2022 is already looking to be a huge year for JRPGs, with the likes of Elden Ring, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, and more with confirmed 2022 release dates. January is already bringing big titles such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus on Nintendo Switch and the PC release of Monster Hunter Rise. The rest of the year is also sprinkled with new games and rereleases both big and small.
Some of 2022’s JRPG releases were initially meant to release in 2021 but were delayed, such as is the case with Elden Ring. Others, like Rune Factory 5, were released in 2021 in Japan but will release internationally in 2022. There are also some games that are set to release in Japan in 2022, but with no news yet of an international release, like Dragon Quest 10 Offline.
Smaller 2022 JRPG games worth noting include Digimon Survive on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows. It’s currently slated for release this year, but doesn’t have an exact date or even timeframe just yet. Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is also expected to release in 2022 for Windows, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The Atelier series will also be seeing a new entry with Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream on February 25 for the Switch, PS4, and Windows. Although these titles may not be as “big” as the likes of Final Fantasy Origin and Forspoken, they’re still highly anticipated and add to the roster of impressive non-western JRPG genre releases of 2022.
The Kingdom Hearts JRPG Series Releases In 2022 For The Nintendo Switch
Although the long-running Kingdom Hearts series has seen some titles on Nintendo hardware, its primary numbered titles have been notably absent. This will change on February 10, when Kingdom Hearts 1.5+2.5 ReMIX, 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and III + Re Mind will release on the Nintendo Switch cloud streaming service. Although the titles must be streamed - due to the Switch’s storage capacity - they will offer fans more ways to access these beloved titles.
What the games lack in the capability of downloading they make up for in purchase options. Each game will be available separately or as a bundle. Each title also has its own cloud version demo that players can try out before purchasing. For fans new and returning, these Kingdom Hearts games are a great opportunity to dive into the series or round out their collection if they happen to be missing any of these titles.
JRPG Elden Ring Is Set To Release In February 2022 After Some Delays
Elden Ring is an action RPG directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, the creator of the Dark Souls series. It features worldbuilding by Game of Thrones’ George R. R. Martin and is set to release on February 25 for Windows, PS4 and PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The story follows the player on a quest to become the Elden Lord in the open-world Lands Between.
Taking inspiration from some of Miyazaki’s other titles, including Bloodborne and the Dark Souls series, Elden Ring will feature open exploration after a more linear beginning, and emphasizes character building. Fans of Miyazaki’s other series have a lot to look forward to with this highly anticipated release, as do fans of both video games and Game of Thrones thanks to Martin’s involvement in Elden Ring’s writing.
Square Enix 2022 JRPGs Include Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster, Triangle Strategy, & Final Fantasy Origin
Square Enix has more than just Kingdom Hearts for Switch up its sleeve in 2022. February will also see the release of Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster for Windows. The Pixel Remaster series has provided fans with an accessible way to play the first six Final Fantasy titles with pixel graphics that are closer to their original releases, all with remastered soundtracks. The final game in this series, the remaster of Final Fantasy VI, will bring one of the most highly regarded JRPGs into the modern era in February.
Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster will be followed by Triangle Strategy on Nintendo Switch. Releasing on March 4, Triangle Strategy is a strategy JRPG in the vein of the Final Fantasy Tactics series and even the Tactics Ogre games. Not only does the game make use of elevated terrain during its grid-based battles, but it also features a branching story based on the decisions made by the party. The player is able to sway these decisions by gathering relevant information and having discussions with other characters who need convincing to change their stance.
Finally, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is expected to release on March 18 for Windows, PS4 and PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. It’s a reimagining of sorts of the original Final Fantasy, featuring a gritty tone and action RPG gameplay. After the Pixel Remaster of Final Fantasy I, Final Fantasy Origin will be another great way for fans to experience the game that launched the lauded franchise.
Rune Factory 5, The Farming And JRPG Hybrid, Releases In English In March 2022
The JRPG-meets-Story of Seasons (once known as Harvest Moon) series Rune Factory will be seeing its fifth installment come to Nintendo Switch on March 25. The well-loved series has players exploring dungeons and battling monsters as a fantastical plot unfurls like in many JRPGs, but it also features key components from farming sims like the Story of Seasons series. Players maintain their own farm, tending to crops and raising livestock, although the livestock also double as the game’s enemies, which adds a monster-taming element to the series.
Relationship-building is another key mechanic brought over from Story of Seasons. Players can befriend the locals and even get married with one of the game’s twelve marriage candidates. Marriage in Rune Factory 5 is LGBTQIA+ inclusive for the first time in the series’ history, following in the footsteps of Story of Seasons.
JRPG Forspoken Releases May 24, 2022
Forspoken is developed by Luminous Productions, a subsidiary of Square Enix. Another action RPG, Forspoken follows Frey Holland as she tries to return to her home in New York after being transported to the mag ical world of Athia. This unique JRPG focuses on terrain traversal and as such naturally incorporates a lot of exploration as well as real-time action against fantastical enemies. Forspoken will be available on PS5 and Windows starting on May 24, and seems to be a good fit for players who enjoy games with a lot of narrative as well as action.
JRPGs Expected In 2022 Include Star Ocean 6 And Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero
The sixth game in the Star Ocean series, Star Ocean: The Divine Force is also set to release in 2022 for PS4 and PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X, and Windows, although no specific timeframe has been announced yet. The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero - a Windows, Switch, and PS4 port of the original PSP game - is also planned to release in 2022 sometime in the fall. This will be the first time the title sees an official English release, although the script is based on a fan translation that released in 2020. It will be wonderful to see these titles join the likes of Elden Ring, Forspoken, and all the other anticipated JRPG releases of 2022.