New Release Round-Up (July 16, 2026)

Welcome to RPGamer’s new release round-up. In this column, we look to provide our readers with details on the major RPGs released since our last update. Please note we do not currently include Early Access releases where the game is still in development. Pricing is shown in US dollars before application of any discounts, local pricing may vary.

Celestial Return

Narrative RPG Celestial Return is set in the cyberpunk noir Netherveil City. It follows detective Howard, who is aided by a sentient rose in the investigation of a string of suicides. Player choices determine Howard’s personality, which in turn influences how he interacts with other characters and the environment. The game features a branching storyline, with available choices determined by dice collected and Howard’s personality.

Culdcept Begins

Culdcept Begins utilises board game and card game mechanics as players move across its map while claiming territories. The game is a prequel to the original Culdcept set on the continent of Bavrashka, with players controlling a Cepter that wields the power of stone tablets known as Culds. It features over 400 cards, with character and creature designs by Satoshi Matsuura. The game includes a single-player Story Mode, a Versus Mode against AI opponents, and an Online Versus multiplayer mode. A PC version is planned to follow later this year.

Dead Weight

Roguelite tactical RPG Dead Weight sees players explore floating islands in a procedurally-generated world with their flying pirate ship and face off against ancient gods. Combat is said to be inspired by Into the Breach and Final Fantasy Tactics, with players developing four distinct characters through their unique skill trees. Exploration includes random events alongside fatigue and madness mechanics.

Hercules no Eikou II: Taitan no Metsubou*

Hercules no Eikou II: Taitan no Metsubou is the second game in the Glory of Heracles series based on Greek mythology. Released for Famicom in 1989, Hercules no Eikou II no longer sees players controlling Heracles/Hercules himself, instead introducing a new party system, and features a scenario written by Kazushige Nojima.

Holonoptic

Holonoptic is a simulation management RPG set in an alpine cyberpunk world. The game casts players as the new CEO of a derelict Swiss conglomerate run by an AI after the previous CEO vanished and all other workers were fired. Players will need to build up the company, making economic decisions using their feats and skills while balancing emotional states and recruiting from sixteen potential executives who can be sent on missions. The game features ten-plus endings as it tracks player decisions across eight different ideologies.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R

Action RPG Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a remake of the second game in the series featuring 2.5D graphics with full Japanese and English voice overs, original and rearranged music, new battle mechanics, and more. The game follows two main protagonists: Claude C. Kenny and Rena Lanford. Claude is a lieutenant with the Pangalactic Federation who becomes trapped on the medieval-technology planet of Expel. Rena is a native of Expel who has extraordinary healing powers. Those looking to read more about the game can check out Sam Wachter’s review of its PlayStation 5 version.

Starbites

Starbites is set on the war-torn planet of Bitter and follows rookie scavenger Lukida, whose life changes after encountering a being called the Oracle. The game features turn-based combat, as players control a party of mechs piloted by Lukina and her allies. Combat makes use of a Drivers High mechanic, where a gauge increased by attacking or taking damage allows players to interrupt the usual turn order. Those looking to read more can check out RPGamer’s review of its PlayStation 5 version.

The Hidden Scrolls

Tactical roguelike The Hidden Scrolls is inspired by Classic of Mountains and Seas, a Chinese classic text that compiles mythical geography and beasts, with its aesthetic combining elements of ink and oil paintings. Players form a party from twelve different classes, venturing through five different regions while taking on over sixty types of enemies and over ten bosses.

Sales Links