Not everything worth playing is a system-seller. Some of the best single-player time comes from the mid-tier action RPG that just does its job well - and this one's almost here.
## What's dropping and when The Relic: First Guardian launches digitally for PC and PS5 on July 31, 2026, with Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2 versions following later in the summer. Publisher Perp Games and developer Project Cloud Games put out a pre-launch trailer to set it up.
## The trailer's pitch The new video leans on bosses - showing off the encounters players will square up against. That's a smart flex for an action RPG. Boss design is where these games live or die; if the fights look distinct and readable, that tells you more about the moment-to-moment than any cutscene would.
## Why it fits the lane The host's taste runs to single-player worlds you can sink into without a server telling you when to log in. A focused action RPG with a clear combat identity is exactly that - no battle pass, no always-online, just you and the game. It won't get GTA-sized coverage, but that's part of the appeal; these are the ones that surprise you.
## The takeaway End of July, on PC and PS5, with the other platforms trailing into summer. If your backlog's got a gap between the big fall releases, this is a near-term one to keep an eye on. Check the trailer, watch the boss fights, and confirm the platform timing before you buy in.
## Sources - RPGamer: The Relic: First Guardian pre-launch gameplay trailer - https://rpgamer.com/2026/07/the-relic-first-guardian-gets-pre-launch-gameplay-trailer/ - Game Rant: Best upcoming RPGs releasing in July 2026 - https://gamerant.com/upcoming-rpgs-releasing-july-2026/ - RPG Site: The RPGs of 2026 - https://www.rpgsite.net/feature/16349-the-rpgs-2026-every-rpg-their-release-dates