We had many supposed years of the RPG before on GAF, but 2014 is about to show that sorry lot what a real year of the RPG is all about.
I only include RPGs (not MMOs or action adventures with XP) which have been confirmed for an initial (that is, no ports or re-releases) English language release in 2014. Let's start with an overview (already released games are *ed):
Explanation of the columns: ("?" means that either the information isn't available yet or I simply don't know, if you know any of this information please post it)
Herrre we go. I'll now go over all of those, providing some short thoughts on each. I'll not post a huge info dump, if you are interested follow the link. What makes this list better than any other? Well, it provides (when possible) one screenshot each like you will find everywhere, and one of the menus, which are the real meat of an RPG. Also, it has my personal commentary, and Durante hype points, which have been scientifically proven to be the most accurate gauge of my hype for unreleased RPGs.
Age of Decadence
http://www.irontowerstudio.com/index.htm
Age of Decadence is a turn-based, isometric PC RPG in development since forever and is designed to be challenging. It's being made by a small indie team at Iron Tower Studios. It recently became available on Steam as an early-access game. It sits at 7/10 Durante hype points for RPGCodex cred and intransigence.
Antharion
http://orphicsoftware.com/
Antharion is an indie title in development at Orphic Software. I didn't know about it before someone posted it in this thread, and the graphics certainly don't look particularly enticing, but the gameplay videos show a seemingly solid turn-based RPG. The developers also promise a large, reactive open world and solid AI. In a less packed year I would be more excited about this, but as is it's only worth 3/10 Durante hype points.
Apexicon
http://www.actosgames.com/
A rather unique RPG in development at Actos games. In Apexicon, battles are resolved by building words from letters present on the field. Of course there are also skills and items to switch that up some, but they all seem to affect the letter board directly. I've never been a huge fan of Scrabble, so I'll leave this at 3/10 Durante hype points for innovation, but I do know some people who could go totally bonkers for a game like this.
Atelier Escha & Logy
http://atelier.wikia.com/wiki/Atelier_Escha_&_Logy:_Alchemists_of_the_Dusk_Sky
The next Atelier game from the intrepid team at Gust (who continue to make increasingly fantastic console JRPGs while the rest of their industry crumbles). The Atelier games are JRPGs with a crafting/alchemy focus and an unusually (for the sub-genre) nonlinear story structure. Escha & Logy is notable for being the highest-rated Atelier title ever in both Famitsu and Dengeki. More importantly, it scores 9/10 Durante hype points on the back of the fact that Gust are getting better with each game.
Blackguards
http://www.blackguards-game.com/
Made by the "best German Studio", Daedalic Entertainment, Blackguards is a turn-based RPG in the "The Dark Eye" setting (an inexplicably popular German PnP RPG system/setting). They ask "What happens when the only hope of a threatened world lies not with heroes in shining armor, but in the hands of a band of misfits and criminals?". Well then. This is available on early access and got surprisingly good reviews/impressions. 7/10 Durante hype points because of good impressions and hexes.
Bound by Flame
http://boundbyflame.com/
From the people at Spiders (who brought us Mars: War Logs, which I almost bought at some point) comes this multiplatform action RPG which I know absolutely nothing about. 2/10 Durante hype points after reading the blurb on the official website.
Bravely Default
http://bravelydefault.nintendo.com/
I don't know much about Square Enix' Bravely default. It's a turn-based JRPG with a job system, and many seem to consider it somewhat of a return to form for the company. And the characters don't have feet. 5/10 Durante hype points because of positive GAF impressions.
Child of Light
http://childoflight-game.com/
Part of Ubisoft's curious foray into non-AAA development, Child of Light seems to play like a side-scrolling JRPG with turn based battles. They call it "a playable poem", and it seems to be just as pretentious as that makes it sound. Could still turn out well, and if nothing else it's certainly extraordinarly beautiful. 6/10 Durante hype points because of novelty and co-op.
Conception II
http://www.atlus.com/conception2/
Another entry in the list of games I really don't know much about, I had to watch annoying youtube let's plays to enter the information into the table for this JRPG by Spike Chunsoft. I still don't really get what's going on with the battle positioning. Anyway, it looks very moe-focused. 2/10 Durante hype points, and just since I need stuff to play on Vita.
