Lufia is a prequel to Lufia & the Fortress of Doom , taking place ninety-nine years prior. The story follows Maxim, the ancestor of the first game's protagonist, as he searches for heroes to help stop the Sinistrals from destroying the world after meeting a mysterious woman named Iris.
Rise of the Sinistrals is a Japanese-style turn-based RPG with puzzle elements and a "Capsule Monsters" system. Players must use items and accessories to solve puzzles in dungeon layouts, where enemies are visible on-screen and can't be randomly encountered. The game features monsters that can be summoned and evolved when fed specific items.