JRPGs have been gaining a lot of steam for the last couple of years. The number of games that carry the trails of JRPG has certainly gained much prominence of late.
This list of upcoming JRPGs contains games that are both made in Japan and in other countries. Though it mainly focuses on Japanese games, some games on this list have the mechanics from classically defined JRPG.
What makes a game a JRPG?
Initially, a JRPG meant any role-playing game made in Japan. Nowadays, however, the term is also used to classify games that utilize mechanics made famous in Japanese games, especially classic Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest games.
List of Upcoming JRPGs 2022 and Beyond
Valkyrie Elysium
Release Date: September 29th, 2022
Genre: Action-Adventure, RPG
Platform: PS4, PS5
Valkyrie Elysium was during PlayStation’s earlier State of Plays this year and is set for a release later this year. Since that announcement, we haven’t gotten any updates on it. But that’s a minor issue that will do little to diminish the anticipation of the many fans of the long-dormant Valkyrie Profile franchise. Unfortunately, until we have something more concrete like the release date, this title will remain here as an opener to this list.
Update: Square Enix released the release trailer for the game.
Granblue Fantasy Relink
Tentative Release Date: 2023
Genre: Action-Adventure, RPG
Platform: PS4, PS5, PC
The second title on our list and it’s Granblue Fantasy Relink. Unfortunately, the game has been delayed to 2023. But since it is part of the Granblue Fantasy franchise, there is little doubt that the game will see further delays. At least we hope so. The franchise has garnered a large fanbase over the years and we think this spin-off could only add to the franchise’s following.
The Diofield Chronicle
Release Date: September 22, 2022
Genre: Strategy, RPG
Platform: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC
Square Enix is really getting into the habit of announcing JRPGs that are supposedly coming out later this year… and not putting a tentative release date on it. Come on, Square! We’re past the middle of the year. Give us something more than another fancy trailer. (Granted they’re really well-made trailers, mind you.)
Like Valkyrie Elysium, we’re just going to be patient. I guess we’ll settle for story and character details in the meantime.
Update: Square Enix has announced that Diofield Chronicle will release on September 22, 2022.
Star Ocean The Divine Force
Release Date: October 27, 2022
Genre: Action, RPG
Platform: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
It is of the opinion of this article’s writer that there hasn’t been a “Great” Star Ocean game since Star Ocean: Till the End of Time. Nevertheless, the JRPG series is still much beloved to this day despite the ups and downs of more recent titles. It is for this reason alone that “The Divine Force” is on this list. It’s been a while since we last heard anything about this title… commonplace in modern Square Enix. But that’s to be expected of a lot of things lately. Hopefully, we hear more about this game soon. Till then, we are happy that the trailer has some gameplay on it.
Update: Star Ocean: Divine Force is set to release on October 27, 2022.
The Legend of Heroes Trails from Zero
Release Date: September 27, 2022
Genre: Strategy, RPG
Platform: PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC
The original “The Legend of Heroes Trails from Zero” was considered one of the best entries in the franchise. Unfortunately, the game never got a Western release… until now. Ever since the 40th Anniversary celebration event, Falcom has gone all-in on many of its older JRPG titles. And we are all grateful to them for it.
Llyod Bannings and the rest of the Special Support Section will have their hands full with odd jobs and helping people in need. And all the while uncovering some pretty dark secrets.
The Legend of Heroes Kuro no Kiseki 2 Crimson Sin
Release Date: September 29, 2022
Genre: Adventure, RPG
Platform: PS4, PS5
Admittedly, this is more for the Japanese fans out there but since the first Kuro no Kiseki’s Western localization is set to launch on July 27th… we’d figure we’d get the more relevant sequel on this list. (Sorry, Western Audience.) Set one year since the events of the first game, peace has been restored to the land of Calvard. But that peace is just the calm before another conflict. Rejoin Van Arkride and several returning party members as they solve a murder. And of course, it always leads to something bigger.
Soul Hackers 2
Release Date: August 26, 2022
Genre: Adventure, RPG
Platform: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Part of the Shin Megami Tensei series, the Soul Hackers 2 is the latest game in the Devil Summoner JRPG subseries.
“In a war between devil summoners, it is up to Ringo and her team to decrypt destiny and save the world from the apocalypse.” The plot of the game is kind of convoluted. It involved several of them trying to solve their own murders. If only the world’s fate wasn’t on the line… but it won’t be a Shin Megami Tensei game without it.
Since the game’s announcement, Soul Hackers 2 has been dropping regular updates through character trailers and Summoner guide videos. And it looks like we’ll be getting more as we approach that August release date.
Chained Echoes
Tentative Release Date: 2022
Genre: Strategy, RPG
Platform: PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC
Chained Echoes is the very definition of classical RPGs. It’s going to have dozens of hours of gameplay, turn-based battles, and OUR OWN airship! Slap on giant mechs and this game gets put on the list faster than you can say, “Final Fantasy IX”. Japanese companies may have outgrown the classical style but it’s heartening to see more and more Western companies take up the mantle and continue making the JRPGs we grew up with.
Eiyuden Chronicle 100 Heroes
Tentative Release Date: 2023
Genre: Action-Adventure, RPG
Platform: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC
After a successful Kickstarter campaign, the original minds that brought us Suikoden created a spiritual successor in the form of Eiyuden Chronicle 100 Heroes. This ambitious title will bring together over 100 heroes in an epic journey to save their world.
