Upcoming Indie JRPGs for 2026 to Keep on Your Radar

The world of independent game development is booming. It’s become easier than ever to create games thanks to readily available tools and tons of online learning resources, like those found on YouTube. Plus, with more and more people playing games, there’s a growing audience for independent creators all over the globe.

Despite a thriving independent game scene in Japan, particularly within the ‘doujin’ community, it doesn’t often gain attention outside of the country. This means that when people discuss indie JRPGs, they’re usually talking about RPGs developed in the West that are inspired by Japanese role-playing games.

The discussion about what exactly defines a JRPG can get complicated, but these days, it’s less about where a game is made and more about the style and features it uses. These elements originally came from Japanese role-playing games. That’s why games like Sea of Stars and Chained Echoes are considered JRPGs, even though they were developed in Europe.

Here are a few upcoming indie JRPGs to look forward to in 2026! If you often find yourself missing the way older games used to be, or feel a favorite series has changed too much, these nostalgic titles might be exactly what you’re looking for.

This list is presented in no particular order.

9. The Backworld

Yume Nikki + EarthBound + Fear and Hunger + Backrooms

For years, if you played a smaller JRPG, you could always see the influence of Chrono Trigger – in how it looked, how it played, just everything. But recently, things have shifted. Now, a ton of indie JRPGs feel more inspired by EarthBound or Undertale, which makes total sense. Those games are just incredibly impactful and a lot of developers seem to be taking cues from them now.

I immediately got a strong EarthBound vibe when I started playing The Backworld – everything from the way battles play out to the quirky enemies and all the different characters you meet reminded me of it. And honestly, I love that! Plus, The Backworld just looks amazing, which is a huge bonus.

The game features a story that jumps across different universes in a non-traditional way, taking you to fantasy realms, futuristic worlds, and places filled with cosmic dread. While much of the game involves turn-based combat, you’ll also need to sometimes sneak past enemies or use dialogue to overcome challenges. A unique ‘sanity system’ will also affect how the game plays, changing things based on your characters’ mental well-being.

8. SacriFire

Almost Upon Us

I often include SacriFire when recommending indie JRPGs. It’s a game I’m really looking forward to, and it’s coming out in early 2026! I’ll soon be able to explore the worlds of Antioch and Erebus as Ezekiel Ridan, a soldier preparing to become part of the Church of Sheol.

From the very beginning, SacriFire is impressive. It uniquely combines detailed pixel art with 3D backgrounds, creating a look that feels both modern and reminiscent of classic games. The environments are beautiful, the gameplay appears fluid, and the world feels immersive – like a real place that exists independently of the player.

SacriFire clearly takes inspiration from the game Vagrant Story, particularly in how you link weapon attacks and target enemy weaknesses. Each fight demands a unique strategy – you can’t just repeatedly use simple attacks to win. And, like Vagrant Story, that likely means I’ll struggle with bosses and die a lot, barely making a dent in their health.

7. Guns Undarkness

Persona Composer at the Helm

I started by mentioning that many people aren’t familiar with the Japanese indie game world, so I wanted to include at least one indie JRPG made in Japan. This one is especially interesting because it’s being created by Shoji Meguro, the composer known for his work on the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series.

Guns Undarkness was revealed in 2022 with a Kickstarter campaign to fund its development. Considering the team behind it, the campaign was hugely successful, raising nearly five times its initial goal. Originally slated for release in late 2023, the game faced delays – a common occurrence with Kickstarter projects – and is now expected in 2026.

Besides a fantastic soundtrack, what does Guns Undarkness offer? The game is set in a world facing collapse, and you lead a private military company. Gameplay focuses on strategy: you move around the battlefield in real-time, but when combat starts, it switches to a turn-based system. It’s similar to Mario + Rabbids, but with a more realistic, futuristic setting.

6. Threads of Time

Carrying the Torch of Time Travel

I’m getting a little ahead of myself since Threads of Time doesn’t have a confirmed release date yet. However, I’m really hoping it comes out in 2026! The game looks beautifully made and seems to have everything I want in an indie Japanese role-playing game.

Riyo Games’ new game is shaping up to be something special, and it was clear even from the first trailer. The pixel art and animations are stunning, and the time travel story feels like a loving tribute to Chrono Trigger, a classic RPG that handled that concept perfectly. It’s rare to feel this confident that a game could live up to Chrono Trigger‘s legacy, but this one just might.

In Threads of Time, battles are turn-based, and it looks like planning your moves carefully is more important than just choosing the most powerful attack. While it’s uncertain if the game will be released in 2026, the developer is expected to share more details throughout the year, and hopefully announce a release date.

