Nukinin Densetsu -Tsubasa wo Motta Otoko-

Released by Brain Grey in 1987, "Nukenin Densetsu -Tsubasa wo Motta Otokotachi-" marks the first entry in game creator Kenji Iijima's esteemed "Tenkai" (Heavenly) nine-part series. Set during the Tensho Iga War, the game blends adventure and role-playing elements to chronicle the lives of three runaway ninjas struggling against their harsh fates. Its ambitious narrative, which weaves multiple character perspectives together, was a bold innovation in the PC gaming landscape of the era. While known today for its punishing difficulty, the game remains a significant historical document representing the golden age of Japanese computer gaming.

The story begins in 1581, as the Iga province stands on the brink of destruction following a brutal invasion by the forces of Oda Nobunaga. This period drama follows the lives of Jakimaru, Genyosai, and Kogenta—three men who broke the strict code of the ninja to become "nukenin" (runaway ninjas). Players select one of these protagonists, experiencing the story from their unique perspective while their paths periodically intersect and influence one another amidst the chaos of war. Their journey for survival and honor serves as the grand prologue to the "Tenkai" series saga.