If you've ever played an Ys game before, you know the drill—Adol’s sword swings feel weighty, enemies don’t just stand around waiting to get hit, and the music slaps. Mask of the Sun on SNES is no different, though it’s got this weird, almost dreamlike vibe compared to the others. You’re still hacking through monsters in that satisfying top-down way, but the world feels bigger, with towns full of NPCs who actually have things to say beyond "go kill rats."

I won’t lie, the translation’s a little rough in spots (classic ‘90s RPG stuff), but the story’s got this cool mix of ancient curses and political intrigue that keeps you pushing forward. And the dungeons? They’re just the right kind of maze-like—confusing enough to make you think, but not so brutal you’re drawing maps on graph paper.

It’s not the prettiest Ys game, but there’s something about the SNES’s chunky sprites and moody colors that works. If you’re into action RPGs that don’t hold your hand, this one’s worth dusting off the cartridge for.