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To say that 2025 was another banner year for tabletop RPGs is a massive understatement, with the past 12 months seeing the release of both major blockbusters and new indie darlings, all of which have had a significant impact on the hobby.
With the year now almost over, we decided to look and back put together our picks for the 10 best new TTRPGs of 2025. Our criteria is that these had to be available to the general public in 2025 (not just crowdfunding backers) and had to either be a completely new game or a significant update of an existing system. For ease of reference, we’ve also included the name of each publisher, the release date, our reason for picking it and links to where you can grab it for yourself.
10. Cohors Cthulhu
Publisher: Modiphius Entertainment
Release Date: September 2025
Why We Picked It: While there’s no shortage of RPGs inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft (including the OG Call of Cthulhu), Modiphius’ Cohors Cthulhu managed to blaze new territory in 2025, blending Roman-era historical adventure with cosmic horror. The game lets players take on the role of legionaries, citizen heroes or learned mystics confronting mind shattering otherworldly forces.
Throw in Modiphius’ mechanically solid 2d20 system and the result is a sweeping, atmospheric RPG filled with dark conspiracies, twisted cults and political intrigue. It’s historical horror done right, offering a fresh take on the well-worn Cthulhu mythos.
9. Land of Eem
Publisher: Exalted Funeral
Release Date: April 2025
Why We Picked It: In an increasingly crowded fantasy TTRPG market, Land of Eem stood out in 2025 as a colorful new system that blends lighthearted adventure with surprisingly deep mechanics. Described by its creators as “The Lord of the Rings meets The Muppets,” it’s a fast, fun and approachable game that encourages cooperation and problem-solving over cliched hacking n’ slashing.
With absolutely gorgeous artwork and incredible production value, it also snagged two 2025 Gold ENNIE Awards for both “Best Family Game” and “Best Monster/Adversary Book,” proving that there’s still plenty of new lands to explore when it comes to fantasy roleplaying games.
8. Coriolis: The Great Dark
Publisher: Free League Publishing
Release Date: August 2025
Why We Picked It: While technically this is a new edition of the Coriolis game first published back in 2017, The Great Dark is really a complete overhaul, both mechanically and narratively. Inspired by 19th century expeditions, deep sea diving and pulp archeology, players take on the role of colonists in a remote corner of the galaxy filled with strange ruins, ancient secrets and a mysterious plague.
Throw in some absolutely stunning artwork and streamlined mechanics using Free League’s Year Zero Engine, and the result is one of 2025’s most innovative and stylish sci-fi RPGs.
7. Nimble 5e
Publisher: Evan Diaz
Release Date: July 2025
Why We Picked It: While there’s no shortage of games built using the Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition ruleset, Nimble manages to outclass them all, offering streamlined mechanics with faster and more cinematic combat. It also features a number of subtle yet impactful innovations, include a three action economy, smarter spellcasting and a single roll for both attacking and damage.
It’s the perfect system for players who want D&D action without the rules bloat, and deserves a top spot as one of the best 5e products of 2025.
6. Starfinder 2nd Edition
Publisher: Paizo
Release Date: August 2025
Why It’s Awesome: In 2025 the popular Starfinder fantasy sci-fi core rules got a major overhaul, with the new second edition introducing new mechanics while also being fully compatible with Pathfinder 2e.
The new rules tweak a number of issues from the original 2017 Starfinder 1e, while also introducing new character features and combat options.
The new 2e Player Core, GM Core and Alien Core also feature gorgeous new artwork, updated starship combat rules and a ton of new enemies. The end result is one of the best RPG updates of the past year.
5. Mythic Bastionland
Publisher: Bastionland Press (Chris McDowall)
Release Date: March 2025
Why We Picked It: In 2025, Mythic Bastionland took the OSR rules from Into the Odd and transplanted them into a myth-touched Arthurian realm filled with knights, quests and epic fantasy. It’s a remarkable game that embraces emergent storytelling, with players randomly taking on the role of a single knight who is blessed (and cursed) with a variety of unique features.
The rules are minimalist and razor-sharp, letting player choice drive the narrative and gameplay. It also features beautiful artwork, lyrical prose and enough material to run a lifetime of campaigns, making Mythic Bastionland one of the past year’s best new releases.
4. Dolmenwood
Publisher: Necrotic Gnome
Release Date: June 2025
Why We Picked In: Few fantasy settings in 2025 were able to pull off the atmosphere or style of Dolmenwood. The game features a sprawling dreamscape inspired by European folk lore, fairy tales and old school D&D sensibilities. First Kickstarted back in 2023, Dolmenwood was finally released to backers and the general public in 2025.
Blending OSR-style mechanics, with incredible artwork, brilliant writing and a surreal setting that feels impossibly alive, it’s a masterpiece of TTRPG design and will almost certainly become a cult hit in the years ahead.
3. Cosmere Roleplaying Game
Publisher: Brotherwise Games
Release Date: July 2025
Why We Picked It: Fantasy author Brandon Sanderson made Kickstarter history when his Cosmere RPG raked in over $15 million USD in backer support. Drawing on material from his best selling novels, the game lets player step into the interconnected worlds of Sanderson’s Mistborn and Stormlight series.
Officially released to the general public in 2025, the game is mechanically crunchy, while also leaning heavily into narrative play. It’s further proof that tabletop RPGs have come out of the basement and into mainstream culture in a way that’s almost impossible to ignore.
Get it or on DriveThruRPG
2. Draw Steel
Publisher: MCDM Productions
Release Date: July 2025
Why We Picked It: Rising from of the ashes of the OGL scandal, Draw Steel is the perfect representation of third-party RPG publishers who moved away from D&D 5e rules to create their own systems.
Featuring complex, crunchy character creation and in-depth tactical combat, it’s also a game that has been enthusiastically embraced by fans, hitting over $4 million USD in backer support and finally launching to the general public in 2025.
While it remains to be seen just whether or not Draw Steel has staying power among the gaming community, there’s no doubt that it was one of the biggest and most important TTRPGs of the past year.
1. Daggerheart
Publisher: Darrington Press
Release Date: May 20, 2025
Why We Picked It: This past year saw the release of a game which few could have ever predicted: one with the potential to eat into Dungeons & Dragons’ market dominance.
Created by Darrington Press (the publishing arm of Critical Role), this narrative-first game uses a unique Duality Dice mechanic that opens up a ton of storytelling potential, while also featuring other novel rules elements, including character cards and campaign frames.
Featuring jaw dropping artwork and a production value that could put Wizards of the Coast to shame, Daggerheart isn’t just another fantasy TTRPG, it’s a game that has the potential to reshape the hobby as we know it going into 2026 and beyond.