Ys Seven is an isometric-view action role-playing game. It is the seventh full title in the Japanese series originated by Falcom in the mid-1980s, loosely inspired by the mythological city that sunk into the sea. Players adventure through a high-fantasy realm, and guide a three-character party in action-oriented battle involving heroic melee combat and powerful magic spells. The player can switch between the three characters in the heat of battle, in order to combine the most damaging attacks against each enemys greatest weaknesses. Unlike some console-style RPGs, there are no surprise random encounters, as all enemies appear on the overview map for players to strategically engage or avoid.

The games story follows series protagonist Adol Christin and his regular companion Dogi, as they come to the land of Altago, seeking adventure. Although initially thrown in the local jail for protecting a girl from a harassing army officer, the heroes reputation precedes them, and they are soon released and enlisted by the king. The Adol and Dogi are asked to investigate strange happenings in the realm, beginning with a spat of unexplained earthquakes. It soon comes to be suspected that the legendary Five Dragons of the realm are awakening -- in order to prevent a great pending evil, according to the ancient tales. As Adol quests through the adventure and proves his worth, he may be granted great powers from these dragons in times of need.