Consortium
http://corporate.interdimensionalgames.com/consortium/
One of the least hyped successfully crowdfunded projects I know of, Interdimensional games' debut title Consortium seems like an interesting RPG experiment. It's a first person game which takes place in a very small space (a plane basically) and focuses on depth instead of breadth (unlike most "epic" RPGs). It was just recently greenlit on Steam. I backed it, but I honestly have no idea how it will turn out. However, it gets 6/10 Durante hype points because it could be great, and because it's out very soon.
Cosmic Star Heroine
http://zeboyd.com/2013/06/25/zeboyd-games-is-proud-to-announce-cosmic-star-heroine/
Zeboyd Games' next title which was successfully crowdfunded just a few months ago. This game seems to take primary inspiration from Chrono Trigger for its basic presentation/structure, with turn-based battles taking place directly on the exploration map. Will also feature a Suikoden-like base building mechanic. Everything sounds great to me, but since it's so far out and we haven't really seen much my hype remains at a moderate 5/10.
Dark Souls II
http://www.darksoulsii.com/us/
It's the sequel to Dark Souls by From Software. What more do you need to know? Atmospheric action RPG with a focus on exploration and player skill/caution. Also features the continuation of From's revolutionary synchronous and asynchronous multiplayer features. 10/10 Durante hype points.
Dead State
http://www.deadstate.doublebearproductions.com/
Double Bear Productions' Zombie RPG which isn't about Zombies is finally nearing its release. It's a TB isometric CRPG about managing your shelter (and the people in it) and surviving after the Zombie apocalypse. I've been watching this one for a long time, and I still think it will turn out well. 8/10 Durante hype points for Brian Mitsoda.
Demon Gaze
http://nisamerica.com/games/demongaze/
I actually heard about this one before, and remember the localization announcement thread, but forgot it in the initial list. Sorry about that. What I also remember is some people posting that this is actually a better dungeon crawler than it might appear. It certainly looks low budget, but I'm still somewhat curious - 4/10 Durante hype points.
Divinity: Original Sin
http://www.divinityoriginalsin.com/
Divinity: Original Sin by Larian Studios is an even bigger and better game now after a successful kickstarter, and the recently released alpha is promising. It's a turn-based isometric RPG with free movement and an action point system, and billed as a spiritual successor to Ultima 7 in terms of world interactivity and structure. It also features the first integration into a story-based RPG of a coop dialogue mechanic, which is just plain neat. Easily a 10/10 on the Durante hype scale.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
http://www.dragonage.com/
Fight like a Spartan and make something awesome happen, now in a game with more than 10 months of development time. Bioware's Inquisition might even feature more than 3 unique dungeons. As you might be able to tell Dragon Age II left me somewhat skeptical. Well, at least it's RTwP in some manner, and they acknowledged 2 or 3 of the many things wrong with Dragon Age II, so it gets 3/10 Durante hype points.
Drakengard 3
http://drakengardgame.com/
I don't know all that much about the gameplay in Drakengard 3, except that it's an action RPG and you sometimes fight from a dragon. I also don't care. It's a game by many of the same people who brought us Nier, and with the same composer. That is enough to know that the story will be completely insane and to put it at 8/10 Durante hype points.
Eschalon: Book III
http://basiliskgames.com/eschalon-book-iii
The final entry in the Eschalon trilogy from Basilisk games. This is one recent old-school RPG series that I completely missed. I've heard mixed reports about it, but considering how crowded 2014 is I probably won't try them now. 2/10 Durante hype points.
Grim Dawn
http://www.grimdawn.com/
Grim Dawn, like Dead State, is another independent game with a long development history (at Crate Entertainment) which was stimulated by a recent crowdfunding success. It'a a Diablolike ARPG with an interesting setting and also a spiritual successor to Titan Quest (one of the best Diablo clones of all time), using the same engine. It's also available to some extent already and seems to be shaping up well. 6/10 Durante hype points for coop enemy clicking.
