Kujaku Ou is one of those weird, moody NES games that feels more like flipping through a dark fantasy novel than a typical RPG. You spend a lot of time navigating eerie menus—picking dialogue options, solving puzzles, and occasionally stumbling into turn-based fights. The Japanese version leans hard into the supernatural vibe, while the US release (called "Mystic Defender") cranked up the action to appeal to arcade fans. Honestly, I prefer the original—there's something unsettling about its slow, deliberate pace.

First ten minutes? You're thrown into this shadowy world where every choice matters, and half the time you're not sure if you just made a terrible mistake. The music creeps, the art's got this gothic charm, and yeah, you might die a lot before figuring out how the systems work. But that's part of the appeal—it doesn't hold your hand.

If you're into obscure, atmospheric NES games with a side of existential dread, this one's a trip.