Since this is the first time I have posted this here, I may as well explain just what JRPG Update is. The idea is to gather up all JRPG related news that I could and compile it into one place. I usually intend for this to be a weekly update, but this one will contain everything that happened between now and the last JRPG update (which was on my DevianArt account). I didn’t get around to this update for a while since I only recently completed my classes and now have the free time for it. Also one will notice that most sources are from Gematsu. That is because they tend to be the place where one can find news related to Japanese games the easiest, but I will try and look into additional sources in the future for the subject of indie titles or even more niche stuff like eroge.
I know there is lewdgamer for the latter but updates on that site are not as frequent as other sites so a lot of stuff likely falls through the cracks. Additionally, there is romhacking.net for mods, rom hacks, or fan translations, but I feel like a lot of stuff could fall through the cracks as there as well. Additionally, I tend to frequently visit oprainfall.com but they tend to have a lower output of gaming related news than other sites and will be a day later than competition. However, they do tend to still have some stuff not covered by the other sites mentioned since they have a more broad focus for niche titles rather than strictly Japanese. Anyway, I am open to suggestions for additional sources (although it would be best not to bother recommending any mainstream sources like IGN, Kotaku, Polygon, and Destructoid or any GamerGate pandering sources like Niche Gamer and One Angry Gamer since I have a policy against supporting those sites).
Another clarification is that the term “JRPG” refers to RPGs designed in a traditionally Japanese style, not simply RPGs made in Japan. As such, games like the Dark Souls series are not going to be talked about in JRPG Update, while games like Cosmic Star Heroine or Shiness: The Lightning Kingdom will be. Of course, there will be cases where the lines are blurred so I will try to keep an emphasis on who these games will appeal to.
Anyway, here are a few restrictions that I am having on games being covered to avoid having the list becoming too bloated. The first rule is, no RPG Maker games. Steam is becoming infamous for being cluttered with large amounts of several interchangeable “retro throwbacks” made in RPG Maker. While there are naturally going to be some that are better than others, I am still excluding everything since the types of games being made with the engine are either poorly made first attempts at a game that should not have been commercially released (also note that I may be reviewing one of these fairly soon, how fun), or are games that are made by a professional team that are generally well made, but are released so frequently that they all look interchangeable and bloat up the list. For this same reason, I am not counting Mobile JRPG releases by Kemco (and while I also will not focus too heavily on Mobile games in general).
Lastly, the end of each update will feature a list of every JRPG released this year in either North America or the PAL regions. The dates listed are the North American release dates, but if the European release date is significantly further away, there will be a mention. The release dates are listed mostly according to what their GameFAQs entry says. I cannot vouch for accuracy 100% of the time because of this, but it generally seems correct most of the time, and it would take a lot longer to individually scour the internet for all of them, as I am only one person.Anyway, let us begin with the releases. Since the last update, we have seen the release of Knights of Galiveth (PC), The Caligula Effect (Vita) The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd (PC), and Dead Cells (PC). Additionally, I also discovered four other indie games on Steam that also qualify for this list that came out prior to April 24th. Those games are Weapon Shop Fantasy, Xenon Valkyrie, Trapper Knight, Sharpshooter Princess, and Sonny.
Anyway, here’s the news.
NieR Automata sells over 500,000 units in Japan and Asia alone, has DLC costumes released for Gravity Rush 2, and has released a DLC update.
Tohou Genso Wanderer Reloaded demo has been released in Japan.This demo contains the entire main storyline of the game, but said storyline only makes up about 1/5th of the content.
Ys VIII has completed development in Japan and has gone gold.
Bravely Second has sold over 700,000 copies worldwide.
Dragon Quest XI details Skill Panel and Restoration systems. The latter allows you to reload previous sections of the game with your current levels, money, items, etc. The zone and link system is also detailed, as is the monster mount system.
In other Dragon Quest related news, Japan gets a limited edition Metal Slime themed 3DS and a Loto themed PS4, a two day Dragon Quest Summer Festival is set for August 5th and 6th in Japan, and the NES version of Dragon Quest 1 (aka Dragon Warrior) receives a hack to update the spell names to follow the recent English localization naming schemes.
Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology details the Alistel and Granorg characters, the Forgia, Celestia, and Cygnus characters. the subhistory characters are given an introduction trailer. The Granorg characters apparently had a trailer as well, but it seems to have been taken down. Since the original Radiant Historia was a game I actually have played and beaten, Perfect Chronology definitely gets my endorsement.
