iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Today is the fifth anniversary of The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak's launch in Japan. The game begin a new arc in the long-running series, taking players to the Republic of Calvard and following the exploits of Spriggan Van Arkride. #RPGanniversary Review: rpgamer.com/review/the-l...

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak splash artwork showing the game's party members

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak turn-based combat screenshot

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak screenshot showing Van and Agnés in Calvard's capital city Edith

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak real-time field combat

021

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 25/09/2026

Today is the 20th anniversary of Baten Kaitos Origins's North American release. Developed by Monolith Soft and tri-Crescendo, the GameCube title (currently available on PC and Switch) is a prequel set 20 years prior to the events of Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean. #RPGanniversary

Baten Kaitos Origins North American box art

Baten Kaitos Origins battle screenshot (Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster version)

Baten Kaitos Origins town screenshot (Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster version)

Baten Kaitos Origins event screenshot (Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster version)

153

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 20/09/2026

As a bonus, it's also 15 years since the North American debut of Persona 2: Innocent Sin. The first part in the Persona 2 duology, it released for PS1 in Japan, finally coming west with the PSP remake. It follows a group of high school students investigating a series of strange rumours.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2: Innocent Sin North American PSP box art

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2: Innocent Sin PSP exploration screenshot

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2: Innocent Sin PSP combat screenshot

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2: Innocent Sin PSP event screenshot

072

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 20/09/2026

Today is the 30th anniversary of the Japanese release of the first game in the Persona series. A spin-off to Megami Tensei, the game originally released for PS1 before later getting a PSP port. It follows a group of high-school students thrown into a set of supernatural incidents. #RPGanniversary

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona North American PSP box art

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona PSP combat screenshot

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona PSP event screenshot

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona PSP dungeon-crawling screenshot

1115

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 15/09/2026

It originally released for PS3 and PS4, with an enhanced Persona 5 Royal release following a few years after on PS4 (and later other platforms), including extra story content. It also received multiple spin-offs including Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight, Persona 5 Strikers, and Persona 5 Tactica.

Persona 5 Royal screenshot with new characters Maruki and Yoshizawa.

Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight screenshot

010

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 15/09/2026

It's ten years since Persona 5's debut in Japan. The game is set in Tokyo and follows a transfer student at Shujin Academy, who finds his way into a supernatural realm called the Metaverse, allowing him to form a vigilante group known as the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. #RPGanniversary

Persona 5 opening cinematic showing protagonist Joker trying to avoid capture

Persona 5 screenshot showing Shibuya Station's Central Street

Persona 5 screenshot showing Caroline and Justine bringing the player to the Velvet Room

150

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 13/09/2026

Today is the 10th anniversary of Mystery Chronicle: One Way Heroics's western release. The game is crossover between Spike Chunsoft's Mystery Dungeon series and Smoking WOLF's One Way Heroics, blending roguelike and forced-scrolling elements. #RPGanniversary Review: rpgamer.com/review/myste...

Mystery Chronicle: One Way Heroics screenshot showing the hero being sent east by the king.

Mystery Chronicle: One Way Heroics screenshot showing the hero fighting some dogs/wolves.

000

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 10/09/2026

Today is the fifth anniversary of Tales of Arise. The most recent entry in Bandai Namco's long-running action RPG series, the game is set on the twin planets Rena and Dahna, with Rena holding dominion over Dahna for the past 300 years. #RPGanniversary

Tales of Arise screenshot showing Alphen in a lush environment.

Tales of Arise screenshot showing conversation involving Rinwell, Hootle, and Alphen.

Tales of Arise screenshot showing Kisara and Dohalim in combat.

Tales of Arise screenshot showing Shionne using a special attack.

