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Little Paro: "Found Adol! Found Aron! Who is Aron?" This article translated content that has not received an official localization. The content of this article may be changed in the future if an official localization is released. |
"At the moment of birth, each of us is as free as a bird, with not a single restraint tying us down. But with age come the varied shackles that bind, clipping away at our wings feather by feather. In time, we long for a return to the freedom we once knew. But the truth is... We can return to those days whenever we so choose." ~ From "The Normans' Paradise Lost"
Ys X: Nordics (イースX -
The game was released on September 28, 2023 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. NIS America published the game in North America and Europe on October 25, 2024.
Setting
Ys X: Nordics takes place roughly a month after the events of Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished: The Final Chapter[1], featuring a 17-year-old Adol Christin on his way to Celceta, accompanied by Dogi and Dr. Flair Rall. The game is set in Obelia Gulf, a gulf filled with countless islands of all sizes, located north of Ispani and west of Gllia. Adol encounters two factions, the "Normans," seafaring people known for their powerful warriors, and the "Griegrs," mysterious immortal beings that threaten the people of Obelia Gulf.
Ys X's main heroine is Karja Balta, a Norman pirate, who is the same age as Adol. Their relationship is a significant highlight in the game's plot. The game's setting and environments are based on Normandy in France, in particular, the Cotentin Peninsula.[2]
Gameplay
Combat and Exploration
Ys X introduces the brand new Cross Action system, gone are the party system and Damage Types. The game features only two playable characters—Adol and Karja.[3]
The Cross Action system allows the player to fight using two modes, which can be interchanged seamlessly by holding a button:
Solo Mode.
Solo Mode, a fast paced system that utilizes step and dash-based movement where the player controls one character with his or her partner being controlled by the AI. In addition to unleashing various skill attacks with Adol and Karja, the player can switch between characters mid-attack to trigger a partner cut-in attack, making it possible to drive into the enemy with consecutive blows that leave them no opportunity to strike back. Additionally, the speed attacks (attacks with a blue aura) unleashed by some enemies can be automatically dodged with Solo Mode’s dash. The player can deploy technical actions, such as dealing damage by unleashing a counter attack from an automatic dodge that hits surrounding enemies.
Combination Mode.
Combination Mode generates more powerful, albeit slower, simultaneous attacks by using the two characters tethered to each other. Standard movement and dash speed are also significantly reduced, to make up for the slowness, Guard is available as a dedicated action. By guarding against enemy attacks, the Revenge Gauge will increase, and activating Combination Mode-exclusive skills in this state will fill it and allow the player to deal greater damage. Additionally, the power attacks (attacks with a red aura) unleashed by some enemies can be repelled with Combination Mode’s just guard (perfectly timed guard). This will cause the enemy to significantly lose balance, creating an opening for a burst of attacks.[3]
Action event.
Ys X features Action Events where in certain situations the camera and the surroundings changes dynamically according to the players actions; giving them the feeling of being fully immersed in the battle itself. The game includes several towns, but Adol and his crew's main base of operations/hub is a ship, that same ship can be used to store collectibles and house new recruited crew members, shops, among other things.[4][5][6]
Mana Action
The Mana Action system grants the player abilities to enhance exploration and movement in fields and dungeons, similar to the Monstrum gifts in Ys IX. Mana is a mysterious sacred power passed down among the oceanic people that can damage Griegrs.
Special items known as Antiques can be obtained, allowing the player to use the power of mana to perform special actions known as Mana Actions. These artifacts can be obtained by opening treasure chests found while exploring or by progressing through the storyline. By discovering Rune Stones spread throughout various locations, you can deepen your knowledge of antiques and enhance their powers.
The game features four types of Mana Actions:[7][8]
Adol using Mana String.
- Mana String: This action stretches a string of mana from an antique known as Spinning Wheel of Nornir and uses its pendulum-like motion to travel to a distant point, similar to a rope. After getting to a certain part of the game, the string can be strengthened by finding a stone tablet, which adds the ability to pull out objects to use as footholds or flip switches in the dungeon.
Karja using Mana Ride.
