers with The Witcher 3 pedigree, with a story structured around saving your family within 30 days and nights.

My quick ranking:
🥇 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — story & atmosphere
🥈 Avowed — classic fantasy RPG
🥉 Hades II — pure gameplay
⚔️ Elden Ring Nightreign — combat/co-op
🩸 Tainted Grail — Skyrim-like dark fantasy

If you tell me PS5, Xbox, PC, or Switch 2 and whether you prefer Skyrim/Baldur’s Gate-style RPGs, Elden Ring-style combat, or cozy fantasy, I can narrow it to the 5 games you’re most likely to love.

The best new fantasy games released recently span a massive variety of styles, from open-world epics to stylized tactical role-playing games. High-profile releases across 2025 and 2026 have heavily reshaped the genre, delivering dense worlds, intricate combat systems, and rich storytelling.

Sprawling Action RPGs & Open Worlds

Crimson Desert : A massive open-world fantasy sandbox by Pearl Abyss that simulates a dense, highly interactive medieval world with deep tactical physics.

Monster Hunter Wilds : Capcom's massive hit features seamless ecosystem traversal, highly advanced dynamic weather, and refined, aggressive creature combat.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers : An incredibly stylish dark fantasy soulslike action RPG set during the chaotic late Ming Dynasty, praised heavily for its tight combat loop.

Avowed : Obsidian Entertainment's highly praised first-person fantasy ARPG set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, mixing complex choices, spellcasting, and melee combat.

Neo3 : Team Ninja's latest entry evolves their signature precise action mechanics by shifting into sweeping, open-zone environments clearly inspired by Elden Ring.

Masterful Turn-Based & Tactical Strategy

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 : A critically adored turn-based RPG with an incredibly beautiful, decaying high-fantasy world inspired by Belle Époque France.

Metaphor: ReFantazio : The masterminds behind Persona deliver a grand political fantasy JRPG complete with royal tournaments, high stakes, and the custom "Archetype" magical combat engine.

Unicorn Overlord : A masterclass in tactical fantasy RPG design, seamlessly combining overworld exploration with highly innovative, automated squad-battling mechanics.

Monster Hunter Stories 3 : A polished turn-based monster-collecting alternative focusing heavily on creature customization, gene-splicing, and rewarding biome exploration.

Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake : A gorgeous, classic fantasy reimagining that updates old-school ground-level adventuring with stunning modern visual depth.

Indie & Niche Highlights

• Sapphira : A fast-paced action roguelike that brilliantly marries the aggressive room-clearing combat of Hades with a unique relic-grid inventory system.

Are you looking for a game on a specific platform (like PS5, PC, or Switch), or do you prefer a certain style like fast action over turn-based strategy ? Let me know, and I can narrow down the perfect match!

If you mean recent fantasy games (roughly the last couple of years), these are the ones that stand out most for quality, world-building, and how much they capture the fantasy feeling.

Best new fantasy games to play now

Baldur's Gate 3

Best overall fantasy RPG

• Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch (via cloud features in some regions)
• Why play it: Probably the closest modern game to a playable fantasy novel. Deep choices, memorable companions, huge freedom, and D&D-style mechanics.
• Best for: Players who love Dungeons & Dragons, Dragon Age, or party-based RPGs.
• It remains one of the most acclaimed fantasy RPGs available, with a strong modding community adding even more content.

Avowed

Best new traditional fantasy adventure

• Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S
• Why play it: A first-person fantasy RPG from Obsidian Entertainment set in the world of Pillars of Eternity.
• Great if you want: - magic + swords
• companions
• faction choices
• a handcrafted fantasy world
• It was one of the major fantasy RPG releases of 2025.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Best dark fantasy combat

• Platforms: PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
• Why play it: A massive expansion that adds one of the most impressive fantasy regions in recent gaming.
• Best for players who like: - brutal bosses
• mysterious lore
• exploration without hand-holding

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Best story-driven fantasy RPG

• Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
• Why play it: A stylish turn-based RPG with a surreal fantasy world, excellent characters, and a distinctive combat system.
• It was widely highlighted as one of the standout RPGs of 2025.

Monster Hunter Wilds

Best fantasy adventure with creatures

• Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
• Why play it: More monster-hunting fantasy than classic elves-and-magic fantasy, but the huge beasts, ecosystems, and exploration make it feel like an epic fantasy journey.
• Great for co-op.

Elden Ring Nightreign

Best for Soulslike fans who want something different

• Platforms: PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
• Why play it: A faster, co-op-focused take on the Elden Ring formula with replayable runs and team play.

If you want upcoming fantasy games to watch

The Blood of Dawnwalker

• A dark medieval vampire RPG from a studio led by former CD Projekt Red developers.
• It focuses heavily on choices, consequences, and a time-limited story structure.

