Launched over 35 years ago, Ys is one of the most influential RPG series to come out of Japan. No matter which game in the series served as your first, nor which takes the crown of being your favorite, fans around the world continue to celebrate the series, from its frenetic action combat to its vibrant worldbuilding and killer soundtracks.
Origins of Ys
The title that kickstarted this beloved series was Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished, which was released in Japan for the PC-8800 on June 21, 1987. As a top-down action RPG, it combined experienced-based RPG progression with action-style combat in a way that impacted countless games to follow. The combat, which featured a unique “bump” mechanic that required players to bump the main character Adol into enemies at an angle to deal damage in real-time, also set the game apart from its RPG contemporaries, “bumping” Ys to the top of gamers’ hearts.
In Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished, players only controlled Adol, but future games in the series would introduce multiple playable characters that could be swapped out on the fly for even more varied gameplay. But while the original bump mechanic and top-down view have been swapped out for hack-and-slash combat and a third-person perspective, the core elements of Ys that fans have come to love over the years remain the ongoing strengths of the series.
Elements of Ys
The three key elements that remain central to every entry can essentially be boiled down to the following: the red-haired protagonist Adol, thrilling action RPG gameplay, and a strong sense of adventure. Of course, you can’t forget the impressive soundtracks by Falcom Sound Team jdk, epic boss fights, and charming cast of characters… One could go on forever!
Ahem. Well, when it comes to a strong sense of adventure, no one embodies that more Adol Christin, a swordsman whose logs about his explorations serve as the foundation for each game in the series. Born on a mountain in a small village as the son of a peasant, Adol may have had humble beginnings, but when a traveler happened upon his village, he was inspired to set off on an adventure of his own.
Games in the Ys series generally feature Adol arriving at a new region and becoming embroiled in a local conflict or mystery involving a legend, artifact, or some kind of mishap. Though he is a man of few words and hardly ever speaks throughout the games, Adol has a strong sense of justice and inevitably wants to help solve any problems he happens across during his journeys. This is where you, the player, come in - whether it's the first title in the series or the latest, it will be up to you to master the game’s thrilling combat, explore the world, and restore balance to the land.
The Milestone 10th Entry
As the milestone 10th mainline entry in the series, the upcoming Ys X: Nordics focuses on Adol Christin’s adventures in Obelia Gulf, as detailed in his journal volume titled The Normans' Paradise Lost. Taking place after the events of his first adventure in Esteria at the age of 16, Ys X: Nordics depicts the events Adol experienced while en route to Celceta with his companion, the ex-thief Dogi. When his boat is forced to port, Adol learns of the seemingly immortal monsters called Griegr terrorizing the people of Obelia Gulf, and gains a mysterious new power called Mana that physically binds him to the pirate princess Karja.
What unfolds is yet another awe-inspiring entry in the Ys series, notable for its new graphics engine, naval exploration and combat, and dual protagonists Adol and Karja, who can be controlled separately or together for show-stopping combo attacks. You can experience this milestone Ys entry for yourself now by downloading the free demo, available on Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, and Steam®.
If you haven’t already, be sure to grab a piece of Ys history by pre-ordering the Ys X: Nordics Limited Edition, exclusive to the NIS America Online Store!
