Kawaiso Monogatari

Released by SystemSoft in 1987, "Kawaiso Monogatari" (The Story of Pity) is an ambitious adventure game that incorporates RPG-style exploration elements. A standout feature of the title is its unique character design by Takashi Shiina, a contributor to the anime parody magazine "Fanroad," whose warm, paper-cut-style visuals captivated players of the era. The narrative follows seven youths struggling against insane gods, building a distinctive world permeated by the sense of tragedy suggested by its title. With its item-swapping mechanics between characters and limited-field-of-view exploration, the game remains a highly unique entry in the library of PC-8801 software.

Once-peaceful lands ruled by gods are now on the brink of collapse after the deities succumbed to madness. As the populace falls into despair, seven youths rise up in an attempt to save the world, though they soon realize that destroying the gods threatens their very existence. Players navigate the field and utilize various items to defeat the gods and uncover the world's hidden truths. True to its title, the story is a poignant, tragic journey of characters caught in the grip of a cruel destiny.