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In 1990, Dragon Wars tried to out-Bard’s Tale the Bard’s Tale series. With a gritty fantasy setting, brutal difficulty, and surprisingly deep lore, it succeeded in feeling epic—if occasionally unfair. The turn-based combat could drag, but the story had enough grit and mystery to keep you hooked. Exploring wastelands, fighting monsters, and solving puzzles felt like leafing through a dog-eared fantasy novel. What sets it apart is its flexibility: you could approach challenges in multiple ways, not just bash your head against random encounters. It’s one of those RPGs that punishes mistakes but rewards persistence—an old-school classic with bite.