Similar to most parlor board games, you use a spinner to move – the number of tiles you can move is the number the spinner stops at. Cards, eight of which are given when you start the game, represent abilities, attacks, and actions you can take. When you encounter a monster on the board, the game zooms into a close-up view similar to most console RPGs. In battle, you and the monster take turns to choose attack cards. Once you've picked one, you can't use that card again during that battle. You can collect cards that increase hit points, give special powers, etc. These are won in battles or hidden in treasure chests. Although all the text is in Japanese, Tales of the Float Land is easily learned and mastered, although you won’t understand what the monsters say before each battle.

With colorful anime graphics, great soundtrack, and unique and fun gameplay that combines RPGs with board game elements, Tales of the Float Land is an enjoyable “light” RPG/puzzle hybrid that is great for whiling away a few coffee breaks. Two thumbs up!