If you have not played them already, you are going to be in for a surprise with IV, VI, and VII. V was kind of meh ... I didnt mind it per se but it was pretty weak compared to those 3 that surrounded it. VIII kind of bored me too. Its been a while but all I can remember was trying to learn how to do something for hours and not quite ever getting it done and just gave up. If you dont play 3 early on, you arent going to enjoy it later. It really does belong early in the series. Its bland and closely resembles the first one. And Mystic quest is definitely a beginner style of game. No real exploration or anything. The tactics line is not my cup of tea at all. I dont like chess type battle scenes.