The story follows Adol Christin, a red-haired adventurer and expert swordsman, as he embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of Ys. A fortune teller sets him on this path after predicting that the ancient land's secret lies within six books. However, the evil wizard Dark Fact has stolen these books, sparking Adol's mission to defeat the villain and unlock Ys' hidden knowledge.
Ys: The Vanished Omens is an action role-playing game with a unique combat system. Rather than pressing a button to attack, Adol simply runs into enemies he encounters. Charging at them from behind or sides deals more damage, but beware – a head-to-head collision can be deadly if the enemy is stronger. Defeating foes rewards Adol with gold and experience points, which grant him levels and newfound strength as he equips swords, armor, shields, and accessories.