JRPG News: Dragon Quest Spinoffs, PS Plus Classics & Manafinder Sequel

By the ModVC Team

Welcome back to another massive update from the ModVC Gaming News desk. It is Monday, April 20, 2026, and the Japanese Role-Playing Game landscape is absolutely thriving. Whether you are a veteran who spent their childhood grinding levels in the late 90s or a newcomer brought into the fold by the modern renaissance of the genre, today's news cycle has something spectacular for you. From surprise mobile spin-offs of legendary franchises to the resurrection of decades-old classics on modern hardware, the JRPG community is eating exceptionally well this week.

Let’s dive deep into the latest announcements, community triumphs, and upcoming releases that are setting the internet ablaze.

The Dragon Quest Universe Expands in Unexpected Ways

Square Enix is no stranger to taking their beloved franchises and spinning them off into bold, experimental new directions, but their latest shadow-drop has taken the mobile gaming world by storm. Dragon Quest Smash/Grow is officially out now on both iOS and Android devices, as reported by Pocket Gamer.

But what exactly is Dragon Quest Smash/Grow? In a brilliant pivot, the developers have blended classic, beloved JRPG mechanics with the highly addictive "Survivors-like" gameplay loop that has dominated the indie scene over the last few years. Imagine taking control of your favorite iconic Dragon Quest classes—the Hero, the Martial Artist, the Mage, or the Priest—and surviving endless waves of Slimes, Drumpies, and Golems. As you level up in real-time, you draft abilities, combine spells like Frizz and Boom, and create screen-clearing synergies in a frantic, arcade-style experience.

It is a massive departure from the slow, methodical turn-based combat the series is known for, but the community reception has been overwhelmingly positive. The pixel art is gorgeous, invoking a strong sense of nostalgia while maintaining incredibly smooth performance even when thousands of monsters flood your screen.

If you are jumping into the action today, you might want to prepare yourself. The genre is notorious for its steep initial learning curve. Thankfully, the folks over at Pocket Gamer have already published an essential Beginner's guide and six tips for becoming a true hero, detailing the best early-game synergies and gold-farming strategies to get your meta-progression rolling.

A Nod to the Golden Era: PS1 Classics Return

For many of us at ModVC, the original PlayStation era remains the undisputed Golden Age of the JRPG. It was an era of pre-rendered backgrounds, sweeping orchestral midis, and multi-disc epics that defined a generation. Today, nostalgia is shifting into overdrive.

First up, via Push Square, Sony has finally remembered to update its glacially paced Classics Catalogue for PS Plus Premium subscribers. A beloved, 20-year-old Sony JRPG has made a surprise return to both the PS5 and PS4 this week. While Sony's drip-feed of classic titles can sometimes be frustrating for game preservation enthusiasts, additions like this prove there is still magic locked away in their vault. Playing these early 2000s masterpieces with modern conveniences like save states, up-rendering, and rewind features makes them incredibly accessible to modern audiences who might not have the patience for archaic save-point systems.

Speaking of the legendary PS1 library, Comic Book Resources just dropped an incredible retrospective titled "10 Best PS1 RPGs That Aren't Final Fantasy." We all know that Final Fantasy VII, VIII, and IX were instrumental heavily in cementing the PlayStation's global dominance, but the console's library was remarkably deep.

Here at ModVC, we decided to compile our own quick-reference table of top-tier PS1 RPGs that perfectly complement the CBR list. If you haven't played these, you are missing out on gaming history:

If you want to read more about these forgotten gems, definitely check out the CBR feature linked in our sources.

Indie Darlings: Manafinder Gets a Sequel

The AA and indie gaming scenes have been carrying the torch for traditional, turn-based combat for years now, consistently delivering highly polished, passion-fueled projects. Today, the team over at Turn Based Lovers broke the news that Manafinder, one of the most intriguing JRPG-inspired indie games of the past few years, is officially getting a sequel.

