RPGs Coming This Week, 2/1/26

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined – February 5th (Switch 2, PS5, XBX, Windows)

Few RPG franchises garner the level of attention that the Dragon Quest series does. A new release for the franchise is always major news in the RPG community. So it should come as no surprise that Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is the headliner for RPGs releasing this week.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, as the title suggests, gives the full remake treatment to Dragon Quest VII for the second time since its original release on the PlayStation in 2000 (as Dragon Warrior VII) and the mid-2010s 3DS remake, Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past. With Reimagined, Square Enix’s development team aimed to create a more streamlined experience for modern audiences while retaining the charm and nostalgia of the previous editions. Dragon Quest VII Reimagined looks gorgeous in all the footage I have seen. The fully 3D characters and world look and sound like Dragon Quest should.

As great as the prior editions of Dragon Quest VII are, they aren’t without faults. One of the more common criticisms is that the game can drag. Reimagined introduces numerous quality-of-life features to alleviate that issue. Battle animations are more streamlined and low-level enemies can be defeated instantly without triggering a full battle sequence. The inventory and menu systems have also been reworked to add smarter systems such as a shared inventory and the ability to set favorite weapons for easier navigation. I feel that Reimagined will be the best way to experience Dragon Quest VII going forward. Dragon Quest fans have reason to be hyped when the game releases on February 5th.

by Jimmy Turner

Hermit and Pig – February 5th (Windows, macOS)

I know what you’re thinking. “I have been playing RPGs for years, and I have yet to play one where I can explore the wilderness with my trusty pig and wrestle with my social anxiety.” Well, do I — or rather, developers Heavy Lunch Studio — have a game for you. Hermit and Pig is a game starring… well, you can figure that out. But beyond the excellent art style and matching beanies our duo wears is a game where conversations are “personal battles,” because, hey, you’re a hermit. I’m sure many of us can relate to navigating tricky conversations anyway, so it’s a great concept for turn-based battles.

Help our titular heroes forage for mushrooms, battle “uncharacteristically violent animals,” and possibly expose a corporate conspiracy when Hermit and Pig launches on February 5th.

by Mike Salbato

Nioh 3 – February 6th (PS5, Windows)

So many studios are putting out Souls-like games these days, it gets harder to stand out. With Nioh 3 on the horizon this week, one of my initial thoughts was, “wow, the third one already,” until I realized that Nioh 2 is almost six years old. Nioh 3 looks to build upon the excellent combat the first two games are known for, now with distinct fighting styles in Samurai and Ninja and set in an “open field” design. Amidst the beautiful scenery, you can expect many challenging encounters, with online multiplayer options if you prefer to venture forth with a friend. As the sole game this week not releasing on the 5th, Nioh 3 is coming to PlayStation 5 and PC on February 6th.

by Mike Salbato

Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass – February 5th (PS4, PS5, Switch, XBX)

2018’s Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass is coming to consoles this week. This indie RPG tells the story of a boy named Jimmy who must enter a dreamworld with his family members to find the reason for a mysterious affliction. Much in the vein of other indie titles like Omori or Undertale, Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass takes clear inspiration from EarthBound. Turn-based combat, 16-bit style visuals, and a story that dances between humor and dark themes are all included in this adventure that our own Zach Wilkerson described as a “quirky, hilarious, emotional experience that simply shouldn’t be missed” in his 2018 review. The game releases on February 5th.

by Jimmy Turner