As the gaming world bids farewell to the exciting releases of 2023, the horizon of 2024 beckons with a treasure trove of adventures, particularly for enthusiasts of JRPGs. This year promises to be a spectacular one, especially for those who revel in the rich narratives, intricate gameplay, and immersive worlds that JRPGs offer. Eagerly awaiting the launch of some truly groundbreaking titles, let’s dive into our curated list of the 10 most anticipated JRPGs of 2024. Each game on this list is not just a potential hit but a testament to the genre’s evolving creativity and enduring appeal.
10. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Following the critical and fan acclaim of Final Fantasy VII Remake, it’s only natural we’d be excited for the second of three mainline installments in this remake effort. While the first entry has received critique for not being the 1:1 faithful recreation some fans were hoping for, players have still managed to find great qualities about this adaptation. So much so that we can’t wait to continue the adventure through the squels.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth looks to be an impressive and ambitious evolution. After all, the first game only occurred in Midgar, and Rebirth will let players explore the world, depicting Gaia in ways older fans could only ever dream of. Plus, with the confirmation of Golden Saucer, new combat techniques, and a new card minigame called Queen’s Blood, we’re bound to find ourselves even more invested throughout this 100+ hour journey.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will launch for PlayStation 5 on February 29, 2024, on two discs.
9. Persona 3 Reload
The success of the Persona franchise in recent years can be largely attributed to the gameplay formula initiated by Persona 3. The balance of school life and dungeon delving with plenty of side activities is an addictive practice that has amassed waves of fans in the forms of Persona 4 and Persona 5. Now, Persona 3 is being revisited with a degree of polish that veteran fans could have only dreamt of.
While Persona 3 Reload will not feature The Answer epilogue story from Persona 3 FES or the playable female protagonist from Persona 3 Portable, what we’ve seen has already proven itself as the definitive version of the original Persona 3. Alongside implementing welcome quality-of-life features, fans can anticipate new character events to flesh out the main cast of SEES and even the antagonist group Strega. Further, Social Link rank-up events will now be voiced, and new combat techniques, notably Theurgy Skills, will ensure that the gameplay loop this time around feels fundamentally different from the previous releases.
If you’ve never played Persona 3 or even if you’re a diehard fan, Persona 3 Reload is definitely worth keeping on your radar for how it’s looking to reinvigorate its identity to hopefully more strongly communicate its themes, characterizations, and story.
Persona 3 Reload will launch on February 2, 2024, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows, and Steam.
8. Granblue Fantasy: Relink
Granblue Fantasy is a curious IP that many know for its gacha game and fighting spinoffs. It boasts a vast cast and intriguing setting many have still not yet experienced due to the genres at play. Thankfully, the upcoming Granblue Fantasy: Relink will remedy that by introducing the franchise to a new audience via an action JRPG.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink takes place in Zegagrande Kingdom, where primal beasts act as island guardians, and a secretive organization known as the Church of Avia does who knows what. The protagonists end up contending with these factors, with the fate of the Sky Realm hanging in the balance.
The gameplay is the primary focus here, with plenty of playable characters, each instilled with unique combat styles. This variety is bolstered by changeable weapons and sigils, as well as unlockable mastery nodes for new skills and enhanced stats. These tasks are all divided into quests, which can be approached either solo or with other players. Plus, post-game has been emphasized as quite extensive. Based on what we’ve seen and played, Granblue Fantasy: Relink certainly seems to be a must-play for action game enthusiasts. A free demo, comprised of a whopping 11 playable characters, is even planned to arrive this month.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink will launch for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam on February 1, 2024.
7. The Legend of Legacy HD Remastered
Developed by FuRyu, Legend of Legacy Remastered takes place on the island of Avalon, discovered a decade ago, and is full of mystery, with it having been supposedly forged by gods and elementals. Many have attempted to find significant treasures comprised of considerable power on this land, with seven new heroes now joining the fray. Each hero has their own skills, stories, and desires.
Players will need to manage battle formations and delegate combat roles to achieve victory, alongside forging contracts with the elementals to utilize select skills during battle. This title, which was initially on 3DS and the predecessor of The Alliance Alive, features notable staff, such as illustrator Tomomi Kobayashi, renowned composer Masashi Hamauzu, writer Masato Kato, game designer Kyoji Koizumi, and Masataka Matsuura.
While a more niche release, The Legend of Legacy hits the right spots for a satisfying, thought-provoking adventure reminiscent of a bygone era.
The Legend of Legacy HD Remastered will launch for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC on March 22, 2024.
6. SaGa Emerald Beyond
Throughout SaGa Emerald Beyond, players can step into the shoes of six distinct protagonists, each possessing a unique and intriguing storyline that sets the stage for an epic adventure. These characters have a remarkable ability to perceive emerald waves, which reveal choices that will shape their destinies in the game’s expansive universe. Each member of the cast stands out, including a master puppeteer, a witch-in-training, an immortal vampire, and even a mechanical diva.
Players will select their heroes and adventure through 17 interconnected worlds, with the story’s events up to you. Further, there are more paths than ever before in the series. Combat occurs in timeline turn-based battles, where turn order is crucial. Special techniques alter the order of actions, and team combos will significantly bolster your efforts. Moreover, the composition is helmed by the legendary Kenji Ito, who gives every project he touches captivating flair.
SaGa Emerald Beyond is also notable for being the first new console entry since 2016’s SaGa: Scarlet Grace. We’re thrilled to see the continuation of this series that we hope paves the way for further success.
SaGa Emerald Beyond will launch for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, and mobile devices via iOS and Android devices on April 25, 2024.
