Syvalion

Released by Taito in 1988, Syvalion is an action game where players use a trackball to control a mechanical dragon, navigating through mazes to defeat the bosses lurking within. The game’s most distinctive feature is the strategic use of its flamethrower, which consumes a gauge that replenishes as the player moves. The game is designed with over 100 branching story paths across its five stages. While it includes a "Basic Course" for beginners, the deep, challenging gameplay crafted by the designer known as MTJ earned the title a dedicated following among hardcore enthusiasts.

In this action game, you pilot the golden, dragon-shaped combat weapon "Syvalion" to navigate through procedurally generated, maze-like stages. The story branches based on messages presented during or at the start of each stage, and the ending changes depending on the player's actions. Featuring a multi-ending system, there are over 100 different conclusions to discover.