Lufia: The Legend Returns

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Lufia: The Legend Returns is a role-playing game for the Game Boy Color. It is the third game in the Lufia series and the first to appear on a handheld system. It was developed by Neverland and published by Taito in Japan, Natsume Inc. in North America, and Ubi Soft in Europe. The game released in 2001 (Japan: September 7; North America: September 20; Europe: October 23).

Gameplay and systems
- The game uses the series’ IP System. Players learn new IP Skills by finding Ancient Texts in dungeons, and they must have Spiritual Force (SF) to use those abilities.
- Battles happen on the Battle Screen with up to nine characters, but only three can attack each turn (one per vertical column). The top row deals more damage but takes more damage; the back row takes less damage but also deals less.
- You can move characters between turns to maximise their abilities.
- If a character’s HP drops to zero, they can’t participate for the rest of that battle and won’t gain Experience or Learning Points. They automatically revive after the battle with 1 HP (reviving during the battle avoids penalties).
- The game adds four types of Spiritual Force, each letting a character learn one IP Skill.
- The Ancient Cave returns, featuring 200 randomly generated floors to climb.

World and story
- The game has a large overworld map with cities and many enemies along the routes between areas.
- Quests on each continent are tied to four Towers and the Sinistral living on each tower.
- The continents include Epsis, Lidel, and Fante, with stories involving repairing damage, uncovering mysteries, and battling the Sinistrals.
- The plot is set 100 years after Lufia: Fortress of Doom and 200 years after Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals. A teenage hero named Wain, descendant of Maxim, teams up with a fortune-teller named Seena to stop the reawakened Sinistrals led by Gades. They travel to gather allies, face dangers, and try to save the world.

Development
- Lufia: The Legend Returns began as a planned PlayStation title called Lufia III: Ruins Chaser. The original developer, Nihon-Flex, went out of business. Neverland later redesigned the game with updated graphics, a revised story, and new characters.

Reception
- The game received mixed reviews. Critics praised its unique party system but criticized its complex menus.