Azure Dreams (Europe) (GBC)

In Azure Dreams, players take on the role of Koh, a young boy who arrives in the town of Monsbaiya to explore the mysterious Monster Tower. The primary goal is to find the egg of a legendary monster said to reside deep within the tower. The game's core gameplay is split into two main parts: tower exploration and town development.

The Monster Tower is a roguelike dungeon where each floor is procedurally generated. This ensures that every time a player enters the tower, the experience is fresh and challenging. Combat within the tower is turn-based, where both Koh and monsters move and attack in alternating turns. Players can utilize various weapons, armor, wands with different spells, and consumable items to survive. A characteristic of the roguelike genre is that if Koh is defeated within the tower, the player loses all items and money carried, except for what has been deposited in the bank in town. This demands careful strategy and knowing when to retreat.

One of the most unique mechanics of Azure Dreams is the ability to tame and raise monsters. Upon defeating certain monsters, they might drop eggs. These eggs can be brought back to town and hatched at the monster hut to become companion monsters. Each monster has unique attributes, skills, and combat abilities. They can be trained to grow stronger and assist Koh in battles. Players can only bring one companion monster into the tower at a time.

Outside of tower exploration, players can spend time developing the town of Monsbaiya. Money earned from exploring the tower can be used to build or upgrade facilities such as the hospital, library, casino, and even construct Koh's own house. Developing the town not only provides gameplay benefits (like better healing options, useful information) but also unlocks new interactions with the residents. The game also features dating simulation elements, allowing Koh to interact with several female characters in town, build relationships, and even get married, with each character having their own story and requirements.

The combination of challenging dungeon exploration, resource management, monster raising, and town building/dating elements creates a deep and unique RPG experience on the Game Boy Color.