Legend of Hand tells the story of a hero on an epic quest to find the mythical Grandmaster Hand, the one man who can restore peace to a troubled world. Inspired by point and click adventure classics, Far-East legends and martial arts beat 'em up games of the 80's and 90's!
The gameplay alternates between classic adventure game elements, such as exploring environments, solving puzzles, and interacting with characters, with turn-based combat sequences. Players take on the role of a young martial artist on a quest to find the mythical Grandmaster Hand.
The combat system plays out in a turn-based format more akin to a classic JRPG. Players select from a variety of martial arts moves and special attacks to use against their opponents. As players progress, they can learn new techniques and upgrade their existing skills, adding a light RPG progression element to the combat.
Players must thoroughly explore the game's environments, talk to NPCs, collect items, and solve puzzles to advance the story. The puzzles are generally straightforward, relying more on logical thinking and environmental cues than obscure "moon logic," allowing players to advance without getting stuck for too long.
Interspersed throughout the adventure are a variety of minigames and side activities, such as fishing challenges and rhythm-based combat maneuvers. While not essential to completing the main quest, these optional activities help to break up the pacing and provide additional opportunities for player engagement.
The combat system is easy to grasp and does not require deep mastery of complex mechanics. Players who prefer to avoid the combat entirely can often find ways to progress through the story without engaging in battles. Additionally, the game provides options to skip certain minigames or challenges that may not appeal to all players.