《仙劍奇俠傳》（Chinese Paladin）是經典的角色扮演遊戲（RPG），由台灣大宇資訊（Softstar）旗下的狂徒創作群於1995年開發，並在1995年首次於DOS平台發行。被譽為華語RPG的代表作，以濃厚的中國仙俠文化為背景，融合動人心魄的劇情、傳統回合制戰鬥與多樣的機關謎題，奠定「仙劍」系列的基礎，也影響後續無數仙俠類遊戲的發展。

故事以李逍遙為主角，他是住在餘杭鎮的孤兒，由嬸嬸李大娘撫養長大，夢想成為俠客，行走江湖，闖蕩天下。某天，為尋找能救治病重嬸嬸的靈藥，李逍遙來到仙靈島，邂逅溫柔婉約的趙靈兒，並與她在一夜之間結下深厚的感情。然而，這場邂逅卻也成為兩人命運的轉折點。姥姥逼迫裡逍遙與靈兒成親，她卻中苗人的計謀身亡，並將靈兒託付給李逍遙。

李逍遙在返回家鄉後，發現家園被邪教「拜月教」的勢力襲擊，為查明真相，於是踏上旅途，途中結識俠義豪爽的林月如與聰慧機靈的酒劍仙女兒阿奴，四人聯手展開冒險。在旅途中，李逍遙逐漸發現靈兒並非普通人，而是擁有「女媧血統」的後裔，肩負著拯救蒼生的使命。然而，拜月教教主意圖利用靈兒的力量，釋放遠古妖物，帶來災難。隨著劇情發展，四名主角經歷愛恨交織的情感糾葛、江湖恩怨與家國大義的掙扎。最終，為阻止拜月教主的陰謀，他們來到水魔獸的封印之地，展開最後的決戰。在這場戰役中，雖然水魔獸最終被封印，但李逍遙卻失去最心愛的靈兒，只能帶著無盡的遺憾繼續前行，結局充滿淒美與悲壯，成為遊戲史上最令人動容的結局之一。

遊戲採用傳統回合制戰鬥系統，可以操作李逍遙、趙靈兒、林月如、阿奴等角色，每人擁有不同的武學與法術。戰鬥時可選擇普通攻擊、仙術、技能、道具或逃跑，並且不同角色擁有專屬的特技，如靈兒擅長水系仙術，月如則精通家傳劍法，李逍遙能學會多種劍技。戰鬥中還有陣法系統，可以透過調整隊形來增強攻擊力、防禦力或恢復效果，增加戰術變化。除了戰鬥，還設計大量的機關謎題與解謎要素，如迷宮中的機關、隱藏寶箱、需要解鎖的門鎖等，增加探索樂趣。需要在各地冒險，進入不同的城鎮、寺廟、山洞與異界空間，解開一連串的事件，推進劇情發展。

關卡設計極具特色，每個地區都具有鮮明的文化風格與挑戰，如仙靈島的夢幻仙境、苗疆的神秘蠻荒、蜀山劍派的仙俠氛圍，每個場景都充滿中國古典美學。部分關卡還設有特殊戰鬥條件，例如需要守護NPC、限時戰鬥或與強大BOSS對抗，讓戰鬥不僅僅是單純的回合制對戰，而需要策略與操作配合。除原本的結局外還有增補林月如結局跟趙靈兒結局。

《仙劍奇俠傳》發售後，迅速成為華語遊戲市場的經典之作，獲得極高的評價。遊戲的故事情節細膩感人，尤其是主角與趙靈兒、林月如之間的愛情與命運糾葛，讓許多玩家為之動容。結局的悲劇色彩更是讓《仙劍奇俠傳》成為「仙劍一代」粉絲心中的永恆記憶。音樂由台灣作曲家林坤信創作，曲風融合中國傳統樂器與現代電子音樂，如主題曲《蝶戀》、戰鬥音樂《兵兇戰危》等，都成為經典旋律，至今仍被廣泛傳唱。畫面雖然以當時技術而言較為簡單，但場景設計與人物立繪極具中國水墨風格，給人強烈的武俠氛圍。然而，該作也有一些缺點，如早期版本的存檔系統較為不便，部分機關設計過於複雜，導致玩家可能會卡關。此外，戰鬥難度在後期略顯不平衡，部分敵人過於強大，必須依賴特定策略才能獲勝。但這些問題並未影響其在玩家心中的地位。

總體而言，《仙劍奇俠傳》不僅是成功的RPG，還是影響深遠的仙俠文化經典，為後來的「仙劍系列」奠定基礎，也開創華語遊戲的仙俠風潮。其後續版本如《仙劍奇俠傳二》《仙劍奇俠傳三》乃至後來的電視劇改編，都證明這部作品的長久影響力。時至今日，這款遊戲依然擁有大量忠實粉絲，並且不斷被重製與致敬，成為華語遊戲史上最重要的作品之一。

Chinese Paladin (The Legend of Sword and Fairy) is a classic role-playing game (RPG) developed by Softstar Entertainment under its DOMO Studio in 1995. It was first released for the DOS platform in the same year. Considered a representative work of Chinese-language RPGs, the game is set against a rich backdrop of Chinese xianxia (immortal hero) culture, blending an emotionally gripping story, traditional turn-based combat, and varied puzzle-solving mechanics. It laid the foundation for the Chinese Paladin series and influenced countless subsequent xianxia-themed games.

