- For the first game in the series, see Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished: Omen.
- For the second game in the series, see Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished: The Final Chapter.
The first two games of the Ys series were remade and re-released numerous times in one bundled package.
- Ys I & II (イースI・II ) / Ys Book I & II (PC Engine CD / TurboGrafx-CD) is an enhanced remake released in 1989 for PC Engine CD.
- Ys I & II Complete (イースI・II完全版 Īsu I-II Kanzenban ) (Windows PC) was released only in Japan on June 28, 2001. It is based on Ys Eternal and Ys II Eternal which are enhanced remakes released in Japan for the PC platform's Windows operating system in 1998 and 2000 respectively, those two featured updated graphics and complete animation sequences, compared to the animated stills of the original. The Complete version bundled both games, updated the graphics and FMV sequences, and added a new arrangement of Ys I soundtrack.
- Ys I & II: Eternal Story (イースI・IIエターナルストーリー ) (PlayStation 2) was released only in Japan on August 7, 2003. Based on Ys I & II Complete, it also added new characters, items and voice-overs alongside the previous game's improvements.
- Legacy of Ys: Books I & II (Nintendo DS) was released in the United States on February 24, 2009. The remake includes 3D graphics, updated sound, and multiplayer for up to 4 people. Each copy of the first printing of the game also includes a bonus soundtrack CD. The two games were initially released separately in Japan as Ys DS (イースDS Īsu DS ) and Ys II DS (イースII DS Īsu II DS ).
- Ys I & II Chronicles (イースI&IIクロニクルズ ) (PlayStation Portable) was released on PSP on July 16, 2009. It is also based on Ys I & II Complete. XSEED Games localized and published the game in North America, where it was released on February 22, 2011. When starting a new game, the player can choose between two different game modes, which will display character portraits from the 2001 Windows release, or entirely new portraits created for this release. The soundtrack can be changed at any time during the game, between that of the PC88 release, the 2001 Windows release, or an entirely re-arranged instrumental soundtrack created for the PSP edition.
- Ys I & II Chronicles+ (イースI&IIクロニクルズ+ ) (Windows PC) is an improved version released in North America and Europe on February 14th, 2013 through Steam for Windows PC. It is also based on Ys I & II Complete.
PC Engine / TurboGrafx-CD[]
Ys I & II / Ys Book I & II for the PC Engine / TurboGrafx-CD consists of enhanced remakes of the first two games released in the Ys series, Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished and Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished – The Final Chapter. It was one of the first video games to use CD-ROM, which was utilized to provide enhanced graphics, animated cut scenes ,[7] a Red Book CD audio soundtrack,[8] and voice acting.[8][7] The game's English localization was also one of the first to use voice dubbing.[7]
It was the second role-playing game released on the CD-ROM format, six months after Tengai Makyō: Ziria. Ys I & II was also the first action RPG released on CD-ROM, and the first CD-ROM based RPG released in North America. The game was critically acclaimed upon release for being one of the first games to effectively demonstrate the potential of the CD-ROM format, including a lengthy adventure, animated cut scenes, Red Book audio, and voiced dialogues.
Soundtrack[]
The game's early Red Book audio soundtrack was composed by Yuzo Koshiro, Mieko Ishikawa and Hideya Nagata and arranged by Ryo Yonemitsu. As one of the first CD soundtracks in a video game, the music and audio have been critically acclaimed since its 1989 release.
