This is one of those games that was absolutely made for the Nintendo DS!
Note:
The Bad:
You will be re-playing certain maps over and over usually due to the strict time limit or your monster's lack-of-pathfinding skills. And if you can't sketch the runes (or, like my hubby, can't draw anything at all) this game will be an exercise in frusteration. But, if you are willing to overlook these small issues, you'll find a creative rts/rpg hybrid that really does use the touch screen of the ds to great effect without being gimmicky. Folks, THIS is the sort of thing that simply CAN'T be done on any other system. Pehaps, if they deign to make a sequel they could get rid of the stupid time limit, work on the AI intellegence, and fix the rollercoaster difficulty. Yes, it's hard, but fun, and I find I keep picking it up to play again-and-again when I swore I wouldn't play it anymore..
The Good:
LostMagic is kind of an action RPG, but it's sort of an RTS, with a few puzzle and strategy RPG elements (as well as monster-catching) thrown in the mix. It broke down such genre barriers with the power of the stylus. That's why it's such a great title.
You are primarily in control of Isaac, and you also direct a host of monsters that you capture and then add to your ranks based on a "unit points" system. Both you and the monsters will gain experience points for defeating enemies. How you defeat them is up to you.
Depending on whether you're left or right handed, you will use either the L or R button to call up the rune screen to enter a rune to cast magic. There a total of 18 runes (3 levels of runes for 6 elements) that you learn throughout the game. Mid-way through the game you'll be able to combine any two runes for a unique spell using the Duo Rune feature. And, if you take the "good ending" path, you will even be able to execute a limited number of Trio Runes. Yeah, the magic system is hot.
During battles, the top screen shows all information along with a zoomed out map. The bottom screen is the field where the action takes place. Using the stylus, you can cast magic, move you and your monsters around, and check the stats of enemy units.
Battles may have one of any number of objectives, including the standard "kill your enemies" or "kill the big boss." There are also "escape from the battle" and "purify the crystals" (sort of a "king of the hill" objective). Every single battle (even random encounters) comes with a time limit (usually five minutes, sometimes three or ten minutes). Even if you're an expert at all the genres of gameplay represented, I promise you this game will be a challenge. Plan on losing more often than winning.
The reason for the number of exceedingly high losses (besides the tight time limits) is that you really need to learn and master spells, as well as plan a decent strategy, before taking on any serious battle. I found that area-based explosions were very helpful most of the time, but they alone cannot do the trick when it comes to taking down rival magicians. You'll also need to discover for yourself the various forms of healing magic, enhancing magic, and enfeebling magic. There is no in-game guide; you learn the spells by experimenting and then reading the description for the attempted spell.
HP and MP are also a significant factor in gameplay. MP regenerates when you stand around not casting magic. MP will regenerate faster if you purify crystals and stand near said crystals. This definitely adds to the strategy factor.
Throw in a decent competitive multiplayer option for kicks, and LostMagic is a clear victor for DS RPGs. I had so much fun with this title, and it challenged me in so many ways, I simply have to recommend it for its gameplay if for nothing else.