Xanadu

27.10.1985
In Legend of Xanadu, the player controls a young adventurer named Areios. Monsters attack his homeland, and he is forced to flee. After traveling by ship and arriving at the town Bolda, Areios finds out that strange things have been happening in the North Cave near the town. His first mission will be to venture to the North Cave and investigate the matter. Of course, soon Areios finds himself involved in a battle against sinister forces, and commences the longest and most dangerous adventure of his life! The game is an action RPG set in the Dragon Slayer universe, with a gameplay style similar to Falcom's other popular series, Ys. Controlling Areios, the player explores the top-down world, visiting towns and fighting monsters in vast outdoor areas and dungeons. Like in Ys series, it is sufficient to "bump" into a monster in order to inflict damage. Areios gains hit points and becomes stronger by sustaining damage from enemies and resting. His weapons and armor can gain experience and level up. In many areas, companions will join Areios and help him in combat, controlled by the computer AI. The game is divided into chapters; the final stage of each chapter is a side-scrolling/platform level, which Areios has to navigate in order to reach the boss enemy, defeat him, and end the chapter. In such stages, the combat turns into a more familiar action-oriented style, with the player being required to press buttons in time in order to execute attacks and jump. There is a day/night cycle in the game, manifested not only in graphical changes, but also in the schedules of townspeople: when it's dark, people will return to their homes and go to sleep, etc.
The game begins with the player directly in control of the protagonist, with little to no introduction. To progress, one must speak with the king, who gives the player the bare essentials and a small amount of cash to train. After selecting which attributes to raise, the player must find his way out of the city and into the vast underground complex. Finding this exit is the first of many cryptic puzzles the player will encounter, though the game is not a puzzle game but an role-playing video game with puzzle game and adventure game elements far ahead of its time.

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Expansion packs

01.10.1986

One of the first examples of an expansion pack, this was an additional scenario disk for the action role-playing game Xanadu: Dragon Slayer II.

Part of collection:
Dragon Slayer (last 3 games)

18.02.1994

An overhead fantasy ARPG that uses a similar bump-attack style to the Ys games. Some unique features include a day/night cycle, some side-on action sequences and the ability to level up your weapons and armour.

03.06.1992

Dragon Slayer Gaiden is a spin-off from Dragon Slayer series, developed by Epoch and published by Agenda for the Game Boy platform. The game was only released in Japan.

21.03.1991

Lord Monarch is a real-time strategy war game by Nihon Falcom. The game is considered to be the seventh installment in the Dragon Slayer series. It was originally released in 1991 for the NEC PC-9801, ported 1992 to the Super Famicom and 1994 to the Sega Mega Drive. During 1997, Lord Monarch was remade for Windows as Lord Monarch Online and released for free in both Japanese, and for the first time, English. The Super Famicom version additional themes in addition to the medieval Europe theme. There is a futuristic theme with robots, a fast food theme with French fries and soft drinks attacking health food, a Three Kingdoms era theme, and a fairy-tale theme. The game is automatically paused until someone presses the Start button, so there is unlimited time for making alliances in the Super Famicom version—until the start button is pressed. The Super Famicom version of Lord Monarch was one of the few games to support the Super Famicom mouse. A later version of the game was broadcast exclusively for Japanese markets via the Super Famicom's Satellaview subunit under the name BS Lord Monarch and was view-limited.

Part of franchise:
Dragon Slayer (last 3 games)

15.06.2012

Dragon Slayer Chronicle is a compilation of twelve games from the Dragon Slayer series released for the PC by D4 Enterprise on June 15, 2012 in Japan. The package includes reproductions of Xanadu's and Dragon Slayer's original manuals, various artwork from the franchise and a soundtrack disc. Titles contained in the release include: - Dragon Slayer - Xanadu: Dragon Slayer II - Xanadu Scenario II - Romancia - Dragon Slayer IV: Drasle Family - Sorcerian - Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes - Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes II - Lord Monarch - Advanced Lord Monarch - The Legend of Xanadu - The Legend of Xanadu II

12.03.2007

Advanced Sorcerian is an enhanced remake of the classic computer action RPG Sorcerian. It features the original game's scenario along with the Sengoku and Pyramid add-on disk scenarios. Aside from enhanced graphics and fresh character portraits, the remake adds several exclusive scenarios created specifically for this release.