In 1990, TurboPlay magazine stated that it gets the reviewer's "vote for having the greatest sound and music track ever recorded for a video game."[9] In Computer Gaming World, reviewer Roe R. Adams (who worked on the Wizardry series) praised the "lush" background music, and speech "heard in real voice, not digitized!"[10] The December 1990 issue of GamePro stated that the music "to this game is definitely high budget" with "43 stunning tracks." In Electronic Gaming Monthly, Ed Semrad praised it for having "a true CD soundtrack" and "spoken intermissions" with "perfect" voice acting, while Steve Harris praised it for having "the most amazing sound track that explodes from the CD like a major motion picture." Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game awards for Best BGM and Best Sound.[11] Electronic Gaming Monthly said the "soundtrack is true CD quality and among the best ever made."[12] In the August 1991 issue of Dragon, Roe R. Adams praised how the "voices can actually be heard" as well as the music.[13]
In recent years, the soundtrack has been praised as having some of the best video game music ever composed, by GamesTM,[14] Kurt Kalata of Gamasutra and Hardcore Gaming 101,[15] Leigh Alexander of Gamasutra,[16] RPGFan,[17] Atlus,[18] RPGamer[19] and GameZone.[20]
Critical Reception[]
Reception | ||
---|---|---|
Aggregate scores | ||
Aggregator | Scores | |
PCE/TG16 | Wii | |
NEC Retro | 94%[21] | 88%[21] |
Review scores | ||
Pubication | Scores | |
PCE/TG16 | Wii | |
Dragon | [13] | — |
Electronic Gaming Monthly | 35/40[22] | — |
Eurogamer | — | 8/10[23] |
Famitsu | 35/40[24][25] | — |
GamePro | 5/5[26] | — |
IGN | — | 8.5/10[27] |
Nintendo Life | — | 9/10[28] |
Nintendo World Report | — | 8/10[29] |
RPGamer | 8.5/10[30] | — |
RPGFan | 92%[31] | — |
TurboPlay | 9/10[11] | — |
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment |
9/10[11] | — |
Awards | ||
Publication(s) | Award(s) | |
OMNI Magazine | Game of the Year | |
Electronic Gaming Monthly | Best RPG Video Game, Best BGM and Sound in a Video Game,[22] Best Game of the Year (TurboGrafx‑16), Best Sound[11] | |
Atlus,[18] Gamasutra,[15][16] GamesTM,[14] GameZone,[20] Hardcore Gaming 101,[15] RPGamer,[19] RPGFan[17] |
Best Game Music of All Time | |
Electronic Gaming Monthly,[32] 1UP,[33] GameSpot[34] |
Best Games of All Time | |
IGN | Top 100 RPGs of All Time[35] |
The game was widely acclaimed by critics upon release. In Japan, Famitsu's panel of four reviewers gave the game scores of 9, 9, 9, and 8, out of 10, adding up to an overall score of 35 out of 40. This made it one of their two highest-rated games of 1989, along with Makai Toushi Sa·Ga (The Final Fantasy Legend). It was also one of only seven games to have received a score of at least 35/40 or more from Famitsu up until 1989.[25]
Among North American critics, it has an average aggregate score of 91% from Defunct Games based on six reviews from the early 1990s.[11] Issue 2 (August/September 1990) of TurboPlay magazine praised the game in its review, stating that the introduction sequence is "mind-blowing," that "everything, from the graphics to the gameplay, is incredible."[9] Issue 5 (February/March 1991) of TurboPlay later gave it a score of 9 out of 10. The November 1990 issue of VideoGames & Computer Entertainment also gave it a score of 9 out of 10, with the reviewer describing it as "one of the most detailed, involved games I have ever played," concluding that it "is the first game worthy of being put on CD. No one can ever claim that CD-ROM games are just a gimmick ever again." The December 1990 issue of GamePro gave the game a full score of 5 out 5, stating that it has "it all – great graphics, engaging RPG gameplay, and a brain-draining quest."[11] Computer Gaming World reviewed the game in its December 1990 issue, where reviewer Roe R. Adams (who worked on the Wizardry series) stated that the "hottest advance in gaming this year has been the debut of programs on CD-ROM disks from Japan" and that "Ys is the first CD-ROM available here to actually show off the new capabilities of the technology." He praised the enhanced graphics and the "spectacular" anime cutscene. He also praised the plot, including the "suspense" and "sense of urgency" during the climax, and the gameplay, including the various mini-quests and the enemy AI that "actually pursue the player, homing in on him and attacking." His only criticism against the game was the unusual "bump-and-grind" combat system.[10]
