Super Black Onyx (Japan)

Super Black Onyx is one of the earliest and most influential role-playing games (RPGs) in Japan, offering a distinctive first-person dungeon crawling experience. Players embark on their journey by creating an adventure party of up to six members. The character creation process is quite detailed, allowing you to choose a race (such as human, elf, dwarf, hobbit), gender, and profession (such as warrior, mage, priest, rogue). Basic character stats are allocated randomly or via points, influencing their combat abilities and spellcasting.

The core gameplay of Super Black Onyx revolves around exploring vast and perilous dungeon labyrinths, presented from a grid-based first-person perspective. Each step within the dungeon can lead to a random encounter with monsters. The combat system is turn-based, requiring players to plan and employ strategic thinking. In each turn, you will select actions for each party member, including physical attacks, using spells, defending, or attempting to flee. Spells are categorized into various types, capable of dealing damage, healing, or providing support.

Beyond combat and exploration, players must also manage equipment, items, and money. There are towns or safe areas where you can buy and sell weapons, armor, potions, restore health and magic points, and level up your characters. The ultimate goal is often to seek a legendary item – the Black Onyx – or defeat a powerful boss hidden deep within the dungeon. Although the graphics are simple in the NES style, Super Black Onyx still creates a challenging and engaging atmosphere, demanding patience and strategic thinking from the player.