Every JRPG Announced for 2026 (So Far)

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Each new year brings fresh goals, and the inevitable realization that we won’t stick to them. For me, one of those goals is to finally play through the many JRPGs I’ve been meaning to get to, but I know it’s a lost cause. For every game I complete, two more are announced, making it impossible to keep up!

Just thinking about all the upcoming games, nothing derails my to-do list quite like browsing a list of every JRPG announced for 2026! There are tons of JRPGs released each year, and even more games trying to be JRPGs. To keep things manageable and interesting, I’m only including the most recognizable titles with confirmed 2026 release dates.

I’m leaving out simple re-releases, ports, and remasters – even good ones like Tales of Berseria. I want to focus on completely new JRPGs that should get you hyped for the coming year and give you time to budget for them.

11. The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon

Release Date: January 15th

Now that The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon is out, I wanted to highlight it. This game continues the story directly after both The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II and the original Trails in the Sky. In fact, the whole Trails series is one big, connected narrative.

You can start with Trails Beyond the Horizon, but it’s not recommended. You’ll be lost without understanding the previous games, and the game won’t offer much explanation to catch you up.

Despite these challenges, the game still delivers fantastic combat, blending fast-paced action with strategic turn-based battles. You’ll also enjoy a rewarding character progression system, a richly detailed world that builds on the lore of the original game, and a memorable group of characters.

10. Code Vein II

Release Date: January 29th

Many fans refer to Code Vein as an anime version of the Souls games. However, the game’s producer recently stated he’d prefer it be described as an action RPG, even though it shares many gameplay features with the Souls series. Because of this, Code Vein II can be considered an action JRPG.

Despite being a sequel, Code Vein II keeps many of the core elements fans expect from Soulslike games, including managing stamina, losing progress when you die, and enemies reappearing at checkpoints. However, it also adds its own twist: you gain power by absorbing enemies’ blood to fuel your abilities, so you’ll have a familiar yet unique gameplay experience.

In Code Vein II, you play a character who travels back in time to uncover the secrets needed to save the world from destruction in the present. This time-traveling story creates a dynamic narrative with multiple endings, encouraging players to experience the JRPG again and again.

9. Dragon Quest VII Reimagined

Release Date: February 5th

Square Enix is heavily invested in bringing the classic Dragon Quest series to today’s gamers. They started by updating the first three games with a beautiful HD-2D style, and now they’re completely rebuilding Dragon Quest VII – retitled Dragon Quest VII Reimagined – with a revised story and updated gameplay.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined plays much like other games in the Dragon Quest series. It’s a traditional turn-based RPG where characters learn unique abilities, and later you can customize them further with the Vocation system. This version adds helpful features like selectable difficulty levels, the ability to speed up battles, and – a first for the series – a shared inventory for all characters.

In Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, you’ll travel back in time to different islands to uncover the reasons they disappeared from the present day. As you rescue each island, it reappears in the present, slowly revealing more of the story.

8. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection

Release Date: March 13th

Capcom’s upcoming JRPG isn’t a Breath of Fire game, but Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is worth checking out, particularly if you enjoy collecting and teaming up with monsters. In the game, you play as a Rider who can bond with famous monsters from the Monster Hunter series and use them in turn-based battles that have a simple, easy-to-learn system – think rock, paper, scissors!

The game Monster Hunter Stories 3 starts with the discovery of a rare Rathalos egg – Rathalos dragons are nearly extinct. Surprisingly, the egg contains not one, but two baby Rathalos. These twin dragons have unique markings that remind people of a long-ago civil war that happened two centuries prior.

As the environment rapidly deteriorates and many creatures face extinction, players will be caught in a conflict between two continents. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection offers a large-scale adventure filled with exciting battles.

7. Etrange Overlord

Release Date: March 26th

Developer Gemdrops, Superniche, BROCCOLI
Publisher NIS America
Platforms Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, PC

NISA frequently releases new games with the distinctive art style fans love from the Disgaea series. Their latest, Etrange Overlord, tells the story of a noblewoman falsely accused of murder and banished to hell. But instead of trying to escape, Lady Étrange von Rosenburg aims to become the most powerful villain the underworld has ever seen.

I’m really excited about how they’re building this game! It’s an action RPG that feels super fast-paced and modern. You control a party of four, but you can build a team from a roster of 15 different characters, each with their own special abilities. And get this – you can also mess with the environment to create traps and deal extra damage to enemies using a cool system they’re calling ‘revolving lanes’. It’s all about using everything around you to your advantage!

