2026 is looking to be a great year for JRPGs. While the genre used to be utterly dominated by the likes of Final Fantasy, independent and double-A studios have shown time and again that epic turn-based adventures don’t just belong to Square Enix anymore.
After 2025, we’re likely to see lots of games trying to be the next Clair Obscur, but there’s a lot to be said for sticking to fundamentals as well.
If you love JRPGs, with their expansive, lore-rich worlds, beautiful environments, and unforgettable characters (not to mention engaging turn-based battles, of course), be sure to watch for these unmissable titles coming out during the year and the next one.
Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter
- Developer: Nihon Falcom
- Release Date: 2026
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Switch
- Steam Page
Players looking for an entry point to the vast Legend of Heroes series have a great opportunity with last year’s Trails In The Sky 1st Chapter, a remake of a franchise classic. Estelle’s story continues in the next installment, which is set to release sometime this year.
Since they have a story arc within the greater Legend of Heroes narrative, it might be a good idea to play through 1st Chapter before starting 2nd. There are also plenty of newer adventures to try like Trails Through Daybreak if you need more skybound RPG action in the meantime!
Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave
- Developer: Intelligent Systems
- Release Date: 2026
- Platform: Switch 2
- eShop Page
There have been a lot of indie takes on the Fire Emblem formula over the last few years, but the monolithic SRPG series continues to carve out a niche for itself with gorgeous visuals and a new lovable cast with each game.
Fortune’s Weave centers on a gladiatorial tournament, which seems a bit smaller in scale for a series that usually focuses on continent-spanning wars, but surely that just means the other shoe will drop during the story, right?
Perhaps predictably for one of Nintendo’s flagship titles this year, Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave will be exclusive to the Switch 2. If you’ve been holding off on upgrading, this will likely be the game to make the move for.
Dosa Divas
- Developer: Outerloop Games
- Release Date: 14 April, 2026
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
Dosa Divas is an RPG tribute to meals made by hand, shopping local, and the power of community. With your mech that doubles as a street food stall, you’ll travel from place to place dishing out fresh meals from local ingredients while fighting back against the prepackaged fast food of a giant corporation.
The demo alone is packed with style and heart, so if you like cozy underdog stories, you won’t want to miss the full game when it launches this spring.
Threads of Time
- Developer: Riyo Games
- Release Date: TBA
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
Threads of Time wears its Chrono Trigger inspiration on its sleeve, but from everything we’ve seen, that’s not a bad thing. With its breathtaking visuals, time-spanning storyline, and classic feel, Riyo Games’ tribute to the GOAT of JRPGs could be the sequel we never got (no shade to Chrono Cross, of course, but it was a very different game).
Threads of Time doesn’t have a release date yet, so be sure to Wishlist and Follow it. If it sticks the landing, this will be a game to remember.
Saveseeker
- Developer: Paper Sword Games
- Release Date: 2026
- Platform: Windows, Mac
- Steam Page
Saveseeker offers a fun, meta take on the traditional JRPG narrative. As the daughter of the hero who saved the world, you’re now on a quest to undo the damage that he’s done by finding and reclaiming his corrupted save points.
Joined by the former boss monsters from your father’s adventure, you’ll unravel the truth of the original journey while weaving a legend of your own.
There’s a free demo available, so you can see what Saveseeker has in store. The full game is expected to launch later this year, and should be a fun time!
Runa
- Developer: Fennec Studio
- Release Date: TBA
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
It feels a bit cliche to say that Runa looks like it combines the best parts of Persona and Final Fantasy, but… it really does. This ambitious indie title has sweeping, magicpunk vistas with social links and an engaging story, and of course thrilling turn-based battles.
Remember how you could freely swap party members in Final Fantasy X and that never really caught on for some reason? Runa has that and plenty more, from base building to puzzle dungeons. Be sure to keep an eye on this one!
