The indie scene in the gaming industry is constantly growing. With more accessible development toolkits, countless online courses, including many on YouTube itself, and a gaming audience that keeps expanding year after year, it’s no surprise that there’s been a surge of independent creators worldwide.
Even so, we rarely hear about the Japanese indie industry. It does exist, heavily populated by the doujin scene, but it seldom makes its way outside Japan. That is why, when we talk about indie JRPGs, we are usually referring to RPGs made by Western studios inspired by JRPGs.
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I don’t want to dive too deeply into the debate over what is or isn’t a JRPG, but nowadays the label isn’t limited by geography or a studio’s location. Instead, it’s defined by technical and cultural elements that originated in Japan. That is why games like Sea of Stars and Chained Echoes are considered JRPGs, even though they were made by European developers.
To hype you up and get you excited for 2026, I will list some upcoming indie JRPGs you should keep on your radar. If you are the type who says a particular series has lost its essence or another franchise isn’t the same anymore, maybe one of these nostalgia-driven titles will be right up your alley.
This list is presented in no particular order.
9
The Backworld
Yume Nikki + EarthBound + Fear and Hunger + Backrooms
Developer
Numor Games
Publisher
Top Hat Studios
Release Date
2026
For a long time, many indie JRPGs carried echoes of Chrono Trigger, whether through their art style, gameplay, or sheer inspiration. Lately, however, we have entered the era of EarthBound or Undertale-inspired games, which is hardly surprising given how influential both are.
The Backworld is one of those indies where, at first glance, you can clearly see the EarthBound influence, from the turn-based battles to the eccentric enemies and the varied party roster. Mind you, I’m not complaining, especially since The Backworld looks fantastic.
The game’s story takes us through the multiverse in a nonlinear narrative, moving between fantasy worlds, sci-fi settings, and even cosmic horror. The gameplay is largely turn-based, but sometimes avoiding battles or talking your way out of situations will also be necessary strategies. The Backworld also promises a sanity system that can alter gameplay depending on the party’s mental state.
8
SacriFire
Almost Upon Us
Developer
Pixelated Milk
Publisher
Pixelated Milk
Release Date
Q1 2026
I mention SacriFire in practically every list of indie JRPGs I write. It’s one of the games I am most excited about, and luckily, I shouldn’t have to wait much longer, as SacriFire is slated for release in the first quarter of 2026. Soon, I will be roaming Antioch and Erebus as Ezekiel Ridan, a soldier training to join the Church of Sheol.
Right from the start, SacriFire is astounding. The blend of pixel art with 3D environments delivers a modern yet nostalgic visual presentation. The environments are gorgeous, the gameplay looks smooth, and the world feels alive, as if it exists beyond the player rather than solely for them.
SacriFire draws clear inspiration from Vagrant Story, whether by chaining weapon attacks together or exploiting enemy weaknesses. Every battle requires a different approach and cannot be solved by simply spamming basic attacks. And if it truly honors what Vagrant Story once brought to the table, that probably means I will die repeatedly to the same boss because I can barely deal more than one point of damage.
7
Guns Undarkness
Persona Composer at the Helm
Developer
Shoji Meguro
Publisher
Kodansha
Release Date
2026
I opened this list by saying how little-known the Japanese indie scene is to us, so it’s only fair to include at least one indie JRPG straight from Japan. And with quite a notable creator behind it, too, since Guns Undarkness is being developed by Shoji Meguro, the composer of Shin Megami Tensei and Persona.
Guns Undarkness was announced in 2022 alongside a Kickstarter campaign. Needless to say, given who is behind the project, the funding not only hit its goal but reached almost five times the original amount. Although the game was initially planned for a late 2023 release, it was delayed, as with most Kickstarter projects, and is now scheduled for 2026.
Beyond an impeccable soundtrack, what can we expect from Guns Undarkness? It takes place in a world on the brink of destruction, where we control a private military company. The gameplay is highly strategic, featuring real-time field traversal that shifts into turn-based combat once shots are fired. This is a very loose comparison, but think Mario + Rabbids, only with a more modern, futuristic, and grounded setting.
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6
Threads of Time
Carrying the Torch of Time Travel
I am cheating a bit here because Threads of Time still doesn’t have an official release date. That said, I am sending all my positive energy into the universe, hoping it gets a 2026 release, because this game looks immaculately crafted and checks every box of what I expect from an indie JRPG.
Developer Riyo Games seems to have a rare gem on its hands, and that has been clear since the first trailer. The pixel art is phenomenal, the animations are splendid, and the time travel theme draws genuine inspiration from Chrono Trigger, one of the few RPGs that truly nailed the concept. It is one of the rare cases where I genuinely believe a game might be able to carry Trigger’s torch.
