Panorama Toh (ぱのらま島 "Panorama Island"), released by Nihon Falcom for the NEC PC-8801 computer in 1983, departed from the standard RPG formula in various ways. It combined RPG gameplay with real-time combat, combined fantasy with sci-fi elements, and introduced survival mechanics.
The game was designed by Yoshio Kiya, this was possibly the first action RPG. These innovative ideas about RPG design departed significantly from the turn-based norm at the time. It introduced real-time combat, sci-fi elements, a persistent open world with day-night cycle, and survival mechanics. This was a precursor to Falcom's seminal action RPG franchise, Dragon Slayer. In 1984, he would go on to create Nihon Falcom's Dragon Slayer franchise, which laid the foundations for the real-time, action RPG genre.
A strange request comes to Scotland Yard. Client Gilles Willcock receives a murder notice that's bound to happen at midnight. He calls out a detective, and seven people at the mansion wait nervously for escalation. Gilles locks him up at the second floor while detective hides in waiting at the first floor. At midnight gunshots are heard on the second floor, and a murder is seen through a keyhole. When detective finds the key and enters, there is no body.
Underground Exploration is a non-graphical game where players form a party of 4-5 adventurers, fight monsters, collect treasures, and purchase weapons. The game uses text-based commands and a time-passage system.
Arguably the first RPG to be produced in Japan.
The Dragon & Princess is the first known RPG developed in Japan. It tasks the player with finding a king's stolen treasure. It is a hybrid between the RPG, adventure and strategy genres, and laid the foundations for tactical RPGs.