Sea of Remnants is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about upcoming RPGs on Steam, climbing to the top of the platform’s “Trending Upcoming” chart as players pile on wishlists. The free-to-play pirate-themed adventure doesn’t have a locked-in release date yet, but it’s currently slated to launch sometime in 2026—and momentum is clearly building, with the game recently crossing 16,000 wishlists.
Developed by Joker Studio and published by NetEase Games, Sea of Remnants is positioning itself as a big, content-rich entry in the free-to-play fantasy RPG space. The hook is a mix of classic pirate exploration and modern RPG systems: turn-based crew combat on land, naval battles at sea, and a reactive open world spread across a massive archipelago. If you’re searching for a new open-world pirate RPG, an upcoming free-to-play RPG for PC and consoles, or a live-service adventure game with long-term updates, this is one to keep on your radar.
The story sets you up as a memory-less puppetfolk sailor, dropped into a world defined by shifting alliances and unpredictable outcomes. Your journey moves between open waters and a dense pirate city called Orbtopia, where the game’s “reactive world” design takes center stage. Decisions you make—who you recruit, who you betray, and who survives—can ripple through the city over time, changing relationships, power dynamics, and NPC story arcs. That structure is designed to make each playthrough feel personal, rather than funneling everyone into the same fixed plot beats.
Visually, the game stands out from many darker, more realistic RPGs by leaning into a stylized puppet-like art direction. It’s colorful, playful, and packed with character, from bustling ports to bright island landscapes. Orbtopia is meant to feel alive thanks to a huge roster of more than 400 named NPCs, each with daily routines and their own story threads, giving the setting a lived-in vibe beyond just quest hubs and vendors.
Gameplay is built around variety rather than a single loop. On land, combat is turn-based and tactical, with strategy rooted in how you assemble your crew and use special systems like magical dice buffs. At sea, naval combat shifts toward command and positioning, letting you take control of customizable ships and win encounters through smart maneuvering, cannon timing, and seafaring tactics. Outside of fighting, you’ll also find activities like fishing, mini-games, and changing weather events that add texture to exploration.
NetEase and Joker Studio are also making clear promises about what happens after launch. Their roadmap includes seasonal updates every 10 weeks and larger expansions every 20 weeks, signaling a steady live-service approach aimed at keeping new quests, systems, and events coming. Just as important for many players, the developers say monetization will focus on cosmetics and battle pass-style mechanics rather than pay-to-win progression.
Although there’s still no final release date, Sea of Remnants has already been through early testing, including a closed “Wanderer Test” alpha that gave players hands-on time with core systems ahead of release. The game is planned for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and mobile platforms, and PC players can also expect full controller support.
For now, the biggest question is simply when it arrives. With wishlist numbers rising and visibility growing, another official update may not be far off as the audience continues to expand ahead of its 2026 launch window.
