Free-to-play RPG based on popular anime climbs Steam’s "Trending Upcoming" chart ahead of March 16 launch

Anime-based open-world RPGs have become very common on Steam as of late, but only a few of them have an established global franchise behind them. The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin is one of those titles, and it is currently sitting high on Steam’s "Trending and Upcoming" charts alongside games like Crystalfall as its March release approaches.

The game has been developed and published by Netmarble, and it is set in the universe of The Seven Deadly Sins. This title introduces an original story based on Prince Tristan of Liones, the son of Meliodas and Elizabeth. The narrative starts after a disruption in time and space - this means the game gets to feature familiar characters while adding new allies and threats.

Unlike earlier entries in the franchise’s gaming adaptations, Origin is launching with a fully open-world structure. Players get to explore a reimagined Britannia spread across forests, mountains, and coastal regions, with dynamic weather and a day-night cycle constantly shaping the environment. You can indulge in multiple activities aside from basic combat, using systems such as fishing, cooking, and resource gathering to progress your character.

Combat is real-time and action-focused. Players can switch between characters during battle, which triggers coordinated "Tag Skills" that is highly dependent on team composition and timing. The system throws fast-paced encounters at players - this requires ability management rather than turn-based mechanics. Optional multiplayer supports up to four players for shared dungeon runs and co-op exploration.

Netmarble’s launch plan has shifted slightly from earlier announcements: Origin will first be available on PC (Steam) and PlayStation 5 on March 16, 2026, with iOS and Android versions following on March 23. The company wants to give Origin's players a stable launch experience, after adjustments were made post closed beta tests last year.

The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin has a fair amount of potential - it is literally a free-to-play project built on a globally recognized manga and anime property. It'll be interesting to see how this project is received next month. You can check out the Steam store page for the game here.