Here I am, possibly more punctual than ever, at least as far as I can recall, for my start-of-the-month recap, covering every turn-based release coming in August 2025 across RPGs, strategy games, and roguelites.
July turned out pretty solid for new releases, mostly indie, as usual. It’s indie projects that keep the turn-based torch lit, while a full-blown AAA entry is still a rare treat.
Honestly, that’s fine by me; the originality you get from smaller teams is hard to reproduce in big-budget productions that have to chase profits.
Last month’s standouts were Every Day We Fight, The Necromancer’s Tale, Fretless, and several others, you can find the full recap here.
August looks just as packed, maybe even more so than July, with a wide mix of RPGs. Here’s a quick highlight, with the complete list at the end.
JRPG-inspired releases rule this month’s lineup, and there are plenty of promising projects to keep an eye on. One example is Yokai Tales: though built as a roguelite, VP Games’ title features the classic JRPG combat system you’d expect, plus roguelite-style meta-progression, a colorful aesthetic, and plenty of fun.
Another standout is Artis Impact, a lighthearted turn-based RPG set in a post-apocalyptic future where humans and AI coexist.
You play as Akane, a curious young traveler exploring hand-drawn cities, battling strange foes, and uncovering forgotten stories with the help of her robotic companion, Bot. Combat is classic and streamlined, no frills, just quick, clean tactics that let you focus on exploring the world and enjoying the narrative.
Artis Impact feels more like a quiet adventure than a typical RPG, offering something relaxed, clever, and distinctly personal when it launches on August 7, 2025.
On August 7, the acclaimed indie RPG Chained Echoes receives its Ashes of Elrant DLC. Set just before the main story’s climax, the expansion digs into Lenne’s past and the secretive Order of Leonar, adding new zones to explore, a fresh playable character, additional enemies and bosses to face, and several new music tracks that enhance each pivotal moment, further polishing this modern classic.
In the same spirit, Quartet stands out among August’s JRPG-inspired releases; much like Octopath Traveler, it interlaces four seemingly separate storylines into one sweeping, interconnected quest.
Train heists, prophetic visions, burning airships, and an accidental mage set the stage for a tale full of twists and surprises, where eight unique heroes gradually come together to uncover a centuries-old secret that reshaped their world.
Each of the four initial storylines can be played in any order, letting players piece together the broader narrative at their own pace before the full party forms.
Combat features a smart tag-in system where benched characters regenerate ability points and jump in immediately to take action, opening up room for nonstop tactical plays. Launching August 26, 2025, it’s shaping up to be something both nostalgic and fresh, you should not miss if you love JRPGs.
Toward the month’s end, two more high-profile JRPGs will land, and these aren’t merely JRPG-inspired projects but fully fledged Japanese releases. The first is Varlet, which I broke down in an overview a few days ago.
A dark school-life RPG set in Kousei Academy, a place surrounded by unsettling rumors and haunted by a hidden world called the Glitch, where people you once knew may now be monsters.
As a member of the Student Support Services (SSS), your days are split between helping classmates through personal struggles and navigating the strange alternate realm threatening to consume the school, a familiar setting for Persona Series fans.
Combat relies on the Timeline Command system, where you shift between a supportive Leader role and a dominant Ruler style, each affecting battle flow and narrative tone.
Your personality is shaped by a unique system called Triad Stats, where moral and psychological traits evolve based on your dialogue choices and behavior, unlocking different paths and passive abilities.
The developers are the same team behind Monark, an intriguing release from a few years back, and I’m genuinely curious to see how this new project turns out when it debuts the 27th of August on PC.
Next up is SUPER ROBOT WARS Y, a brand-new entry in the legendary SRPG series where every iconic manga mech shows up to duke it out, fan-service on an epic scale. No real introduction needed, and it’s locked in for August 28, 2025, on PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.
That wraps the JRPG front, and we now talk about the CRPG the month has to offer. Shrouded Aspect brings Celtic myth to the table, with a Death God poised for a comeback and a band of desperate heroes whose choices can reshape the entire narrative.
It nails that retro charm I can never resist, promises deep character-building flexibility, and leans on a tactical combat core filled with skills, spells, and, yes, full permadeath. A playable demo is already live, and the full launch is slated for August 12.
Last week, I published a substantial article spotlighting some of the finest strategy RPGs inspired by Heroes of Might and Magic, and one of the headliners was Age of Wonders 4, which is slated to receive a hefty DLC called Archon Prophecy on August 12.
The expansion introduces the Architect culture, two new physical forms (Elysian and Ancient), and powerful Prophecy Traits that define your ruler’s destiny through branching choices.
Players will explore two new story realms, Emnora and Sordünn, while unlocking four new magical tomes and a new hero class, the Battlesaint, who blends holy support with martyrdom.
A truckload of fresh content that gives you yet another excuse to sink countless hours into this strategy title.
Another intriguing game I’m willing to bet on is Dice Gambit, developed by Chromatic Ink. You step into the boots of an inquisitorial family with two main goals: drive the bizarre chromatic monsters out of the city and pull your clan out of dire financial straits, restoring the prestige of future generations of inquisitors.
The concept is truly original. I tried it a while back and the tactical combat feels refreshingly dynamic: you roll dice, choose which ones to keep, and reroll the rest to trigger the techniques you want.
Visually, it oozes style, and the added twist of managing an enduring bloodline alongside the battles is compelling. Give the demo a spin, and if it clicks for you, all that’s left is to wait for its release on August 14.
And last, though I haven’t had the chance to try it yet, there’s Hidden Pass. This tactical RPG from GG Studio, dropping on August 14, puts you in command of a flying base. You’ll hop from island to island, pick up missions, and battle on square-grid maps where elevation really counts.
What’s especially cool is that, right inside your airborne HQ, you can run research to unlock new tech for the field and hire fresh units. The XCOM vibe is strong with this one.
These are the titles I’m most excited about, and of course, there’s a whole slate of intriguing roguelites like Luck & Loot, Inkshade, which I’ve mentioned plenty on my pages, Heroes Against Time, and Lotus: Lost Memories.
Anyway, the complete list is just below. Let me know what you think and if I missed any big releases. Until next time, ciao
- Luck & Loot
Release Date: August 1 - Lotus: Lost Memories
Release Date: August 2 - Valiant Tactics
Release Date: August 4 - Yokai Tales
Release Date: August 4 - Artis Impact
Release Date: August 7 - Chained Echoes: Ashes of Elrant
Release Date: August 7 - Shrouded Aspect
Release Date: August 12 - Age of Wonders 4: Archon Prophecy
Release Date: August 12 - Hidden Pass
Release Date: August 14 - Dice Gambit
Release Date: August 14 - Beneath The Six
Release Date: August 14 - Inkshade
Release Date: August 14 - Bossfight Tactics
Release Date: August 21 - Quartet
Release Date: August 26 - Varlet
Release Date: August 27 - SUPER ROBOT WARS Y
Release Date: August 28 - Heroes Against Time
Release Date: August 28