Threads of Time features turn-based combat and appears to use a timeline mechanic that prioritizes strategic actions rather than mindlessly picking the strongest skill. I am not sure if we will actually get to play Threads of Time in 2026, but I have no doubt the developer will share more about it throughout the year and hopefully reveal a release date.
5
Alabaster Dawn
CrossCode Successor
Until this year, I had never played CrossCode, despite constantly hearing great things about it. Needless to say, I fell in love with the game right away, even though I am terrible at puzzles. From the very start, the indie title felt extremely polished, offering a familiar yet creative setting with a highly responsive gameplay system.
That is why, even though I was excited about Alabaster Dawn before, I am sure that I’ll grab it on release day. The game is being developed by Radical Fish, the same studio behind CrossCode, and this time it presents a more fantasy-driven setting where we must end the curse of Nyx and lead humanity toward rebirth after its disappearance.
Alabaster Dawn feels like a natural evolution of everything Radical Fish delivered in CrossCode, from the visual presentation to the refined action-RPG gameplay elements. Those interested can already try a demo available on Steam.
4
Lost Hellden
A Never-Before-Seen Battle System
Developer
Artisan Studios
Publisher
Kwalee
Release Date
2026
One of the biggest strengths of indie games is the creativity they bring to the table, and in that regard, Lost Hellden doesn’t disappoint. The JRPG from Artisan Studios features a completely unconventional gameplay system that turns standard formulas on their head while still feeling familiar to genre fans.
In Lost Hellden, we have a phased battle system that blends turn-based and real-time combat into a single experience. When a battle begins, we enter the Action Phase, where we can freely attack enemies. They can react in some ways, but they cannot attack. Once all actions are exhausted, the Reaction Phase begins, where we must evade, parry, or counter enemy attacks.
These two phases bring a breath of fresh air to JRPG combat. I am excited to see how it plays out in practice, and I am confident the developers will deliver a system that feels both innovative and fun. On top of that, Lost Hellden also looks gorgeous with its hand-painted 3D art style.
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3
Runa
Inspired by the Greats
Developer
Fennec Studio
Publisher
Fennec Studio
Release Date
Early Access 2026
One of my more recent passions has been the Xenoblade Chronicles franchise. I started it in 2022 and played all four titles in a row. So when I learned that Runa draws inspiration from Xenoblade, it caught my attention immediately. In this indie JRPG, we explore the world of Akasha with a group of adventurers trying to uncover its mysteries.
The turn-based combat system is called the Elemental Break System and, as you might expect, it heavily relies on elemental attacks. By exploiting enemy weaknesses and applying debuffs, we can earn extra turns. Breaking the elemental balance of all opponents leaves them stunned and allows for a group ultimate. In short, it is a mix between Shin Megami Tensei and Persona combat systems.
Runa also promises plenty of puzzles, relationships, and even minigames for fishing, farming, and cooking. The good news is that the game’s Kickstarter campaign asked for around $50,000 and raised over $420,000, which shows how excited players are. The bad news is that while the creator mentioned Runa might enter Early Access in November 2026, and I would love that to happen, I am not entirely convinced it will.
2
Edge of Memories
Power of the Berserker
In 2021, Midgar Studio released Edge of Eternity. It received mixed reviews from critics, but still managed to build a loyal fanbase. Then, in 2025, the developer announced Edge of Memories, a sequel set in the same world of Heryon but on a different continent, Avaris.
In Avaris, an affliction known as Corrosion is causing widespread suffering. It is up to our protagonist, Eline, to save the world from extinction using her Berserker powers in a fast-paced action RPG system. There is a party system, but based on the information released so far, we don’t directly control party members. Instead, we issue commands on which skills they should use at certain moments.
Edge of Memories seems to build on everything Midgar Studio learned from Edge of Eternity, delivering a more refined and mature experience. Even though they abandoned the turn-based system, which I personally love, I still think they have something special here, and I cannot wait for an official announcement of the release date.
1
Infinite Alliance
The Avengers of Indie JRPGs
Developer
Critical Games
Publisher
Electric Airship
Release Date
2026
If you are someone who plays nothing but indie JRPGs, then this might just be your holy grail. Infinite Alliance is the indie JRPG equivalent of The Avengers, and I am not exaggerating. When it was first announced, I thought it was a sequel to Chained Echoes. Then, countless indie titles started popping up on-screen, and I had no idea what was going on.
In short, Infinite Alliance is precisely what its name suggests; an alliance of incredible indie titles. It brings together 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 in this insane crossover event.
I honestly have no idea what to expect from this game. Beyond the premise, which states that characters from different worlds are pulled together to fight a dark force, we know it will be turn-based, feature iconic characters from these indie games, and likely remix environments and soundtracks. Bottom line: It’s some of the most glorious fan service any indie RPG fan could ask for. And the craziest part of all is that it will be entirely free.
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