It's already been worn to death here, so I'm just gonna lay it down quickly.

2nd best gameplay and maps in the series (to Fates Conquest, of course 😏), coupled with one of the most underwhelming plots in FE history. At least it's funny though, so if you're irony-poisoned like I am, you'll most definitely enjoy its campiness.

I should at least mention that this game's cast of characters are way too fucking hilarious. What they lack in depth, they make up for it in spades with charm.

Play on Hard Mode first, and if that gets too easy - don't be afraid to drop that playthrough halfway through and play on Maddening - trust me, it's the best way to enjoy this game's varied systems.

Being my first Ys title (and also the first chronological entry in the series), I now finally understand why fans of this series are so passionate about it.

I was most impressed by its combat, though. It plays more like a battle-oriented top-down Zelda, yet doesn't feel mash-y in the slightest. I absolutely adored the challenge that bosses and certain enemy types brought. Damage being so easy and quick to accumulate is the perfect deterrent to face-tanking strategies that would usually be encouraged in other ARPGs.

Progression is very balls-to-the-wall, too - and I say that as a very heartfelt compliment. There's no time-wasting here, it's a back-to-back volley of rushing through tightly-designed dungeons and whacking demons.

The music is phenomenal too. If you're not chilling out to Water Prison or head-bopping to Silent Desert, then I'm just gonna assume you're soulless.
Overall, I'm very impressed with this hidden gem of a game. Gonna start a second AND third playthrough soon enough, since there are even more characters I can mess around with - just gotta clear my backlog.

(Also, Yunica's a cutie.)