Ys Strategy

Breaking away from its more traditional roots, Ys Strategy delves into the world of Real Time Strategy by allowing players to gather resources, build structures and raise an army big enough to put an evil empire to shame (while in the process of flattening them, of course). The actual result is a product so haphazardly put together that you have to wonder just what kind of quality control allowed it through the door.

Perhaps it is fortunate that the visuals don't build up any real expectations then. Well, the box art is certainly nice including several key characters in prominent positions and a well animated 3D opener that has an even more jarring difference between it and the ingame graphics than even Final Fantasy IV managed. Once ingame though you are treated to an assortment of stick figures with barely discernible features to tell different characters apart and animation done poorly. Spells and similar special effects are similarly poor. Mages just seem to throw out white orbs ...