2017 starts off with a remake of one of the most beloved JRPGs of all time. Originally released on the PS2, Dragon Quest VIII makes its way to a handheld on 3DS in January. It’s more than just a port however, as the 3DS version actually adds on brand new cutscenes and story, party members, and gameplay changes.
The latest entry in the long-running Tales series hits North America at the end of January. Tales of Berseria is actually set in the same world as the previous game, Tales of Zestiria, but takes place in the distant past. It’s hitting PlayStation 4 in the U.S.
It’s been quite a while since we’ve gotten a new experience from Kingdom Hearts, but January will see just that. Kingdom Hearts 2.8: Final Chapter Prologue is another compilation of titles from the series, exclusively on PS4. It comes with an HD remaster of the 3DS title Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance, a brand new experience called Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep 0.2 A Fragmentary Passage, and a CG movie called Kingdom Hearts x Back Cover.
Koei Tecmo’s long awaited PS4 exclusive hits in early 2017. Nioh is set in Japan during the Sengoku Period, and pits you against hordes of dangerous human enemies and Yokai, or demons. There’s some definite similarities the title has to Dark Souls, and the development team has taken fan feedback after releasing two different demos in 2016.
Mass Effect will finally make a return in 2017 with Andromeda, a brand new direction for the series. Andromeda introduces new gameplay systems like a jetpack, and a brand new protagonists with a brother and sister named Ryder. Bioware’s new title is heading to Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
After not getting Valkyria Chronicles 3 in the west, we’ve now had confirmation that Valkyria Revolution will in fact be coming to North America. The title uses a real time action-based combat system, instead of the tactical turn-based one seen in past entries. It’ll be out on PS4 and Xbox One.
We haven’t heard much about Ever Oasis since its announcement at E3, but it’s a brand new IP from Nintendo headed to 3DS. The action-RPG has you building your own oasis and attracting different travelers to adventure with.
Ni No Kuni was a charming, beautiful RPG that combined the talents of Studio Ghibli and Level-5. The second game is doubling down on its look with new hardware, and introducing a cast of new characters, faster paced combat, and a kingdom creation system. It’ll be launching as a PS4 exclusive.
Vampyr looks quite a bit different from developer Dontnod’s previous titles, Remember Me and Life is Strange. The action-RPG takes place in early 20th century London, and puts players into the shoes of a vampire doctor named Jonathan Reid. The character must grapple between his new bloodthirsty nature, and his oath as a doctor. Vampyr is coming to Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is looking to give players a different type of RPG, doing away with fantasy elements for a realistic representation of the medieval ages. The title plans to feature period appropriate attire, combat techniques, buildings, and even castles recreated with the help of historians. It’s currently slated for a 2017 release on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Recommended Videos
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King 3DS - Jan. 20
2017 starts off with a remake of one of the most beloved JRPGs of all time. Originally released on the PS2, Dragon Quest VIII makes its way to a handheld on 3DS in January. It's more than just a port however, as the 3DS version actually adds on brand new cutscenes and story, party members, and gameplay changes.
Tales of Berseria - Jan. 24
The latest entry in the long-running Tales series hits North America at the end of January. Tales of Berseria is actually set in the same world as the previous game, Tales of Zestiria, but takes place in the distant past. It's hitting PlayStation 4 in the U.S.
Kingdom Hearts 2.8: Final Chapter Prologue - Jan. 24
It's been quite a while since we've gotten a new experience from Kingdom Hearts, but January will see just that. Kingdom Hearts 2.8: Final Chapter Prologue is another compilation of titles from the series, exclusively on PS4. It comes with an HD remaster of the 3DS title Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance, a brand new experience called Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep 0.2 A Fragmentary Passage, and a CG movie called Kingdom Hearts x Back Cover.
Dynasty Warriors Godseekers - Jan. 31
Godseekers is a big deviation for the Dynasty Warriors series, taking things into the realm of turn-based tactics. You'll play out the big battles the series is known for, but this time from a top-down isometric view. It'll only be launching digitally on PS4 and Vita.
Digimon World: Next Order - Jan. 31
2016 saw an outstanding entry for the Digimon series with Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth, and 2017 looks like it could do the same thing. You play a high school student transported to the Digital World, who gains two Digimon partners to explore with. It's coming exclusively to PS4 in North America.
Nioh - Feb. 7
Koei Tecmo's long awaited PS4 exclusive hits in early 2017. Nioh is set in Japan during the Sengoku Period, and pits you against hordes of dangerous human enemies and Yokai, or demons. There's some definite similarities the title has to Dark Souls, and the development team has taken fan feedback after releasing two different demos in 2016.
