Xak -The Art of Visual Stage-

Released by Micro Cabin for the PC-8801 in 1989, Xak is a masterpiece of the action RPG genre that drew significant attention for its unique "Visual Representation (VR) system," which visually simulated elevation and depth on the map. The player takes on the role of a young swordsman descended from the war god Duel, embarking on a massive journey to save the kingdom of Waubis from the formidable monster Badu, who has been resurrected from his seal. With Hiroyuki Hataike's sophisticated character designs and a classic, dramatic narrative crafted by Hideyuki Yanagishima and others, the game captivated PC gaming fans of the era. By masterfully blending beautiful visual presentation with accessible action gameplay, Xak became a historically significant title that profoundly influenced the direction of Japanese action RPGs.

Centuries ago, the monster Badu, who nearly brought the kingdom of Waubis to destruction, was sealed away after the war god Duel split his soul from his body. Two hundred and fifty years later, the seal on the permanent ice wall is broken by an unknown hand, plunging the kingdom into a nightmarish crisis once again. With Duel having abandoned his godly status for a human woman, the King looks to a young boy named Latok Kart, who carries the blood of the war god, as the kingdom's last hope. Entrusted with the fate of his land, Latok sets out on a grueling adventure to defeat Badu and restore peace to the world.