Luenna: School of the Magi
- Developer: Evenir Studios
- Release Date: Coming Soon
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
If you’re in the mood for a cozy life-sim with a bit of JRPG crunch to it, look no further than Luenna. From fishing and bug-hunting to cooking and socializing, all your favorite low-stakes activities are in this magic-school adventure, with turn-based combat and a story built on turning the school’s fortunes around built in as well.
There’s no release date for Luenna yet, but if you’re a cozy gamer it’s definitely a title that deserves to be on your radar. Be sure to Wishlist and Follow it on Steam to keep track of its development (and give the devs a boost in the old algorithm, of course).
Monster Hunter Stories 3
- Developer: Capcom
- Release Date: 13 March, 2026
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch 2
- Steam Page
The Stories spinoff series has proven to be a great way for players to explore the lore-filled world of Monster Hunter besides the mainline games, which have a reputation as daunting hardcore experiences. With turn-based battles, a story focus, and accessible monster-battling gameplay, Monster Hunter Stories 3 continues that tradition.
There are a bunch of cosmetic goodies available if you decide to spring for the Deluxe or Premium edition, and there are also extras if you have a completed save from the previous games. Incidentally, Monster Hunter Stories and Monster Hunter Stories 2 are both discounted on Steam until February 26.
People of Note
- Developer: Iridium Studios
- Release Date: 7 April, 2026
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
Music-themed RPG People of Note has loads of style, blending turn-based combat with rhythm gameplay that turns each battle into an interactive musical performance. The background music adapts to the styles of each party member as they perform, which in turn lets you strategize and synergize with the abilities of each.
People of Note looks very promising, and if it has the story and gameplay to match its colorful visuals and catchy soundtrack it could be one of 2026’s sleeper hits waiting to be discovered.
Parasite Mutant
- Developer: IceSitruuna
- Release Date: Coming Soon
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
Parasite Mutant is an indie spiritual successor to Parasite Eve. If you played the PS1 classic, you’ll recognize the combat and bio-horror theme instantly, with an anime makeover and a world all its own.
Unlike its inspiration, Parasite Mutant is set in the distant future, so expect psionics, mechs, and high tech along with your mutants and monsters. Based on the trailers and demo, the whole thing looks very cool, whether you’re playing it as an homage to Eve or on its own merits.
Cross Reverie
- Developer: Sinxsoft
- Release Date: 2026
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
This dark and foreboding dungeon crawler follows the eight participants in the Trial of Nightmare. Where lots of JRPGs focus on one big playthrough and maybe some endgame content, Cross Reverie provides replay value through multiple endings and routes for character development.
Cross Reverie should be arriving sometime this year, and given how mysterious its story seems it could be an exciting game to dive into. If you’re looking for anime style with a bit of an edge to it, this is a title to watch.
DecaPolice
- Developer: Level-5
- Release Date: 2026
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Switch
- Official Site
Level-5’s open-world tale of crime in a virtual world was originally scheduled for 2023, then delayed to 2026. While we haven’t heard much else about the game, we can hope that this exciting RPG from the creators of the Professor Layton series will land this year.
Decapolice lets you follow your investigations between the real and digital worlds, using clues from both to solve mysteries. Add in some JRPG combat for good measure, and it’s easy to see why it’s an exciting prospect, and why the devs want to make sure they get it right.
Forge of the Fae
- Developer: Datadyne LLC
- Release Date: TBA
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
With a Steampunk world inspired by Celtic folklore and pixel graphics that evoke the RPGs of the PS1 era, Forge of the Fae is sure to catch your eye if you’re looking for something new but nevertheless nostalgic. As you investigate disappearances tied to a strike at the local mine, you’ll use crystals and fae magic to alter the world around you both in combat and out.
Forge of the Fae also offers a story where your decisions have an impact, and an accessible combat system that nevertheless rewards strategy and forethought. Steam has a free demo available, so give it a try!
Spaceman Memories
- Developer: NerdyPunkDev
- Release Date: Coming Soon
- Platform: Windows, Linux
- Steam Page
You can always tell when a developer really loves their project, and Spaceman Memories looks like just such a game.
