State of ARPGs 2026: Nioh 3 Impressions, Avowed on PS5, and Major Delays

By ModVC Staff
Published: Sunday, January 18, 2026 - 20:00

Welcome to your weekly briefing at ModVC. As we settle into the rhythm of 2026, the Action RPG landscape is already proving to be a battleground of massive triple-A ambitions and surprising indie creativity. If the first few weeks of January are any indication, 2026 is poised to be a transformative year for the genre, blurring the lines between traditional Soulslikes, open-world adventures, and narrative-driven experiences.

From fresh details on Team Ninja’s latest project to the shifting sands of release calendars affecting highly anticipated titles like The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin, there is plenty to digest. We are also seeing the continued dissolution of platform exclusivity barriers, with major Xbox titles finding new homes on PlayStation hardware. Let’s dive into the most critical developments hitting the ARPG world this week.

The Evolution of the Soulslike: Nioh 3 Goes Open World

Perhaps the most electrifying news to surface this week comes from early impressions of Nioh 3. For years, Team Ninja has mastered the art of stage-based, high-octane combat. However, early reports from GamesRadar+ suggest a massive paradigm shift for the franchise.

Nioh 3 is reportedly locking itself in as a frontrunner for the "Soulslike of 2026," but not by simply iterating on Nioh 2. The game is being described as Team Ninja's direct response to Elden Ring, featuring open exploration that maintains the studio's signature intense yokai clashes. This transition to an open structure is a risky but potentially rewarding move. The "Masocore" genre has been chasing the high of FromSoftware's 2022 masterpiece for four years now, and if any studio has the combat pedigree to pull off an open-world variant effectively, it is Team Ninja.

The implications for the combat system are profound. Nioh has traditionally relied on tight corridors and carefully curated enemy placement to create difficulty. Moving to an open field requires a rethinking of aggro ranges, Ki management, and traversal mechanics. If they succeed, we could be looking at the definitive action game of the year.

The Samurai Resurgence

It isn't just Nioh 3 waving the katana this year. Ghost of Yotei continues to turn heads as a major open-world action samurai contender for 2026. Between these two titans, fans of historical Japanese aesthetics mixed with visceral swordplay are going to be well-fed. While Ghost of Yotei leans more into the cinematic, grounded samurai fantasy, Nioh 3 appears ready to double down on the mythological and the supernatural.

Release Calendar Shifts: Delays and Ports

The reality of game development is that dates are often fluid, and this week brought news of a significant push for a major mobile/cross-platform title.

The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin, the ambitious open-world action RPG from Netmarble, has officially been pushed from its January window to March 2026. While delays are often met with groans, in the current climate of buggy launches, a two-month polish period is usually a blessing in disguise. Netmarble seems keen to avoid the pitfalls of recent open-world launches that suffered from performance issues on day one.

In happier news for PlayStation owners, the walls of exclusivity continue to crumble. To celebrate the game's anniversary, the fantasy action RPG Avowed is officially coming to PS5 on February 17, 2026. This move signifies a continued strategy shift from Microsoft, bringing their first-party RPG prowess to a broader audience. Avowed had a strong reception on Xbox and PC, and its arrival on Sony's console—complete with a free update—is a major win for cross-platform accessibility.

2026 Release Schedule Updates

Indie Spotlight: Bel’s Fanfare and Hidden Gems

While Triple-A dominates the headlines, the indie scene remains the lifeblood of innovation in the RPG sector. Niche Gamer reported this week on the announcement of Bel’s Fanfare. Developed by Chibig (creators of Mika and the Witch's Mountain), this title is citing Majora’s Mask as a primary inspiration.

This is a fascinating pivot for an ARPG. Merging "expressive combat" with the time-loop or atmospheric pressure mechanics associated with Majora’s Mask could yield something truly unique. The game promises deep exploration, suggesting a world that is dense rather than vast—a refreshing contrast to the sprawling open worlds of Nioh 3 or Ghost of Yotei.

Furthermore, DualShockers released a compelling piece this week regarding "Overhated Games That Are Actually Good." It’s a timely reminder for the community. As we look forward to the "Best of 2026," it is worth looking back at titles that were unfairly maligned by the internet collective. In the RPG space, where games are often 100+ hour investments, initial hot takes can often bury a game that blooms 20 hours in.

Industry Pulse: BioWare and the "Live Service" Lesson

The conversation around live-service ARPGs remains heated. This week, GamingBolt highlighted comments from former BioWare producer Mark Darrah, who reflected on the studio's history. His admission that Anthem was "too big of a reach" resonates deeply as we look at the current crop of looter-shooters and live-service ARPGs.

"BioWare’s always been changing," Darrah noted, pushing back against the idea that the studio has remained static. This is relevant as we track the trajectory of current live-service hits like Wuthering Waves. Kuro Games is currently ramping up for Version 3.1, showcasing the new 5-star Resonator, Aemeath, in a stunning cinematic short. The difference between the reception of Anthem and the ongoing success of games like Wuthering Waves often comes down to agility—how quickly can a developer pivot based on player feedback? Kuro Games seems to be maintaining that momentum well into 2026.

Steam Charts: What Are We Playing?

GameGrin provided an interesting look at the Steam Top Releases for December 2025. Analyzing the "Gold, Silver, and Bronze" bestsellers gives us insight into player appetites entering 2026. We are seeing a distinct trend favoring co-op experiences and high-replayability roguelites alongside the standard RPG fare.

Top Genre Trends (Dec 2025 - Jan 2026)

Community Corner: Podcasts and Videos

The community discourse is thriving this week. For those who love deep dives into game design, the Town Portal Podcast is returning. Hosts are teaming up with FrostylarooTV to interview Thomas Mahler (of No Rest for the Wicked fame). They will be discussing the ARPG genre's future, and given Mahler's history of candid, no-nonsense commentary, this is a listen you won't want to miss.

On the video front, the hype machine for 2026 is fully operational. Several major outlets have dropped their "Most Anticipated" lists. If you are looking to fill up your wishlist, check out these roundups:

• Fextralife: BEST Upcoming RPGS of 2026
• MojoPlays: The 10 Most ANTICIPATED RPGs of 2026
• Gameranx: Top 25 NEW Action RPGs of 2026

Looking Ahead

As we head into the week of January 19, Checkpoint Gaming reminds us that the release schedule is only getting busier. While this week was heavy on announcements and delays, next week promises actual hands-on releases. We will be keeping a close eye on the reception of the Avowed PS5 port and any further surprises Team Ninja might have up their sleeves regarding Nioh 3.

Stay tuned to ModVC for all your RPG news, reviews, and deep dives. The year is young, but the blades are already sharp.

Sources:

• DualShockers - Overhated Games
• RPGamer - 7DS Origin Delay
• GamesRadar+ - Nioh 3 Impressions
• Niche Gamer - Bel's Fanfare
• GamingBolt - BioWare Comments