1103

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 01/08/2026

Today is the 25th anniversary on Golden Sun's debut on GBA in Japan. Camelot's fantasy turn-based RPG. An immediate sequel, Golden Sun: The Lost Age, followed on the same platform, while slightly more distant DS sequel Golden Sun: Dark Dawn released in 2010. #RPGanniversary

A selection of screenshots from Golden Sun (Wii U virtual console version) and its North American box art

0166

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 27/07/2026

Today is the fifth anniversary of NEO: The World Ends with You. The sequel to original The World Ends with You DS title sees Rindo Kanade forced to compete in a new edition of the Reaper’s Game in the Shibuya UG, using pins to battle for survival #RPGanniversary Review: rpgamer.com/review/neo-t...

NEO: The World Ends with You render showing Rindo at the Shibuya Scramble

NEO: The World Ends with You event screenshot with Shoka, Fret, and Rindo

NEO: The World Ends with You combat screenshot

074

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 21/07/2026

Slightly late, but today is the 10th anniversary for Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana. The action RPG originally released on Vita in Japan before later coming to PS4, PC, Switch, and PS5. It sees series hero Adol once again shipwrecked, this time on the mysterious Isle of Seiren #RPGanniversary

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana Vita box art (European version)

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana screenshot showing Adol facing an enemy

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana screenshot showing other main character Dana in action.

0205

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 19/07/2026

Today is also the 25th anniversary of Final Fantasy X's launch on PS2 in Japan. It is set in Spira, a world locked in a spiral of death by a being called Sin, which can only be temporarily destroyed by a summoner, granting the world a brief respite. #RPGanniversary

Final Fantasy X PS2 box art (Europe) plus a selection of screenshot taken from the remastered version.

172

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 19/07/2026

Due to the previous two games not being localised at the time, it was initially released in North America as "Final Fantasy II" before getting various ports, remakes, and remasters over the years, including a sequel called Final Fantasy IV: The After Years.

030

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 19/07/2026

Today is the 35th anniversary of Final Fantasy IV's Super Famicom debut in Japan. The game introduced the famed ATB battle system and follows Cecil, a Dark Knight of Baron who defects after witnessing the atrocities the country has inflicted in a quest against the crystals #RPGanniversary

Japanese Super Famicom box art and a selection of screenshots taken from the GBA version.

185

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 13/07/2026

It received an enhanced version, Persona 3 FES, which adds a follow-up "The Answer" epilogue story starring Aigis. It later received the Persona 3 Portable remake on PSP, adding a female protagonist route, before getting a full HD remake in Persona 3 Reload in 2024, though without the FeMC option.

130

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 13/07/2026

Today is the 20th anniversary of Persona 3's Japanese release on PS2. Marking a departure from previous series entries, it introduces the now synonymous calendar structure and Social Link gameplay elements as players control a student investigating the supernatural Dark Hour. #RPGanniversary

Persona 3 North American box art and a selection of PS2 screenshots.

153

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 26/05/2026

The first game ended up becoming a precursor for many RPGs that have followed in the years since, with the series so far receiving eleven mainline titles, plus a vast array of remakes and spin-offs, and being immediately recognisable for its character designs from Akira Toriyama.

161

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 26/05/2026

It's the 27th in Japan, which means it's also the 40th anniversary of Dragon Quest. The first game in the series was created for Famicom/NES by Chunsoft and initially localised as Dragon Warrior in North America. #RPGanniversary

1185

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 18/05/2026

CyberConnect2 marked the anniversary with a new illustration by Seiichiro Hosokawa, the series character designer, which is available to purchase as a mat from its online store -- cc2store-itn.shop-pro.jp?pid=191760103

.hack//G.U. Vol. 1//Rebirth commemorative illustration by character designer Seiichiro Hosokawa

031

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 18/05/2026

Today is the 20th anniversary of .hack//G.U. Vol. 1//Rebirth's release in Japan. The PS2 action RPG is the first part of CyberConnect2's .hack//G.U. subseries, taking place in a fictional MMORPG called The World (later remastered and bundled as .hack//G.U. Last Recode). #RPGanniversary

North American cover art for .hack//G.U. Vol. 1//Rebirth plus a selection of screenshots.

