You will start out on a quest alone, explore on overworld maps on foot, get into turn-based battles, use items and equip weapons and armor, eventually get an airship to reach new lands and eventually have a world-defining battle. You'll be doing this for about three hours in the first game, and around five to seven hours in the second.

The first title is by far the more confusing, as most of the NPC dialogue was generated procedurally and mostly means nothing whatsoever, leaving strange red herrings for the player to follow. This extends to some of the game's systems, such as the “burrito” item having two states, frozen and warm – you throw frozen burritos at enemies for damage, and warm them up for a simple healing potion analog. Despite the byzantine worldbuilding the actual game is very simple, and dialogue meant to move the plot along manages to do an excellent job in explaining what you need to do.

Progression is also unique, when you die you get the chance to turn in “meat” gained from killing enemies, which increases your “flesh” (hit points). Dying is such a normal and expected part of the game that it never felt too difficult, functioning more as a chance to level up. Hylics is very meditative in this way, and isn't very interested in being very challenging.

Hylics 2 (2020) manages to make a sequel that is both bigger and better. The game features fully 3D environments, presenting itself in interesting and visually appealing ways. Characters are far more lucid this time around, technical shortcoming were fixed, there's more gameplay variety and the audio is far better. It still manages to feel as a one man's jam session, but it works. Like Hylics, it does an excellent job being a relaxing and meditative RPG, with decently challenging combat and some quality tunes. Just relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Breathe in. Breathe out.