GANDHARA

Released by Enix in 1987, Gandhara: Buddha's Holy War is a highly original action RPG based on Buddhist cosmology. The game features a star-studded development team for its time, including graphics by Tadashi Makimura, programming by Toru Hidaka, and a musical score by Koichi Sugiyama. Players must navigate vast maps using a mix of swordplay and "Dharma power" to defeat enemies and reclaim sacred relics from six different worlds. By blending action mechanics with RPG-style character growth, this masterpiece captivated many players with its sophisticated and distinct atmosphere in the golden age of Japanese PC gaming.

The holy land of Gandhara, once a place of love and peace, faces total destruction following the awakening of the King of Evil Gods after the Buddha’s passing. The evil entity has stolen sacred relics from across the land and unleashed dark forces to conquer the world. On orders from Amitabha, Bodhisattvas are sent to the human realm, where they discover Siddhartha, a youth possessing both wisdom and courage. As Siddhartha, you must journey through six corrupted worlds, recover the stolen relics, and undertake a holy war to restore peace to the sacred land.