(Image credit: Studio Wildrose)
It’s been three years, and two highly anticipated JRPGs by genre veterans are still in development limbo, despite orchestrating a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign. Back in 2022, two iconic gaming figures revitalized hopes for JRPG enthusiasts by launching a combined crowdfunding effort that brought in nearly 380 million yen (about $2.6 million).
The project began with Akifumi Kaneko, known for his work on Wild Arms, and Matsuzo Machida, the brain behind the cult classic Shadow Hearts. They announced their respective games, Armed Fantasia, a Westernpunk RPG, and Penny Blood, a gothic spiritual successor, during their ambitious “Double Kickstarter.” The campaign surpassed its funding goals, promising enticing features like console ports, prologue chapters, and even “thrilling dog races.”
Initially set to launch in March 2025, neither of the visually stunning, distinctly different JRPGs saw the light of day as planned. A Kickstarter update in March revealed unforeseen delays, with both development teams requiring more time and seeking additional partners to aid progress.
Complicating matters was a legal battle involving Dangen Entertainment. Machida filed a lawsuit against the former publisher and its ex-CEO Ben Judd over allegedly unpaid production funds from the Kickstarter, casting a shadow over the ambitious project. Dangen, previously entangled in royalty disputes, faced the additional controversy of Judd‘s resignation following accusations of sexual misconduct.
Thankfully, a glimmer of hope for these projects shines through the success of the J-inspired RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Fans across social platforms leveraged Clair Obscur’s hype to boost visibility for Penny Blood and Armed Fantasia, potentially strengthening their quest to secure publishing deals.
One passionate supporter wrote, “With the success of Clair Obscur, I want to mention that the Horror JRPG Penny Blood, the spiritual successor of the famed Shadow Hearts series, still struggles to find a publisher to fund the game despite a successful Kickstarter showing.”
Another enthusiast added, “Great minds think alike. Seeing the recent success with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, turn-based RPGs are making their comeback hopefully.” Such sentiments highlight the enduring demand for old-school-styled turn-based adventures.
For those eager to enjoy JRPG treasures available now, be sure to explore our comprehensive list of the best JRPGs currently on the market.