In the 1991 Video Game Buyer's Guide issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly, Ed Semrad gave it a rare score of 10 out of 10, stating that the "perfect game finally happened." He concluded that, combining the soundtrack with "two, not just one, full blown RPG's, each with lengthy" graphics and voiced intermissions, "you get the ultimate in this genre." The lowest score for the game at the time was 8 out of 10 from another Electronic Gaming Monthly reviewer, Steve Harris, who praised it as "an outstanding game adventure" while criticizing the game as "slow for me" but nevertheless concluding that "the quality is obvious."[22][11] The panel of four Electronic Gaming Monthly reviewers gave the game scores of 10, 9, 8, and 8, calling it the "most phenomenal RPG ever made." They awarded it the "Best RPG Video Game" and "Best BGM and Sound in a Video Game" awards, comparing its storyline to "a best-selling fantasy novel", praising its "outstanding use of voice and real music from the CD", and concluding the "game is magnificent from beginning to end, blowing away all competing RPGs hands-down."[22] The magazine's 1999 Video Game Buyer's Guide issue described the game as still "one (well, two actually) of the best RPGs around."[36] The game was reviewed in issue 172 (August 1991) of RPG magazine Dragon in "The Role of Computers" column, where the reviewers gave the game 5 out of 5 stars. The review praised many aspects of the game, including "important characters whose voices can actually be heard," the cinematic sequences being "well done" and "extremely satisfying to watch," and the animation being "the best we've seen" in a TurboGrafx game, concluding that it is "a great adventure game that offers long play value, music, cinematic sequences, and role-playing action."[13]
The game has also been well received in retrospective reviews. RPGFan reviewed the game in 2001 and gave it a 92% score. It described it as "the first RPG on the first video game console CD-ROM" and stated that its "release heralded the evolution of the standard role-playing game," promising "a much larger, more colorful world, populated with lifelike characters who communicated with voice instead of text." It praised various aspects of the game, including the responsive controls, the graphics as having "stood the test of time," the soundtrack as an "audio masterpiece" (giving the sound a 100% score), the "vocal performances" and "dubbing" as surpassing "most gaming dubs produced today," the "fantastical world," and the "story of tragedy, hope and life."[31] IGN reviewed the Wii's Virtual Console release of the TurboGrafx-16 game in 2008 and gave it a score of 8.5 out of 10. The reviewer Lucas M. Thomas described the "incredibly simplistic gameplay design choice" of "ramming" into enemies as "interestingly addictive" and found that it "streamlines the entire experience, which benefits the progression of the game's plot." He also praised the soundtrack as "one of the best to be heard" on the Virtual Console and concluded that it is "hard to argue against the value of getting two games' worth of content combined together into one double-length adventure."[27]
Awards[]
In 1990, Ys I & II received the Game of the Year award from OMNI Magazine, as well as many other prizes.[7] Electronic Gaming Monthly, in its 1991 Video Game Buyer's Guide issue, gave it awards for Best RPG Video Game, Best Game of the Year (TurboGrafx‑16), Best BGM, and Best Sound.[11]
Electronic Gaming Monthly later listed it among the best games of all time, ranking it at number 38 in their 1997 list,[32] and later at number 153 in their 2006 list with 1UP.[33] GameSpot also included it in their list of the greatest games of all time.[34] The game also received the number 100 spot on IGN's "Top 100 RPGs of All Time" feature in 2012.[35]
Windows[]
Complete[]
In 2001, Falcom bundled both Eternal games, enhanced the graphics on the first title to make them match the brilliance of the second, and released them together under the name Ys I & II Complete, this time with a fully animated intro. For the first time players could chose from several difficulty settings to remedy the grinding issue at least partly. Also new is a time attack boss rush. The limited edition of this set came in a classy package designed like an ancient book, with gold letters on the cover. While the plans to release this package in America fell through, a fan translated patch eventually made the games playable in English and on non-Japanese Windows systems.
Chronicles[]
Ys I & II Chronicles was released in Japan for Windows Vista and 7 on December 24, 2009.[37] It is also based on Ys I & II Complete. An improved version dubbed Ys I & II Chronicles+ was released in North America and Europe on February 14, 2013 through Steam.
