About this game
Released in 1997, Alundra is an action RPG following a young Dreamwalker who can enter and traverse the nightmares of others. Its dungeon design — complex, demanding, and frequently brutal — is among the most celebrated of any action RPG from the PlayStation era. The game's willingness to kill off named characters and explore genuinely dark themes of grief, faith, and despair gave it a tone unlike most of its contemporaries. It was localized in North America by Working Designs with a famously irreverent translation.
Key Features
Dream-entry mechanic allowing exploration of other characters' subconscious as puzzle dungeons, punishing puzzle dungeon design with no hand-holding, a cast of named villagers whose fates evolve throughout the story, and Kohei Tanaka's orchestral score that shifts between warmth and dread.
The Story Behind
Alundra was developed by Matrix Software, which later became known for Final Fantasy III and IV remakes on DS. Its spiritual lineage traces to Landstalker and other isometric action RPGs. In Japan it was seen as a successor to classic Zelda-style games with greater ambition and difficulty; in North America, Working Designs' localization introduced a notably different — and often comedic — translation style.
Tricks & Tales
Alundra's dungeon design was intentionally modeled on The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past — the designers considered it the gold standard for the genre. The game features over a dozen dungeon puzzles that many players consider impossible without a guide. Working Designs' North American localization is notorious for replacing serious dialogue with pop culture references and jokes.
Collector's Guide
Available in our shop
Hand-cleaned and tested units shipped worldwide from Toyohashi, Japan. HP direct purchase exclusive: we include a printed shop owner's note card with every order.
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