Ys X: Nordics

Despite not being as popular as Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest, the Ys series has every right to be considered one of the most important Japanese role-playing game series ever made. Since the first entry in the series was released in 1987, developer Falcom has been providing engaging ARPG experiences enriched by engaging narratives and rocking soundtracks that have made each entry memorable.

Adol's back at the helm again. This time the protagonist of Ys finds himself adventuring with a delightful cast of characters and brisk pacing that make Ys X: Nordics a winner in this storied franchise.

One of my all-time favourite action RPG series is back and this time, things are quite different for Adol so let's check out Ys X: Nordics.

Ys X: Nordics is a fantastic JRPG with wonderful combat and great cast of characters, and it runs wonderfully on the Steam Deck.

Ys has been around for decades, and in recent years, has been gaining popularity with western audiences. The Ys games (except for Ys Origins) focus on the travels of adventurer Adol Christin and usually his companion Dogi. The premise is that typically Adol ends up in a new area, and by some stroke of luck ends up becoming the only hope of putting an end to some local calamity. Ys X: Nordics presents Adol and Dogi being in this type of situation, except now they have a ship which they can use to explore all the surrounding islands.

Ys X: Nordics showcases the impressive capabilities of the new engine developed by Nihon Falcom. Adol controls exceptionally well, and Karja adds depth to the roster of characters he encounters. Although the game starts off slowly, once you acquire all the necessary tools, it plays like a dream.

While Ys X: Nordics might not light the world on fire by itself - and certainly has some core issues that could do with refining - I found that most of these issues slid into the back of my mind as I kept on playing. The story of Adol, Karja and the Griegr is enough to keep the game moving forward and the character moments that flesh it out were good. Ys X manages to demosntrate the key strengths of the franchise but unfortunate balance and shaky new mechanics hold it back from being a homerun.

All in all, Ys X: Nordics is a fun action-RPG romp with vikings, frantic combat, and a truly entertaining silent protagonist. If you can figure out the parry system, it might even be a good game. I’m still docking it points for making me swear at my Switch so loud I scared my cat.

Ambition that slightly misses its mark is my main takeaway with Ys X: Nordics. There’s still a rock-solid foundation here, as any fan of action-RPGs can attest to. Ys is a series that’s stood on business for decades and with good reason. The problems here are all in the efforts made to try something different, which isn’t the worst thing to happen with a long-running series. Instead of resting on its laurels, Falcom has tried some new things with Ys X and there’s credit due for those efforts. The story and characters are on point, and the way the core mechanics try to act as a mirror for the t...

Ys X: Nordics' excellent and refreshing combat stylings are diluted by tedious exploration, uneven visual presentation, and a ho-hum story.

This latest title in the Ys series takes us back to a younger Adol as he sets out on the open sea. Join him in his pursuit of the thrill of adventure! PS5 reviewed. Review copy provided by company for testing purposes.

Nihon Falcom's latest entry offers a thrilling adventure that feels even better than its predecessors. The Cross Action system ensures combat feels like a notable improvement with its dual abilities, there's a captivating story, and that's all tied together through a compelling sailing system that rewards exploration. Ys X: Nordics is a remarkable entry in a series that continues making welcome evolutions, and I can't recommend it enough.