Crimson Desert

• A large-scale open-world fantasy adventure with action combat and exploration.

Quick picks by taste

• “I want a fantasy world I can live in” → Baldur’s Gate 3
• “I want swords, magic, and quests” → Avowed
• “I want epic bosses and mystery” → Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
• “I want the best story” → Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• “I want hundreds of hours of adventure” → Monster Hunter Wilds or Baldur’s Gate 3

If you tell me your platform (PC/PS5/Xbox/Switch) and whether you prefer open-world, turn-based, action combat, or cozy fantasy, I can narrow it down.

If by “recently” you mean roughly 2025–2026, there’s been a surprisingly strong run of fantasy RPGs. My picks would be:

1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2025) — Best overall

• Gorgeous Belle Époque-inspired dark fantasy.
• Turn-based combat with real-time dodging/parrying that makes battles unusually active.
• Excellent characters, music, and story.
• It was one of the most acclaimed RPGs of 2025, with a 92 Metascore.
• Play this if: you want something story-heavy and genuinely different.

2. Avowed (2025) — Best traditional fantasy RPG

• First-person fantasy from Obsidian, set in the Pillars of Eternity universe.
• Lots of exploration, dialogue choices, magic, companions, and faction decisions.
• A particularly good choice if you miss games like Skyrim or Dragon Age.
• Play this if: you want a big, colorful fantasy adventure without the extreme complexity of Baldur's Gate 3.

3. Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon (2025) — Best dark-fantasy sleeper

• First-person open-world RPG inspired by Arthurian legends, but twisted into something bleak and creepy.
• Lots of quests, exploration, character builds, and grim atmosphere.
• It was singled out among 2025's notable RPGs despite coming from a smaller studio.
• Play this if: you want Skyrim with a much darker atmosphere.

4. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (2025) — Best medieval immersion

• Technically historical rather than fantasy, but if what you want is swords, castles, taverns, quests and medieval role-playing, it's one of the strongest recent choices.
• Extremely detailed world and excellent storytelling.
• Play this if: you want realistic medieval fantasy vibes rather than magic and monsters.

5. Hades II (2025) — Best action fantasy

• Fast roguelike combat, Greek mythology, tons of character interactions and an excellent art style.
• Builds on the original Hades with more weapons, abilities and progression.
• Play this if: you want something you can pick up for 30 minutes or sink 100 hours into.

And one I'm watching very closely

The Blood of Dawnwalker — releasing September 3, 2026. It's a dark-fantasy open-world RPG from Rebel Wolves, a studio founded by former Witcher 3 developers. You're a half-vampire trying to save your family while a vampire clan controls a plague-ravaged 14th-century valley. The really interesting hook is that you have 30 in-game days to accomplish your goals, with choices and even inaction affecting what happens.

So if you're looking for something to play tonight, I'd rank them:

Clair Obscur > Avowed > Tainted Grail > Hades II > Kingdom Come II

If you tell me whether you're on PS5, Xbox, PC, or Switch 2, and whether you want Skyrim-style open world, Baldur's Gate-style RPG, or Elden Ring-style combat, I can narrow this down to the 3 best choices for you.

The fantasy gaming landscape has been incredible over the past year or so, featuring standout blockbusters, brilliant stylistic risks, and cozy hits.

Top Recent Fantasy Releases

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — A stunning, critically acclaimed French-inspired turn-based RPG with real-time reaction mechanics. Set in a dying world where a god-like "Paintress" wipes out specific age groups annually, it became an instant classic with sweeping praise for its narrative and Belle Époque aesthetic.

Crimson Desert — Released in early 2026, Pearl Abyss's open-world action-RPG delivers an immense, physics-driven fantasy continent packed with cinematic combat, environmental reactivity, and large-scale mercenary action.

Monster Hunter Wilds — Released in early 2026, Capcom's latest evolutionary leap in the monster-slaying genre treats players to a seamless open world, fluid mechanics, and gorgeous high-fantasy ecosystem design.

Nioh 3 — Team Ninja's 2026 samurai action-RPG sequel shakes up the formula by incorporating large, open-zone exploration inspired by modern design philosophies while keeping its sharp, lethal combat tight.

Avowed — Obsidian's first-person fantasy RPG invites players into the vibrant, sprawling world of Eora (from the Pillars of Eternity universe) to juggle magic, swords, and tactical real-time skirmishes.

Fields of Mistria — If you want a break from high-stakes combat, this indie gem blends nostalgic '90s anime aesthetics with a cozy fantasy-infused farming and magic-progression loop.

Community Voices “Crimson Desert is bringing a massive fantasy world packed with cinematic combat and breathtaking landscapes.”

