Top 5 RPG games coming out in 2016

2016 looks to be a big year for roleplaying games (RPG), as numerous titles from various publishers are coming out this year. All of these titles are highly anticipated for various reasons, and this list takes a look at the top five RPG games that most gamers are excited for.

5. Kingdom Hearts 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue

The “Kingdom Hearts” series has proven to be one of the popular gaming franchises, despite many fans thinking that the premise would bomb when it was first revealed in 2002. Now most fans can’t wait to see their favourite characters from "Final Fantasy" and Disney interact with one another.

While most fans await the release of “Kingdom Hearts 3,” Square Enix has announced a bonus chapter of sorts for “Kingdom Hearts 2.8.” This instalment will provide the final bits of backstory needed to fully understand the story in “Kingdom Hearts 3.”

This game will also come with a full HD remake of “Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance,” which originally came out on the Nintendo 3DS. “Kingdom Hearts 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue” will come out on PS4 later this year.

KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 FINAL CHAPTER PROLOGUE & KINGDOM HEARTS III – Jump Festa 2015 (Credit: YouTube/Kingdom Hearts)

4. Bravely Second: End Layer

When “Bravely Default” was released in 2013, many fans and critics were shocked as to how good it was, according to GameSpot. The 3DS RPG gained critical acclaim, thanks to its interesting combat system and well-developed story, both of which will get expounded upon in the sequel, “Bravely Second: End Layer.”

The story picks up two years after the events of the previous game, with Agnes getting kidnapped. Players will meet both familiar and new characters; they also get to test new character classes.

Bravely Second Jobs Trailer (Credit: YouTube/IGN)

3. Persona 5

Of all the games in the “Shin Megami Tensei” series, none has reached the popularity of “Persona,” and the hype around the fifth game is proof of that. The fifth instalment will be set in a school once again, but instead of the Midnight Hour, players will be part of a group called the Phantom Thieves.

A lot of what made the previous “Persona” games good returns here, according to Gamepur. Players will be able to summon their Persona in turn-based battles and explore randomly generated areas like in previous games.

“Persona 5” will be coming out on the PS3 and the PS4. This is technically the first time a “Persona” game will be released on either console, with the exception of the fighting game, “Persona 4: Arena.”

(Credit: YouTube/atlustube)

2. Dark Souls 3

From Software has confirmed that the third instalment in the ridiculously challenging game series will be coming out this year. Fans pretty much know what to expect from this game, like difficult boss fights, haunting locations and a very atmospheric setting.

The formula has proven to be a massive success, as “Bloodborne” was nominated for various "game of the year" awards. There’s no doubt that “Dark Souls 3” will do the same when it comes out on PS4 later this year.

Dark Souls III - Darkness Has Spread (Credit: YouTube/Bandai Namco Entertainment America)

1. Final Fantasy XV

Ever since fans got a small taste of the game, thanks to the “Episode Duscae” demo that came with “Final Fantasy Type 0 HD,” almost every player can’t stop talking about “Final Fantasy XV.” The game has been in development for the longest time and was originally going to be a spinoff title called “Final Fantasy Versus XIII.”

As the years went by, it has become its own game and looks much more modern than most “Final Fantasy” titles. It still has elements from previous instalments, like the Chocobos, Cid and spiky-haired protagonists, but the open-world and action-packed combat system is what has most gamers excited.

“Final Fantasy XV” will have its release date announced in March, but fans are more than happy to know that it will be coming out this year.