The story follows Li Xiaoyao, an orphan from Yuhang Town, who was raised by his aunt, Madam Li. He dreams of becoming a great hero and traveling the world. One day, in search of a mystical medicine to cure his critically ill aunt, he ventures to the Fairy Spirit Island, where he meets the gentle and elegant Zhao Ling’er. Over the course of a single night, the two develop a deep bond. However, this fateful encounter also marks the beginning of their intertwined destinies. The island’s guardian, Grandmother, forces Li Xiaoyao to marry Ling’er, but she later falls into a trap set by the Miao people and dies, entrusting Ling’er to Li Xiaoyao before her passing.

Upon returning home, Li Xiaoyao discovers that his town has been attacked by the Moon Worship Cult, an evil sect. To uncover the truth behind the attack, he embarks on a journey. Along the way, he befriends the righteous and bold Lin Yueru and the clever and mischievous A’nu, the daughter of the legendary Wine Sword Immortal. The four of them set out on a great adventure together. As the journey unfolds, Li Xiaoyao gradually learns that Ling’er is no ordinary person—she is a descendant of the Nuwa bloodline, destined to save the world. However, the leader of the Moon Worship Cult seeks to exploit Ling’er’s divine powers to release an ancient monstrous entity, bringing catastrophe to the land.

Throughout the game, the four main characters experience love, heartbreak, revenge, and the conflict between personal desires and greater responsibilities. In the final confrontation, they arrive at the seal of the Water Demon Beast, where they engage in a climactic battle to thwart the cult leader’s sinister plot. Although the Water Demon Beast is ultimately sealed away, Li Xiaoyao tragically loses his beloved Ling’er, leaving him with an endless sense of regret as he continues his journey. The game’s bittersweet and tragic ending has been hailed as one of the most heart-wrenching conclusions in gaming history.

Gameplay & Mechanics

The game features a traditional turn-based combat system, allowing players to control Li Xiaoyao, Zhao Ling’er, Lin Yueru, A’nu, and other characters, each with unique martial arts and magical abilities. Players can choose from basic attacks, immortal magic (xianshu), special skills, items, or fleeing during battles. Each character has their own specialized abilities—Ling’er excels in water-based spells, Yueru is skilled in her family's sword techniques, and Li Xiaoyao can learn various sword arts.

Additionally, the game includes a formation system, enabling players to adjust battle formations to enhance attack power, defense, or healing effects, adding a strategic layer to combat.

Beyond battles, the game also features intricate puzzles and mechanisms, such as traps in dungeons, hidden treasure chests, and locked doors requiring keys, adding to the sense of exploration. Players must traverse various locations, including towns, temples, caves, and mystical realms, solving a chain of events to advance the story.

Level & Environment Design

The game’s level design is highly distinctive, with each region possessing unique cultural themes and challenges. These include:

The Fairy Spirit Island, a dreamlike paradise.

The Miao Territory, a mysterious and untamed land.

The Shushan Sect, a sacred and majestic swordsman’s sanctuary.

Each environment is imbued with classic Chinese aesthetics, reinforcing the game’s wuxia and xianxia atmosphere. Some levels also feature special battle conditions, such as:

Protecting NPCs,

Timed battles,

Boss fights with special mechanics.

These challenges make battles more than just simple turn-based encounters, requiring players to adopt effective strategies and tactics. Additionally, alternate endings were later added, including an extended conclusion featuring Lin Yueru’s fate and another focusing on Zhao Ling’er.

Reception & Legacy

Upon release, Chinese Paladin quickly became a legendary title in the Chinese gaming industry, receiving widespread critical acclaim. Its story is deeply emotional, particularly the complex love triangle between Li Xiaoyao, Zhao Ling’er, and Lin Yueru, which moved countless players. The game’s tragic elements further solidified its place in fans' hearts as an unforgettable classic.

The game’s music, composed by Lin Kunxin, blends traditional Chinese instruments with modern electronic sounds. Iconic tracks like the theme song “Butterfly Love” and the battle theme “Perilous Battlefield” have become timeless melodies, still fondly remembered and widely covered by fans today. Although the graphics were relatively simple by contemporary standards, the scenic design and character portraits were inspired by Chinese ink painting, enhancing the game’s immersive wuxia experience.

Criticisms & Shortcomings

Despite its acclaim, the game had a few drawbacks:

The early save system was inconvenient, making progression difficult.

Some puzzle designs were overly complex, causing players to get stuck.

Late-game battles were somewhat unbalanced, with certain enemies being extremely difficult, requiring specific strategies to defeat.

However, these flaws did not diminish the game’s legendary status.

Cultural Impact

Overall, Chinese Paladin is not just a successful RPG—it is an icon of xianxia culture that laid the groundwork for the Chinese Paladin series and sparked a wave of xianxia-themed games in the industry. Its later sequels, such as Chinese Paladin 2 and Chinese Paladin 3, as well as its live-action TV adaptations, further prove the game's enduring influence.

Even today, this game retains a massive and loyal fanbase and continues to be remade and honored in various forms, cementing its status as one of the most significant works in the history of Chinese gaming.