Top Upcoming JRPG Video Games of 2018

Note: Article was updated in August of 2018.

2018 is quickly approaching and with it will come a slew of new video game titles to look forward to playing. With that said, now’s a good time to start marking down what video games to keep an eye on when they officially launch next year. Let us lend a hand, in this list, in particular, we’re going over the top JRPG video games launching in 2018.

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Ni no Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom

Developer: Level-5
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release: March 23, 2018
Platforms: PS4, PC

If you enjoyed Ni no Kuni, a video game title that released for Sony’s PlayStation 3 exclusively, then you’ll likely be delighted to know that the series will continue on. Developers Level-5 are planning to release the video game sequel to Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch early 2018.

The video game takes place a hundred years after the events of the first title where players follow a young king named Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum who sets out to reclaim his kingdom.

While fans of the first title can expect the role-playing experience with the sequel, this time around the title won’t be a PlayStation 4 exclusive. Instead, Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom will be available for both the PlayStation 4 and PC platforms.

Monster Hunter: World

Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Release: January 26, 2018
Platforms: PS4, XBO, PC

The Monster Hunter franchise is consistently growing and with each new installment a number of new gamers explore the monster filled worlds development studio Capcom has crafted. Monster Hunter: World will mark as the fifth main installment to the franchise and as you can expect, there will be a number of notable updates.

For instance, Capcom has placed larger maps, a more seamless experience between zones and what’s a Monster Hunter video game without the ability to hunt with friends? Outside of the offline campaign, the game will allow a four-player online co-op opportunity.

Of course all of your favorite mechanics have returned into the latest installment as well. Each installment to the franchise also seems to make it a bit difficult for newcomers but it looks as if that’s not the case for this particular release. Also because the franchise has been running for so many years now, the fan base is quite big making helpful guides for newcomers to get started on their very first hunt.

Project Phoenix

Developer: Creative Intelligence Arts
Publisher: Creative Intelligence Arts
Platforms: PC, Mobo, PS4, PSV,
Release: 2018

Project Phoenix is an upcoming title under development studio, Creative Intelligence Arts. This is a real-time strategy RPG which takes inspiration from several Japanese role-playing video games. Unfortunately, there are not too many details regarding the video game quite yet.

What we do know is that players will unravel a mystery of an angel with amnesia. During the journey, gamers will explore the lands of Azuregard with your band of heroes searching for the missing pieces in solving this grand mystery.

Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology

Developer: Atlus, Headlock
Publisher: Atlus USA
Platforms: 3DS
Release: February 13, 2018

Radiant Historia released quite a few years ago on the Nintendo DS. However, if you never got a chance to enjoy the video game when it first came out then you’ll luckily get an enhanced edition released in the coming year.

Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology is an expanded remake of the original video game that will continue to deliver an entertaining RPG experience for gamers. Overall, the video game will tell the story of a war between the nations of Alistel and Granorg on the Vainqueur continent. The war has turned the continent into a wasteland, but after a soldier by the name of Alistel discovered the White Chronicle, a book that can allow the owner to travel between timelines, the war may be prevented altogether.

Octopath Traveler

Developer: Square Enix, Acquire
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: NS
Release: July 13, 2018

Octopath Traveler is an RPG title by developers Square Enix and Acquire. The video game is a 2D 16-bit style RPG where players will control a part of eight different characters, all of which will have a role to play and reason for their journey.

This title will retain the classic turn-based battle system with an added ability of a Boost system. The boost system will allow players to attack an enemy multiple times during a turn if enough Boost Points are acquired. If your wanting an in-depth JRPG experience for the Nintendo Switch then you won’t go wrong with Octopath Traveler as fans have been praising the game since it officially released.

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age

Developer: Square Enix, Amor Project
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: NS, 3DS, PS4, PC
Release: September 4, 2018

The eleventh main installment to the Dragon Quest franchise is Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age. This video game installment keeps up with the same formula that you’ve likely been accustomed to with the past Dragon Quest video game releases. Players will be exploring the world and fight against a variety of monsters as they go through the RPG narrative. As expected, the combat system will remain the same as a turn-based RPG where players will have to strategically take out the enemy.

When it comes to the story, players will take the role of a young boy who must climb a mountain as tradition for all young children during a coming of age ceremony. However, after the climb our protagonist finds out that he is actually the reincarnation of former hero. With this new information players will embark on a destiny filled with combating evil and darkness within the land.

Currently the game is set to release for most platforms however the Nintendo Switch port has yet to be dated for a release.

Valkyria Chronicles 4

Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega
Platforms: PS4, NS, XBO
Release: March 21, 2018

The next installment of Valkyria Chronicles is set to release this year. Valkyria Chronicles 4 is an upcoming tactical RPG that continues to follow the same style of strategy gameplay that the previous installments are known for.

Overall, players will have to maneuver their characters around a battlefield while taking out the hostile forces. Within the narrative, players will find that Valkyria Chronicles 4 will take place during the events of the very first Valkyria Chronicles video game.

This time, however, players will be maneuvering a new cast of characters set within the continent of Europa. As part of the last chance effort to end the war and capture the imperial capital, commander Claude Wallace and his squad are sent into a battle that will put them against imperial soldiers along with the Valkyria.

Lost Sphear

Developer: Tokyo RPG Factory
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: NS, PS4, PC
Release: January 23, 2018

Lost Sphear is an JRPG developed by Tokyo RPG Factory and is considered a spiritual successor to the video game title, I Am Setsuna. Within the game, players will go through a journey that follows a young man who must face an unusual threat that could rip the fabric of reality.

Combat within the game is a variant of the Active Time Battle system that developers claim to offer a bit more freedom in how combat is handled. Since the game has released earlier this year, reception from critics and fans alike have been relatively positive stating that the game is comparable to the JRPG classic Chrono Trigger. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a ton of sales to potentially warrant a sequel.

Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! And Let’s Go, Eevee!

Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: The Pokemon Company, Nintendo
Platforms: NS
Release: November 16, 2018

Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee! are two upcoming video game titles being developed under Game Freak. For those familiar with the Pokemon video game franchise, these are considered remakes for the 1998 release, Pokemon Yellow.

As a result, players will find most of the mechanics that the series is known for included in the game such as battling other trainers, capturing Pokemon, defeating gym leaders, purchasing items and exploring the world. Likewise, because this is a 1998 remake, only the 151 original Pokemon will be featured within both titles.

Developers over at Game Freak are also putting a slight spin to that game as well thanks to the Joy-Con controllers. When tossing out a Pokeball, players will have to use the motion controls to get an accurate throw. Similar to how the touchscreen functions are made for Pokemon Go, though it seems that the mechanic system will also work for when the Joy-Con’s are docked to the Nintendo Switch.