A lot of people will say that Ark is a weaker game compared to Oath in Felghana and Origins, and they're basically right. It's a rougher experience for sure, but it has some features that set it apart from and maybe even above the later games. The environments, in particular, are more vibrant and give a better sense of scale than Oath's underground ruins or Origins' endless tower. Having three different swords to master is a fun and varied experience and upgrading them is satisfying in a way the other two games never quite captured in my opinion. And personally, I liked the story in Ark at least as much as the one in Oath. The individual characters are interesting and memorable, and talking to them reveals a lot of cute little subplots that really help bring the setting to life. I played Ark after beating Oath, and it feels like a prototype. There are some mechanical issues that can cause unnecessary frustration and that were cleared up in later games. But it's still a Ys game. It still has the frenetic action and kickass soundtrack the series is known for, and it's definitely still worth playing if you're looking for a solid action-adventure title.