Final Fantasy XV adds a weapon themed around DJ and record producer “Afrojack” called the Afrosword. Worth noting that Afrojack is a fan of the Final Fantasy series, and one of his songs even samples Final Fantasy VIII’s “The Landing.”
In other Final Fantasy related news, Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age has a new trailer, 35 minutes of gameplay footage, and sample soundtrack videos for the tracks “The Dalmasca Estersand” and “Streets of Rabanastre.”
Final Fantasy 1 also gets a fan mod called Final Fantasy Redux that changes the gameplay to coincide more with later entries, updates the graphics, and fixes bugs.
Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization dlc Chapter I: Explorer of Illusory Mists is releasing May 16th in North America and Europe.
A survival based RPG called Zanki Zero by Spike Chunsoft, the developers of Zero Escape, Danganronpa, and Conception II, has been announced, is given a first look, and a teaser website.
Disgaea 5 Complete gets its second character trailer.
Code Vein has its character customization and fields detailed, and gets a debut trailer.
Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception has trailers for the character Nekone and its world, and the sequel, Mask of Truth, has its box art revealed.
Omega Labyrinth Z gives details on the character Yumi Amano, the Berona GPS, the in-dungeon shop, the mics (which gets its own sample trailer), and the hot springs.
An Atelier series 20th anniversary website has been opened up revealing plans for the series 20th anniversary.
Akiba’s Beat gets a character trailer, a maid trailer, and a Haiku contest with a copy of the special NEET edition as the prize held by Gematsu.
Nights of Azure 2 gives details on two new characters.
The Persona 5 director thanks western fans. Persona 5 also gets a vinyl soundtrack release, and the Persona concert has its website up now.
Romancing SaGa 2 sells over 200,000 on Vita.
New Mega Man Starforce figure set released. Yeah, this is the height of Mega Man announcements recently. Thanks Capcom.
A text speed improvement mod released for Glory of Heracles IV (Super Famicom).
There are rumors of a Mario and Rabbids crossover RPG for the Switch in August or September.
Seiken Detsentsu Collection shows videos of screen switch mode, quick saves, and music mode.
God Wars: Future Past releases its sixth trailer.
Operation Babel: New Tokyo Legacy releases a character trailer.
Etrian Mystery Dungeon 2 Japanese box art revealed.
Hakinowa has gameplay details revealed, and a theme song sample video.
Dark Rose Valkyrie has a limited edition, an interview, screenshots, and its opening movie revealed.
Ever Oasis has an introduction trailer, and a field introduction trailer.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III is set for release on September 28th in Japan, and details some of its characters.
Fire Emblem Echoes details its planned DLC.
Banner Saga 3 pledge manager now available for backer exclusive pre order items.
The Alliance Alive details three new characters.
A new Tales game is coming to the Switch in March 2018.
And last but now least, RPG Limit Break, a speed running event on Twitch for RPGs, starts later today and lists until May 19th. This event is intended to raise money for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Well, it certainly took a while to post all of those. Hopefully this will teach me not to procrastinate on these things in the future. *sigh*
Anyway, here is the current release calendar.
Released (New Games)
Rotation Phonology Break (PC, January 22nd)
Hellanica (PC, January 23rd)
Tales of Berseria (PS4/PC, January 26th)
Tears Revolude (PC, January 29th)
Digimon World: Next Order (PS4, January 31st)
Dynasty Warriors: Godseekers (PS4/Vita, January 31st)
Fire Emblem Heroes (Ios, February 2nd)
Legna Tactica (3DS, February 2nd)
Xenon Valkyrie (PC, February 3rd)
