September 2026 Has Five Standout RPGs Worth Playing

September 2026 has produced one of the year’s most varied collections of role-playing games. Players can explore a vampire controlled medieval region, fight through a paranatural Manhattan, continue a celebrated Japanese adventure, command armies across time, or build a settlement with friends while hunting dragons.

NEXTARCA has selected five of the best new RPGs to play in September 2026. The ranking considers each game’s relevance to RPG players, its current critical reception, the strength of its core concept, and the type of experience it offers. This is an editorial selection rather than a ranking based only on review averages.

1. The Blood of Dawnwalker

The Blood of Dawnwalker takes the top position for players seeking a substantial action RPG built around choice, exploration, and dark fantasy storytelling.

Developed by Rebel Wolves and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, the game follows Coen, a young man caught between his humanity and newly acquired vampiric powers. His search for his family unfolds across a fictional region inspired by medieval Europe, where vampires have taken advantage of war and disease to seize control.

One of its defining systems is the passage of time. Completing quests advances the larger countdown surrounding Coen’s family, meaning players cannot necessarily solve every problem during one journey. Decisions about whom to help, where to explore, and which objectives to pursue can affect how the story develops.

Coen also operates differently during the day and night. His human form relies on weapons and magic, while his vampire form provides more aggressive supernatural abilities. This gives exploration and combat a different rhythm depending on when an encounter takes place.

The official game site confirms availability on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. For players who enjoyed the narrative choices and grounded fantasy of The Witcher series, The Blood of Dawnwalker is NEXTARCA’s strongest action RPG recommendation for September.

2. CONTROL Resonant

CONTROL Resonant is the biggest remaining RPG release on September’s calendar. Remedy Entertainment will launch the game on September 24, bringing the paranatural crisis beyond the Oldest House and into a distorted Manhattan.

The sequel places Dylan Faden in the lead role following years of confinement by the Federal Bureau of Control. Dylan must confront a cosmic threat that is altering reality while searching for his sister, Jesse Faden.

Unlike the original Control, Remedy is positioning Resonant as an action-adventure RPG. The sequel moves away from Jesse’s firearm focused combat and places greater emphasis on close combat, supernatural abilities, character progression, and exploration across large connected zones.

The official Steam listing confirms that CONTROL Resonant is a single-player RPG developed and published by Remedy Entertainment. The PC version is scheduled for September 24, while the wider release also covers PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Mac.

Critic reviews arrived before launch. At the time of writing, a review report placed the game at an average score of 84 based on 56 reviews, although aggregate scores can change as more coverage is added. The early response has praised its visual direction and ambitious environments while showing less agreement about its combat and pacing.

Players interested in supernatural storytelling, unusual environments, and fast melee action should keep CONTROL Resonant near the top of their September list.

3. Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter

Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is the highest reviewed game in this selection at the time of publication.

The new version continues Estelle Bright’s journey following the events of Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter. After Joshua disappears, Estelle begins searching for him while the secretive Ouroboros organization threatens the Kingdom of Liberl.

Nihon Falcom has expanded the sequel with additional combat options, including new Crafts and linked attacks during Quick Battles. Players can also carry clear data from the first chapter to receive bonus items, making this a direct continuation rather than an ideal starting point for newcomers.

At the time of writing, the game held an average of 92 on OpenCritic. Reported Metacritic averages reached 93 for PC and 92 for PlayStation 5, although the number of published reviews varied by platform and those figures may change.

Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. Players who value extensive character development, party-based combat, and connected storytelling should consider it September’s leading traditional RPG.

4. Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave

Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave is September’s strongest choice for tactical RPG players, although it is available exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2.

Released on September 17, the game follows four heroes whose stories are connected across different periods. Players travel through time, recruit allies, and attempt to prevent a future destroyed by the demon god Balor.

Combat continues the series’ grid-based tactical structure. Players must position units, understand individual strengths, and manage special abilities such as Blaze Arts. These signature attacks consume health and contribute to a gauge that can provide bonuses before eventually triggering a costly Burst state.

Outside its major battles, players can explore Dagsion, recruit additional allies, strengthen relationships, improve Blessings, and prepare for the Heroic Games. The surrounding world also contains quests, resources, roaming enemies, and dungeons.

Critic reception has been strong. A review report placed Fortune’s Weave at 89 on Metacritic at the time of writing, matching the reported average for Fire Emblem: Three Houses. Players should remember that aggregate scores remain subject to change.

The official Nintendo listing confirms its September 17 release, single player format, and Nintendo Switch 2 exclusivity.

5. RuneScape: Dragonwilds

RuneScape: Dragonwilds earns the final position by offering something the other four games do not: an RPG driven survival adventure that can be played alone or cooperatively online.

Jagex originally released Dragonwilds through Early Access in April 2025. The game completed that development period and reached version 1.0 on September 15, 2026.

Set on the continent of Ashenfall, Dragonwilds combines RuneScape lore with exploration, construction, crafting, quests, skill progression, and battles against powerful creatures. Its RPG systems unlock abilities and spells as players improve individual skills.

The game supports both single player and online cooperative play. That flexibility makes it the most suitable title in this selection for groups who want to gather resources, build a base, explore together, and prepare for large encounters.

RuneScape: Dragonwilds is currently available for PC through Steam. Jagex has continued developing it around player feedback, including changes to combat, quest content, and online infrastructure.

September offers an RPG for several kinds of players

The Blood of Dawnwalker is the strongest recommendation for players seeking a dark open-world action RPG with meaningful decisions. CONTROL Resonant is the major late September release for players drawn to supernatural stories and aggressive close combat.

Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter stands out for its critical reception and traditional character focused adventure. Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave offers deeper tactical planning for Nintendo Switch 2 owners, while RuneScape: Dragonwilds is the clearest choice for cooperative survival.

Four of the five games are already available. CONTROL Resonant completes the selection when it launches on September 24, 2026.