PlayStation 2[]
In 2003 Digicube brought the remakes to the PlayStation 2 for Japan-only under the title Ys I & II Eternal Story. It’s a pretty straight port of the Windows version for the most part, with the graphics coming through remarkably well on a television screen. There’s an additional mode that rebalances the level up system, although it doesn’t combine the games like the TurboGrafx-16 version. There’s also a bonus “Dream World” where you can meet two additional characters named Misha and Jeanne. It’s really just a fancy front end for an artwork gallery and a sound test, although there are a few minor subquests that unlock stuff in this mode. A few minor changes have been made to the weapon system, though. Normally, whenever Adol gets a new piece of equipment, the old one becomes entirely useless. Not so here – each weapon has its own unique attribute. For instance, the Short Sword can be used to stun powerful enemies, leaving them vulnerable to be finished off with a more powerful weapon. Switching between weapons is as easy as pressing the shoulder triggers. It’s not a gigantic addition, but it adds a tiny bit of depth to the combat.
Voice acting has been added, although the MIDI arrangements for the music are still there, and the instrumentation isn’t quite as good as in the PC version. NEC Interchannel was going to bring this to America, but apparently Sony rejected it.[38]
Nintendo DS[]
These Eternal ports were used for the basis of Nintendo DS versions of the two games, Ys I DS and Ys II DS were released on the Nintendo DS in Japan on March 20, 2008, as separate games before they were bundled on April 18, titled Ys DS / Ys II DS Special Box. It was later released in North America on February 24, 2009 titled Legacy of Ys: Books I & II as a bundled package. Each copy of the first printing of the game also includes a bonus soundtrack CD.
While all of the sprites are still in 2D, the background graphics have been changed to 3D. The screen is zoomed in so far that it’s hard to see the surrounding areas, and the map on the lower screen isn’t as useful as it should be. The battle mechanics have changed a bit, too. In order to attack, to have to hit the “sword” button right before you collide – the angle of attack doesn’t really matter so much as your timing. You can also play with the classic “bump” mechanic, but only if you’re using the stylus controls (It’s possible to simulate it with conventional controls by not wielding a weapon, but of course that reduces attack power.)
The music isn’t quite up to par with the PC release, but it’s actually slightly better than the PlayStation 2 version. There’s a new stage added to Ys I – Bagyu Ba’dead (aka Vageux-Vardette, Bague Badet and Clifton’s Cliff), the crater where the floating island used to reside, which you visit in order to search for Sara after exploring the temple. It’s short, but features a new boss. Ys II introduces a multiplayer mode, a first for the entire series, in which 4 players fight for orbs dropped by monsters. Otherwise, there’s not much new content – the rest of the artwork and movies are straight from Ys Eternal, although it’s missing the extra characters from the PS2 port. It’s the first time Ys I & II had seen official releases in English since the TurboGrafx-CD, even if the translations done by Atlus aren’t quite consistent with other releases. (The Palace of Solomon is known as the Palace of Salmon, Dr. Flair is Dr. Fleah, etc.)
PlayStation Portable[]
Ys I & II Chronicles was released on PSP on July 16, 2009.[39] It is also based on Ys I & II Complete.[40] XSEED Games localized and published the game in North America, where it was released on February 22, 2011.[41] It was also released in Europe (only on PlayStation Network) on February 23, 2011. When starting a new game, the player can choose between two different game modes, which will display character portraits from the 2001 Windows release, or entirely new portraits created for this release. It is pretty much the same as the PC version (It doesn’t include the extra area or boss from the DS version, nor the Dream World from PlayStation 2.) The game gives you the ability to switch between three soundtracks: the original PC-88 FM synth music, the version from the 2001 Complete release, and a brand new set of arrangements done by Yukihiro Jindo, who did a similar revamp on Ys: The Oath in Felghana. They’re fantastic renditions and proudly stand up next to the TurboGrafx-CD versions in quality.