As an astronaut awakening from hypersleep to find a world overrun by spirits, you’ll wander through futuristic takes on Japanese folktales as you search for remnants of the life you left behind.
Between its colorful 2.5D look, relaxing soundtrack, and retro-inspired RPG combat, Spaceman Memories looks like it will be a fun, thoughtful adventure. It doesn’t have a release date yet, so be sure to Wishlist and Follow it so you know when it launches!
SacriFire
- Developer: Pixelated Milk
- Release Date: Q1 2026
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
There’s a lot to be excited for in Pixelated Milk’s upcoming title Sacrifire, and hopefully the long wait will finally be over in the next few months. Everything about this RPG, from its hybrid real-time and turn-based battles to its stunning pixel graphics and environments, look fantastic, and we can’t wait to play it.
Throw in a soundtrack by Motoi Sakuraba (Tales, Star Ocean), and it’s easy to see why Sacrifire has us amped up. If you like RPGs that are more than just the standard Fight, Magic, Item, or Run, you’ll want to check this one out.
Persona 4 Revival
- Developer: Atlus
- Release Date: TBA
- Platform: Windows, Playstation, Xbox
- Steam Page
It’s hard to believe that Persona 4 is almost 20 years old, but here we are. It’s less hard to believe that after the success of Persona 3 Reload there would be more remakes in the beloved franchise. Persona 4 has more of a folk horror vibe than its flashy, bombastic successor, with foggy rural streets and haunted TV channels to creep you out as you make friends and explore.
Whether you’ve played the original version or not, Persona 4 Revival will likely be the ultimate version of this understated epic. No release date has been announced yet, so we likely won’t see it until late this year at the soonest.
Infinite Alliance
- Developer: Critical Games
- Release Date: 2026
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
If you’re here on Turn Based Lovers, you’ve probably played an indie RPG or two. In that case, you’ll probably find a familiar face in upcoming indie mashup Infinite Alliance, which sees heroes from thirteen different titles team up in a single pixelated adventure!
Not only will Infinite Alliance feature characters from favorites like Jack Move, Chained Echoes, and more, but it’s also going to be completely free – which is a good thing, because it’s probably going to make you want to check out all the games it references that you haven’t played yet.
Lost Hellden
- Developer: Artisan Studios
- Release Date: 2026
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
Lost Hellden‘s hand-painted art style and music by Hitoshi Sakimoto (Final Fantasy Tactics) are likely enough to grab any fan of the genre, and as release gets closer it’s looking like it will have the gameplay to match.
Not only do its eight playable characters have unique skill trees, but Lost Hellden also offers a Job System with 21 classes available to further customize your party. It’s also got a card minigame, which is always a bonus in my book.
From everything we’ve seen, Lost Hellden will be everything a JRPG should be, so be sure to watch for it when the release date is eventually announced.
Seed of Nostalgia
- Developer: James Sloan, Primitive Pixels
- Release Date: TBA
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
As its name implies, Seed of Nostalgia has a serious retro feel, hearkening back to SNES and PS1 classics with its pixel art, soundtrack, and fantasy aesthetic. It also features crafting and skill trees to add a modern touch as you explore its world full of secrets.
Seed of Nostalgia has a playtime of about 30 hours, so it’s not the kind of JRPG that requires an absolutely massive commitment to finish. All that makes it just right for gamers with tight schedules looking for a return to the glory days.
STARBITES
- Developer: IKINAGAMES
- Release Date: 2026
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
Starbites is a scrappy mecha JRPG that puts you in the pilot’s seat with your team of scavengers on a war-ravaged planet. You’ll fight to survive in the desert as you earn your keep battling monsters, raiders, and bosses, and explore the hidden areas of the city between adventures.
With its bright, colorful characters and setting, Starbites looks like it could be a memorable adventure. It’s expected to release sometime in 2026, so hopefully we’ll be able to try it soon!
