A classic Japanese RPG series makes a triumphant return after four decades.

Falcom is set to breathe new life into its iconic Dragon Slayer franchise, marking a significant revival more than 40 years after the original game debuted in Japan. This announcement comes as part of the studio’s 45th anniversary celebrations, although specific details regarding the release date or gameplay features remain under wraps.

The original Dragon Slayer holds a pivotal place in RPG history. Released on the PC-8001 in 1984, it was one of the few action-RPGs available at the time, standing out against the backdrop of roguelikes and command-based dungeon crawlers that dominated earlier gaming. While it never made its way outside Japan, its top-down perspective and intricate dungeons left a lasting impact, influencing titles like the original Legend of Zelda and shaping Falcom’s development approach for years. Following Dragon Slayer, the studio continued to innovate within the action-RPG genre with titles like Xanadu and Sorcerian, which, while loosely connected to the Dragon Slayer series, varied significantly in narrative.

Dragon Slayer eventually evolved into The Legend of Heroes series, which transformed into the Trails series, becoming one of Falcom’s mainstays alongside the Ys franchise. Over the years, Falcom has also released Zwei and its sequel, along with several standalone titles. However, by the 2010s, the studio primarily focused on alternating between new Ys and Trails games, with Tokyo Xanadu being a notable exception, for which a sequel was announced during February’s Partner Direct.

In recent years, a mix of factors, including collaborations with new publishing partners crafting stories aimed at global audiences, has helped Falcom reach new players. This trend continued with the releases of Trails in the Sky: First Chapter and Trails beyond the Horizon. Despite a remarkable 670% profit surge following the global launch of Trails in the Sky: First Chapter, Falcom president Toshiro Kondo emphasizes the importance of maintaining realistic expectations for future sales and growth. He acknowledges that Falcom cannot compete with larger, better-funded studios in China and Korea, and instead focuses on creating games that embody the unique spirit that only Falcom can deliver.

Kondo expressed this sentiment, stating, “While it’s important to be rational and create things together as a coherent organization, works infused with individual flair and the desire to ‘create something you like no matter what’ carry a truly unique charm.” This philosophy underscores the company’s commitment to valuing personal preferences and individuality in its game development.

Reviving one of its oldest and most influential series for audiences who missed out in the past seems like a smart move for Falcom, especially considering that much of its recent profitability has stemmed from licensing fees for its Trails and Ys games as they launched internationally.