Ys: The Vanished Omens

The Good
I don't have a lot of experience with console RPGs like Final Fantasy 3, Legend of Zelda, etc., but if Ancient Land of Ys is anything like them, they must indeed be fun.

Gameplay consists of running around your surroundings in an overhead view, bumping into people to talk with them (or bumping into enemies to hit them). The more you fight, the more experience you get; the more experience you get, the more hits you can take and the faster you recover.

The graphics are decidedly anime, but there's a certain charm in that.

The Bad
Certain parts of gameplay are not obvious and frustrating. At one point, the only way to go from one section to the other is to find a hidden door. You can easily see this door if you're wearing a special mask. But if you're not wearing the mask, you not only can't see the door but you can't open it either! I had "opened" the secret door at least 10 times before I stumbled through it with the mask on.

The Bottom Line
If you like console RPGs, you'll love Ancient Land of Ys.