PALADIN

Released in 1985 by Bothtec, Paladin is a monumental action RPG created by Ken Akamatsu while he was still in high school, long before he became a world-famous manga artist. With a staggering 100 levels to explore, players take on the role of a holy knight venturing into the Kingdom of God to rescue the kidnapped Princess Julius. The game is famously remembered for the eerie, synthesized voice that taunts the player upon startup, leaving a lasting impression on PC gamers of the era. This title stands as a precious artifact that captures the creative passion and intensity of the early days of Japanese computer gaming.

To rescue Princess Julius, who has been abducted by a demon claiming to be a "god," the protagonist—a holy knight known as the Paladin—must journey alone into the heart of the divine realm. Over the course of 100 expansive stages, players must defeat enemies to gain experience and upgrade their equipment to survive. Defying the eerie, synthesized voice that mocks them at the start of the game, the player's ultimate goal is to overcome every obstacle to bring the princess home.