Hellraid
http://hellraid.com/
Techland's Hellraid appears to be an attempt to create a diablolike (with many of the staples of the genre such as co-op and loot) which playes from the first person perspective. The most exciting thing about the game to me is that the developers cite Hexen as an influence, but that's not enough to go beyond 4/10 Durante hype points (which are based mostly on the fact that co-op games get some inherent hype bonus).
Legend of Grimrock 2
http://www.grimrock.net/
This sequel to the game which reinvigorated grid-based first person dungeon blobbers looks to be much more expansive than the first game, with some solid gameplay system improvements. To my great shame I have to admit that I never finished Grimrock 1, but I'm still looking forward to this. A rock-solid 7/10 Durante hype points.
Lichdom
http://www.lichdom.com/
I hadn't really remembered this CryEngine title before creating this list. They bill it as a "first person spellcaster" title. While I approve of getting rid of all those characters types no one wants to play anyway (that is, non-mages), we simply don't know much about this yet. I'm also quite unconvinced by the summer 2014 release date. A skeptical 4/10 Durante hype points.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII
http://www.lightningreturns.com/
I don't think I need to talk about this one much, even know everyone still knows the latest Final Fantasy entry. I have to admit that I'm a bit curious how Square Enix fares with the more action-y combat and supposed larger and more open area design in this one. Therefore, 4/10 Durante hype points for this Lightning dress-up simulator.
I only include RPGs (not MMOs or action adventures with XP) which have been confirmed for an initial (that is, no ports or re-releases) English language release in 2014. Let's start with an overview (already released games are *ed):
Code:
[B] Battle Dialogue Separate Maps
Name Party Perspective Coop Structure Time Pos. Trees Checks World Battle Release Platform(s)[/B]
Age of Decadence - Isometric - Open TB Squares Yes Yes Yes - Q2 PC
Antharion Yes Isometric - Open TB Squares Yes ? - - 2014 PC,Tablets
Apexicon Yes 2D - Linear TB None Yes - Yes Yes 2014 Multi
[u]*Atelier Escha & Logy[/u] Yes Fixed Cam - Open TB Rows - - Yes Yes March 11 PS3
[u]* Blackguards[/u] Yes Isometric - Linear TB Hexes ? ? ? ? Q1 PC
Bound by Flame - 3rd Person - ? Action Free ? ? - - Q1 Multi
[u]*Bravely Default[/u] Yes Fixed Cam - Linear TB None - - ? ? Feb. 7 3DS
Child of Light Yes Side Yes Linear TB None - - ? ? 2014 Multi
Conception II Yes 3rd Person - Linear TB Circle? - - ? Yes Spring Vita,3DS
[u]* Consortium[/u] - 1st Person - ? Action Free Yes ? - - Jan. 6 PC
Cosmic Star Heroine Yes 2D Top Down - Linear TB None ? - Yes - 2014 Multi
[u]*Dark Souls II[/u] - 3rd Person Yes Open Action Free - - - - March Multi
Dead State Yes Isometric - Open TB Squares Yes Yes ? - March PC
Demon Gaze Yes 1st Person - ? TB Rows ? - - - Q1 Vita
Divinity: Original Sin Yes Isometric Yes Open TB Free Yes Yes - - Summer PC
Dragon Age: Inquisition Yes 3rd Person ? Bioware RTwP Free Yes Yes ? - Q4 Multi
Drakengard 3 Yes 3rd Person - ? Action Free - - ? - 2014 PS3
Eschalon: Book III - Isometric - Open TB Squares Yes Yes Yes - Feb. 14 PC
Grim Dawn - Isometric Yes Open Action Free - - - - 2014 PC
Hellraid - 1st Person Yes ? Action Free ? - ? - 2014 PC
Legend of Grimrock 2 Yes 1st Person - ? RT Squares ? ? - - 2014 PC
Lichdom - 1st Person - Linear Action Free ? - - - Summer Multi
[u]*Lighting Returns: FF XIII[/u] - 3rd Person - ? Action Free - - ? ? Feb. 11 PS3,360
Lord of the Fallen - 3rd Person - Linear Action Free ? - - - 2014 Multi