A prequel to 100 Heroes called Eiyuden Chronicle Rising was released last May 10th. It served as an introduction to the world of 100 Heroes. If you’re looking for a 2.5D JRPG, you can’t go wrong with this title.
Digimon Survive
Release Date: July 29, 2022
Genre: Survival, Adventure, Tactical RPG
Platform: PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC
Digimon as a tactical RPG? Maybe it was the natural next step seeing as Digimon World 1 was a 3D Pokemon game and the second game was a Tamer/RPG. And let’s not forget how Digimon World 3 went full RPG.
Digimon Survive is part choice-based narrative and part tactical RPG. Your choices determine your Digimon’s evolutionary path and they battle with other Digimon on a grid. We are more than a month away from release and we gotta say. This one’s one of our most anticipated games in the second half of 2022.
Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII REUNION
Tentative Release Date: Winter 2022
Genre: Adventure, Action, RPG
Platform: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC
Look, we can only have so much Final Fantasy on this list, and seeing as Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2 won’t be coming out until late 2023 or early 2024, we might as well have the Final Fantasy VII game that’s coming out THIS year on our list.
Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII REUNION is a faithful remastering of the original PSP game of the same name. A direct prequel to Final Fantasy VII, it tells the story of Zack and how his story made VII possible in the first place. There’s also a glimpse of a sane Sephiroth before he knew the truth… You know what, let’s stop there.
Look forward to this game coming out later this year.
Sea of Stars
Tentative Release Date: 2023
Genre: Adventure, RPG
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Among all the Indie JRPGs coming out this year, Sea of Stars is definitely on top of that list. The animations alone make this title stand out, even when compared to Classical JRPGs of the 16-bit era. The game itself doesn’t promise to revolutionize the JRPG landscape, it only aims to modernize the classic RPG in terms of turn-based combat, storytelling, exploration, and interactions with the environment, while still offering a hearty slice of nostalgia and good old, simple fun.
Update: Sea of Stars has been delayed to sometime in 2023.
Final Fantasy XVI
Tentative Release Date: Summer 2023
Genre: Adventure, Action, RPG
Platform: PS5
Final Fantasy XVI has got a lot riding on it. We don’t get as many mainline Final Fantasy games as often as we used to and each one we get seems like a further and further departure from what we’ve come to know as a Final Fantasy game. Maybe that’s just the times telling us to get with it or something. But XVI’s announcement brought fresh enthusiasm to a franchise that’s mainly focused on remakes and online content.
Hopefully, when this game comes out in Summer 2023, we get the next big step in Fantasy Games. Goodness knows we don’t need another XV this soon.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Release Date: July 29, 2022
Genre: Adventure, Action, RPG
Platform: Nintendo Switch
You know you’ve made it big in Nintendo when you have an entire Direct that’s mostly dedicated to it. Nintendo is really hyping this game up for its big launch in more than a month. There’s a good reason for this, Xenoblade Chronicles is much-beloved series that’s part of the greater Xeno franchise. It’ll be bittersweet when this game comes out as it is the conclusion of the Xenoblade Chronicles trilogy. It’s been one hell of a ride, and what better way than to end it with a bang.
Kingdom Hearts IV
Tentative Release Date: TBA
Genre: Action RPG
Platform: TBA
Kingdom Hearts IV is many years away from release and it’s probably too early to put in at number one! But that’s fine, this is a list of upcoming JRPGs 2022 and beyond after all. The reaction to the announcement alone warranted so much hype for the game. And we were already a couple of years removed from the last Kingdom Hearts game. Things are quiet for right now but the moment ANYTHING gets announced about this game, the hype train continues to chug along as if it is Day 1 of the initial announcement. There’s just no denying that this is the effect Kingdom Hearts has on many people worldwide.
Though for the sake of fairness, if there are no announcements for the game come next February, we’ll take it down a few pegs for our next list. No biggie. Till then, it is our most anticipated JRPG.
And that’s our list for the Top 14 Upcoming JRPGs 2022 & Beyond. There’s no better time to get into JRPGs than it is now. The sheer variety of new and remastered titles is unbelievable. To think, a few years ago, we have been struggling to get more than a handful of quality titles and only had the old titles to keep company. Well, times are indeed changing for the better for JRPG fans.
If you like this list, do check out:
- Top 16 Upcoming Souls like Games 2022 & Beyond
- Top 15 Upcoming Video Game Remakes 2022 & Beyond (Plus Remasters)
- Top 10 Upcoming Metroidvania Games 2022 and Beyond
- Top 10 Upcoming Survival Games 2022 and Beyond
- Top 12 Upcoming Platformer Games 2022 and Beyond
- Top 12 Upcoming Farming Games 2022 and Beyond
- Top 15 Upcoming RPGs 2022 and Beyond
- Top 10 Upcoming Life Simulation Games 2022 and Beyond
- Top 10 Digimon We Want to See in Digimon Survive
We also keep track of all video game releases for the year 2022. You can check it out here:
You can watch this video by GameCross on their own list of upcoming JRPG Games in 2022 for PS4 and PS5:
