The most promising upcoming PS5 RPGs aren’t necessarily the ones with the largest maps. For a better match, look at what the game has actually shown about its story, character progression and combat—and separate confirmed PS5 projects from games that are merely expected on the console. The Blood of Dawnwalker, Phantom Blade Zero and Gothic 1 Remake each point toward a different kind of role-playing adventure, from dark fantasy to weapon-focused action and faction-led exploration. Their release status and details can change, so treat this as a watchlist, not a launch calendar, and confirm a game’s current PS5 listing before making plans.

Upcoming PS5 RPGs to keep on your watchlist

These announced projects are worth following for different reasons. Their premises give a sense of their intended appeal, but a genre label or reveal trailer can’t confirm how deep the choices, builds or combat systems will be in the finished game.

Game What’s been announced Best fit for What to check as details develop
The Blood of Dawnwalker A single-player dark fantasy RPG starring a protagonist who is part human and part vampire Players drawn to a story shaped by time pressure and supernatural abilities How choices, the time limit and character progression work in practice
Phantom Blade Zero A wuxia-inspired action RPG with weapon-focused combat Players who prioritise responsive action and fight variety How progression, exploration and story choices support the combat
Gothic 1 Remake A remake of the RPG set in the Valley of Mines Players interested in faction-based progression and an unforgiving world How the remake handles the original’s freedom, difficulty and faction systems

These aren’t interchangeable picks. The Blood of Dawnwalker puts its unusual premise and story pressure up front; Phantom Blade Zero is most compelling to action-game fans; and Gothic 1 Remake invites comparison with a role-playing classic. If you want turn-based party tactics or a clearly demonstrated build system, look for specific gameplay evidence before assuming any of them will deliver that style.

The Blood of Dawnwalker: watch how the time pressure shapes play

Rebel Wolves has presented The Blood of Dawnwalker as a dark fantasy RPG about Coen, a protagonist who is partly human and partly vampire. The premise includes a time-pressured effort to save his family, giving the game an obvious opportunity to connect quest priorities with story decisions. That setup may suit players who like their choices to affect what they can do and when.

The important question is how that pressure feels over a full game. A deadline can make decisions meaningful, but it can also make exploration feel rushed if optional quests or character development seem costly. Watch for clear explanations of how time advances, whether players can pursue side stories without losing essential opportunities, and how the game presents the consequences of a choice.

The Blood of Dawnwalker

The day-and-night contrast is another feature to follow. Coen’s human and vampire sides could support distinct abilities or approaches, but a premise alone doesn’t prove that the player can build a character in several meaningful ways. Look for demonstrations of the skill system and examples of how abilities change combat or exploration before treating it as a fit for a particular playstyle.

Phantom Blade Zero: a stronger lead for action-combat fans

Phantom Blade Zero is a wuxia-inspired action RPG from S-Game, announced for PS5 and PC. Its presentation puts weapon-based fighting and fast encounters at the centre. That makes it a natural one to track if you want to learn enemy patterns, vary attacks and improve through practice rather than spend most of your time directing a party.

For this kind of game, a montage of impressive moves is less useful than a sustained gameplay sequence. Look for how the player responds to enemy attacks, whether different weapons encourage different tactics, and what happens after a mistake. Those details help distinguish a game built around combat decisions from one that mainly rewards quick inputs.

Its RPG label also leaves questions open. Before buying, check what has been shown about equipment, character growth, quest structure and exploration. If your main reason for seeking an RPG is branching dialogue or a large set of companion relationships, the combat-first pitch may not be enough to establish that it’s the right choice.

Gothic 1 Remake: look for a world that reacts to your progress

Gothic 1 Remake revisits the Valley of Mines, the setting of the original Gothic. The source game is known for a harsh environment and faction-based progression, which gives returning players a useful point of comparison. For newcomers, the appeal is the promise of earning a place in a world rather than moving through it as an immediately powerful hero.

The key question is how the remake balances a more modern presentation with that rough-edged role-playing design. Check whether factions still meaningfully shape progression, how the world opens up as the character develops, and whether exploration involves risks that the player has to assess. Those systems matter more to this choice than the size of the map or the number of activities listed in a preview.

Remakes can also change the feel of a game while retaining its basic setting and story. If you loved the original, look for gameplay that shows the updated controls, combat pace and quest structure. If you’re new to Gothic, seek out an uncut walkthrough or an in-depth preview before deciding whether its approach to difficulty and guidance suits you.

