I’ve been playing Ys 9, almost at the end now. I played 8 on the switch around 3 years ago on a whim and really enjoyed it. I also played Origins when it came out there, and it was fun although different. I’m late to the party but find this franchise to be a fun and light jrpg that I can just jump in and out of.
That game (Ys VIII Lacrimosa of Dana) is fantastic on PC too and has an exclusive two player co op mode where someone else can play a team member alongside you instead of the AI. Well worth getting for a replay when it’s on sale if you’re able to
It’s one of those older series I always looked at with a curious gaze without daring getting into it, is there any benefit from playing the older ones in terms of story/lore ? or should I just pick one that looks good and run with it without fear of missing elements ?
Ys 1 was pretty fun and short. It uses bump mechanics for combat which was fun. The final dungeon is like half the game and you are already max level when you enter so the challenge was pretty good. The random lore snippets gave me a sense of wonder the whole game. Ys 2 was more complex in its mechanics and it seemed to randomly get super hard so I gave up on that one.
Ys 8 is a great entry point which got me hooked on the series. Each game is self-contained, however Ys 9 does reference previous games more as an easter egg/fan service than actually affecting enjoyment of the story.
I’ve been doing the story path, and it’s really not necessary, though I appreciate it a bit. So far I’ve played 1, 2, Origin, Felghana, and Celceta, and there’s really not a lot of carry over from game to game. The most important is the first three, but even then you’ll still enjoy it if you play Origin first since the gameplay is still solid regardless.
I will say the final boss in Ys 1 isn’t worth the effort (I beat it, but it took hours), so if you get there and get annoyed, just watch the ending cutscene and move on to Ys 2. Absolutely do not play Ys 2 before Ys 1 though, that’s mostly for gameplay reasons.
While there are references to older games, they are not necessary for the enjoyment of the game. You will not miss much even if you don’t get the references.
Ah yeah I really like the Ys series. I started with Ys Origin and absolutely loved that, it was almost like an isometric Metroidvania, that one. With excellent and memorable music, the music is amazing in this series!
I did play Ys VIII too on the Switch and yeah, the performance issues are noticeable. The game is still very playable despite that. I just lost steam at some point about 2/3rds of the way into the game, after the big cave at the top of the mountain. The ape enemies infuriated me, lol.
I do want to play more of the series, mainly the older titles. I already know I don’t like the first couple with the bump style combat, but I want to play at least 6 and 7.
Yeah. Later in the game it is much satisfying railroad those big apes. I think you are supposed to avoid them. The areas are filled with enemies that you cannot defeat…
Ys for the Sega Master System is an all time favorite (the first one). I also played Ys 2, which unfortunately was only NES and not released on the US. There was also a cool one called Ys 2 Plus from Korea for DOS, but it was basically a different game than Ys 2.
Ys 1&2 have since been remade for PC (look up Ys Chronicles+) and they’re fantastic imo. I didn’t like Ys 2 as much as the first, but it’s still a great game.
I also really liked Ys Origin. It plays a bit different (no more bump combat), but it feels very much like an Ys game and is a very worthy prequel with a much more modern gameplay feel. I recommend playing Ys 1&2 first, and then Ys Origin.
I have also played Felghana and Celceta and enjoyed both, so I think you’ll be happy with any game in the series. My favorite is still Ys 1 followed by Ys Origin.
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I’ve been playing Ys 9, almost at the end now. I played 8 on the switch around 3 years ago on a whim and really enjoyed it. I also played Origins when it came out there, and it was fun although different. I’m late to the party but find this franchise to be a fun and light jrpg that I can just jump in and out of.
Me too. I am pretty close to the end in Ys 9. Eagerly waiting for Ys 10, which is looking to expand the gameplay to Naval Battles.
That game (Ys VIII Lacrimosa of Dana) is fantastic on PC too and has an exclusive two player co op mode where someone else can play a team member alongside you instead of the AI. Well worth getting for a replay when it’s on sale if you’re able to
Ys games are pretty neat. They always provide a good adventure.
It’s one of those older series I always looked at with a curious gaze without daring getting into it, is there any benefit from playing the older ones in terms of story/lore ? or should I just pick one that looks good and run with it without fear of missing elements ?
Ys 1 was pretty fun and short. It uses bump mechanics for combat which was fun. The final dungeon is like half the game and you are already max level when you enter so the challenge was pretty good. The random lore snippets gave me a sense of wonder the whole game. Ys 2 was more complex in its mechanics and it seemed to randomly get super hard so I gave up on that one.
Just want to drop this excellent resource here on everything Ys: https://www.digitalemelas.com
Ys 8 is a great entry point which got me hooked on the series. Each game is self-contained, however Ys 9 does reference previous games more as an easter egg/fan service than actually affecting enjoyment of the story.
oooh, got some reading to do
I’ve been doing the story path, and it’s really not necessary, though I appreciate it a bit. So far I’ve played 1, 2, Origin, Felghana, and Celceta, and there’s really not a lot of carry over from game to game. The most important is the first three, but even then you’ll still enjoy it if you play Origin first since the gameplay is still solid regardless.
I will say the final boss in Ys 1 isn’t worth the effort (I beat it, but it took hours), so if you get there and get annoyed, just watch the ending cutscene and move on to Ys 2. Absolutely do not play Ys 2 before Ys 1 though, that’s mostly for gameplay reasons.
While there are references to older games, they are not necessary for the enjoyment of the game. You will not miss much even if you don’t get the references.
Ah yeah I really like the Ys series. I started with Ys Origin and absolutely loved that, it was almost like an isometric Metroidvania, that one. With excellent and memorable music, the music is amazing in this series! I did play Ys VIII too on the Switch and yeah, the performance issues are noticeable. The game is still very playable despite that. I just lost steam at some point about 2/3rds of the way into the game, after the big cave at the top of the mountain. The ape enemies infuriated me, lol. I do want to play more of the series, mainly the older titles. I already know I don’t like the first couple with the bump style combat, but I want to play at least 6 and 7.
Yeah. Later in the game it is much satisfying railroad those big apes. I think you are supposed to avoid them. The areas are filled with enemies that you cannot defeat…
Ys for the Sega Master System is an all time favorite (the first one). I also played Ys 2, which unfortunately was only NES and not released on the US. There was also a cool one called Ys 2 Plus from Korea for DOS, but it was basically a different game than Ys 2.
Perhaps I’ll try a newer one!
Ys 1&2 have since been remade for PC (look up Ys Chronicles+) and they’re fantastic imo. I didn’t like Ys 2 as much as the first, but it’s still a great game.
I also really liked Ys Origin. It plays a bit different (no more bump combat), but it feels very much like an Ys game and is a very worthy prequel with a much more modern gameplay feel. I recommend playing Ys 1&2 first, and then Ys Origin.
I have also played Felghana and Celceta and enjoyed both, so I think you’ll be happy with any game in the series. My favorite is still Ys 1 followed by Ys Origin.
Cool, I’ll check those out! I do have Ys 1 and 2 for Windows, but haven’t thoroughly played them yet.
For clarification, it’s because I have played the original SMS one about 75 times.