- Mana Ride: In this action, the controlling character rides on the Grimble Board, which lifts them off the ground and allows them to glide. It allows the player to travel over water, which is normally not possible, as well as glide along Wind Paths for high-speed mid-air travel and by entering spots called Wind Pools, the player can launch into the air like a catapult, allowing him or her to easily clear areas that are difficult to achieve by the jump action. Additionally, your Grimble Board’s performance will improve as your Mana Actions strengthen. Even on slopes with strong water currents, it will be able to gain propulsion and reverse. Furthermore, after a certain point in the game, the Grimble Board can be improved, allowing backward movement, even with strong water currents.
Adol using his fire Mana Burst action.
- Mana Burst: An action that releases elemental attacks released by Adol’s and Karja’s charge attacks. Adol wields the element of fire, while Karja wields the element of ice. Both can damage enemies within range of their attacks. Mana Bursts can be used not only as a means of attack but also as an action to open up new exploration routes, such as using fire to burn ivy vines that might be blocking Adol’s way in a dungeon or ice to create footholds.
Adol using Mana Sense.
- Mana Sense: Reveals things that are invisible to the naked eye by using the "Druid Monocle" antique. Allows Adol and Karja to see highlighted enemies and other interact-able objects through walls as well as buried items. By upgrading its respective antique you can use this action to also slow down time, this will allow the you to get through doors and get across shaky terrain that would normally be impossible at normal speed.
Growth System
Release Line menu.
Ys X introduces a brand new skill tree system called the “Release Line.” By unlocking the power of Mana, you can strengthen Adol and Karja's battle skills, also, each character possesses their own distinct individual Release Line. When levelling up, the player obtains Mana Points which can be used to unlock various nodes, doing so will allow them to obtain Adol and Karja-specific skills for solo mode, and by placing, or, "planting" a "Mana Seed" into an unlocked empty node, a "Mana Ability" from its own distinct seed branch will sprout and be activated.
At first, the player will be confined to a small section at the top of the Release Line, but as they gain more levels, more sections are unlocked, and by progressing further down, exclusive skills for Combination Mode can be acquired.
Mana Ability's Four Branches
Adol carrying mana seeds.
There are four different Mana Ability branches that are activated with Mana Seeds.
- Valor – Offensive abilities. Affects damage inflicted and knockdown power among other perks.
- Fortitude – Defensive abilities. Decreases damage received, increases status ailment healing speed and others.
- Optimism – Raises all skills aside from attack and defense, such as increased dash speed, and increased skill chain time.
- Darkness – Abilities that have both pros and cons. Effects include increased damage while under negative status effects, increased critical rate when HP is low, etc..
Abilities from the same branch can overlap, allowing you to customize your character by selecting multiple abilities in the “Valor” lineage for a strong attacker, or by selecting abilities in each branch to create a solid all-rounder. Some seeds belong to a special branch called “Reverie”, these ones contain Valor, Fortitude, and Optimism perks, and therefore are able to be combined with other Mana Seeds. This will allow the player to activate each branch’s abilities at a much more efficient rate. [9][10]
Rune Stones
Adol and Karja activating a rune stone.
Enormous stone monuments that detail the saga of Norman ancestral accomplishments and events. Rune Stones are scattered throughout various locations in Obelia Bay. When Mana users like Adol and Karja put their hands on the stones, they are able to read its many stories, such as Normans that set out for new worlds, or those that lived through a constant cycle of pillaging and invasions. By discovering what happened to the ancestors living in Obelia Bay, more information about the roots of Karja and the Balta Navy will be unveiled.
The resonance from coming into contact with each Rune Stone will net you new Mana Seeds. Mana Seeds are necessary to learn new abilities in Adol and Karja’s Release Line. By seeking out Rune Stones through exploration, you’ll be able to strengthen your characters in a much more efficient way.
Raven Stones
Adol and Karja using a Raven Stone.
By examining Raven Stone that are scattered around dungeons, players can temporarily remove the Mana Shackles that bind Adol and Karja together, as Adol and Karja are almost always tethered to each other. While unbound, players will control either Adol or Karja individually, around the area of the stone. At times, it will be necessary to control both characters far away, switching between the two to clear the area.
