Argo

About

Argo is a 1986 RPG that swaps traditional maps for a pseudo-3D first-person exploration system. You play Jason, a hero tasked with purging his home city of monstrous invaders. The game lets you freely attack or converse with every character you meet, blending social interaction with combat. Most fights are turn-based and unfold during exploration, but larger monsters trigger real-time battles on a separate screen where you dodge and strike in a third-person view. Protagonist health depletes over time, forcing you to manage resources by feeding him to recover stamina and hit points. Progression hinges on defeating enemies for experience and currency. What sets Argo apart is its early experimentation with dynamic perspectives and hybrid battle systems. While the story borrows Greek myth themes, it follows a straightforward hero’s journey rather than strict mythological retelling. Despite its age, the game’s fluid movement and mix of combat styles feel surprisingly ahead of its time. Originally exclusive to Japanese 8-bit computers, it remains a cult classic for its unconventional approach to RPG mechanics.

Storyline

Loosely based on the Greek myth of the Argonauts, Argo focuses on its central protagonist Iason (Jason), narrating a simple story that does not quite correspond to the known myth: Iason's father has been poisoned, and his native city Iolkos overrun by monsters known as Pontos. Iason must single-handedly eliminate them and save his homeland.