Mystic Ruins

This is a hidden gem amongst all the RPG Maker games out there. I'm surprised more people haven't found it, especially since it's free!
It is not the classic (and typical) JRPG type of RPG Maker game, but instead focuses mainly on clue type puzzles where you have to figure out what to do with everything you find yourself. To facilitate this, the RPG Maker menu system has been completely overhauled, and the few battles are also in real time.
PROS:
* Puzzles feel rich, varied, and well thought out. They don't all need to be solved to progress.
* Clues, items, and solutions are spread non-linearly across the entire dungeon, with multiple things to be investigated in almost every room. I revisited each room multiple times as I got more items/clues and there were several times I found new things in them I had previously missed.
* Every map is visually interesting and distinct. I'm normally terrible with navigation, but I didn't get lost once in this game because each map was so distinct.
* There is also a well put together story to be uncovered, and two different endings depending on whether you complete everything or not.
CONS:
* Battling in real time is clunky, since RPG Maker is not designed for that. Not a huge deal since there's only 2 or 3 compulsory boss battles, and the tough enemies on the map are probably meant to be avoided.
* Items that give you additional battle abilities are easy to miss. As a result, my first run in with the first boss felt ridiculous and almost impossible. Afterwards, I discovered I had missed a puzzle earlier that gave me the ability to heal. This skill was a game changer, and probably should have been less optional to find.
* Kind of a pro/con, some of the ghosts give pretty blatant hints that cheapened the puzzle solving experience for me. But you can't just ignore all of them because some actually have useful things to say.
* As of writing, there is a bug where the ending scene doesn't trigger. The developer seems to have disappeared, but it's easy to fix yourself if you have RPG Maker VX Ace.

Haven't played the game very long, but what's there is promising. Doesn't take long to get you right into what the game is - solving puzzles and surviving. I like that. Too many games take way too long to get to the good stuff, and this game seems to get you there right after a very brief intro scene.
All in all, you can expect to be playing this game in its fullness within the first 5 minutes of loading it up. A very good sign.
Is Mystic Ruins a very good absolutely amazing awesome great game? It doesn't appear to be, but for the price point, I can say with confidence that it's worth picking up. Worst case scenario is that you wasted $2.99 (or $2.54 with its sale going on right now). It's an adventure, and for people who like puzzle solving and mysteries, this is a good game that you will want to play.

There are some flaws (Chiefly the movement speed. Even running its slow and stiff) but there's some real potential here. I really like the big puzzle island. The game feels alot like several gameboy games I've played, with the not-quite-zelda sword swinging. Some of it makes me think of Final Fantasy Adventure/Seiken Densetsu. Person who made this game, you have my full support! (^∀^)7

This game was very hard and fun but it got to a point where you get on a ship and the screen just turns black you could hear game sounds and even get in the items menu. i dont know if i beat it and the credits just never roll or theres more to the game and its broken... i dont even know who to report the bugs to. but it was fun hope it gets fixed soo so i could continue playing.

Before I played Mystic Ruins, I had a small pp, no friends, no gf, depression, and no life. These things havent changed, but the game is pretty good