Unlike Solo Mode, there will be no AI companion to support you when controlling a single character. Since you also cannot switch to Combination Mode, you must be aware of enemy Power Attacks as they can only be guarded by Combination Shields.[11]
Fishing
Karja after catching a fish.
Fishing returns from Ys VIII, after being absent in Ys IX, when the player sees silhouettes of fish swimming in the waters of fields and dungeons, he or she will be able to fish it out with either Adol or Karja, the player will have the option to choose their spot and bait, and cast the reel. Once the fish bites and a “Hit,” prompt appears, players will have to either mash buttons or move the control stick, just like in Ys VIII, also, successfully performing on-screen actions will increase the support gauge. When this gauge becomes full, activating it will initiate cooperation effects, which will increase how much the fishing gauge fills up by a significant margin. Once the fishing gauge at the top of the screen reaches max level, the fish will be successfully caught.
Tuna Fishing
Adol after catching a tuna fish.
While navigating Obelia Bay with the Sandras, there will be random fishing spots that will pop up. By approaching this spot, players will be able to fish for tuna, much like they can fish on land. Tuna fishing is unlocked when Joel Asrad joins the crew.
The information of caught fish will be logged in the adventure journal. When players talk to Joel, the fishing aficionado, he may reward them with some unexpected equipment.
Adol steering the ship.
Players have the ability to steer a ship called the "Sandras" across the ocean towards unknown islands and engage in sea battles. Approximately 20% of the game features naval combat, a special ocean chart/map and various bit of information gathered in town will guide Adol and his crew towards uncharted islands.
The player's ship can be upgraded and features both a "manual" and a "high speed mode".[4][5] On the open sea, the left stick provides free movement, with the ability for automatic propulsion. In addition, using mana to perform “Mana Sail,” it is possible to boost the Sandras' speed for a limited amount of time.
Engaging in a naval battle.
While sailing, the player can come across enemy Griegr ships and engage in nautical combat with them. Sea battles are primarily fought with cannons that are placed on the side of the ship. The spacing between the player and the enemy ships, as well as the type of cannonballs used, are crucial in achieving victory.[12]
Merchant Ships
Purchasing items from a merchant ship.
While out exploring Obelia Bay, once you identify a distant ship as a merchant ship with your eyeglass, you can pull up your own vessel alongside it and trade items directly. You can make purchases using gold, or by trading materials that you found while exploring. It's presumed that there are rare items that can only be obtained through them. Some merchant ships are actually enemy Griegr decoys and when attempting to do business with them they will thrust the player into battle.
Adol and Karja boarding an enemy ship.
Some stronger enemy ships have a durability bar. Once it has been depleted, it will cease moving. It is during this time that the player can directly board the enemy vessel and attack its crew. Boarding will allow Adol and Karja to fight on the ship's deck as they normally would in dry land. Players will have to defeat numerous enemies throughout various waves. Winning the battle grants the ability to loot the ship for enemy treasures and rare items.
Ship and Crew Upgrades
Ship upgrade menu.
During the adventure, there is a proposal document with a list of ship upgrades and training for the Sandras' crew. By administering these upgrades and training, it is possible to upgrade the ship, as well as its arsenal.
Aside from raising the levels of attack power, durability, and maneuverability, the performance of “Mana Sail” can be improved. In addition, after completing certain items on the proposal document, the Sandras is able to equip new weapons.[12]
When a new character joins the Sandras as a crewmember, the ship’s basic attributes can be enhanced. Furthermore, depending on certain characters with special skills or knowledge, features such as a shop function can be added in place of towns or merchant ships. In some cases, new additions may lead to special events and quests.
Recapture Battles
Ramming into a barrier pillar.
Adol and his crew embark on a mission to reclaim islands previously captured by Griegrs. These islands are scattered throughout the region, and when they are encountered while aboard the Sandras, they can initiate a special battle to liberate the island. During the battle, numerous Griegr ships relentlessly bombard Adol's ship, with the main objective being to destroy barrier pillars surrounding the island. Eliminating all pillars causes the barrier and enemy ships to vanish, allowing a safe landing.
