Welcome The Next 5 Big JRPGs

by

It used to be difficult to find new Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) outside of Japan. Thankfully, those days are largely over, and most big JRPG projects are now released in the West on various consoles and PCs. 2025 has already given us some excellent JRPGs, and with more on the way, 2026 is looking strong too – especially for JRPG fans, as several promising titles are already scheduled for the first few months of the year.

New game announcements happen almost daily, and honestly, it can be overwhelming to keep track of them all. It’s impossible to play everything, especially when many games offer huge, 30-hour-plus adventures. So, let’s focus on the most anticipated upcoming JRPGs launching soon. If you’re a fan of the genre, these are the games you’ll want to watch.

Criteria:

  • The focus is primarily on games with confirmed release dates for this year or 2026, and nothing earlier than November 1, 2025. That said, we included one exception.
  • Games like Persona 4 Revival, Dragon Quest 12, and Final Fantasy Remake Part 3 (Or DLC, as rumors have it) will definitely be huge, but none of these are confirmed for 2026.
  • We are going to be a bit strict with the definition of “JRPG,” so games like Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties will not be considered.
  • Ports like Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade coming to Switch 2 won’t be included. It is still cool, though.
  • The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon was left out due to being too niche. Don’t get me wrong, the game looks great, but the franchise has a billion entries and seems unlikely to get any bigger.

Octopath Traveler 0

Adapting A Great Mobile JRPG For Consoles And PC

The most anticipated JRPG of 2025 is Octopath Traveler 0. It’s not entirely a new game, though; it’s based on Champions of the Continent, a mobile game already available on Android and iOS. While the mobile version uses typical features like gacha mechanics, Octopath Traveler 0 will remove those elements to feel more like the previous Octopath Traveler games.

The term “mobile port” often worries players, but this version seems to be avoiding the usual problems. More importantly, Octopath Traveler 0 is aiming to take the series in a new and ambitious direction, instead of simply repeating the formula of previous games. You’ll be able to create your own character and then recruit a large number of heroes, which should offer a lot of different party combinations. The combat system is similar to what fans already know and love, but it didn’t really need a major overhaul. The game also introduces a town-building element that’s central to the story, as the player character’s home village is destroyed at the beginning.

Code Vein 2

The Soulslike Vampire Anime JRPG Returns In 2026

I generally don’t consider Soulslike games to be Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) because they’ve become a genre of their own, which is why Nioh 3 isn’t mentioned here. However, Code Vein 2 is so heavily influenced by anime that it deserves a special mention. The original Code Vein was likely the first true blend of Soulslike and JRPG elements, and the sequel appears to be even more ambitious. While the first game wasn’t perfect, it established a good base for a follow-up that should build on the core gameplay and improve the combat and level design.

In the sequel, people known as Revenants are transformed into monstrous creatures by the appearance of the Luna Rapacis, throwing the world into turmoil. You play as a character who, with the help of a girl named Lou, must journey through time to fix things, battling enemies and collecting blood as you go. While JRPGs are often praised for their stories, Code Vein 2 would likely be better served by prioritizing exciting combat and exploration over a complex narrative; it probably won’t be remembered for its story, even though it should be a focus for games in the genre.

Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined

Not The Most Obvious Dragon Quest Game To Remake, But One That Needs It

Every Dragon Quest game is enjoyable, and the main series titles are consistently excellent. The franchise practically invented turn-based JRPGs and remains a leader in the genre. While Square Enix has been updating the graphics of the original three games, Dragon Quest 7: Fragments of the Forgotten Past is receiving a complete visual overhaul. It features a unique new art style inspired by dioramas, which may take a little time to appreciate.

While not as widely loved as titles like Dragon Quest 5 or Dragon Quest 8, the original Dragon Quest 7 for PlayStation is incredibly charming and features a unique structure with self-contained stories on different islands. However, it’s known for being very long and slow, making it hard to get back into today. The 3DS version is good, but Dragon Quest 7: Reimagined aims to completely rebuild the game, offering a faster-paced experience while still capturing the spirit of adventure from the original.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

Might Be The Best Monster Hunter Game In Years…

2025 was a bit of a rollercoaster for the main Monster Hunter game, with Wilds receiving generally positive reviews at launch but facing some challenges afterward. But you don’t need to worry about any of that to enjoy Monster Hunter Stories! It’s a spin-off JRPG focused on a compelling story, memorable characters, and a good amount of exploration, and it plays very differently with its turn-based combat.

In Monster Hunter Stories 3, you play as a prince tasked with saving the world from a looming disaster involving two kingdoms and powerful dragons. Along the way, you’ll meet a diverse cast of characters and form bonds with monsters, known as Monsties, who will help you in battle. If you’re a fan of classic turn-based Japanese role-playing games with a monster-collecting element, you’ll likely enjoy this game, and it appears to be continuing the high quality of previous Monster Hunter Stories titles.

Decapolice

Level-5’s Long-Awaited Detective JRPG Should Be Coming In 2026

The exception.

The game Decapolice was originally planned for release in 2023, but has faced multiple delays, pushing its target release to 2026. While frequent postponements often worry players and diminish excitement, Level-5 has a strong track record of delivering exceptional games. They demonstrated with Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time that delays don’t necessarily mean the final product will be lacking in quality.

Most importantly, Decapolice looks amazing. The combination of crime investigation and JRPG gameplay is something we rarely see, but it feels like a perfect fit. You play as the leader of a new special investigation team in a futuristic city, solving cases by gathering evidence and attempting to rehabilitate criminals. While the idea of ‘changing hearts’ feels a little similar to Persona 5, Decapolice has everything it needs to be one of the best JRPGs released – hopefully in 2026!

Read More

2025-10-25 14:36