The game uses a top-down perspective. Adol explores towns, fields, caves, and towers, speaking with residents, collecting equipment, solving item-based obstacles, and battling enemies by moving into them rather than selecting attack commands.

The adventure is divided into the connected campaigns of Ys I and Ys II. Experience raises Adol's level, while weapons, armor, shields, rings, and story items expand his capabilities. Ys II adds magic, a larger world, more towns, and additional quests and bosses.

Keep equipment current before entering a new dungeon, and search towns thoroughly for upgrades and key items.

Enemies are generally safest to defeat by striking from the side or at an angle. Watch their movement patterns, retreat when surrounded, and use healing opportunities before boss encounters. In Ys II, experiment with magic against enemies that are difficult to approach directly.