* You'll need a magic wand and MP in order to use magic.

Getting Started

Select Mode at the title screen.
Select Beginning to start a new game or Continue to resume your game then press .
After selecting Continue, you can change the game's text font by choosing "Select Font".

It's GAME OVER when "Adol's" HP reach 0. Press to continue from a fixed save point.
You can keep your status and items by saving, so be sure to save often in areas with lots of enemies.

Basic Play

There once existed a utopia known as "Ys".
"Ys" flourished on account of the incredible power found within its metals. However, a fearsome catastrophe struck the land, and in a single night the utopia was reduced to dust.
700 years have passed since that fateful night.
One day, a young man by the name of "Adol Christin" comes ashore at the harbor of Esteria, his brimming curiosity piqued by this cursed legend.

In this game, the player controls Adol.
The first thing you must do is to make your way to "Minea Town", gather information and prepare for the journey ahead.
Whenever you're unsure as to what to do, try asking the local inhabitants.
Then venture outside the city and vanquish the demons to gain more EXP and GOLD.
As Adol gains more EXP, his LEVEL will go up, enabling him to battle stronger enemies.

Talking to inhabitants and exploring

To speak with the local inhabitants, simply approach them and the conversation will start automatically.
Do the same thing when you are searching for certain locations.
But you'll need to get a "Key" to open items such as treasure chests and doors.

Battles

Use your sword to strike enemies and inflict damage.
When an enemy stops you in your tracks and hits you with a counterattack, you will take a great deal of damage.
Try to attack enemies from the flanks or from behind, thus avoiding taking any damage.

HP

You will automatically recover HP by standing still.
However, this will not work in areas such as "Mines" or "Shrines" so you will need to use special items and equipment.
You won't be able to recover HP at all during boss battles.

MP

You will need MP whenever you use MAGIC in Ys II.
Unlike HP, MP cannot be automatically recovered by standing still.
To recover MP, use facilities or the item "Roda Tree Nut".

Command Window

You can use this screen to save and select item and equipment settings.
You can display this screen at any time except during boss battles.

EQUIPMENT

Displays the equipment you've obtained.
You can select your SWORD, SHIELD and other equipment with .

INVENTORY

Displays the items you've obtained. You can select which items to use with .
You can use recovery and other items by selecting them on this screen and then pressing on the main screen.

STATUS

Shows your current status and the names of the areas you have explored.

LOAD

Loads saved data.

SAVE

You can save up to five files.

SPEED

You can set the game speed to SLOW or FAST.

Game Screen

*MP is only displayed during Ys II.

Items

Below are some items listed under, "EQUIPMENT".

SWORD

Equip to increase your attack power.

	Short Sword	The sword you equip at the start. It is inexpensive and weak.
	Katana	A sword with strong attack power that can be used midway through the game.
	Flame Sword	A top-class sword with its blade enveloped in flames.
	Hyper Cutter	A sword with strong attack power that can be used during the latter half of the game.

SHIELD

Equip to increase your defensive strength.

	Small Shield	The shield you equip at the start. It has low defensive strength.
	Large Shield	A large shield with high defensive strength that can be used midway through the game.
	Iron Shield	A large shield that is tough and heavy. It can also be used during the latter half of the game.
	Silver Shield	The shield that a mischievous boy makes off with from a store.

ARMOR

Equip to increase your defensive strength.

	Chain-Armor	A weak chain link armor.
	Plate-Armor	Armor made of iron that can be used until the latter half of the game.
	Battle-Armor	A top-class armor with high defensive strength.
	Cleria-Armor	A strong armor made by "Cleria".

RING

Effects vary depending on the type equipped.

	Power Ring	Increases attack power.
	Armor Ring	Increases defensive power.
	Timer Ring	Slows down enemy movements.
	Heal Ring	Recovers HP in dangerous situations.

MAGIC

These are magic wands that can be used during the latter half of Ys. You will need MP in order to use magic.
You can use the effects of Light, Time Stop, Transform, and Shield by simply equipping them.

	Fire (Toba's Magic)	Hurl fireballs at distant enemies.
	Light (Dabbie's Magic)	Makes it easier to find hidden items.
	Return (Hadal's Magic)	Returns you to towns and villages that you have visited.
	Transform (Gemma's Magic)	Transform into a monster and talk to enemies.

Below are some items listed under "INVENTORY".

Equippable Items

	Mask of Eyes	Allows you to see the shrine's hidden passages.
	Cape of Holy Spirit	Recovers HP even in dangerous areas.
	Cleria Ring	Makes it easier to avoid enemy attacks.
	Idol of Hawk	Use Fire magic to home in on enemies.

Items used by pressing

They cannot be used during boss battles.

	Heal Potion	Completely recover HP.
	Roda Tree Nut	Completely recover MP.
	Wing	Warp to a fixed location.
	Pick Axe	Pick through broken walls to create passageways.

Items that produce an effect without being used

	Sapphire Ring	The ring that " Donnis", the guy from the pub, has lost.
	Sara's Crystal	Needed in order to explore deep into the "Shrine".
	Prison Key	Needed to open prison cells.
	Silver Harmonica	Stolen from the bard, "Lair".

There are many other items and equipment to discover.

Saving

You can open the Command Window and save at anytime other than during boss battles or in-game events.
Selecting a file with pre-existing data will overwrite it.
File data will reflect the name of the location you were at when you saved.

Accessing data from the first half of the game while in the second half will display the data as "Ys1" and doing the reverse will display the data as "Ys2".
Choose LOAD from the command window or Continue from the title screen to select and load data.

Password

You can also use a password to save your game and replay later.

First select SAVE from the command window.
Then go back to the title screen to select Continue and "Display the password".
On the next screen, select a save file to display a password. Be sure to keep a copy of the password handy.

Select Continue and "Input the password".
On the next screen, select a file and Input your password.
Inputting a password on a file with pre-existing data will overwrite it.