Fantasy games transport players into worlds of dragons, warriors, magic, and sorcery. Moreover, thanks to games likeDivinity: Original Sin 2andSkyrim, fantasy gamers become a part of a grand adventure. As such, they become gallant knights, powerful wizards, or even infamous thieves that wage war against various evildoers and meet mystical creatures. Thankfully, almost any fantasy game can guarantee a unique story and a diverse cast of characters for players.
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Unfortunately, some fantasy games do get discontinued or cancelled - sometimes way before they make a mark in the industry. As such, just which fantasy games would’ve changed the genre if they continued to offer experiences to gamers? And more interestingly, just which upcoming fantasy titles may change the way the fantasy genre works?
10Cancelled: Black Isle’s Torn
Old school RPG enthusiasts know Black Isle Studios for its games set mostly in theD&Duniverse. However, in the case ofBlack Isle’s Torn, they wanted a new take on the RPG genre. And interestingly,Black Isle’s Tornwould’ve focused on magic. InTorn, the omnipotent Architect cast feuding gods of Order and Chaos into separate dimensions. Their continuing influence in the world of Torn caused a new conflict, with the player character at the center.
InTorn, players don’t have character classes but instead use the SPECIAL System (akin toFallout). Moreover, characters and their AI companions each have limited action points to spend in combat, turningTorninto a semi-real-time RPG. Interestingly enough, an intuitive mana and magic system would haveplayers casting magicacross four different “types.”
9Upcoming: Baldur’s Gate 3
Fans of old school RPGs would’ve likely tried games in theBaldur’s Gateseries, set in theD&DForgotten Realms setting. Thanks to the series' popularity,Baldur’s Gate 3: The Black Houndset itself as a prequel to 1998’sBaldur’s Gate 2, and would’ve usedD&D 3rd Edition’s rules. Unfortunately, Black Isle Studios canned the game in 2002. Thankfully, Larian Studios will be officially developingBaldur’s Gate 3, albeit with no mention of its relation toThe Black Hound.
Regardless, fans remain optimistic about the quality ofBaldur’s Gate 3, thanks to Larian’s creation of critically-acclaimedDivinity: Original Sin 2. Moreover, fans expect the same narrative depth inBaldur’s Gate 3as offered by Larian’s hit title. After all,Original Sin 2featured both anintricate narrative with massive attention to detail.Thanks to the depth of lore in Forgotten Realms, Larian may strike gold withBaldur’s Gate 3.
8Cancelled: Ascendant
Prior to THQ’s farewell, they were supposed to releaseAscendant, an action RPG set in a fantasy world with an epic fantasy story. Despite a teaser trailer, not much is known regardingAscendant. However, fans do know thatTHQwas working with Ken Rolston (Morrowind,Oblivion) before arriving in Big Huge Games (Fable). His presence in THQ might explain the rather familiar art style ofAscendant, that being a mix ofFableand a dash ofWarcraft.These, of course, remain as rumors.
However, the trailer itself gives a glimpse of whatAscendantmay have been today. Had it pushed through, players may see themselves wielding weapons and magic in fast-paced battles in a semi-realistic world. This premise can become a change of pace to more realistic fantasy games today, and put an emphasis onaction-magic gameplay.
7Upcoming: Little Devil Inside
Neostream’sLittle Devil Insideis an upcoming survival action-horror fantasy game for the PS5. At first glance,Little Devil Insideplays like a fantasy adventure game. Players take on the role of an adventurer hired by a professor to investigate unusual happenings in the world at large. Moreover, players can hire other adventurers to accompany them as they fight monsters, collect rare artifacts, and explore.
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Players will immediately notice the rather playful character and environment design in an extremely atmospheric world. The game highlights preparation, as players need to equip themselves with the right gear for every mission. This focus, combined with the world’s heavy use of contrasts and playful graphics, poisesLittle Devil Insideto become quite the immersive experience.
