As it was one of the first console RPGs, Dragon Warrior has very traditional RPG gameplay. You travel from town to town, fighting enemies and gaining experience on the way. In towns you can talk to NPCs to learn about the story, buy items and equipment, and stay at the inn. But most of the time playing is spent walking back and forth to save gold or build levels.
Controls
- A: Bring up the menu or accept a menu option.
- B: Close the menu or return to the previous menu.
- Start: Pause.
Menus
General Menu
- Talk: Talk to the NPC you are facing.
- Status: Shows your character stats
- Stairs: Go up or down stairs.
- Search: Search the ground at your feet for hidden items.
- Spell: Bring up the spell list.
- Item: Bring up the item list.
- Door: Use a magic key to open a door.
- Take: Take the contents of the treasure chest at your feet.
Battle Options
- Fight: Attack the enemy
- Run: Try to run.
- Spell: Bring up the spell list.
- Item: Bring up the item list.
Stats
- LV: Level.
- HP: Hit points.
- MP: Magic points.
- G: Gold.
- E: Experience.
- Maximum HP:
- Maximum MP:
- Strength:
- Agility:
- Attack Power:
- Defense Power:
- Weapon: Currently equipped weapon.
- Armor: Currently equipped armor.
- Shield: Currently equipped shield.
Battles
All battles in Dragon Warrior are one-on-one and turn-based. Other than a few bosses, all battles are random. Most of the time you will get the chance to attack first, but sometimes the enemy gets the first strike. After you perform your action - Attack, Run, Spell, or Item - the enemy will either attack, run, cast a spell, or perform a special attack such as breathing fire. Unlike you, the enemies have unlimited MP. After to defeat an enemy, you gain some gold and experience and get to move on.