Ever played Story of Thor on the Sega Genesis? It's one of those hidden gems that never made it big outside Japan, which is a shame because it’s got this weird, dreamy vibe that sticks with you. You play as this kid who stumbles into a mystical world where light and darkness are at war—pretty standard fantasy stuff at first glance, but the way it unfolds feels different.

The combat’s a mix of hack-and-slash and puzzle-solving, with these elemental spirits you summon to break barriers or freeze enemies. I remember getting stuck early on because I kept trying to brute-force my way through instead of actually using the spirits’ abilities. Once it clicks, though, the fights feel surprisingly tactical for a 16-bit action RPG.

Visually, it’s aged better than most Genesis games—lots of moody colors and detailed sprites that give it an almost Zelda-like charm. The music’s haunting too, all echoey synths and chimes. Just don’t expect a breezy playthrough; some of those late-game dungeons will test your patience. Still, if you’re into retro RPGs with personality, this one’s worth digging up.