6Cancelled: Chronos Materia
Fans of anime-inspired RPGs like theTalesseries would appreciateChronos Materia. This canceled game, courtesy of Gust Co. Ltd.(ArNosurge,Atelier), poises itself as a fantasy RPG with time travel elements. RPG fans who hear this premise might remember the Atlus titleRadiant Historia, who uses a similar gameplay mechanic.
The game talks ofthe tale of five adventurerswho find themselves in a foreign land with no memory of how they got there. In their quest to go home, they realize they can travel through time. Interestingly, thanks to the popularity of multiple endings in games today,Chronos Materiacan revolutionize the trope by making transitioning timelines (and their intended consequences) a mechanic.
5Upcoming: Soul Saga
Devs Disastercake’sSoul Sagashows that there are ways to streamline traditional RPG mechanics as present inSuikodenandFinal Fantasy, and still tell an entertaining story. InSoul Saga, adventurer Mithos and engineer Elise travel the surface world of Oterra and soar the skies of Medonia’s floating islands in search of the former’s father, a missing guild leader.
Despite the simple premise andFF-inspired graphics, the game does feature an intuitive gameplay setup. For instance, players explore the floating islands of Medonia via a skyship. However, players can also land their ship and travel on foot. Meanwhile, players can approach any enemy on the map to initiate turn-based combat with a simple-to-navigate interface.
4Cancelled: Elveon
Why do fantasy games always have to star humans? Thanks toElveon, Slovakian team 10Tacle studios tried to shift this common narrative in fantasy RPGs. InElveon, players take on the role of an elite Elven warrior as he tries to change the fate ofthe Elven civilizationin the world of Naon. Unfortunately, the game met its end when its devs officially canceled the title for undisclosed reasons.
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However, gameplay footage showed quite the potential inElveon. Aside from its staple third-person gameplay mechanics, the game does demonstrate fast-paced combat. Moreover, the game shines in its art direction. Granted, the game does have the usual “sleek, regal” look on Elves,Elveonis perhaps one of the few games that put a primary focus on featuring a fantasy race’s “culture” as its centerpiece.
3Upcoming: Dreamscaper
Despite its rather “typical” take on action-adventure combat,Dreamscaperimpresses with its approach to narrative and visuals. Firstly,Dreamscaperlooks amazing even in early access. Itsatmospheric visualsoffer just enough detail to help players focus on gameplay and enjoy the environment.
Moreover, the game’s narrative proves the potential of games to share experiences. After all, this indie action RPGs tell the story of the protagonist who travels into her subconscious each night to explore her depression. As such, enemies in the game take the form of her most negative thoughts.
2Cancelled: Scalebound
When folks fromPlatinum Gamesannounced action fantasy RPGScalebound, fans got excited for the game’s touted co-op dragon-and-player action. In the game, players take on the role of Drew who, alongside his dragon Thuban, fight enemies side by side. Interestingly, Platinum Games wanted to focus more on the game’s RPG aspect instead of purely action. And this focus makes sense, given initial teasers for the game revealed that Thuban and Drew share a bond where the death of either causes the death of the other.
Moreover, the game features an extensive list of weapons - both melee like swords and ranged like guns. Players could also extensively customize Drew’s skills. Unfortunately, the game was cancelled back in 2017.
1Upcoming: Elden Ring
Fans ofFromSoftwareand George R. R. Martin would’ve heard aboutElden Ring. This upcoming action RPG will likely haveDark Souls-like gameplay in a massive backdrop, courtesy of G.R.R.M.’s creative worldbuilding. Of course, fans might assumeElden Ringwill have the staple skill-based gameplayDark Soulspopularized. However, perhaps an intense backstory may help justifysuch a steep difficulty.
Interestingly, such a game might exemplify how action RPGs could still have intense and immersive stories. Moreover, G.R.R.M.’s penchant for intense and evocative stories might finally get realized in a game.
NEXT:5 Canceled Or Discontinued MMORPGs That Tried To Change The Genre (& 5 That Are In Development)
