Though it's always been prominent, even before the ubiquity of advanced video game tech, the RPG genre has been experiencing something of a golden age in recent years, with 2025 being a particularly great time to be a fan of these sorts of games. Both old and new RPG lovers have cause for celebration thanks to the recent, impressive The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion remaster, which depicts the iconic Bethesda classic in an entirely new light, but it's far from the only reason to rejoice this week.
Indeed, the RPG landscape is getting increasingly exciting this April, as highly anticipated titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Sunderfolk are launching alongside the shadow-dropped Oblivion remaster. To make matters even more interesting, this trio of games is decidedly diverse: none of them can be viewed as being in direct competition with one another, as they all fulfill different corners of the broader RPG niche . For instance, Clair Obscur is derived from the JRPG school of game design, while Sunderfolk takes direct inspiration from classic tabletop games, but with a distinct digital flair. For gamers who love variety in their RPG experiences, this is quite the time to be alive.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Level Design May Need to Walk the Same Line as the Final Fantasy Series
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may follow a linear design, but by learning from Final Fantasy 10 and avoiding Final Fantasy 13’s pitfalls, it can thrive
Why This Week Is Primetime for RPG Players
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered Shadow-Dropped On April 22
Bethesda shadow-dropped a remastered version of Oblivion on Tuesday, though anyone clued in to gaming news and rumors wasn't exactly surprised by its arrival; it was a rather poorly-kept secret, as outlets had been reporting on its development for quite ahead of launch. Nevertheless, Oblivion Remastered is a terrific product, and a great way to experience one of Bethesda's greatest achievements.
Though it's called a "remaster," it's much closer to a remake in many ways. Oblivion Remastered is no mere upscaling or performance enhancement ala Skyrim Anniversary Edition, but rather a complete visual overhaul of the 2006 original. All-new textures, animations, and visual effects make this version of Oblivion a sight to behold, and a dramatically distinct experience. Even those whose opinion of Oblivion is untainted by nostalgia deserve to give it a shot.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Comes Out April 24
For players who prefer their RPGs to be more Final Fantasy than Skyrim, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is just the ticket. Coming from French developer Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur presents a stunning world inspired by the Belle Époque era, putting it in a similar visual category as games like Lies of P. Its classic RPG mechanics, which take notes from contemporary turn-based franchises like Persona with an injection of real-time elements, makes it an easy choice for hardcore and casual RPG fans alike. And with a cast including talented stars like Ben Starr, Andy Serkis, and Jennifer English, Clair Obscur promises to offer a blockbuster experience players won't soon forget.
At the time of writing, Clair Obscur has secured a rating of 92 on Metacritic, making it one of 2025's most well-reviewed games.
Sunderfolk Is Available Now On All Platforms
Sunderfolk has one hum-dinger of an elevator pitch: it's a combination of Jackbox-style phone-based co-op play, turn-based combat, and traditional pen-and-paper RPGs, translated to a virtual backdrop. This design philosophy, centered on community, is sure to appeal to fans of multiplayer experiences, and its accessibility courtesy of mobile phone integration makes it easy to pick up and play with a group of friends. Though it may be lacking in the gameplay and production value departments in comparison to the aforementioned titles, the elegance and ingenuity of its core concept makes it a fun and unique option for anyone looking for a fresh spin on traditional gaming.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- April 22, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
WHERE TO PLAY
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion™ Remastered modernizes the 2006 Game of the Year with all new stunning visuals and refined gameplay. Explore the vast landscape of Cyrodiil like never before and stop the forces of Oblivion from overtaking the land in one of the greatest RPGs ever from the award-winning Bethesda Game Studios.
Rediscover Cyrodiil
Journey through the rich world of Tamriel and battle across the planes of Oblivion where handcrafted details have been meticulously recreated to ensure each moment of exploration is awe-inspiring.
Navigate Your Own Story
From the noble warrior to the sinister assassin, wizened sorcerer, or scrappy blacksmith, forge your path and play the way you want.
Experience an Epic Adventure
Step inside a universe bursting with captivating stories and encounter an unforgettable cast of characters. Master swordcraft and wield powerful magic as you fight to save Tamriel from the Daedric invasion.
The Complete Story
Experience everything Oblivion has to offer with previously released story expansions Shivering Isles, Knights of the Nine, and additional downloadable content included in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Franchise
- The Elder Scrolls
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- PC Release Date
- April 22, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- April 22, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- April 22, 2025
- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG, Open-World, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5, PC
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 123.2 GB