Gallery[]
Packaging[]
Artwork[]
Ys Book I & II[]
Ys I & II Eternal/Complete[]
Legacy of Ys: Books I & II[]
Ys I & II Chronicles[]
Opening Movies[]
References[]
- ↑ https://strategywiki.org/wiki/Ys:_Ancient_Ys_Vanished
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://strategywiki.org/wiki/Ys:_Ancient_Ys_Vanished/Version_comparison
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ys_I_%26_II
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps2/589378-ys-i-and-ii-eternal-story/data
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ds/954798-legacy-of-ys-books-i-and-ii/data
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/turbocd/918280-ys-book-i-and-ii/data
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Szczepaniak, John (7 July 2011). "Falcom: Legacy of Ys". GamesTM (111): 152–159 [156]. http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/35/yshistory05.jpg/. Retrieved 2011-09-08. (cf. Szczepaniak, John (July 8, 2011). History of Ys interviews. Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Szczepaniak, John (7 July 2011). Falcom: Legacy of Ys. pp. 152–159 [155]. http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/35/yshistory04.jpg/. Retrieved 2011-09-08. (cf. Szczepaniak, John (July 8, 2011). History of Ys interviews. Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.)
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Y's – Book 1 & 2". TurboPlay (2): 7. August–September 1990. http://archives.tg-16.com/archive-one/TP-02-07.jpg. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Adams, Roe R. (December 1990). "Lands and Legends: TurboGrafx 16's Ys & II". Computer Gaming World (77): 93–4.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 http://www.defunctgames.com/reviewcrew/13/ys-book-i-ii-what-did-critics-think-in-1990
- ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue 14, September 1990, page 25
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Lesser, Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk (August 1991). "The Role of Computers". Dragon (172): 55–64 [58].
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Szczepaniak, John (7 July 2011). "Falcom: Legacy of Ys". GamesTM (111): 152–159 [154]. http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/844/yshistory03.jpg/. Retrieved 2011-09-08. (cf. Szczepaniak, John (July 8, 2011). History of Ys interviews. Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved on 8 September 2011.)
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Kalata, Kurt (2010-11-27). Ys. Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved on 3 September 2011.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Dabi, Gideon (2009-08-27). Game Music Mishegoss: An Interview with Gamasutra’s Leigh Alexander. Original Sound Version. Retrieved on 26 March 2012.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Mattich, Ryan. Falcom Classics II. RPGFan. Retrieved on 3 September 2011.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Legacy of Ys: Books I & II. Atlus. Retrieved on 26 March 2012.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Goldman, Tom (2008-12-31). Rock Out With Legacy of Ys Pre-Order Soundtrack. RPGamer. Retrieved on 26 March 2012.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Legacy Of Ys: Books I & II Soundtrack CD – Free Pre-Order Bonus. GameZone (December 30, 2008). Retrieved on 26 March 2012.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 http://necretro.org/Ys_I_%26_II
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 "The 1991 Video Game Buyer's Guide". Electronic Gaming Monthly (15): 14-20 & 78. October 1990.
- ↑ http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/virtual-console-roundup_2_6
- ↑ Famitsu, issue 26
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Famitsu Hall of Fame. Geimin. Retrieved on 7 February 2012.
- ↑ GamePro, issue 17, December 1990, page 134
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Thomas, Lucas M. (August 25, 2008). Ys Book I & II Review. IGN. Retrieved on 10 February 2012.
- ↑ http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2008/08/ys_book_i_and_ii_virtual_console
- ↑ http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/17975/legacy-of-ys-books-i-n-ii-nintendo-ds
- ↑ http://www.rpgamer.com/games/ys/ys1_2/reviews/ys1_2rdrev1.html
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 Harris, Stephen (2001-08-15). Ys Books I & II. RPGFan. Retrieved on 10 February 2012.
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 EGM Top 100. Electronic Gaming Monthly (November 1997). Retrieved on 2011-06-01.
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 The Greatest 200 Videogames of Their Time. Electronic Gaming Monthly (February 6, 2006). Archived from the original on 2013-08-01. Retrieved on November 19, 2013.
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 The Greatest Games of All Time, GameSpot, 2006
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 http://ign.com/top/rpgs/100
- ↑ "1999 Video Game Buyer's Guide". Electronic Gaming Monthly: 139. 1999.
- ↑ Falcom Game Catalog
- ↑ http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/ys-book-i-ii/
- ↑ Ys I & II Chronicles Release Information for PSP – GameFAQs
- ↑ Falcom Reveals Ys Chronicles, Ys Seven – PSP News. Psxextreme.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-13.
- ↑ XSEED Games. Xseed Games (2011-01-25). Retrieved on 2011-02-10.