Gothic 1 Remake Valley of Mines

How to judge upcoming PS5 RPGs beyond map size

Open-world scale is easy to advertise, but it tells you little about whether a game’s activities are interesting or its systems fit together. A smaller setting with useful discoveries and strong quest decisions may be a better investment than a larger map filled with tasks that don’t affect your character or the story.

  • Choices: Look for examples of decisions changing relationships, quest outcomes or access to different approaches. A dramatic premise doesn’t by itself confirm meaningful branching.
  • Character builds: Check whether skills, equipment or abilities let you specialise. If you prefer experimenting, find out whether the game supports more than one viable approach.
  • Combat: Decide whether you want real-time action, deliberate tactical turns or a mix. Watch enough gameplay to see how positioning, enemy behaviour and resource use affect a fight.
  • Exploration: Ask what rewards curiosity: hidden routes, useful items, story discoveries or new ways to approach a quest. A large map is not a substitute for those details.
  • Party and crafting systems: If managing companions, combining abilities or making equipment is part of the appeal, look for direct demonstrations. Don’t assume every RPG has these features.

Also distinguish confirmed information from expectation. Publishers may use “RPG” broadly, while players often mean a particular combination of story choices, build freedom and tactical combat. Decide which of those features matters most to you, then check whether a game has demonstrated it rather than relying on its category name.

A practical checklist before you preorder

  1. Confirm that the game is still unreleased. Release schedules change, and an old announcement can remain easy to find after a launch. Check the current PlayStation Store listing and the publisher’s game page.
  2. Verify PS5 availability. A game being announced for PC or another console doesn’t confirm a PS5 version. For example, the initial reveal of The Witcher IV did not establish PS5 availability; check for a current platform announcement before adding it to a PS5 shortlist.
  3. Watch gameplay, not only cinematic trailers. Look for a continuous sequence that shows movement, combat, menus or quest decisions. It can reveal whether the actual play matches the advertised style.
  4. Check the features you care about specifically. Search for evidence of turn-based battles, character creation, companion management or branching quests if any of those are essential to you.
  5. Read the edition details before paying. Compare what is included and review the PlayStation Store’s current purchase and refund terms. Don’t assume a more expensive edition adds content you will value.

If the combat or progression system is still unclear, waiting for reviews or a substantial gameplay preview is usually more useful than preordering on the strength of a setting. That is especially true if you’re choosing between a combat-led RPG and one you hope will offer deep dialogue, flexible builds or party tactics.

PlayStation 5 console

Which upcoming PS5 RPG should you follow?

Choose The Blood of Dawnwalker if its dark fantasy premise and time-pressured story are what interest you, but wait for concrete details about how those systems affect everyday play. Follow Phantom Blade Zero if combat is your priority, and look for evidence of how weapons and character progression support variety. Gothic 1 Remake is the one to watch if faction-led development and a demanding setting appeal to you, with the remake’s treatment of those systems still worth checking.

For all three, verify the current PS5 release status and focus on demonstrated features rather than assumptions. That gives you a watchlist shaped by the kind of role-playing you enjoy, not just a collection of promising titles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What upcoming PS5 RPGs are worth watching?

The Blood of Dawnwalker, Phantom Blade Zero and Gothic 1 Remake are announced PS5 projects with distinct appeals: dark fantasy, weapon-focused action and a return to the Valley of Mines. Check each game’s current release status before treating it as an unreleased title.

Which upcoming PS5 RPG looks best for story choices?

The Blood of Dawnwalker has a premise built around a time-pressured effort to save a family, making it a natural game to follow if you value story decisions. The premise doesn’t confirm how much choices alter quests or endings, so look for detailed demonstrations before deciding.

Are these games turn-based RPGs?

The announced descriptions point more toward action or open-world action role-playing than turn-based party tactics. If turn-based combat is essential, check for explicit gameplay confirmation rather than relying on the RPG label.

Is The Witcher IV confirmed for PS5?

The initial announcement did not establish PS5 availability. Because platform plans can be announced later, check CD Projekt Red’s current information and the PlayStation Store before including it on a confirmed PS5 list.

Should I preorder an upcoming PS5 RPG?

Preordering makes more sense when the platform, release status, edition contents and gameplay direction are clear to you. If combat, progression or performance remains uncertain, waiting for fuller gameplay coverage or reviews gives you a better basis for choosing.