Ys Origin - Feb. 21
Ys Origin is one of the titles in the long running JRPG series, that we never actually got in North America. Originally released in 2006, the title actually takes place well before the first entry in the series. It hits PS4 and Vita in February.
Torment: Tides of Numenara - Feb. 28
For years fans have been wanting a sequel or spiritual successor to the RPG Planescape: Torment. In 2013 Torment: Tides of Numenara was successfully funded on Kickstarter in six hours. This dark sci-fi isometric RPG has a big emphasis on storytelling, and will be hitting PC, Xbox One, PS4.
NieR: Automata - March 7
This action-RPG is co-developed by Square Enix and Platinum Games, and functions as a sequel to the original NIER on Xbox 360 and PS3. You don't necessarily need to have played the original though, as Automata focuses on an android named 2B thousands of years after the first game. It's launching exclusively on PS4.
Persona 5 - April 4
It's been years since we've gotten a Persona game, but the series remains a standout example of what JRPGs can be. After very positive reception with its launch in Japan and one final delay for the U.S., Persona 5 will finally arrive in April on PS3 and PS4.
South Park: The Fractured But Whole - Q1 2017
South Park: Stick of Truth was quite possibly the best South Park game we've ever gotten, and Fractured But Whole looks to expand on that. The game does away with the fantasy theme of the first, in favor of a brand new superhero theme. It's releasing on Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
The Church in the Darkness - Q1 2017
This title is from indie studio Paranoid Productions, and focuses on infiltrating a dangerous cult in the 1970s. It uses procedural generation and is planned for PC, Xbox One, and PS4.
Akiba's Beat - Q1 2017
Akiba's Beat is a very different from the previous game Akiba's Strip, focusing on the idol industry and music this time around. The game takes place in Tokyo's Akihabara district, and uses a more traditional action-RPG battle system. It's coming to both PS4 and Vita.
Mass Effect Andromeda - Q1/Q2 2017
Mass Effect will finally make a return in 2017 with Andromeda, a brand new direction for the series. Andromeda introduces new gameplay systems like a jetpack, and a brand new protagonists with a brother and sister named Ryder. Bioware's new title is heading to Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
Vikings: Wolves of Midgard - Q1/Q2 2017
Fans of Gauntlet or Diablo might want to keep an eye on this one, as Vikings uses many similar gameplay and loot systems in a Norse mythology setting. The title is coming to PS4, Xbox One, and PC in 2017.
Tokyo Xanadu - Q1/Q2 2017
Xanadu is a long running JRPG series from Nihon Falcom, the same company that develops Ys and The Legend of Heroes. Most of the titles in the series have a fantasy setting, but Xanadu Next changes things up by taking the series to modern day Tokyo. It's coming to PlayStation Vita.
Fallen Legion - Q2 2017
Fallen Legion sees you ruling over your own kingdom and making split second decisions about the future of it. It also has a real-time battle system, where you have different characters mapped to different buttons. It's coming to PS4 and Vita.
Valkyria Revolution - TBA 2017
After not getting Valkyria Chronicles 3 in the west, we've now had confirmation that Valkyria Revolution will in fact be coming to North America. The title uses a real time action-based combat system, instead of the tactical turn-based one seen in past entries. It'll be out on PS4 and Xbox One.
Ever Oasis - TBA 2017
We haven't heard much about Ever Oasis since its announcement at E3, but it's a brand new IP from Nintendo headed to 3DS. The action-RPG has you building your own oasis and attracting different travelers to adventure with.
Divinity: Original Sin II - TBA 2017
The first Divinity: Original Sin was received as a sort of return to form for the old Baldur's Gate type of RPGs. Original Sin II successfully reached its Kickstarter goal in well under its time period, and brings an even bigger focus on character interaction and storytelling. Divinity Original Sin II is coming to PC in 2017.
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age - TBA 2017
The latest of Square Enix's remasters, updates and changes Final Fantasy XII for the PlayStation 4. Not only has the game been given a substantial graphical upgrade, but some of its systems have been altered. For example, the license board of the original is gone and a fast forward option has been added into combat.
Hand of Fate 2 - TBA 2017
Hand of Fate 2 only doubles down on the original's interesting concept. The game has you playing a card game with a mysterious stranger, but each card holds a D&D style level within it. The second part of the game is going into these cards and fighting or solving your way through them, in real-time combat. Hand of Fate 2 is currently planned for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom - TBA 2017
Ni No Kuni was a charming, beautiful RPG that combined the talents of Studio Ghibli and Level-5. The second game is doubling down on its look with new hardware, and introducing a cast of new characters, faster paced combat, and a kingdom creation system. It'll be launching as a PS4 exclusive.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd - TBA 2017
It took years for the U.S. to get the first two Trails in the Sky games, and 2017 will finally let fans finish the trilogy. The third game switches protagonists from the members of the Bracer Guild, Estelle and Joshua, to two members of the Septian Church named Kevin Graham and Ries Argent. It'll be hitting PC in 2017/
Pyre - TBA 2017
Pyre is the third game from the successful indie studio Supergiant Games, makers of Bastion and Transistor. The title focuses on a caravan of outcasts, and uses a sports inspired type of combat game for the majority of its gameplay. It's currently planned for PC and PS4.
Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon - TBA 2017
Nights of Azure 2 continues the story of the first game following the journey of Arnice and Lilysse, while also introducing a host of new characters. It uses many of the same mechanics as the original including a battle system that lets you summon demons for help. It's planned to release on PS4 and Vita in 2017.
Dragon Quest XI - TBA 2017
The newest entry in the enormous Dragon Quest series looks gorgeous, but it's coming in two different versions. The PS4 version realizes Dragon Quest in stunning clarity with a gorgeous cel-shaded style, while the 3DS version appeals to nostalgia with a more traditional style. There's also a Nintendo Switch version planned, but at the moment the game is only announced for Japan.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III - TBA 2017
Trails of Cold Steel is another trilogy in the Legend of Heroes series, that's actually set in the same world as Trails in the Sky. The third game continues the story of Rean Swarzer and his other classmates in the Erebonian Empire. This time around the game is a PS4 exclusive.
Warhammer 40K Inquisitor - Martyr - TBA 2017
Warhammer is one of the most well known role-playing settings around, and it's certainly had its own fair share of video games.The title is a brand new action-RPG set in the Warhammer 40K universe, casting players as the powerful secret agents of the Imperium known as Inquisitors. It's coming to PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord - TBA 2017
Bannerlord takes players back to the brutal medieval battlefields of Mount & Blade. The game is set 200 years before the previous games and boasts even more of the massive battles, as well as siege warfare, diplomacy, and a sandbox economy. The title is planned for Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
Vampyr - TBA 2017
Vampyr looks quite a bit different from developer Dontnod's previous titles, Remember Me and Life is Strange. The action-RPG takes place in early 20th century London, and puts players into the shoes of a vampire doctor named Jonathan Reid. The character must grapple between his new bloodthirsty nature, and his oath as a doctor. Vampyr is coming to Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
Dark Rose Valkyrie - TBA 2017
This new title from Compile Heart is actually a mix of RPG and visual novel. It takes place in an alternate history version of Japan during 1929. A fallen meteorite has started spreading a disease called "Chimera," which turns humans into dangerous creatures. The visual novel section has you interrogating members of your party to find a traitor. Black Rose Valkyrie is a PS4 exclusive.
ELEX - TBA 2017
ELEX is a brand new science fantasy RPG from Piranha Bytes, makers of the Gothic and Risen series. The game is a mix of both science fiction and medieval style locations, and players can use guns, swords, and magic against enemies. You join a planet wide war for the resource "ELEX," and will help decide the world's fate in the process. The title is coming to PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
Spellforce 3 - TBA 2017
Spellforce 3 is a combination of both RTS and top-down RPG style games, that has you creating you own hero and guiding them through a lengthy single player campaign. The title will also boast a few different multiplayer modes. It's due out on PC in 2017.
Star Control: Origins - TBA 2017
Star Control: Origins is the newest title from Stardock, the makers of Sins of a Solar Empire and Offworld Trading Company. The sci-fi action-RPG casts players as the captain of Earth's first interstellar starship, sent out to explore a procedurally generated universe. The title is planned for a 2017 release on PC.
Toukiden 2 - TBA 2017
Toukiden 2 is a direct sequel to the first game, set 10 years after its events. The title has changed things up to a more open world style, with battles happening seamlessly out on the field. It's planned for release in 2017 on PS4, PS3, and Vita.
Kingdom Come Deliverance - TBA 2017
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is looking to give players a different type of RPG, doing away with fantasy elements for a realistic representation of the medieval ages. The title plans to feature period appropriate attire, combat techniques, buildings, and even castles recreated with the help of historians. It's currently slated for a 2017 release on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey - TBA 2017
The newest title in the long running Atelier series is actually the second entry in the "Mysterious" sub-series. Atelier Firis features two new characters, the sisters Firis and Liane Mistlud, and it also has a big emphasis on players choice. It's set to release in 2017 on PS4 and Vita.
About the author
Hayes Madsen
A connoisseur of all things RPG related, and always looking for the artistic expression in gaming. His love of Gundam is only matched by his love of Pizza. Playing Games Since: 1991 Favorite Genres: RPGs, JRPGs, Strategy,