In 2025, the RPG genre is thriving with many newly released games that have kept fans invested for many hours on end, and as we look into 2026, there’s one title that many might have overlooked in the slate of new releases coming soon: STARBITES from IKINAGAMES. STARBITES is inspired by a range of different titles that come from a period that IKINAGAMES describes as the Japanese golden age of gaming—the early 2000s. This era inspired many game developers who are now able to create their own games, including IKINAGAMES lead developer and founder Junho Bae, who got his start developing games at a young age in South Korea. Thanks to NIS America, I had the chance to check out early glimpses of STARBITES and get some more insight about the new sci-fi turn-based RPG from Junho Bae himself.
Inspired by Koei Tecmo’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Falcom’s Ys and The Legend of Heroes franchises, STARBITES was developed with the vision of recreating the awe and wonder of JRPGs from the past. The new RPG puts players in the setting of Bitter, a planet that has been ravaged by interstellar warfare, which has made the remaining population prone to crime. The population is centralized on Bitter’s sole remaining city, Delight. There, Lukida, a young woman determined to break free from Bitter and the harsh wastelands, sets out on an adventure that will see her uncover secrets about the planet. Lukida is joined by other characters in a story that delves into regrets of the past and hopes of the future, all while harkening back to late 90s and early 2000s mecha-themed RPGs.
STARBITES is a Tried-and-True Turn-Based RPG
Although I didn’t see much of the story during the STARBITES preview event, the premise of the game is very sound and promising. The quick-witted and fearless Lukida is joined by Badger, a kind and chaperone-like mech engineer, and Gwendoll, a bright and outgoing woman who loves to drink, making up a solid first three party members. They’re all voice acted by a talented cast of Japanese voice actors, and each party member has a Motorbot, a personal mech that is suited to their personality and battle style. For example, Lukida rides on a slingshot-wielding robot, while Gwendoll impresses with a hoverbike for a mech.
You’ll be controlling these Motorbots in turn-based combat against enemy combatants and menacing bosses. The overall combat system is very straightforward, though it’s worth noting that I only saw early in-game content, which included a boss battle that Lukida was forced to lose in. This is to say that STARBITES is not reinventing the wheel with its gameplay, but instead adds its own spin to it. Players can learn enemy weaknesses and target those with their mechs, and they can “Fracture” their enemy’s guard to deal greater damage. For the Fracture to be successful, players must keep hitting those weaknesses to fill up the Fracture counter, and once their shields are completely Fractured, they’ll be immobilized for several turns.
As you deal and take damage, the “Driver’s High” gauge will gradually charge, and once its full, you can get an extra turn immediately. Not only will an extra turn be active, but you’ll gain access to new, stronger attacks. Although I didn’t get a hands-on feel for the gameplay myself, I’ve experienced similar mechanics in games like Honkai: Star Rail and Trails, so I really like the direction the combat is going in. I do find satisfaction is stunning or breaking an enemy’s guard to deal more sustained damage and pull off some finishing moves.
Upgrades in the Wild
Naturally, the party will also get access to new and stronger abilities by leveling up and gaining AP, which can be used on character-specific skill trees to tailor each character to your preferred playstyle. This is in addition to a wide variety of Motorbot parts that can improve stats and expand the range of skills, customization takes place back in Delight. Parts can also change the cosmetic appearance of the Motorbot itself. Fortunately, players don’t need to worry about weight limits or other limitations with Motorbot parts, as they can simply get and apply the parts without any conflicts, according to Junho Bae.
Of course, you will need to explore outside Delight to find the materials and resources you need to get the Motorbot upgrades you want. I didn’t see the actual looting and procurement of materials, but I did see a glimpse of overworld exploration. Back in Delight, you can walk around and talk to NPCs, but outside, you’ll need your Motorbot to ride around, explore the wastes, and reach your next destination.
The world is desolate, but the characters’ colorful designs make them stand out in a good way, and the event scenes look great. In motion, STARBITES looks like an animated series coming to life, and it’s quite impressive for IKINAGAMES’ first foray in JRPG development. Junho Bae noted that the Nintendo Switch 2 version has graphics close to the PlayStation 5 version, so these animation-inspired designs will be uncompromised on the hybrid platform.
STARBITES Aims be a Love Letter to Classic RPGs
I had only 30 minutes to see what’s in store for STARBITES, but I was intrigued by what I saw and heard from the developers of the game. STARBITES aims to carve its own path in a very busy genre while paying homage to the games that came before it decades ago. The promise of a strong and emotional narrative with a fun and easy to pick-up-and-play combat system is one I can get behind.
I’ll have to experience STARBITES from start to finish for myself before I can give it a final verdict, but for now, I’m interested in seeing what Lukida’s journey holds for myself, along with whatever the secrets of Delight, Bitter, and the city’s “hidden area” hold. If I had to describe STARBITES in one word, it would be passionate. It’s clear that IKINAGAMES is enthusiastic and driven about what they bring to the table in STARBITES, and from what Junho Bae told us, even the voice actors were really excited about their work on the game.
As for what I know about the game’s launch, STARBITES is coming to Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam in early 2026. There’s no New Game Plus mode at launch, but Junho Bae noted that the development team is considering the feature after launch for an update. There aren’t concrete plans for such a feature, but if STARBITES makes a great landing next year, then it will definitely be a feature that players want.
