Please explain to this noob the difference between the modes?

[Imortalin]

Exploration, Legacy Exploration, and Sandbox? What is the main differences between these?

[John Steel]

Legacy is a single map, Exploration is infinite you pick a starting map in tropical or temperate to start then, once you have a boat you can sail to the edge of the map to explore new regions and ylands infinitely

[lady_whynot]

You have 5 areas in Ylands:

- Playlands (mines game, quest)

- Exploration (multiplayer, single player, comprehensive mode, you can travel and discover a huge world)

- Legacy Exploration (a map with 6 - 8 islands, multiplayer, single player)

- Sandbox (creative mode, all items are freely available, you can fly permanently, multiplayer, single player)

- Editor (here you can develop your own games, adapt maps, build compositions in advance)

Sandbox can be played in the free version. Everything else requires the DLC.

[ocnog]

The best noob resource is the fandom wiki ;)
https://ylands.fandom.com/wiki/Gameplay

btw, only the Exploration (new/legacy) is paid. Everything else, including Editor and player-made maps are free-to-play.