The week of July 19–25, 2026 is shaping up to be an unexpectedly packed period for role-playing game enthusiasts, with a diverse lineup that caters to virtually every taste in the genre. What started as a modest preview of upcoming releases quickly expanded as more titles emerged from the shadows, each offering something distinctly different from the others. From narrative-heavy gamebook experiences to flashy action combat, and even a surprisingly deep donut-making simulation, this week proves that the RPG genre continues to evolve and surprise in equal measure. Whether you prefer strategic political intrigue, demon-slaying mayhem, or heartfelt visual novel storytelling, there’s something waiting for you in the coming days.
The Life and Suffering of Prince Jerian Brings Literary Depth to RPGs
Arriving on July 20th for Windows, The Life and Suffering of Prince Jerian represents a fascinating evolution in narrative-driven gaming. This sequel to the critically acclaimed The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante adopts a gamebook-style presentation that prioritizes storytelling and consequential decision-making over traditional RPG mechanics. Players assume the role of Prince Jerian, a ruler chosen by divine mandate to lead the Great Arknian Empire through turbulent times. The game’s ambitious scope follows the prince from his earliest years through childhood, adulthood, and ultimately death, creating an epic biographical experience rarely seen in gaming.
The political simulation elements require players to carefully balance relationships between three major factions: the nobility, the clergy, and the peasantry. Each decision ripples through the kingdom’s social fabric, affecting not only Jerian’s personal fate but the destiny of countless subjects under his rule. The developer’s commitment to their fanbase is evident in their celebration of this release, offering Sir Brante free on Steam until July 23rd. Additionally, the original game makes its Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 debut on July 20th, expanding accessibility for fans of interactive fiction. The gamebook genre has experienced something of a renaissance in recent years, with titles like Sorcery! and 80 Days demonstrating that text-heavy experiences can thrive in the modern gaming landscape.
Colossus: Eternal Blight Makes a Swift Early Access Debut
In a remarkable turnaround that speaks volumes about the development team’s preparedness, Colossus – Eternal Blight launches into Steam Early Access on July 21st, mere months after successfully completing its Kickstarter campaign. This timeline defies the conventional wisdom surrounding crowdfunded games, which typically require years of development following funding completion. The action RPG follows Lucien on his desperate search for his brother Lance across the kingdom of Eireos, a land being systematically consumed by a malevolent force known only as Blight.
The game’s visual presentation draws heavily from the beloved pixel art traditions that defined gaming’s golden age, but elevates them with fluid, high-quality animations that bring every combat encounter to life. The developers have cited The Legend of Zelda series as a key influence, incorporating puzzle-solving and exploration segments that provide meaningful breaks from the intense action sequences. Early screenshots and gameplay demonstrations have generated considerable excitement among retro gaming enthusiasts, showcasing a confident blend of nostalgic aesthetics and modern game design sensibilities. The Early Access model will allow the development team to incorporate community feedback during the final stages of production.
Disgaea Mayhem Reinvents a Beloved Franchise
Perhaps the most anticipated release of the week arrives on July 23rd when Disgaea Mayhem launches across PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and Windows platforms. Nippon Ichi Software has made the bold decision to transform their beloved turn-based strategy franchise into a full-fledged action RPG, a move that represents the most significant gameplay departure in the series’ history since its 2003 debut. The narrative follows demon mercenary N.A., employed by the newly crowned Overlord Tichelle to quell a rebellion threatening to destabilize the whimsically named Super Duper Netherworld.
Long-time fans will be relieved to learn that despite the dramatic genre shift, iconic Disgaea features remain intact. The Item World, which allows players to dive into randomly generated dungeons within their equipment, returns alongside the Dark Assembly political system and the popular monster taming mechanics. The series has always been known for its over-the-top damage numbers, absurdist humor, and surprisingly deep strategic possibilities, and early previews suggest Mayhem preserves this spirit while translating it into real-time combat scenarios. A free demo is currently available on all platforms, giving curious players the opportunity to experience this new direction firsthand before committing to a purchase.
High Times Offers a Unique Donut-Making Adventure
Rounding out the week’s releases is High Times from Filipino developer Yangyang Mobile, launching July 23rd across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, Windows, macOS, and Linux. This unconventional title blends donut-making gameplay mechanics with visual novel storytelling, creating an experience that defies easy categorization. The game features an impressive roster of 30 distinct characters to befriend and over 50 possible endings, ensuring substantial replay value for completionists and narrative enthusiasts alike.
The voice cast represents a gathering of industry veterans, including Kira Buckland, known for her work in NieR: Automata and Danganronpa, and Johnny Yong Bosch, whose credits span from Power Rangers to countless anime dubs and video game roles. Early hands-on impressions from PAX East 2026 praised the game’s vibrant visual presentation and charming character interactions, suggesting that beneath its cheerful exterior lies a surprisingly substantive experience. The cross-platform release strategy ensures that virtually any gamer can access High Times regardless of their preferred hardware.
Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster Arrives on Switch 2
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of one of the most beloved entries in the Final Fantasy franchise, the HD Remaster of Final Fantasy X and its direct sequel X-2 comes to Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23rd. This enhanced port allows players to experience Tidus and Yuna’s poignant journey across the world of Spira with improved visual fidelity, featuring 4K resolution when docked and 1080p in handheld mode. The pilgrimage to defeat Sin, the cataclysmic entity that has terrorized Spira for a millennium, remains one of gaming’s most emotionally resonant narratives.
Technical enhancements include the ability to toggle between original and remastered soundtracks, switch between English and Japanese voice tracks, and access quality-of-life modifiers previously exclusive to the PC release. These include experience point boosters, maximum currency cheats, encounter avoidance options, and gameplay speed adjustments. However, in a decision that has frustrated existing owners, Square Enix has not provided an upgrade path or discount for those who purchased the Nintendo Switch version, requiring a full-price repurchase for the improved Switch 2 edition. Despite this controversial pricing strategy, the timeless quality of both games makes this collection an essential experience for RPG enthusiasts who have yet to discover Spira’s magic.
Expert Opinion: This week’s RPG releases demonstrate the genre’s remarkable flexibility and continued commercial viability across multiple sub-genres. Nippon Ichi’s decision to transform Disgaea into an action franchise represents a calculated risk that could either revitalize the series or alienate its core audience—early reception to the demo will be crucial in determining its long-term success. The rapid Early Access launch of Colossus: Eternal Blight may signal a new trend in crowdfunded development, where teams arrive at funding campaigns with substantially complete products rather than mere concepts.