Touhou Genso Wanderer (PS4/Vita, February 7th)
Super Robot Wars V (Asian English) (PS4/Vita, February 23rd)
Weapon Shop Fantasy (PC, February 25th)
Revenant Saga (PC, March 1st)
Brave Dungeon (3DS e-shop, March 2nd) (Europe)
NieR: Automata (PS4, March 7th)
Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey (PS4/Vita, March 7th)
The Tenth Line (PC, March 17th)
In Vitra (PC, March 24th)
Persona 5 (PS4/PS3, April 4th)
Dragon Sinker (3DS E-shop, April 6th)
Yo-Kai Watch 2 (Europe) (April 7th)
Trapper Knight, Sharpshooter Princess (PC, April 10th)
Cosmic Star Heroine (PS4/PC/Vita, April 11th)
Sonny (PC, April 17th)
Shiness: The Lightning Kingdom (PS4/XONE/PC, April 18th)
Knights of Galiveth (PC, May 1st)
The Caligula Effect (Vita, May 2nd)
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd (PC, May 3rd)
Dead Cells (Early Access) (PC, May 10th)
Released (Ports and Rereleases)
Asdivine Hearts (PS3/PS4/Vita, January 10th)
Criminal Girls: Invite Only (PC, January 11th)
FNaF World (Android, January 12th)
Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea (Vita, January 17th)
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King (3DS, January 20th)
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue (PS4, January 24th)
Seinarukana: The Spirit of Eternity Sword 2 (Steam Release) (PC, January 26th)
Disgaea 2 PC (PC, January 30th)
Mobius Final Fantasy (PC, February 6th)
Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book (PC, February 7th)
Nights of Azure (PC, February 7th)
Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force (PC, February 14th)
Earthlock: Festival of Magic (PS4, February 14th)
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber (Wii U E-shop, February 16th)
Ys Origin (PS4/Vita, February 21st)
Bokosuka Wars 2 (XONE, February 24th)
Stranger of Sword City Revisited (Vita, February 28th)
Suikoden IV (PSN, February 28th)
I Am Setsuna (Switch, March 3rd)
Monster Monpiece (PC, March 14th)
Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters: Daybreak Special Gigs (PC, March 17th)
Nier Automata (PC, March 17th)
Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy (PC, March 27th)
Kingdom Hearts HD I.5 + II.5 Remix (PS4, March 28th)
Chronicles of a Dark Lord: Tides of Fate Remastered Edition (PC, March 31st)
Upcoming (New Games)
Akiba’s Beat (PS4/Vita, May 16th)
Regalia – Of Men and Monarchs (PC, May 18th)
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia (3DS, May 19th)
Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception (PS4/Vita, May 23rd)
Operation Babel: New Tokyo Legacy (Vita/PC, May 31st)
Summon Night 6: Lost Borders (PS4/Vita, May 2017)
Dark Rose Valkyrie (PS4, June 6th)
ClaDun Returns: This is Sengoku! (PS4/Vita/PC, June 6th)
God Wars: Future Past (PS4/Vita, June 20th)
Ever Oasis (3DS, June 23rd)
Valkyria Revolution (PS4/XONE/Vita, June 27th)
Tokyo Xanadu (Vita, June 30th)
Mary Skelter: Nightmares (Vita, August 31st)
Accel World vs. Sword Art Online (PS4/Vita, Summer 2017)
Steven Universe: Save the Light (PS4, Summer 2017)
Nights of Azure 2 (PS4/Vita, Q3 2017)
Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth (PS4/Vita, Fall 2017)
Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online (PS4/PC, Winter 2017)
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom (PS4/PC, TBA 2017)
Rainbow Skies (PS3/PS4/Vita, TBA 2017)
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA (PS4/Vita/PC, TBA 2017)
Wargroove (Switch/XOne/PC, TBA 2017)
Guardians of Arcadia – Episode I (PC, TBA 2017)
Children of Zodiarcs (PC, TBA 2017)
Upcoming (Ports and Rereleases)
Disgaea 5 Complete (Switch, May 26th)
Ys Origin (Vita, May 30th)
Chroma Squad (PS4/XONE, May 2017)
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age (PS4, July 11th)
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel (PC, Summer 2017)
Superdimension Neptune VS Sega Hard Girls (PC, Summer 2017)
Yo-kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters (3DS, Fall 2017)
