Dragon Slayer

Released by Nihon Falcom in 1984, "Dragon Slayer" is the inaugural entry in the legendary Dragon Slayer series. Marketed as an "unprecedented, addictive, and exhilarating game," it established itself as a landmark in early Japanese computer RPGs thanks to its highly immersive, trial-and-error oriented gameplay. While it appears to be an action RPG, its true nature lies in a "timed turn-based" system managed via an indicator in the bottom right, which adds a layer of puzzle-like strategy. With its visionary freedom allowing players to rearrange walls and items, it serves as a precursor to modern sandbox games and remains a vital masterpiece in the history of Japanese game design.

In this adventure, you take on the role of a hero thrown into a labyrinth, tasked with exploring a dungeon filled with monsters and traps. Armed with your sword and a variety of items, your goal is to clear the maze and defeat the three dragons hidden in its depths. Ultimately, the stage is cleared by retrieving all the crowns stolen by the dragons and safely returning them to your home. Mastering the puzzle-like strategy of strategically placing walls and items is essential to your survival.