RPG games are the ones in which players take the role of characters and there is an entire story to it. A wide number of quests with twists in the storyline, the character development of the main protagonist and side characters depending on the decision of the player, a good RPG provides all this and even more.
A JRPG is short for Japanese Role Playing Game and it’s basically an RPG that is made in Japan. Here are some of the most anticipated upcoming JRPGS for the fourth quarter of 2020 and for 2021.
1. Yakuza: Like a Dragon
https://youtu.be/hhqbNaxO82g
Yakuza: Like a Dragon will feature a new protagonist named Ichiban Kasuga, as Yakuza 6 led to the end of Kazuma Kiryu’s story. The previous Yakuza games were all about street-brawling action in every part of the story. Now Yakuza: Like a Dragon mixes the street fighting Yakuza series into a traditional, turn-based JRPG style combat.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon was only released for the PS4 in Japan, but it will soon be released globally for all other major platforms like Xbox One, Steam, Windows 10, Xbox XSeries X and PS5.
2. Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy
https://youtu.be/IQ-yDF750Vc
The latest entry in the Atelier series, Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is the sequel to the previous title Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout. Players will see Ryza again as the main character as she is making her return in this upcoming sequel.
Since Ryza’s adventure on Kurken Island, 3 years have passed and she has grown up a bit from that time. This time Ryza teams up with her friends again for a new adventure to solve the mystery of the “Lost Legends”. New characters are also going to show up which will include a mysterious new creature, Fi.
This would also be the first time in Atelier series that the main character from one title will be the protagonist in the other title as well. The plot goes like this: Ryza, who is the only member of her group that is still on the island, gets a letter from her friend asking for a secret request. Now Ryza is set to leave the island for the royal capital, Ashra-am Baird. This is also the starting of the new adventure which will revolve around the mysteries of the ruins around the royal capital.
3. Light Fairytale Episode 2
https://youtu.be/dlRtwws5te8
Light Fairytale is a turn-based Japanese-style RPG series set in a dying underground world ruled by an evil empire. The Light Fairytale Episode 2 will resume the adventures of a young boy named Haru right from the cliffhanger of Episode 1. It is a turn-based JRPG series that is set in a dying underground world ruled by an evil empire.
A long time ago, the world as we know was beautiful. There was advanced technology and science which helped the people to live in great comfort. All this was destroyed by the rulers of a dystopian society and the world was thrown into chaos. The only choice the survivors of civilization had was to flee to the only remaining place on the planet which was still safe – deep underground, forever saying goodbye to the word “sky”.
In Episode 2, Haru will have to continue his great journey to discover everything there is about the mysteries of the lost world and fight against the evil with the help of a mysterious, silver-haired girl.
4. Genshin Impact
https://youtu.be/jEp9yyhwZFE
Genshin Impact is a type of hack and slash game but not just a mindless one, manipulating the elements and solving hard puzzles are important aspects as well. It is an epic fantasy adventure in which the players can go through an immersive campaign that is single-player based. You are a traveler from a different world and will have to embark on a journey to find your long-lost sibling, find the secrets behind the mysteries of Teyvat, and also about yourself.
Mechanisms like flying across the open world, swimming through crystal-clear waters, and climbing huge mountains are all a part of this game. The game can be played in solo battle mode, or by inviting your friends in a 4-player cross-play for PS4, Android, iOS, and for the PC.
Players can also choose from more than 20 characters to build their own party – each one with unique abilities, personalities, and style of combat. Genshin Impact is free-to-play and falls completely under the fantasy open-world RPG genre and is developed and published by the Chinese game development studio miHoYo.
5. Tales of Arise
https://youtu.be/ltVgvd-Me6A
An upcoming action role-playing game that is developed and published by the company Bandai Namco Entertainment. The original release date for this game was scheduled for 2020 For Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, but now it has been postponed to an unknown date.
In Tales of Arise, the story starts with two people who are born in different worlds and will go on a journey to change each of their fates for a new future. In this next chapter of the Tale of series, players will meet new characters and updated combat mechanics for a brand new experience. The story mainly revolves around the planet of Dahna, for 300 years Rena has ruled over this planet in the sky and stripped people of their freedom.
6. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
https://youtu.be/2yu8J-J-Iz4
The original Monster Hunter Stories would feel like playing a Pokemon game as players had to steal eggs from the monsters, hatch them and care for the babies till they grow up and become their friends. Much like what the Pokemon anime is based on. These monsters would then battle for you and as it is a JRPG, the battle would be turn-based combat. Riding on them is also possible in Monster Hunter Stories.
In Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, players will get the option to create their own character. Different customizations will include hairstyles, hair colors, and skin colors probably more. In the release trailer, it totally focuses on the story and the game characters can be seen running around the jungle and caring for monsters from the prequel.
Wings of Ruin is a sequel to the Monster Hunter Stories and an upcoming role-playing game in the Monster Hunter series. Developed and published by Capcom for the Nintendo Switch platform, it is scheduled to release on March 26, 2021.
7. Scarlet Nexus
https://youtu.be/zQxlnOwIOdA
Scarlet Nexus focuses on the far distant future where a new hormone known as psionic is discovered in the human brain. This gives people ESP powers which totally changes the world we live in. As humanity was going through this new change of era, a new challenge stood in front of the human species. Mutants known as “Others” descended from the sky with the main motive of eating human brains.
As the normal humans had no chance in front of this new evil, the ones with these ESP powers, known as psionics were the only hope to fight against these mutants. The “Other Suppression Force” is hence formed as humanity’s last ray of hope and defense. The OSF has since then been recruiting psionics for their talents.
The players will take on the role of Yuito Sumeragi, explore the city of New Himuka, fight against the mutants, and unravel the mysteries between the future of technology and those with psychic abilities.
