Sword of Vermilion

Developer: Sega

Sword of Vermilion is an early action-RPG on the Sega Genesis combining overhead exploration, dungeon crawling, and real-time sword combat. Players control the heir to a murdered king, journeying through towns, forests, and labyrinths to recover the Vermilion Sword and confront the tyrant. Distinct segments mix top-down overworld travel, side-view boss and dungeon battles, and puzzle-like encounters, demanding resource management and pattern learning. Its dated graphics and chunky sound are part of the charm, rewarding patience and exploration with tough fights and memorable set pieces—classic console RPG action that defined Sega's early 16-bit era.