141

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 29/03/2026

Today is the 15th anniversary of The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky's North American debut on PSP. The game, also later released internationally on PC, is the first title in the interconnected Trails series and follows Estelle and Joshua Bright as they aim to become Bracers. #RPGaniversary

The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky North American box art

The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky combat screenshot

The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky event screenshot

1104

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 26/03/2026

The game won RPGamer's Game of the Year for 2021, and received an expansion, Sunbreak, in 2022 that takes players to the new town of Elgado with new regions to explore and new monsters to hunt. Switch review: rpgamer.com/review/monst... RPGamer 2021 Awards: rpgamer.com/2022/02/2021...

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak screenshot showing a new monster

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak screenshot showing its new town

000

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 26/03/2026

Today is the fifth anniversary of Monster Hunter Rise. The game, first released on Switch before heading to PC and other consoles, is set around Kamura Village. It adds more verticality with the new Wirebug tool and also introduces new Palamute companions. #RPGanniversary

Monster Hunter Rise screenshot showing Palamute companions

Monster Hunter Rise combat screenshot showing

Monster Hunter Rise screenshot showing hunter using the Wirebug to restrain a monster

184

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 16/03/2026

Today is the 20th anniversary for Final Fantasy XII. The PS2 title is set in the world of Ivalice, two years after the kingdom of Dalmasca is invaded by the Archadian Empire, and introduces the renowned Gambit system that drives party behaviour in during combat. #RPGanniversary

Final Fantasy XII screenshot showing Balthier and Fran

Final Fantasy XII licence board screenshot

1113

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 15/03/2026

Today is also the 15th anniversary of Yakuza 4's North American release. The PS3 game, later also released on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, sees Masayoshi Tanimura, Shun Akiyama, and Taiga Saejima becoming playable characters alongside series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu. #RPGanniversary

Yakuza 4 screenshot showing the four protagonists

020

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 15/03/2026

Burst itself is an enhanced version of the Japan-only release God Eater, with the "s" added to the title for its western release. It received two sequels -- God Eater 2 (Rage Burst) and God Eater 3 -- as well as a further remaster, God Eater Resurrection.

God Eater Resurrection combat screenshot

010

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 15/03/2026

Today is the 15th anniversary of Gods Eater Burst's North American release. The PSP title is an action RPG set in a future where mysterious monsters known as the Aragami have devastated civilisation. Players fight against the Aragami using God Arc weapons made from their cells. #RPGanniversary

Original cover design for Gods Eater Burst (the "s" in the title was added later for its western release).

Selection of screenshots from Gods Eater Burst

133

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 09/03/2026

It's the 30th anniversary of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars's Japanese debut. Developed by Square for the SNES, the turn-based RPG follows Mario and his allies after a giant sword crashes into Bowser's castle and shatters the Star Road. It was remade for Switch in 2023. #RPGanniversary

Mixture of SNES screenshots and Switch remake screenshots for Super Mario RPG.

161

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 08/03/2026

Today is the 15th anniversary of BioWare's Dragon Age II. The follow-up to Dragon Age: Origins is set in and around the city of Kirkwall with players taking the role of customised protagonist Hawke, who rises from refugee to "Champion of Kirkwall". #RPGanniversary

Dragon Age II screenshot showing default appearance for female Hawke

Dragon Age II PC screenshot showing combat

061

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 07/03/2026

Today is the 20th anniversary of Shadow Hearts: From the New World's North American release. The PS2 game is third and final entry in the turn-based Shadow Hearts series and follows teenage private detective Johnny Garland in 1920s America #RPGanniversary

Shadow Hearts: From the New World North American box art

Shadow Hearts: From the New World combat screenshot

Shadow Hearts: From the New World event screenshot

191

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 06/03/2026

Today is the 20th anniversary of Tales of Phantasia's North American release. Originally released on Super Famicom in Japan in 1995, the action RPG's GBA remake finally saw the first title in the series come west. #RPGanniversary

Tales of Phantasia GBA box art and selection of screenshots

1143

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 26/02/2026

Today is the fifth anniversary for Bravely Default II. The third game in the series, it builds upon the series' mechanics with a brand new story following Seth, Gloria, Elvis, and Adelle on their journey to retrieve the four elemental crystals. #RPGanniversary Review: rpgamer.com/review/brave...