This game, like many from NISA, has a story that’s intentionally funny and over-the-top, but it works! It’s a case of leaning into the chaos when things are already crazy.

6. SacriFire

Release Date: Q1 2026

Developer Pixelated Milk
Publisher Pixelated Milk
Platforms PC, Consoles (Later date)

SacriFire is a nostalgic tribute to classic Japanese Role-Playing Games known for their engaging combat systems. Inspired by games like Vagrant Story and Valkyrie Profile, players control Ezekiel Ridan, a young priest, and chain together attacks to create powerful combos. He’ll also be joined by companions on a journey based on biblical stories.

When a war between gods and demons puts everything Ezekiel knows at risk, he’s forced to question his beliefs and make difficult choices that will deeply impact the player. The game takes place in a world where the dark underground city of Antioch is at odds with the beautiful, heavenly realm of Erebus, and where magic and futuristic technology exist side-by-side.

Adding to its strengths, the music for SacriFire was created by Motoi Sakuraba, a highly acclaimed composer known for his work on popular series like Star Ocean, Tales of, Dark Souls, and Valkyrie Profile.

5. Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter

Release Date: Fall 2026

After the successful release of Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter in 2025, Falcom quickly announced a sequel, Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter, to be released only a year later. This JRPG continues the story directly from the events of the first game.

Okay, so without giving anything away, after the first game, Estelle finally comes face-to-face with the group that caused all the trouble during her early days as a Bracer. Now, she’s a Senior Bracer and has some awesome friends by her side, and together they’re not only taking on this organization, but also trying to track down someone really important. It’s going to be a wild ride!

Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter continues the battle system from the first game, letting you start fights in real-time and then switch to turn-based combat. You’ll also find new combat moves for your characters, along with some fresh faces joining the team. And, like many Japanese RPGs, there will be fun side activities like fishing, poker, and cooking.

4. Edge of Memories

Release Date: 2026

Midgar Studio first gained recognition in 2021 with their JRPG, Edge of Eternity. Now, five years later, they’re back with Edge of Memories, an action RPG that takes place in the same universe, but on a newly introduced continent suffering from a mysterious affliction called the Corrosion.

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I’m totally hooked on this story! It’s about Eline, this wandering Soul Whisperer who’s basically fighting a losing battle against this awful plague called the Corrosion. She’s going around slashing at all the mutated creatures, trying to make a difference. But then she unlocks some seriously powerful, and kinda scary, ability, and suddenly she’s the only one who can actually stop the whole apocalypse. It’s so intense!

In Edge of Memories, success depends on building up your team and maximizing each character’s skills. You’ll also play as Eline, who can transform into a powerful berserker to defeat enemies.

3. Lost Hellden

Release Date: 2026

Developer Artisan Studios
Publisher Kwalee, Artisan Studios
Platforms PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series

I’m glad to see a break from AI-generated art, and games like Lost Hellden really stand out because of it. This JRPG is visually stunning, with a hand-painted style and a fresh take on combat.

Lost Hellden features battles with two distinct parts. First, you get to aggressively attack your enemies. Then, the roles reverse, and you have to defend against their attacks – dodging or fighting back. It’s a unique battle system, and I’m excited to see if it’s successful.

The story of Lost Hellden centers around a fascinating concept: everyone in the world is connected to one of the Seven Deadly Sins through their religion, Unio. If you fight your sin, you earn a place in paradise, but giving in means certain death. When identical twins are born, the ritual meant to bind them to a sin fails. This leaves Cyphel, the main character, free from sin, while his brother, Leht, is burdened with all seven. Clearly, something isn’t right, and it’s up to the player to uncover the truth.

2. The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales

Release Date: 2026

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is Square’s first action role-playing game built with their new HD-2D art style. It’s similar to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, but created by the developers of Octopath Traveler. The game follows Elliot and his fairy companion, Faie, as they explore a strange, ancient ruin.

The battles in The Adventures of Elliot feel smooth and remind players of classic games. Elliot can use up to two weapons at a time to fight enemies in real-time. He explores large areas looking for treasure and solves puzzles in diverse locations like caves and shrines.

While Elliot doesn’t have as many RPG features as some other games, character progression mainly comes from getting better equipment and collecting Magicites, which offer helpful boosts. I’m hoping this still allows players to enjoy customizing their character throughout the story.

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2026-01-24 17:42