All notable upcoming Japanese RPGs (JRPGs) in 2025
From blowing up mako reactors to saving Disney princesses from the heartless, the Japanese RPG genre has a lot in store for anyone who decides to dive into it. 2025 Japanese RPGs include creating your very own weaponry with alchemy in the Atelier series and marrying your favorite villager in Rune Factory.
Here is a look at the diverse lineup in store for fans of the genre in 2025 and perhaps beyond, including remasters of long-beloved treasures. As more games get announced this year, we will update the list.
Image via Koei Tecmo
Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & The Envisioned Land
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Release Date: March 21
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC (via Steam)
Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & The Envisioned Land, from developer Gust and publisher Koei Tecmo, explores a stunning anime-inspired world that sees alchemy as an omen rather than a blessing. As Yumia, you'll likely change the minds of many of this land as she tries to figure out what happened to a fallen society that saw its downfall due to alchemy. This RPG revolves around the alchemy mechanic, letting you create bases, battle items, and exploration equipment. For those who don't like the turn-based mechanics in past entries, this takes more of a real-time element to its combat. Atelier Yumia is one of the most anticipated March 2025 releases .
Lunar Remastered Collection
Publisher: GungHo Online Entertainment America
Release Date: April 18
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC (via Steam)
Two beloved JRPG classics are finally coming back to modern consoles and PC on April 18 with the Lunar Remastered Collection. It includes the first game, Silver Star Story, and the sequel, Eternal Blue. Similar to Square Enix's Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters , the Lunar Remastered Collection improves the visuals and audio, in addition to quality-of-life improvements.
According to a PlayStation Blog interview with the game's producer, Matthias Pergams, the new collection includes an adjustable Battle Speed-Up option and a toggleable option for a unified inventory system in the first Lunar game. You can also customize each character's AI during battle. These improvements should help modernize the classic JRPG. The game also supports both English and Japanese voice acting to suit your preference.
Image via Level-5
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time - May 21
Publisher: Level-5
Release Date: May 21
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC (via Steam)
Famed developer Level-5 is back with a new entry in the Fantasy Life series, The Girl Who Steals Time. This game takes a more relaxing approach to the JRPG genre, as you fish, cook, and shape your island to how you see fit. It's like Animal Crossing and an RPG had a baby. You'll be able to switch between 14 different jobs as you play through this game. If you want to experience this action RPG with friends, you can certainly do that through online multiplayer with up to four people. Get ready, as you'll be exploring an open world teeming with monsters.
Image via CyberConnect2
Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3
Publisher: CyberConnect2
Release Date: May 29
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC (via Steam)
CyberConnect2 is delivering the final chapter in the Fuga: Melodies of Steel trilogy on May 29. The children are on a journey to save their friend Malt as they board a tank called the Taranis that was once thought to be lost. The developer says on the game's Steam page that the battle system has "undergone substantial changes." You can now exploit enemy weaknesses and "deal escalating damage with every hit" when you utilize a weakness combo. You can also utilize assist attacks on your quest for victory.
Those new to the series might be able to try the third entry without playing the last two. The Steam page says, "It's not necessary to play Fuga: Melodies of Steel or Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 to enjoy Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3." Hopefully, that is true.
Image via XSEED Games and Marvelous
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
Publisher: XSEED Games, Marvelous, and Marvelous Europe
Release Date: May 30
Platforms: Nintendo Switch and PC (via Steam).
On the very next day, you'll be able to play the 2025 Japanese RPG Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma on Nintendo Switch and PC. In this entry, you'll be exploring a new Japanese-inspired country called Azuma. You'll be practicing Earth Dancer powers and taking down evil throughout the land to hopefully bring back hope to its residents. In what the publishers XSEED Games and Marvelous call a reimagined experience on the game's Steam page , we'll be rebuilding an entire village and farm to our hearts' content in between action-RPG battles outside.
As you fight monsters and start up a new society, you'll be able to romance the various characters that reside in your village. You may even marry one of them. The Steam page says the scenes between these characters and your protagonist will be voiced. They can also go to battle with you.
Image via Bandai Namco
Digimon Story Time Stranger
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Release Date: 2025
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (via Steam)
After almost a decade, a new entry of the Digimon Story is nearly upon us, as it currently has a vague 2025 release date. Like past entries of the series, you'll be battling other Digimon in the turn-based affair as you try to collect all of the digital monsters. The game takes place between the Digital World and the real world as you try to figure out the reason behind the planet's collapse.
An even wackier twist is that we'll be venturing through time and parallel worlds in an effort to change fate itself. The Steam page says there will be "an incredible variety of Digimon" and "deep customization options" that "provide limitless ways to approach the challenges of battle."
https://youtu.be/HzK94XSITVw
Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Release Date: 2025
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, PC (via Steam)
Not much is known about the secondary Atelier adventure coming out in 2025. The trailer showcases an open world with multiple biomes, like a cave of diamonds and an open field. It has all new protagonists and features a narrative set in the canon of Atelier Resleriana: Forgotten Alchemy and the Polar Night Liberator . Damn, what is with these long names, Koei Tecmo!? Regardless, unlike Forgotten Alchemy and the Polar Night Liberator, this entry will be an offline title.
Image via Nacon
Edge of Memories could be considered a 2025 Japanese RPG
Publisher: Nacon
Release Date: Q4 2025
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (via Steam)
While this game is technically from a French developer called Midgar Studio, we're still counting Edge of Memories as a JRPG as it has hired some significant talent from Japan. It includes the likes of character designer Raita Kazama ( Xenoblade Chronicles X ), writer Swako Natori ( NieR ), and Mitsuru Yokoyama, the combat designer of Final Fantasy XV. The majority of the soundtrack is from Cédric Menendez. However, the final theme is by Yasunori Mitsuda, who has been a composer on JRPG classics like Chrono Trigger and Xenoblade Chronicles.
Edge of Memories is an action RPG that has you stringing fast-paced combos and customizing your companions to "inflict more damage at crucial moments" by "[using] their skills wisely." There is also a rage system involved in the combat. Additionally, Edge of Memories supports Unreal Engine 5 anime-inspired visuals.
The post All notable upcoming Japanese RPGs (JRPGs) in 2025 appeared first on Destructoid .
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