Created by Will Crowther, this was a text-based adventure set in a real life cave formation.
The foundation of the RPG was laid during this time.
Now you really were in the thick of it, seeing all of the action through your own eyes.
The result was incredible, and it quickly became a bit hit.
The same year also saw the first real turn-based JRPG.
This was EnixsDragon Quest, which still endures today.
It also introduced much larger worlds and more complex mechanics, taking plenty of ideas fromDragon Quest.
Its fitting then, than the two companies would eventually merge to become Square Enix.
It featured numerous side quests alongside the main story, and an advanced, tactical combat system.
Visually, it looked similar in many ways toUltima,but the core gameplay was far more advanced.
The importance here, though, wasD&Ds crossover to the digital world.
This really opened the floodgates, attracting many hardcoreD&Dtabletop players.
Another mid-90s RPG that made major waves wasBaldurs Gateby BioWare and Black Isle Studios.
It was simply huge, and embodied everything about the RPG.
As well as individual character progression through normal XP, the Materia system made magic using flexible and user-customisable.
It also boasted a great story, with genuinely emotional moments.
It also introduced the perks system, alongside the S.P.E.C.I.A.L.
character progression system that would become a series staple.
Hybrids
Jumping ahead to the turn of the century, or just a year before.
The RPG elements werent overshadowed by the FPS play, as can happen quite easily in other titles.
It was also one of the first examples of the now staple RPG mechanic of character interaction.
Its widely considered to be amongst the best modern RPGs.
The same year a totally different RPG experience was released, and that wasDemons Souls.
