This was a sega genesis game. I guess it would be classified as an action RPG, but it was like a blend of a side-scrolling platformer and an RPG. I can't remember for the life of me what it was called. Your main character has a sword, possibly a shield also. I believe you start out in a cave killing bats.

Have you seen this game?
http://www.wunderland.com/Pics/MilkCarton.gif

Growing up I wasn't that much into Sega (Yeah, I was a Nintendo fanboy), I only really knew of a few note-worthy games like Sonic, Altered Beast and Strider. But I feel I know what game you're talking about, since I did play a few of my cousin's Genesis games back in the day, and I feel like maybe he had that game you're talking about. :/

I'm not trying to troll, but this really does sound like so many (action)RPGs. Hopefully someone can help you, though!

Yeah...I can't really remember much else. I do remember that some rooms were VERY tall (as in fall from the top and you don't hit the ground for a good 5-6 seconds.) I haven't ever really played one quite like this one that had so much of a side-scroller element, but there probably are a few out there. It is a genesis game though, so hopefully that narrows it down a good bit

Ys? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yozYw_IGx0A&feature=related)

Wow, I think that's it!! And I thought I'd never played Ys, weird. Thanks!

Ys III was one of my favorite games when I was little. The music in the game is just as memorable to me as Zelda, Mario, or Final Fantasy.

Yeah, Ys is a awesome series. Oh and you might not know this but Ys 3 got a remake around 4 years ago on the PC called Ys the Oath in Felghana. It's a really good game and the sound track gets a real instrument treatment. It's only in Japan right now which means you will have to download a fan translated English patch which is available to fully understand whats going on.

Btw I've been playing Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks lately and for some reason the Tower of Spirits just invokes memories of Darm Tower back in Ys 1. has any of you guys got that same feeling in the ToS?

Also the Temple of the Ocean King, in Phantom Hourglass, since it's pretty much the same thing from the way I understand it.