Game:

Ys: The Oath in Felghana (2005)

Duration: 1:00

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5

I overprepared with plate mail by accident as it took several tries for me to beat the first boss.

This is a vastly improved remake from Ys III Wanderers from Ys in battle (side view with enwmies that don't flinch when hit, with no invincible barrier was a quick death to rage quit), sound (some say the snes version has the worst sound) and cutscenes.

Unfortunately, this is only available on PSP and Steam (I am using a Lenovo legion go with Steam) in the west. I am surprised they used the romanji for the fandom, rather than Ys (no apostrophe as I didn't understand pronounciation). https://isu.fandom.com/wiki/Ys:_The_Oath_in_Felghana

This site has good chronology and explaining the 3 types of games (I didn't like the bump and forced party ones as only one can do weapon damage sometimes and some dialogue gets worse with more people, so I liked this, Napishtim and Origin). https://www.digitalemelas.com/m.index_ys.php

I do recommend getting and upgrading the long sword and backtracking (no fast travel as an old game sadly, and you can't increase difficulty after starting, with normal being tough and there are harder difficulties) as you get more ore, though I'm sure the game will catch up fast.

You'll also need the elixir, ruby to charge fire magic (which ironically Chester is fireproof) and that shield (don't buy the expensive one in store). There are also money jars so I'd just run from monsters when backtracking/catching up, and check every ruins area (got lost for a moment until I saw I had to light up background torches as a puzzle).

You do "lose anyway" as the plot demands (sparta kick), though I do enjoy the dialogue and King McGuire definitely is a terrible person who influences Chester.