5. Metaphor: ReFantazio
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a brand new adventure helmed by the team behind Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5. It takes place in the United Kingdom of Euchronia; a land plunged into turmoil following the assassination of its king. The story takes a dramatic turn when the Royal Magic, a mystical power previously known only to the king, is unexpectedly invoked, sparking a grand royal tournament to determine the next ruler.
Amidst this tumultuous backdrop, the protagonist, alongside their partner, the fairy Galica, embarks on a quest to lift a curse cast upon the prince, believed by the kingdom to be deceased. Their journey spans the expansive lands of Euchronia, revealing that their mission is intricately tied to the ongoing tournament for the throne. To succeed, they must forge alliances with a diverse array of friends and followers from the various tribes that inhabit this world, each with their own unique contributions to the unfolding narrative.
With several races or “tribes” of characters giving the world immense depth, the addition of action combat on the field that shifts into turn-based encounters makes this gorgeous title stand out even more. Seeing a bold, new, ambitious IP like Metaphor is refreshing in an age of continuous sequels, so we’re beyond excited to experience it firsthand.
Metaphor: ReFantazio will launch for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in Fall 2024.
4. Visions of Mana
Visions of Mana is set to be one of the most significant releases this year, largely due to how it’s the first new Mana game in roughly 15 years. This beautiful action JRPG experience focuses on the protagonist, Val, a soul guard on a mission to protect his childhood friend chosen by the Faerie as the Alm of Fire to travel to the Tree of Mana and rejuvenate the flow of mana.
We still don’t know much about this upcoming title, but the Mana series producer Masaru Oyamada stated that this “represents the fulfillment of my personal ambition to create an all-new Mana game.” The team is working to ensure that Visions of Mana is faithful to the franchise’s roots while still branching out so the title stands out on its own. Mana series creator Koichi Ishii also worked closely with the team on Visions of Mana to adequately convey the familiar Rabite monsters, and Trials of Mana composers Hiroki Kikuta, Tsuyoshi Sekito, and Ryo Yamazaki have returned.
Based on the little we’ve seen, Visions of Mana’s gorgeous landscapes, character designs, and combat, which seems to be carrying over the fundamentals from Trials of Mana, have us preparing for another modern classic.
Visions of Mana will launch for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Windows and Steam in 2024.
3. Unicorn Overlord
Unicorn Overlord is an ambitious new release by Vanillaware, known for many smash-hits, like 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Odin Sphere, and Muramasa The Demon Blade. And in an unexpected turn from the developer, this will be a tactical adventure.
The story is set on the continent of Fevrith, comprised of five nations that face war due to a general from Cornia. The prince, Alain, flees as subjugation occurs, eventually becoming the leader of the Liberation Army a decade later. Alongside a vast cast of over 60 characters, the gameplay mechanics are extensive. Players can anticipate various quest types, which each impact the world in several ways, social activities to get to know the playable characters more intimately, town liberation and rebuilding, and even an online PvP mode to test your strategical mettle.
Given Vanillaware’s track record, we’re not concerned about the quality of this title. We’re just eager to have it in our hands.
Unicorn Overlord will launch for PlayStation 4 (digital-only), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on March 8, 2024.
2. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
After an incredibly successful Kickstarter in 2020 that surpassed $500,000, the creator of the beloved Suikoden series, Yoshitaka Murayama, announced the development of a spiritual successor known as Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes occurs in Allraan, a continent comprised of numerous nations with mystical rune lenses abound. The Galdean Empire relentlessly seeks to collect an artifact that will amplify the efficacy of their runes’ magic power to expand its magical dominance. Amidst this effort, Nowa, a boy from a remote village, meets Seign Kesling, a young imperial officer, and the duo ends up having to reevaluate their morality after continuous unparalleled tragedy pushes them forward.
This should be no surprise given the name, but players should expect over 100 playable characters, where strong relationships give rise to Hero Combos. Plus, the terrain during these strategic bouts is imperative to take advantage of. To get a better lay of the land, one can utilize War Mode, where Foresight can command unit actions. It’s not all doom and gloom, though, as the continually cultivated hub hosts various facilities and minigames that will become unlocked the further you progress.
Those wanting to see a bit of the Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes world can play the action RPG Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising, which features a few characters in a self-contained adventure.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes will launch for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on April 23, 2024.
1. The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak
The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak is the eleventh mainline entry in the Trails series, taking place after the events of The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie. Following the war with Erebonia initiated by Operation Jormungandr, the Republic of Calvard has thrived economically thanks to reparations. Within this chaotic republic, protagonist Van Arkride makes his living as a Spriggan. This profession takes on the roles of many as it remains within the gray confines of legality that legitimate avenues of employment can’t accept for one reason or another.
Combat in Trails through Daybreak features seamless switching between action gameplay on the field and turn-based encounters with the revamped AT (Action Time) Battle system. Orbments have also undergone a fundamental shakeup thanks to Shard Skills, part of the sixth-generation combat orbment, Xipha. Another new gameplay feature in Trails through Daybreak is the Alignment system. The outcomes of the choices Van makes will lead toward Law, Chaos, or in-between, affecting future allies, antagonists, dialogue options, city status, and even jobs one can take on.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak will launch for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC in the West in the Summer of 2024.
As we wrap up our journey through the most anticipated JRPGs of 2024, it’s clear that this year is set to be a monumental one for the genre. These titles, ranging from high-octane adventures to deeply immersive narratives, showcase the incredible diversity and innovation that JRPGs continue to offer. Whether it’s revisiting beloved classics reimagined with modern flair or delving into entirely new worlds brimming with potential, each game here is poised to offer unique experiences and lasting memories. For fans of the genre, 2024 is not just another year; it’s a celebration of the JRPG spirit, where each title beckons us into fantastical worlds filled with wonder, challenge, and the promise of epic tales yet to be told.