Adol and Karja raiding the enemy base.
Once on dry land, Adol and Karja engage in raiding the enemy base. The layouts consist of straight, narrow hallways leading to more open areas filled with Griegrs. Some areas have gates that close during battles, opening only after all enemies are defeated to progress. At the end of each raid, a boss battle awaits, and victory results in the island's liberation. This concept of Recapture Battles draws parallels to raids/hunts in Ys VIII and Grimwald Nox battles in Ys IX.
During naval battles, your crew can get "hyped" each time a mission is cleared, which will make it easier to activate character specific "Recapture Skills" , which award various bonuses at the start of land battles, which vary depending on the hype level built while at sea, giving the player an extra advantage.
By defeating Griegrs and recapturing islands, the player can obtain various rewards according to his or her rank. In addition, recaptured islands can be fast traveled to. The areas around the islands will also be shown on your nautical charts, making it possible to explore Obelia Bay more efficiently.
Scroll of Hugill
List of side quests.
During the Sandras’s voyage, Hugill the raven sometimes delivers messages to Adol and his friends. The content of the messages varies, including one from the Balta Navy to Adol and Karja, and others from people in various parts of Obelia Bay asking for help. Depending on the message, it may be delivered at various locations in Obelia Bay during the adventure in the form of a quest that includes a sub-story, similar to the bulletin board quests from previous games.
Marine Life Quests
Ashley, the boy who grew up alone in Karnack, is strangely interested in marine life. Once he is made a member of your crew, a dedicated quest will be available in which you will investigate the marine life that populated Obelia Bay. Following the completion of the quest, you will see more information scribed onto the map, but there just might be another marine life quest connected to it…
Time Attack & Boss Rush Mode
Time attack menu.
After players clear the main story, they are be able to play “Time Attack” mode, which can be accessed from the title screen like in previous games.
In Time Attack mode, the player can choose to fight any boss character that appears in the main story individually, or choose to battle all of them consecutively in Boss Rush mode.
Adol and Karja's accessories, Mana Seeds, Solo and Combination mode skills can be changed before to the start of each boss battle, players' performance will be significantly affected by which accessories, skills, and Mana Seeds were picked. Better loadouts make it easier to achieve shorter clear times. This mode also features it's own exclusive Release Line.
Downloadable Content
Development
In a series of interviews with Nihon Falcom president Toshihiro Kondo, insights were shared into the development of Ys X: Nordics. In a 2019 interview with Dengeki PlayStation, Kondo mentioned that the gameplay system introduced in Ys SEVEN, while it has been improved on bit by bit with each game, has gone through repeated inflation and that they've done all there is to be done with it as of Ys IX: Monstrum Nox, and expressed a desire for the Ys series to evolve in a new form. He referred to Ys X as a potential "blank slate" and a "commemorative" entry in the series.[13] Later the same year, it was revealed that Falcom is internally developing a new proprietary game engine.[14]
In 2020, during a livestream with Clouded Leopard Entertainment, Kondo revealed that work had begun on the next installment of the Ys series. However, it remained uncertain whether the game would be Ys X or a remake of a previous title.[15] Kondo further explained in another interview that their new game engine started development after the release of The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV.[16] Falcom intended to unify all the engines of their IPs into the one new engine that they are developing, as their Ys and Trails series have used different engines for a long time.[17] He also mentions how the development team put up with a deprecated development environment and tools, thus they have been completely upgraded so the staff can continue working without stress. The new engine eliminates what previously was menial work, improves the work efficiency and allows the development team to focus more on actual development.[18]
In a 2021 interview, Kondo confirmed that the upcoming Ys game would utilize a renewed engine. While acknowledging requests for remakes, Kondo emphasized that Ys X was the next title they intended to deliver.[19][20]
First concept art of Ys X
In 2022, an issue of Weekly Famitsu featured concept artwork and an interview with Kondo, revealing that the next entry is the tenth numbered game in the series, and that the gameplay has been overhauled from previous games while still retaining the series' smooth and exhilarating gameplay, with possibly some light Souls-like inspiration, and seeing if it is possible to implement steadily-paced one-on-one combat in which the player can watch the enemy’s movements.[21]
It was stated that Falcom had plans to release Ys X in 2022 to commemorate the 35th anniversary, but they were unable to do so due to various considerations.[22]
In November 2022, during Falcom's earnings report, it was announced that Ys X: Nordics would launch for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch by the end of the next fiscal year in 2023.[23] A subsequent shareholder meeting in December confirmed the official title and announced that the game was 60% complete.[24][6] The story is said to be aimed towards a younger audience due to the Nintendo Switch's younger player base,[4] and it will also revolve around the concept of "family".[2] Unused concepts for an Ys game that took place in the high seas that were intended for Ys SEVEN will be used in Ys X.[25] The main illustrator for Ys X is toi8.
