fills a skill point meter that allows characters to perform skills. Skills are taught by using different weapons, and are permanently learned by using those skills enough, allowing the skill to be used with any weapon the character uses. Further use of a skill allows the user to enhance the skill. There is also an extra meter that when filled, allows the character the player controls to perform a super attack. Landing finishing blows with skills is the normal way to fill the extra meter. Players can also parry attacks in order to reduce damage. A parry is known as a "flash guard". If the player attempts to parry at the same time or shortly before a hit in an attack connects, that hit in the attack is nullified, the SP and extra meters are significantly filled, and successful ripostes are guaranteed to be critical attacks. Attempting to parry with the wrong timing will result in the player taking a critical hit. Reception The game received generally positive reception. Ryan Clements from IGN has praised the game's skill and battle system, calling it "unlike any JRPG I've played in recent memory. Even more surprising are the game's boss encounters, which require extreme focus to beat." He also noted that the music is "very enjoyable" and that, while the story is simple, the sincerity "keeps it from being boring". Still, he criticized the need to backtrack to the dungeons and the "modest" graphics. RPGamer awarded Ys Seven "Best PSP RPG of 2010". RPGFan named it "Overall Best RPG of E3". References External links 2009 video games Action role-playing video games Nihon Falcom games PlayStation Portable games Single-player video games Video games developed in Japan Windows games Ys (series) Video games about dragons Xseed Games games