Bravely Default II world exploration screenshot

Bravely Default II Asterisk/Job system screenshot

092

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 23/02/2026

Today is the fifth anniversary of Persona 5 Strikers's western release. Developed with Koei Tecmo's Omega Force studio, the game features action combat, following the Phantom Thieves on a tour of Japan in the summer after the events of Persona 5. #RPGanniversary Review: rpgamer.com/review/perso...

Persona 5 Strikers box art/store splash image

Persona 5 Strikers Okinawa town screenshot.

031

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 22/02/2026

Today is the 15th anniversary of Radiant Historia's North American release. Atlus's DS title sees protagonist Stocke navigating alternate timelines on the war-torn continent of Vainqueur using the White Chronicle, with its turn-based combat utilising grid components #RPGanniversary

Radiant Historia North American DS box art

Radiant Historia event screenshot before Stocke makes an important decision

Radiant Historia town exploration screenshot

1246

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 21/02/2026

Today is the 40th anniversary for The Legend of Zelda. Released for Famicom/NES, the first title in Nintendo's highly successful adventure series introduces protagonist Link, who is tasked with saving the Kingdom of Hyrule and Princess Zelda from Ganon. #RPGanniversary

Set of screenshots from The Legend of Zelda (taken from its 3DS/Wii U Virtual Console releases).

12510

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 19/02/2026

Today is 10 years since the North American release of 3DS title Fire Emblem Fates. The game was released in two versions, Birthright and Conquest, each seeing players join a different side in the war between their birthplace Hoshido and adopted home Nohr. #RPGanniversary

Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright screenshot

12412

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 14/02/2026

Today is 20 years since the North American release of Grandia III. The most recent mainline title in the series, the PS2 title follows wannabe pilot Yuki, who goes to the rescue of Alfina, one of the last members of a tribe that can commune with the planet's Guardians. #RPGanniversary

Grandia III North American box art (PS2)

140

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 10/02/2026

Today is the 10th anniversary in Japan for 3DS title Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse. Set in a post-apocalyptic near-future Tokyo and in an alternate timeline to Shin Megami Tensei IV, it follows Nanashi, a demon hunter who is resurrected by the demon Dagda. #RPGanniversary

North American box art for Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse screenshot showing Dagda.

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse combat screenshot.

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse exploration screenshot.

0105

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 07/02/2026

There were many deserving winners but one game did stand out just a bit more. As well as winning Best Turn-Based RPG, Best Battle System, Best Music, and Biggest Surprise, Sandfall Interactive's Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 comes away with our 2025 Game of the Year award. rpgamer.com/2026/01/2025...

RPGamer Best of 2025 Awards, Best Turn-Based RPG Award -- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

RPGamer Best of 2025 Awards, Best Battle System Award -- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

RPGamer Best of 2025 Awards, Best Music Award -- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

RPGamer Best of 2025 Awards, Game of the Year Award -- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

072

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 07/02/2026

Quartet, from @somethingclassic.bsky.social, offers an ambitious story and great gameplay execution. Showing great understanding of classic RPG appeal and offering plenty of its own ideas, we are pleased to award it our Michael A. Cunningham Memorial Award for 2025. rpgamer.com/2025-awards/...

RPGamer Best of 2025 Awards, Michael A. Cunningham Memorial Award -- Quartet

01911

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 06/02/2026

Level-5 returned to Fantasy Life in 2025 with Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time. Its incredibly addictive gameplay ecosystem ensured it picked up our Best Sim/Hybrid RPG Award and came second for Game of the Year. rpgamer.com/2026/01/2025...