Manafinder initially captivated players with its distinct retro aesthetic, challenging elemental combat, and a grim world where humanity survives by scavenging the titular mana from deadly beasts. The newly released trailer for the sequel promises an expanded overworld, deeper character customization, and a continuation of the morally gray narrative that made the original so compelling. It's heartening to see indie developers finding enough commercial success in this niche to fund full-blown sequels, ensuring that classic combat mechanics continue to evolve outside the constraints of massive AAA budgets.

Steam Sales and Mammoth Backlogs

If you are a PC gamer, you need to act fast. MSN reports that a massive JRPG publisher sale over on Steam is ending this Sunday. The article highlights how players can claim six enormous JRPGs for the price of roughly two cups of coffee.

In modern gaming, the cost-to-hour ratio of a good JRPG is virtually unmatched. Snagging titles that comfortably offer 80 to 100 hours of gameplay for less than $10 is a steal. From sweeping orchestral scores to deep job systems, these games offer incredible value. Make sure you check your Steam wishlists before the weekend concludes, as deals this steep rarely roll around more than twice a year.

Community Buzz, Hardcore Grinds, and Tough Choices

Over on social media, the JRPG community is buzzing with a mix of triumph, anticipation, and decision paralysis.

One of the biggest talking points this week is a sheer abundance of riches. As one user pointed out:

"Two new JRPGs this week — DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake and Tales of Xillia Remastered. Can't decide which one to play… so I'm going to do Final Fantasy..."

This perfectly encapsulates the modern JRPG fan's dilemma. The Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a stunning visual overhaul of the genre's literal foundations, utilizing the gorgeous diorama aesthetic popularized by Octopath Traveler. Meanwhile, Tales of Xillia Remastered brings one of the most beloved action-RPG combat systems of the PS3 era into gorgeous 4K resolution.

In other news, massive congratulations are in order for a dedicated fan who finally conquered the beast that is Dragon Quest X Offline. They proudly tweeted:

"After 177 HOURS the Platinum Trophy for Dragon Quest X Offline is MINE! As a non-Japanese speaker, this was a long-treacherous grind & adventure."

Dragon Quest X, originally an MMO, was famously never localized in the West. The offline version, which translates the massive world into a traditional single-player experience with a chibi art style, remains a holy grail for Western fans. Securing a Platinum trophy—especially while navigating language barriers using translation tools—is a monumental achievement and a true testament to the dedication of this fandom.

Finally, Nihon Falcom fans are rejoicing as it was officially announced that Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter (SC) will launch on September 17! The Trails series is famous for its MCU-level interconnected world-building, and SC is widely considered by veterans to be one of the greatest payoff games in the medium's history.

Looking Ahead: The JRPG Future is Absurdly Bright

If you think 2026 has already been a great year, the content creators on YouTube are here to remind you that we haven't even scratched the surface. Several massive roundup videos dropped this week, outlining the sheer volume of games heading our way.

We spent some time analyzing the biggest videos to hit the trending page. Here is a breakdown of the JRPG hype building up on YouTube:

The fact that creators can comfortably list thirty-five new JRPGs releasing in a single calendar year is staggering. Whether you are looking for grid-based Strategy RPGs, fast-paced Action RPGs, or the comforting menu-navigation of traditional Turn-Based games, developers are catering to every possible niche.

Final Thoughts

The state of the JRPG in 2026 is a beautiful paradox. On one hand, we are seeing the preservation and celebration of history with the Dragon Quest HD-2D remakes, Tales of Xillia Remastered, and PS Plus Premium classic drops. On the other hand, the genre is iterating rapidly, with indie titles like Manafinder pushing the boundaries of traditional design, and major publishers experimenting with crossover genres like the Survivors-like Dragon Quest Smash/Grow.

As writers and gamers here at ModVC, we couldn't be more thrilled. Make sure you clear out those backlogs (if you can!), charge up your controllers, and prepare your wallets. The adventure is just beginning, and we will be here to cover every random encounter, boss fight, and emotional plot twist along the way.

Stay tuned to ModVC Gaming News for more updates, and let us know in the comments below: Which JRPG are you currently sinking your time into, and are you planning on picking up the Manafinder sequel?

Until next time, keep grinding those levels!