Romancia

Romancia is an action role-playing game developed by Nihon Falcom and released in 1986. It is notable for its unique control scheme, requiring players to use a set of contextual actions rather than direct movement and attacks. The game is also known for its fairy tale atmosphere and challenging gameplay.

The story of Romancia revolves around a young knight, Prince Fread, tasked with rescuing Princess Romancia from the clutches of an evil dragon, Dragon Lord. Players navigate a series of interconnected environments, solving puzzles and battling enemies. Combat is performed via a set of predefined actions, requiring strategic timing and awareness of enemy weaknesses.

Romancia was initially released for the NEC PC-8801 and later ported to other platforms, including the MSX, Famicom (NES), and other Japanese personal computers. The Famicom version, titled Romancia: Dragon Slayer Jr., differs significantly from the original, featuring altered gameplay mechanics and a simplified story.

The game's unique control scheme and emphasis on puzzle-solving contributed to its distinct identity within the action RPG genre. While not as widely recognized as some of Nihon Falcom's other franchises like Ys or Dragon Slayer, Romancia maintains a cult following due to its innovative approach and memorable world.