Lords of Xulima Yes Iso / FP - ? TB Rows Yes ? ? Yes Q1 PC
[u]* Might & Magic X[/u] Yes 1st Person - Open TB Rows Yes Yes - - Q1 PC
Mount & Blade II - 3rd Person - Open Action Free ? ? ? - 2014 PC
Mugen Souls Z Yes 3rd Person - ? TB Free - - Yes Yes 2014 PS3
Persona Q Yes 1st Person - ? TB ? - - ? Yes Q3/4 3DS
Pillars of Eternity Yes Isometric - Open RTwP Free Yes Yes Yes - Q3 PC
Prisonscape - 2D Top Down - Linear TB Squares Yes Yes - Partially 2014 PC
Risen 3 - Titan Lords - 3rd Person - Open Action Free Yes ? - - August Multi
[u]*Shadowrun: Dragonfall[/u] Yes Isometric - Open TB Squares Yes Yes - - February PC
[u]*South Park: TSoT[/u] Yes 2D Side - ? TB None Yes ? ? Yes March 6 Multi
StarCrawlers Yes 1st Person - ? TB None Yes Yes - - November PC
Sui Generis - Isometric ? Open Action Free ? ? - - May PC
Tales of Xillia 2 Yes Fixed Cam Yes Linear Action Free - - Yes Yes 2014 PS3
[u]* The Banner Saga[/u] Yes Iso / Side - Linear TB Squares ? ? ? Yes Jan. 14 PC
The Witch and 100 Knight - Isometric - Open Action Free ? - - - March 25 PS3
Trails in the Sky: SC Yes Iso / Fixed - Linear TB Free ? - - Yes 2014 PC,PSP
Transistor - Isometric - ? Action Free ? - ? - 2014 ?
Underrail - Isometric - Open TB Squares Yes ? - - 2014 PC
Wasteland 2 Yes Isometric - Open TB Squares Yes Yes Yes - 2014 PC
[s]Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - 3rd Person - Open Action Free Yes ? - - 2014 Multi[/s]
X Yes 3rd Person ? ? RT Free - - - - 2014 WiiU
- Party: Do you control an entire party of characters?
- Perspective: The main perspective the game is played from. ("Isometric" also counts 3D perspective projection from a traditional "isometric-like" camera perspective)
- Coop: Does the game support cooperative play with at least 2 players?
- Structure: Is the game more linear or open in overall structure?
- Battles:
- Time: How does time proceed during battles (TB = turn based; Action = real-time, action based; RT = real-time, command based; RTwP = real time with strategic pausing)
- Positioning: How can you position your character(s) during battle? (Squares = on a square grid; Hexes = on a hexagonal grid; Free = freely in space; Row = in different rows [usually in blobbers]; None = no significant positioning [ie some JRPGs]) - Dialogue:
- Trees: Does the game feature dialogue trees? (something more involved than just selecting between 2 answers 5 times in the game)
- Checks: Does the game use skill checks to gate dialogue options? - Separate Maps:
- World: Is there a separate "world map" interface fro traveling to different locations?
- Battle: Do battles take place on a separate screen from the rest of the game? - Release: Projected release date of the game.
- Platform: Which platform(s) will the game be released on. (Multi = more than 2, always includes PC)
Herrre we go. I'll now go over all of those, providing some short thoughts on each. I'll not post a huge info dump, if you are interested follow the link. What makes this list better than any other? Well, it provides (when possible) one screenshot each like you will find everywhere, and one of the menus, which are the real meat of an RPG. Also, it has my personal commentary, and Durante hype points, which have been scientifically proven to be the most accurate gauge of my hype for unreleased RPGs.
Age of Decadence
http://www.irontowerstudio.com/index.htm
Age of Decadence is a turn-based, isometric PC RPG in development since forever and is designed to be challenging. It's being made by a small indie team at Iron Tower Studios. It recently became available on Steam as an early-access game. It sits at 7/10 Durante hype points for RPGCodex cred and intransigence.
