if you liked the first 2 ys games, you'll likely hold this one to similar, if not higher regard. mask of the sun is far from a perfect game. it has the same highs and the same lows as the first 2. the simple, yet engaging bump combat, the bussin music, the interesting story, the lovable characters, its all here. and this game has a more 90s shonen anime style with cool animated cutscenes here and there. but with the good always comes the bad. and while this game has the same pros of the first 2 games, it also has the same cons. particularly the biggest problems the first 2 ys games had, which is the godawful labyrinthian level design of the endgame that just pads out your playtime as you wonder where the hell the game wants you to go. and while thats at its worst in the last...several dungeons.... the game can also be slightly obtuse on where to go or what to do next. by the end i wasnt going five steps without checking the guide or video walkthrough. and boy did they also help for the bosses. many of them were uhhhhh.... not the strongest in the series. it really makes you realize just how bad the grinding problem in this game is when one level is the difference between steamrolling and getting steamrolled, so you just kinda...grind for 10 minutes going back and forth doing nothing else. its monotonous. its also a lot longer than the first 2... that might be good to some, but personally i feel it overstayed its welcome
all in all, its still a fine game, arguably the "link to the past" to the first 2 games "zelda 1"
if you're playing the ys series for the first time and wondering which of the 5 versions you should experience (PCE/SNES/PS2/MoC/Manga)
well i cant say i dont recommend playing this version, but personally i quite liked memories of celceta but thats not a popular opinion i know. but look into this version at least and decide for yourself