RPGamer Best of 2025 Awards, Best Sim/Hybrid RPG -- Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time combat screenshot

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time crafting screenshot

010

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 04/02/2026

Hades II saw @supergiantgames.bsky.social return to the Greek underworld. With a new protagonist, new weapons, new systems, and more, it builds strongly upon the first game, earning our Best Action RPG award for 2025 and placing third for Game of the Year. rpgamer.com/2026/01/2025...

RPGamer Best of 2025 Awards, Best Action RPG -- Hades II

Hades II event screenshot showing protagonist Melinoë

031

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 03/02/2026

From @jumpovertheage.com and @fellowtraveller.games, Citizen Sleep 2: Starward Vector sends players back among the stars. Its conversational excellence and impactful resource-driven gameplay saw it come away with our Best Dialogue and Best Interaction Awards for 2025. rpgamer.com/2026/01/2025...

RPGamer Best of 2025 Awards, Best Dialogue -- Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

Screenshot showing some of the dialogue in Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

RPGamer Best of 2025 Awards, Best Interaction -- Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

Screenshot showing some of the choice and resource-driven gameplay in Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

13912

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 02/02/2026

The game originally released for PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 4 before later coming to PC and Switch. It received a sequel, Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker's Memory, which released in Japan in 2018 and in the west in 2019. Review: rpgamer.com/review/digim...

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth screenshot showing Lopmon encountering Tokomon

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth screenshot showing apparent glam rocker Jimiken

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth screenshot showing combat system

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth screenshot showing Nokia talking to Agumon and Gabumon

022

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 02/02/2026

Today is 10 years since the western debut of Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth. The turn-based RPG is centred around a virtual world named EDEN and follows a student caught between digital and physical forms, who takes on investigations while trying to restore their normal form. #RPGanniversary

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth screenshot showing the protagonist in EDEN

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth screenshot showing the protagonist talking to private detective Kyoko Kuremi while in digitized form.

194

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 02/02/2026

Warhorse Studios returned to medieval Bohemia last year with Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. Thanks to stellar performances from its cast, it wins our Best Voice Acting Award for 2025, while also placing for Best Action RPG, Best Story, Best Dialogue, and Best Visuals. rpgamer.com/2026/01/2025...

Splash image for Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Best Voice Acting Awards in the RPGamer Best of 2025 Awards

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II screenshot showing the player engaged in a sword fight.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II screenshot showing a character sneaking around at night

050

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 06/01/2026

Square Enix announced that Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles has sold over a million copies. It contains an enhanced mode with voice acting, an updated UI, and more, plus a classic mode with graphics and gameplay truer to the original 1997 release. Review: rpgamer.com/review/final...

Celebratory artwork celebrating one million copies sold for Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles

063

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 14/12/2025

It's also the 20th anniversary of Tales of the Abyss. The PS2 title (also later released on 3DS) follows Luke fon Fabre, a sheltered noble who is transported halfway across the world of Auldrant alongside mage Tear after she attempts to kill Luke's swordmaster Van. #RPGanniversary

022

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 14/12/2025

Today (JST) is the 30th anniversary of Tales of Phantasia, the first title in the Tales series. The game is set in the fantasy world of Aselia and follows swordsman Cress, whose home village is destroyed, ultimately leading to a quest to defeat the "Demon King", Dhaos. #RPGanniversary

Tales of Phantasia Super Famicom box art

1129

RPGamer @rpgamer.com · 10/12/2025

Today is the fifth anniversary of CD Projekt RED's Cyberpunk 2077. Based on the Cyberpunk tabletop game and set in Night City, the game puts players in control of freelance mercenary V, who becomes linked to the legendary Johnny Silverhand (played by Keanu Reeves). #RPGanniversary

Cyberpunk 2077 screenshot showing a view of Night City

Cyberpunk 2077 screenshot showing Judy Álvarez after V comes out of a braindance.

122