Antharion
http://orphicsoftware.com/
Antharion is an indie title in development at Orphic Software. I didn't know about it before someone posted it in this thread, and the graphics certainly don't look particularly enticing, but the gameplay videos show a seemingly solid turn-based RPG. The developers also promise a large, reactive open world and solid AI. In a less packed year I would be more excited about this, but as is it's only worth 3/10 Durante hype points.
Apexicon
http://www.actosgames.com/
A rather unique RPG in development at Actos games. In Apexicon, battles are resolved by building words from letters present on the field. Of course there are also skills and items to switch that up some, but they all seem to affect the letter board directly. I've never been a huge fan of Scrabble, so I'll leave this at 3/10 Durante hype points for innovation, but I do know some people who could go totally bonkers for a game like this.
Atelier Escha & Logy
http://atelier.wikia.com/wiki/Atelier_Escha_&_Logy:_Alchemists_of_the_Dusk_Sky
The next Atelier game from the intrepid team at Gust (who continue to make increasingly fantastic console JRPGs while the rest of their industry crumbles). The Atelier games are JRPGs with a crafting/alchemy focus and an unusually (for the sub-genre) nonlinear story structure. Escha & Logy is notable for being the highest-rated Atelier title ever in both Famitsu and Dengeki. More importantly, it scores 9/10 Durante hype points on the back of the fact that Gust are getting better with each game.
Blackguards
http://www.blackguards-game.com/
Made by the "best German Studio", Daedalic Entertainment, Blackguards is a turn-based RPG in the "The Dark Eye" setting (an inexplicably popular German PnP RPG system/setting). They ask "What happens when the only hope of a threatened world lies not with heroes in shining armor, but in the hands of a band of misfits and criminals?". Well then. This is available on early access and got surprisingly good reviews/impressions. 7/10 Durante hype points because of good impressions and hexes.
Bound by Flame
http://boundbyflame.com/
From the people at Spiders (who brought us Mars: War Logs, which I almost bought at some point) comes this multiplatform action RPG which I know absolutely nothing about. 2/10 Durante hype points after reading the blurb on the official website.
Bravely Default
http://bravelydefault.nintendo.com/
I don't know much about Square Enix' Bravely default. It's a turn-based JRPG with a job system, and many seem to consider it somewhat of a return to form for the company. And the characters don't have feet. 5/10 Durante hype points because of positive GAF impressions.
Child of Light
http://childoflight-game.com/
Part of Ubisoft's curious foray into non-AAA development, Child of Light seems to play like a side-scrolling JRPG with turn based battles. They call it "a playable poem", and it seems to be just as pretentious as that makes it sound. Could still turn out well, and if nothing else it's certainly extraordinarly beautiful. 6/10 Durante hype points because of novelty and co-op.
Conception II
http://www.atlus.com/conception2/
Another entry in the list of games I really don't know much about, I had to watch annoying youtube let's plays to enter the information into the table for this JRPG by Spike Chunsoft. I still don't really get what's going on with the battle positioning. Anyway, it looks very moe-focused. 2/10 Durante hype points, and just since I need stuff to play on Vita.
Consortium
http://corporate.interdimensionalgames.com/consortium/
One of the least hyped successfully crowdfunded projects I know of, Interdimensional games' debut title Consortium seems like an interesting RPG experiment. It's a first person game which takes place in a very small space (a plane basically) and focuses on depth instead of breadth (unlike most "epic" RPGs). It was just recently greenlit on Steam. I backed it, but I honestly have no idea how it will turn out. However, it gets 6/10 Durante hype points because it could be great, and because it's out very soon.
Cosmic Star Heroine
http://zeboyd.com/2013/06/25/zeboyd-games-is-proud-to-announce-cosmic-star-heroine/
Zeboyd Games' next title which was successfully crowdfunded just a few months ago. This game seems to take primary inspiration from Chrono Trigger for its basic presentation/structure, with turn-based battles taking place directly on the exploration map. Will also feature a Suikoden-like base building mechanic. Everything sounds great to me, but since it's so far out and we haven't really seen much my hype remains at a moderate 5/10.
Dark Souls II
http://www.darksoulsii.com/us/
It's the sequel to Dark Souls by From Software. What more do you need to know? Atmospheric action RPG with a focus on exploration and player skill/caution. Also features the continuation of From's revolutionary synchronous and asynchronous multiplayer features. 10/10 Durante hype points.