5. Alabaster Dawn

CrossCode Successor

I hadn’t played CrossCode until recently, even though I’d heard amazing things about it for a long time. I immediately loved it, despite not being very good at puzzles! The game, which was made by an independent team, felt incredibly well-made from the beginning, with a setting that was both familiar and original, and a gameplay system that felt very smooth and reactive.

I was looking forward to Alabaster Dawn before, but now I’m definitely getting it as soon as it comes out. It’s made by Radical Fish, the creators of CrossCode, and this time the game is a fantasy adventure where you have to lift the curse of Nyx and help humanity recover after a mysterious disappearance.

Alabaster Dawn builds on everything Radical Fish Games created in CrossCode, offering a similar style and improved action-RPG gameplay. A demo is currently available on Steam for players to try.

4. Lost Hellden

A Never-Before-Seen Battle System

Indie games are known for their fresh ideas, and Lost Hellden is a great example. This JRPG from Artisan Studios offers a unique gameplay experience that breaks from tradition, yet still feels enjoyable for fans of the genre.

Lost Hellden features a unique battle system that combines the strategy of turn-based combat with the excitement of real-time action. Battles start with an Action Phase where you can attack freely – enemies can respond, but can’t attack back. Once you’ve used all your actions, the battle shifts to the Reaction Phase, where you need to defend against enemy attacks by dodging, blocking, or counterattacking.

The combat in this game introduces two exciting new elements to the JRPG genre. I’m eager to see how they work in actual gameplay, and I believe the developers will create a system that’s both unique and enjoyable. Plus, Lost Hellden is visually stunning thanks to its beautiful, hand-painted 3D graphics.

3. Runa

Inspired by the Greats

I’ve become a huge fan of the Xenoblade Chronicles series lately – I started playing in 2022 and just went through all four games back-to-back! So when I heard that Runa was inspired by Xenoblade, I was instantly hooked. It’s an indie JRPG where you get to explore this world called Akasha with a team of adventurers, and together you’re trying to figure out all of its secrets.

Battles are turn-based and focus on using different elemental attacks. You can gain extra turns by targeting enemy weaknesses and applying negative effects. If you disrupt the elemental balance of all enemies, you’ll stun them and unlock a powerful team attack. The combat system is inspired by, and combines elements of, the battle systems found in Shin Megami Tensei and Persona.

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I’m really excited about Runa! From what I’ve heard, it’s going to have a ton of stuff to do – puzzles, building relationships with characters, and even fun little minigames like fishing, farming, and cooking. The Kickstarter was a huge success, raising over $420,000 when they only asked for $50,000, which just proves how many of us are eager to play. The creator is hoping for an Early Access release in November 2026, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed, but honestly, I’m a little unsure if that timeline will actually happen.

2. Edge of Memories

Power of the Berserker

Midgar Studio launched Edge of Eternity in 2021. While reviews were mixed, the game gained a dedicated following. In 2025, the studio announced Edge of Memories, a sequel that expands the world of Heryon to a new continent called Avaris.

The city of Avaris is plagued by a devastating illness called Corrosion. Players take on the role of Eline, who must use her powerful Berserker abilities to prevent the world’s destruction in a fast-paced action RPG. While you’ll have a team to help you, you won’t directly control them. Instead, you’ll tell them which skills to use when the time is right.

With Edge of Memories, Midgar Studio appears to have improved upon everything they created with Edge of Eternity, offering a more polished and sophisticated game. While I miss the turn-based combat system, I believe this new game is truly special, and I’m eagerly awaiting news about when it will be released.

1. Infinite Alliance

The Avengers of Indie JRPGs

If you’re a big fan of indie JRPGs, Infinite Alliance could be exactly what you’ve been waiting for. It’s truly like The Avengers of the indie JRPG world, and I mean that sincerely! When I first heard about it, I assumed it was a follow-up to Chained Echoes. But then so many different indie game titles appeared, I was completely lost!

Simply put, Infinite Alliance lives up to its name: it’s a team-up of amazing independent games. This massive crossover event brings together titles like 8-Bit Adventures 2, Beloved Rapture, Chained Echoes, Ephemeral Tale, Quartet, Jack Move, Eternal Remnant, For a Vast Future, Geo Mythica, Kingdoms of the Dump, My Familiar, Shrine’s Legacy, Venaitura, and Unite.

I’m really not sure what this game will be like, but the basic idea is that characters from various indie games team up to fight a common enemy. It’s a turn-based game that will bring back familiar faces and locations, and even remix the music. Essentially, it’s a dream come true for fans of indie RPGs, and the best part is – it’s completely free!

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2026-01-16 16:42