Tokyo Xanadu eX+ (PS4/PC, Fall 2017)
Omega Quintet (PC, TBA 2017)
Unconfirmed/unscheduled for 2017 (New Games)
South Park: The Fractured But Whole (PS4/XONE/PC, 2017-2018)
Pixel Noir (PC/PS4/XONE/Vita, Q1 2018)
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth Hacker’s Memory (PS4/Vita, Early 2018)
Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4/XONE, TBA)
Kingdom Hearts 3 (PS4/XONE, TBA)
YIIK: A Postmodern RPG (PC/Vita, TBA)
Soul Saga: Episode 1 (PC/PS4/Vita/Wii U, TBA)
Planet Stronghold: Warzone (PC, TBA)
Elysian Shadows (Dreamcast/PC/Ios/Android, TBA)
Chronicles of a Dark Lord – Episode 3: Rise of Nihility (PC, TBA)
LEGRAND LEGACY (PC, TBA)
Sully: A Very Serious RPG (PC/Vita, TBA) (Vaporware)
Unconfirmed/unscheduled for 2017 (Ports and Rereleases)
Grandia III (PS4, TBA)
Omega Quintet (PC, TBA)
Dragon Fantasy: The Black Tome of Ice (PC, TBA)
Pier Solar and the Great Architects (Android, TBA)
Planet Crashers (Rerelease) (3DS/PC, TBA)
Grinsia (PC, TBA)
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II (PC, TBA)
FNAF World (IOS, TBA)
Unconfirmed/unscheduled for Localization (New Games) (Released)
The Witch and the Hundred Knight 2 (PS4) (2017)
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 3 – Professional (3DS) (2017)
Eiyuu Densetsu: Sora no Kiseki the 3rd Evolution (Vita) (2016)
SaGa: Scarlet Grace (Vita) (2016)
Yo-kai Watch 3 (3DS) (2016)
Genkai Tokki: Seven Pirates (Vita) (2016)
Refrain no Chika Meikyuu to Majo no Ryodan (Vita) (2016)
Ore ni Hatarakette Iwaretemo Tori (Vita) (2016)
Yuusha Shisu (Vita) (2016)
Princess wa Kane no Mouja (Vita) (2016)
Medarot Girls Mission (3DS) (2016)
Eiyuu Densetsu: Sora no Kiseki FC Evolution (Vita) (2015)
Eiyuu Densetsu: Sora no Kiseki SC Evolution (Vita) (2015)
Genkai Tokki: Moero Crystal (Vita) (2015)
Omega Labyrinth (Vita) (2015)
To Heart 2: Dungeon Travelers (Vita) (2015)
Lost Heroes 2 (3DS) (2015)
Dragon Quest Monsters 2: Iru to Ruka no Fushigi na Fushigi na Kagi (3DS) (2014)
Eiyuu Densetsu: Ao no Kiseki Evolution (Vita) (2014)
Genkai Tokki: Moero Chronicle/Moe Chronicle (Vita, 2014)
Ooedo Blacksmith (Vita) (2014)
Elminage Ibun: Ame no Mihashira (3DS) (2014)
Meikyuu Cross Blood: Infinity Ultimate (Vita) (2014)
Toushin Toshi (3DS) (2014)
Magi: Aratanaru Sekai (3DS) (2014)
Medarot 8 (3DS) (2014)
Ore ni Hatarakette Iwaretemo Otsu HD (Vita) (2014)
Konchuu Monster: Super Battle (3DS) (2014)
Magi: Aratanaru Sekai (3DS) (2014)
Ciel Nosurge RE:Incarnation (Vita) (2013)
Metal Max 4: Gekkou no Diva (3DS) (2013)
Seisou no Amazones (3DS) (2013)
Exstetra (Vita/3DS) (2013)
Magi: Hajimari no Meikyuu (3DS) (2013)
Medarot Dual (3DS) (2013)
Danball Senki W Chou Custom (3DS) (2013)
Danball Senki Wars (3DS) (2013)
Chousoku Henkei Gyrozetter: Albatross no Tsubasa (3DS) (2013)
Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry no Wonderland 3D (3DS) (2012)
Tales of Innocence R (Vita) (2012)
Beyond the Labyrinth (3DS) (2012)
UnchainBlades EXXiV (3DS) (2012)
Lost Heroes (3DS) (2012)
Medarot 7 (3DS) (2012)
Slime MoriMori Dragon Quest 3: Daikaizoku to Shippo Dan (3DS) (2011)
Ken to Mahou to Gakuen Mono. 3D/Class of Heroes 3D (3DS) (2011)
Unconfirmed/unscheduled for Localization (Ports and Rereleases) (Released)
Damascus Gear: Operation Tokyo – HD Edition (Vita) (2017)
I Am Setsuna (Vita) (2016)
Star Ocean: Second Evolution (PS4/Vita) (2015)
Shin Atelier Rorona: Hajimari no Monogatari The Alchemist of Arland (3DS) (2015)
Nights of Azure (Vita) (2015)
Chaos Rings III: Prequel Trilogy (Vita) (2014)
Elminage Original: Yami no Miko to Kamigami no Yubiwa (3DS)(2014)
Elminage Gothic 3D Remix: Ulm Zakir to Yami no Gishiki (3DS) (2013)
Unconfirmed/unscheduled for Localization (New Games) (Unreleased)
(List will be assembled later)
Unconfirmed/unscheduled for Localization (Ports and Rereleases) (Unreleased)
(List will be assembled later)
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