24.06.2005

Xanadu Next is an exploration-centric action RPG from Nihon Falcom, the acclaimed creators of the Ys and The Legend of Heroes RPG franchises. A late entry in their immensely popular Dragon Slayer series and a spiritual follow-up to the late ‘80s cult classic Faxanadu, Xanadu Next puts players in the shoes of a gravely injured knight given a new lease on life through ancient magic who must now seek a legendary sword called “Dragon Slayer” to ensure his survival.

Part of franchise:
Xanadu (last 3 games)

15.06.2012

Dragon Slayer Chronicle is a compilation of twelve games from the Dragon Slayer series released for the PC by D4 Enterprise on June 15, 2012 in Japan. The package includes reproductions of Xanadu's and Dragon Slayer's original manuals, various artwork from the franchise and a soundtrack disc. Titles contained in the release include: - Dragon Slayer - Xanadu: Dragon Slayer II - Xanadu Scenario II - Romancia - Dragon Slayer IV: Drasle Family - Sorcerian - Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes - Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes II - Lord Monarch - Advanced Lord Monarch - The Legend of Xanadu - The Legend of Xanadu II

24.06.2005

Xanadu Next is an exploration-centric action RPG from Nihon Falcom, the acclaimed creators of the Ys and The Legend of Heroes RPG franchises. A late entry in their immensely popular Dragon Slayer series and a spiritual follow-up to the late ‘80s cult classic Faxanadu, Xanadu Next puts players in the shoes of a gravely injured knight given a new lease on life through ancient magic who must now seek a legendary sword called “Dragon Slayer” to ensure his survival.

08.12.1995

Revival Xanadu 2: Remix is a remake of Xanadu: Scenario 2. The remake is done using graphics and engine identical to those of Revival Xanadu. Just as its original version was an add-on to Xanadu: Dragon Slayer II, this is an add-on to Revival Xanadu. The player begins in the same town, creates the protagonist, and then follows the same way to enter the dungeon area, which is the actual game world. It is there that the games become different, as the maps of Revival Xanadu II: Remix are different not only from those of the main game, but also contain layout changes and additions compared to the original version (Xanadu: Scenario 2). New regular enemies and bosses are introduced, and their design is enhanced according to the graphical standards of the previous remake.

Could be interesting

16.11.2010

Live and breathe as Ezio, a legendary Master Assassin, in his enduring struggle against the powerful Templar Order. He must journey into Italy’s greatest city, Rome, center of power, greed and corruption to strike at the heart of the enemy. Defeating the corrupt tyrants entrenched there will require not only strength, but leadership, as Ezio commands an entire Brotherhood who will rally to his side. Only by working together can the Assassins defeat their mortal enemies. And for the first time, introducing a never-before-seen multiplayer layer that allows you to choose from a wide range of unique characters, each with their own signature weapons and assassination techniques, and match your skills against other players from around the world. It’s time to join the Brotherhood.

09.10.2012

Dishonored is an immersive first-person action game that casts you as a supernatural assassin driven by revenge. With Dishonored’s flexible combat system, creatively eliminate your targets as you combine the supernatural abilities, weapons and unusual gadgets at your disposal. Pursue your enemies under the cover of darkness or ruthlessly attack them head on with weapons drawn. The outcome of each mission plays out based on the choices you make.

