Legend of Mana

[Madoka Titus]

So I've been playing this game for a while, and by a while I mean like 8 hours but I still have no idea what the main story is about besides restoring the Mana tree, and what's up with the little elemental sprites once I put down an artifact?

There are three major side stories and numerous minor ones (those that only lasts around 3 quests). You must complete one of the 3 major arcs (optionally, you can finish them all) to be able to access the last arc. The main plot is pretty bleh IMO.

IIRC, the elemental sprites determine the place's elemental levels. It affects many things from being a prerequisite to activating new quests to what type of spoils you'll be able to get by fighting enemies. Also, the further you put the artifact from your home, the stronger the enemies will be in that place and the rarer the items you'll get.

And I think I may also have broken the game with the spear with well timed pokes and the enemies/bosses can't do anything about since they're stunned.

The first play-through is pretty much a cakewalk once you've gotten the mechanics down pat. What's fun in this game is the depth of customization it offers.

[Teoskaven]

I played this game like 2 years ago, but i was unaware of the incredible customization, and combining that with my bad luck made me lose a ton of quests. Luckyly i've found another version a few days ago, and now i'm enjoying it.
And for a realtivly "childish" game as it can appears, LoM has some dark, mature or depressing moments, exactly like TLoZ Majora's Mask (for instance, the final Jumi chapter, or the conversation betwenn the sage Pokhiel and the mirror, or the entire Cappella and Diddle arc), and i love it for this.