If you want to narrow down your next game, tell me:

• What platform are you playing on (PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch)?
• Do you prefer action combat (like Nioh or Monster Hunter ) or strategic/turn-based play (like Expedition 33)?

I can give you a tailored recommendation!

The fantasy and action-RPG landscape has been exceptionally vibrant, featuring massive critical darlings, massive open-world adventures, and unique indies.

Top Fantasy Picks

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
This stunning, critically acclaimed French fantasy RPG took the turn-based/command-infused tactical space by storm with gorgeous surrealist art, deep narrative focus, and an unforgettable atmospheric world.

Crimson Desert
An ambitious open-world action-RPG that drops players into a massive, sprawling fantasy continent. It leans heavily into breathtaking visual fidelity, dynamic physics-based combat, and unbridled exploration.

Monster Hunter Wilds
While more of a high-fantasy ecosystem hunt, Capcom's massive release brought seamless open zones, gorgeous biomes, and refined, highly accessible action-combat that keeps players hooked on crafting and slaying.

Notable Alternatives & Recent Favorites

Fields of Mistria
If you want a cozy fantasy escape, this charming title blends nostalgic farming and relationship sims with a delightful '90s anime aesthetic and a light magic progression system.

Dragon Age / Avowed style expansions & recent arrivals
First-person and classic party-based viewpoints have seen great entries like Obsidian's Avowed , offering rich magical combat and reactive storytelling in vibrant fantasy realms.

Nioh 3
Team Ninja's recent action-RPG evolution adopts wider, open-zoned exploration inspired by modern design milestones while keeping its signature tight combat and historical-fantasy-meets-folklore aesthetic intact.

“The awesome part is that this isn't just one sub genre carrying the weight while everything else stagnates. CRPGs, ARPGs, action RPGs with Soulslike elements, turn based stuff, narrative RPGs, tactical RPGs, every single corner of the genre is producing...”

If you'd like to narrow down the choices, tell me:

• What gaming platform you are playing on (PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch)
• Your preferred combat style (turn-based, fast action-hack-and-slash, or slow tactical CRPG)

I can give you a tailored recommendation!

If you mean recently released (roughly 2024–2026), these are some of the strongest new fantasy games worth playing right now. I’ve mixed big RPGs, action games, and a few less obvious picks.

🏆 Best overall

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Why play it: Probably the standout new fantasy RPG of the recent wave. It combines a painterly Belle Époque-inspired world with turn-based combat that adds real-time dodging and parrying. The story, characters, art direction, and soundtrack have been major highlights. www.gamespot.com
Best for: Fans of Final Fantasy, Persona, and story-heavy RPGs.

Elden Ring: Nightreign

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Why play it: A darker fantasy action RPG built around fast runs, boss fights, and cooperative play. It’s a different experience from the original Elden Ring, but it scratches the same “mysterious world full of terrifying creatures” itch. gameranx.com
Best for: Players who like challenge, exploration, and deep lore.

Dragon's Dogma 2

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Why play it: One of the best modern “become a fantasy adventurer” games. You build a character, hire AI companions, fight enormous monsters, and wander a dangerous open world. www.gamespot.com
Best for: People who want a classic sword-and-sorcery adventure.

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🗡️ Great action fantasy

Black Myth: Wukong

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
A visually stunning action RPG inspired by Chinese mythology. The combat is fast, boss-focused, and cinematic. gameranx.com
Try it if you like: God of War, Sekiro, mythological settings.

Avowed

Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC
A first-person fantasy RPG from Obsidian Entertainment set in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity. It focuses on dialogue choices, exploration, companions, and flexible combat builds. gameranx.com
Try it if you like: Skyrim with more emphasis on writing and choices.

Path of Exile 2

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
A deep dark-fantasy action RPG with huge build variety and challenging combat. gameranx.com
Try it if you like: Diablo but want something more complex.

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🌲 Fantasy worlds to get lost in

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon

A grim Arthurian fantasy RPG with a darker, more survival-oriented tone. gameranx.com
Good for: Fans of Skyrim, Dark Souls, and bleak fantasy novels.

South of Midnight

A stylish fantasy adventure inspired by Southern folklore, with a unique stop-motion visual style. gameranx.com
Good for: Players who want something more unusual than medieval fantasy.

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🔮 Upcoming fantasy games worth watching

Fable

A revival of the beloved fantasy series with a humorous tone, fairy-tale setting, and choice-driven world.

Crimson Desert

A large-scale fantasy action game with huge battles, exploration, and cinematic combat.

Light No Fire

From the creators of No Man’s Sky, but in a fantasy setting with a focus on a massive explorable world.