16.05.2011

Dig, Fight, Explore, Build: The very world is at your fingertips as you fight for survival, fortune, and glory. Will you delve deep into cavernous expanses in search of treasure and raw materials with which to craft ever-evolving gear, machinery, and aesthetics? Perhaps you will choose instead to seek out ever-greater foes to test your mettle in combat? Maybe you will decide to construct your own city to house the host of mysterious allies you may encounter along your travels? In the World of Terraria, the choice is yours!

27.10.2009

In this ARPG you control a hero who explores a series of randomized dungeons, fightinghordes of enemies and collecting equipment, gold, and loot while doing so. The game also features a town , to which the hero can return to sell and buy gear and items and pick up quests. As you progress into the dungeon, you get to battle unique bosses that advance the main storyline by completing quests revolving around them. Optionally, the player may take on side quests, random quests or visit branching dungeon areas to further develop their character.

01.07.2005

Perfect World is a 3D MMORPG rooted in traditional Chinese culture and mythology. Set in the mythical realm of Pangu, it offers players an immersive adventure experience.

17.11.2015

Hardcore medieval multiplayer sandbox with terraforming, free preset and modular building construction, rich crafting (smelting, forging, farming, animal breeding etc.), survival, no target physics based combat, original combat formation system and numerous other features. Taking place in the fictional medieval world, game imposes a realistic system of global politics, economy, and socialization.

29.04.2003

Welcome to MapleStory, the original side-scrolling MMORPG where epic adventure, action and good friends await you. With hundreds of hours of gameplay, this immersive role-playing experience will allow you to unleash your wild side as you create and train a mighty hero, conquer perilous dungeons, overcome terrifying bosses, socialize with your friends and much more. Your MapleStory begins today!

20.12.1987

Sorcerian is a side-scrolling action-RPG. The player can create up to ten characters, from whom up to four members can be present in a party at the same time. Each character is highly customizable, with four different classes/races (fighter, wizard, elf, and dwarf) and over 60 possible jobs/occupations (ranging from clown to exorcist) available for them to perform; each has its own strengths and weaknesses, affecting the seven primary attributes (strength, intelligence, protection, magic resistance, vitality, dexterity, and karma) in different ways, as well as different equipment limitations. The player can choose from fifteen different scenarios, or quests, to play through in the order of their choice. The party must battle enemies and perform tasks within the given levels to clear each scenario, before moving onto another scenario of their choice. The player controls the entire party at the same time, with all four members running in a line, jumping in sequence, and attacking in unison. The party members follow behind in a manner similar to the Options in the arcade shooter Gradius (1985). Sorcerian also employs class-based puzzles, such as using a high-strength character to force open doors. All the characters have a default starting age of 16. Each time a player begins a new scenario, a year passes by, while additional time passes by in towns as a character goes through training or enchants items. The characters age at different rates depending on their race, with humans reaching old age at 60, dwarves at 100, and elves at 200. Upon reaching old age, for every year that passes, a character can die permanently at a random time. There is also an “Advance Time” to speed up the flow of time. Another new feature of Sorcerian was its episodic format that extended across various expansion packs. Besides the default fifteen scenarios that come with the game, there were a number of additional scenario packs released. The aging system was created with the additional scenario packs in mind.

15.07.1999

While incorporating action role-playing game elements from the three games which preceded it, Legend of Mana has its own distinct style of gameplay. Most notably, it gives the player the ability to shape the game's world of Fa'Diel according to his or her desires, a system which was incorporated through the use of "artifacts," which are gained as the player progresses through the game. The player uses the artifacts to create different towns, dungeons, etc., called "Lands", to venture to and explore. This creates a non-linear gameplay, since the game is driven by a series of what would be considered side-quests in other games. Legend of Mana features three different plots which can occur simultaneously, and which do not necessarily need to be completed for the player to finish the game. Legend of Mana was a financial success in Japan. While the game garnered considerable praise for its graphics and presentation, many critics and fans were turned off by the game's lack of a main storyline.

09.07.1987

Play as five members of a family that set out to kill a dragon hidden within a giant maze.