Irohanihoheto

Released in 1988 by Zenryutsu, "Endan Genpei Souran-ki: Iroha ni Hoheto" is the first entry in a series of historical "adult adventure" games where a time-traveling protagonist attempts to alter history. The game begins with the bizarre premise of a student traveling to the past to justify a wrong answer on a history exam, and its branching narratives demonstrate the creative storytelling depth of late 80s PC adventure titles. Developed by Studio Angel, the game provides a fascinating blend of historical events and fiction, standing as a significant artifact of the retro PC gaming culture of the era.

After failing a history exam by incorrectly claiming that Minamoto no Yoshitsune founded the Kamakura Shogunate, the protagonist becomes the laughingstock of their crush. While attempting to sneak into the school at night to rewrite their answer sheet, they are accidentally transported back to 1169 Kyoto. Using their modern knowledge of the era to their advantage, the protagonist sets out to change history by pushing Yoshitsune to power, becoming embroiled in the chaos of the Genpei War. Throughout this blend of fact and fiction, the player must make critical choices that shape the past, ultimately deciding their own fate in the modern world.