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My quick picks by taste:

• Best story: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Best open-world adventure: Dragon’s Dogma 2
• Best combat: Black Myth: Wukong or Elden Ring: Nightreign
• Best “live in a fantasy world for 100 hours”: Avowed
• Best hardcore RPG: Path of Exile 2
• Best upcoming: Fable or Light No Fire

If you tell me your platform (PC / PS5 / Xbox / Switch) and whether you prefer Skyrim-style exploration, Soulslike combat, or story-heavy RPGs, I can narrow it down.

The fantasy genre has seen an incredible wave of immersive, beautiful, and mechanically rich titles drop recently. Whether you are looking for sprawling open worlds, tight tactical combat, or dark atmospheric storytelling, here are the standout new fantasy games making waves:

Avowed (Obsidian Entertainment) – Set in the vibrant Pillars of Eternity universe, this first-person fantasy RPG takes you to the colorful and mysterious Living Lands. It trades massive, empty checklists for a dense, reactive, and lore-rich world where you can freely mix real-time melee, magic, and ranged combat with full companion dynamics.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive) – A stunning, turn-based RPG with real-time reaction elements that captured the RPG community's heart. It features a breathtaking surrealist art style, a deeply emotional narrative, and a fresh take on classic command-based combat that feels both nostalgic and utterly modern.

Crimson Desert (Pearl Abyss) – A massive, visually arresting open-world action-RPG set in the continent of Pywel. It blends visceral, high-impact martial action and traversal with a gritty mercenary tale full of sprawling landscapes, intense boss fights, and deep environmental interaction.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (Warhorse Studios) – For players leaning toward historical/grounded medieval fantasy realism, this sequel plunges you back into 15th-century Bohemia. It refines the heavy, authentic directional sword combat and pairs it with an expansive, living world and a deeply human narrative following Henry of Skalitz.

Path of Exile 2 (Grinding Gear Games) – Revolutionizing the isometric action-RPG space, PoE 2 offers jaw-dropping visceral combat, fluid WASD movement, dodge-rolling, and a staggering dual-specialization passive skill tree that lets you completely tailor your dark fantasy build.

Community Reactions

Players have been heavily praising how different these recent entries feel compared to older genre staples:

To help narrow down the best choice for you, tell me:

• What platform do you primarily play on?
• Do you prefer action combat (like real-time slashing/shooting) or turn-based/tactical gameplay?

If by “recently” you mean roughly 2025–2026, there’s been a pretty great crop of fantasy RPGs. My picks:

1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — Best overall

   • Dark, gorgeous fantasy with a very unusual Belle Époque-inspired world.
   • Turn-based combat with real-time dodging/parrying, excellent characters, and a fantastic story.
   • Released April 2025 and currently sits at a 92 Metascore.
   • Play this if: you want something story-heavy, stylish, and different.

2. Avowed — Best traditional fantasy RPG

   • From Obsidian, set in the Pillars of Eternity universe.
   • First-person combat, magic, companions, exploration, and lots of dialogue/choice.
   • A particularly good choice if you miss the old-school Dragon Age/Baldur's Gate style of fantasy RPG. It was also one of the major RPGs highlighted among 2025's releases.
   • Play this if: you want a classic party-based fantasy adventure in first person.

3. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II — Best immersive medieval RPG

   • Technically historical rather than high fantasy, but if you count medieval fantasy-adjacent games, it's one of the best recent RPGs.
   • Huge open world, extremely immersive systems, quests with lots of consequences, and excellent sword combat.
   • It was a major contender for 2025 RPG of the year, finishing runner-up in MMORPG.com's awards.
   • Play this if: you want to live in a medieval world rather than just hack through fantasy enemies.

4. Dragon's Dogma 2 — Best for action + exploration

   • Massive fantasy world with dragons, griffins, magic, monsters, and a very unpredictable simulation-driven world.
   • Combat is much more physical and action-oriented than something like Baldur's Gate 3.
   • Play this if: your dream fantasy game is wandering into the wilderness and accidentally getting into a completely ridiculous fight.

5. Crimson Desert — One to watch / newer action-fantasy option

   • Big open-world action RPG with spectacular combat and a very cinematic presentation.
   • Especially appealing if you like The Witcher, Dragon's Dogma, or Ghost of Tsushima-style open worlds.

My ranking for you

If you only buy one: I'd go with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. It was one of the most acclaimed RPGs of 2025, and its combination of dark fantasy, turn-based combat, and cinematic storytelling is unusually good.

If you tell me your platform (PS5, Xbox, PC, or Switch) and whether you prefer Elden Ring-style combat, Baldur's Gate-style RPGs, or Skyrim-style open worlds, I can narrow this down to the 5 best games specifically for you.