Dead State
http://www.deadstate.doublebearproductions.com/
Double Bear Productions' Zombie RPG which isn't about Zombies is finally nearing its release. It's a TB isometric CRPG about managing your shelter (and the people in it) and surviving after the Zombie apocalypse. I've been watching this one for a long time, and I still think it will turn out well. 8/10 Durante hype points for Brian Mitsoda.
Demon Gaze
http://nisamerica.com/games/demongaze/
I actually heard about this one before, and remember the localization announcement thread, but forgot it in the initial list. Sorry about that. What I also remember is some people posting that this is actually a better dungeon crawler than it might appear. It certainly looks low budget, but I'm still somewhat curious - 4/10 Durante hype points.
Divinity: Original Sin
http://www.divinityoriginalsin.com/
Divinity: Original Sin by Larian Studios is an even bigger and better game now after a successful kickstarter, and the recently released alpha is promising. It's a turn-based isometric RPG with free movement and an action point system, and billed as a spiritual successor to Ultima 7 in terms of world interactivity and structure. It also features the first integration into a story-based RPG of a coop dialogue mechanic, which is just plain neat. Easily a 10/10 on the Durante hype scale.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
http://www.dragonage.com/
Fight like a Spartan and make something awesome happen, now in a game with more than 10 months of development time. Bioware's Inquisition might even feature more than 3 unique dungeons. As you might be able to tell Dragon Age II left me somewhat skeptical. Well, at least it's RTwP in some manner, and they acknowledged 2 or 3 of the many things wrong with Dragon Age II, so it gets 3/10 Durante hype points.
Drakengard 3
http://drakengardgame.com/
I don't know all that much about the gameplay in Drakengard 3, except that it's an action RPG and you sometimes fight from a dragon. I also don't care. It's a game by many of the same people who brought us Nier, and with the same composer. That is enough to know that the story will be completely insane and to put it at 8/10 Durante hype points.
Eschalon: Book III
http://basiliskgames.com/eschalon-book-iii
The final entry in the Eschalon trilogy from Basilisk games. This is one recent old-school RPG series that I completely missed. I've heard mixed reports about it, but considering how crowded 2014 is I probably won't try them now. 2/10 Durante hype points.
Grim Dawn
http://www.grimdawn.com/
Grim Dawn, like Dead State, is another independent game with a long development history (at Crate Entertainment) which was stimulated by a recent crowdfunding success. It'a a Diablolike ARPG with an interesting setting and also a spiritual successor to Titan Quest (one of the best Diablo clones of all time), using the same engine. It's also available to some extent already and seems to be shaping up well. 6/10 Durante hype points for coop enemy clicking.
Hellraid
http://hellraid.com/
Techland's Hellraid appears to be an attempt to create a diablolike (with many of the staples of the genre such as co-op and loot) which playes from the first person perspective. The most exciting thing about the game to me is that the developers cite Hexen as an influence, but that's not enough to go beyond 4/10 Durante hype points (which are based mostly on the fact that co-op games get some inherent hype bonus).
Legend of Grimrock 2
http://www.grimrock.net/
This sequel to the game which reinvigorated grid-based first person dungeon blobbers looks to be much more expansive than the first game, with some solid gameplay system improvements. To my great shame I have to admit that I never finished Grimrock 1, but I'm still looking forward to this. A rock-solid 7/10 Durante hype points.
Lichdom
http://www.lichdom.com/
I hadn't really remembered this CryEngine title before creating this list. They bill it as a "first person spellcaster" title. While I approve of getting rid of all those characters types no one wants to play anyway (that is, non-mages), we simply don't know much about this yet. I'm also quite unconvinced by the summer 2014 release date. A skeptical 4/10 Durante hype points.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII
http://www.lightningreturns.com/
I don't think I need to talk about this one much, even know everyone still knows the latest Final Fantasy entry. I have to admit that I'm a bit curious how Square Enix fares with the more action-y combat and supposed larger and more open area design in this one. Therefore, 4/10 Durante hype points for this Lightning dress-up simulator.