RPGs Coming This Week, 1/18/26

TR-49 – January 21st (Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS)

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If you caught the message above, you’re probably in the subset of people who would find inkle‘s new release, TR-49, interesting. It’s an unexpected narrative adventure inspired by some mysterious books and an enigmatic inscription—TR-49. The great uncle of the game’s narrative director worked in British Intelligence during WWII, and said books were among the possessions in his attic. The books were strange and probably codes, and the inkle team became very interested in deciphering them. That became the basis for TR-49, where a deciphering machine “eats” books and appears to affect reality.

You play as Abbi, a young woman trusted with uncovering the machine’s operations and book entries to protect the future. It’s a game where you make associations between entries, figuring out new ways to obtain information and uncovering the story of the family that built and maintained the machine. If you know the difference between a cryptographer and a cryptanalyst, are interested in this period in history, or like an extremely atmospheric narrative adventure that is heavy on inference and lateral thinking, TR-49 is for you!

by Hilary Andreff

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade – January 22nd (Switch 2, XBX)

Square Enix is bringing Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S, giving even more players a chance to jump in. The rerelease runs at a smooth 30 fps while docked and comes with the Episode INTERmission DLC included. Plus, there’s a brand-new “god mode” called Streamlined Progression, offering customizable, casual-friendly options to make the adventure to Midgar easier and more flexible to casual players who want to focus more on the narrative experience of the game. For players who tend to avoid grindy games, this might be the time to give Square Enix’s biggest Final Fantasy a shot. There’s a good reason Alana’s PS4 review and PS5 review were both RPGFan Editor’s Choice picks.

Final Fantasy VII Remake originally launched as a PlayStation 4 exclusive in 2020, followed by Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on PlayStation 5 in 2024. It won’t be long before the sequel makes its way to Switch 2, along with the release of the third and final entry that will wrap up the trilogy. I’m just thrilled to see these games finally reach more platforms and a broader audience. Better late than never!

by Tin Manuel

Escape From Ever After – January 23rd (Windows, Switch, PS5, XB1, XBX)

The Paper Mario series is one of my RPG comfort foods. So naturally when I hear about an upcoming game that draws heavy inspiration from Paper Mario, my interest is high. Such is the inspiration for Sleepy Time Studios’ upcoming RPG, Escape from Ever After. The game takes place in a storybook land that has been invaded by an evil corporation. As a newly hired employee, the goal is to take on capitalism from the inside, via getting a job and climbing the corporate ladder. Along the way, players can recruit other disgruntled fairy tale workers to assist in raging against the corporate machine. The turn-based battles with timing mechanics will feel perfectly familiar to Paper Mario fans. In addition to battles and exploration, players can spend time in the office interacting with co-workers, uncovering motives, and even decorate their own workspace. Join the fight against corporate greed when Escape from Ever After releases on January 23rd.

by Jimmy Turner

Dynasty Warriors: Origins – January 22nd (Switch 2)

Dynasty Warriors: Origins slashes its way onto the Switch 2 this week. First released in early 2025, Origins follows the familiar blend of hack and slash action and strategic battles the series is famous for. The game features a branching storyline set in China during the late Eastern Han period. Players control an amnesiac protagonist on their quest to unite the land. Along the way players can choose which hero, and thus which faction, to align with. Their decision will impact the story over the course of the game. For more details on the gameplay, check out our review.

by Jimmy Turner