Dewlling

Released by Victor Musical Industries in 1987, this horror adventure title represents a pioneering effort from the golden age of the genre by blending command selection with text input mechanics. The tense story, which follows a protagonist responding to the plea of their deceased mentor, is brought to life through the stunning graphics of manga artist Ayumu Morio. With its gamebook-style pacing and a brutal difficulty level that forces players to face constant peril, the game perfectly captures a dark, occult atmosphere. It remains a unique and distinguished work that showcases the evolution of adventure games as envisioned by software houses of the era.

On a restless summer night, the protagonist is visited by the spirit of their mentor, Dr. G. Edberg, who reveals the shocking truth that he was murdered by Dracula. Learning that the doctor’s daughter, Anya, has been captured and his mansion turned into a nesting ground for monsters, the protagonist travels to Europe to save her. Upon crossing the threshold into the terrifying mansion, the protagonist must rely on the only clue left behind—a servant—to unravel the mysteries of the Demon King's castle.