Reception
Ys X: Nordics received a 34/40 from Famitsu,[26] stating that the sailing enhances the sense of adventure.
Sales
During its debut week in Japan, Ys X achieved sales of 18,563 copies on PS5, 15,846 copies on Switch, and 10,183 copies on PS4, resulting in a total of 44,592 retail copies sold across the three platforms.[27]
At Falcom's yearly shareholders meeting on December 15, President Toshihiro Kondo mentioned that for Ys X, the PS5 version constituted 50% of the total sales, the Switch version made up 30%, and the PS4 version made up 20%, deviating from their initial expectation of a 50-50 split between PlayStation and Switch.[28] Additionally, he highlighted that the physical-to-digital sales ratio for the game stands at 3:2.[29]
Gallery
Covers
Key Visuals
Pre-Release Screenshots
Videos
Trivia
- This is the first Ys game to release on more than one console simultaneously, in Japan.
- This is the first Ys game since Ys SEVEN to receive a CERO C age rating.
References
- ↑ Ys X Nordics Takes Place Roughly 1 Month After Ys II, Noisy Pixel (Orpheus Joshua, August 19, 2023)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Weekly Famitsu Magazine April 20, 2023 Issue 1792
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ys X: Nordics details Adol Christin, Karja Varta, and ‘Cross Action’ battle system, Gematsu (Sal Romano, March 9, 2023)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Ys X: Nordics details – Adol is 17 years old, only two playable characters, more, Gematsu (Sal Romano, December 21, 2022)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ys X: Nordics announced for PS5, PS4, and Switch, Gematsu (Sal Romano, December 15, 2022)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ys X Nordics Details Combat Modes, Naval Battles, Heroine Background & Timeline Relative to Other Entries, Noisy Pixel (Orpheus Joshua, December 20, 2022)
- ↑ Ys X Nordics Introduces Dogi & New Characters; New Gameplay Info, Noisy Pixel (Orpheus Joshua, April 18, 2023)
- ↑ Ys X: Nordics details Dogi, Glen, Rosalind, Cruz, and ‘Mana Actions’, Gematsu (Sal Romano, April 9, 2023)
- ↑ Ys X: Nordics details Phylleia, Ezer, Yolds, Larg, Odr, and ‘Release Line’, Gematsu (Yukino Oshimizu, June 22, 2023)
- ↑ Ys X: Nordics Introducing the Greeger, Mana level-up system, and more!, Clouded Leopard Entertainment Official Site (June 22, 2023)
- ↑ Ys X: Nordics details Adol and Karja-specific skills, Mana Sense, and Raven Stones, Gematsu (Yukino Oshimizu, August 24, 2023)
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Ys X: Nordics – teaser commercial; limited edition, new characters, seafaring, and more detailed, Gematsu (Yukino Oshimizu, May 26, 2023)
- ↑ Ys IX: Monstrum Nox – Post-Release Interview (Part 3/3), Frontline Gaming Japan (Feb 3, 2021)
- ↑ Falcom developing proprietary game engine, Gematsu (Sal Romano, Dec 18, 2019)
- ↑ Falcom president Toshihiro Kondo: ‘Ys team starting to move towards the next Ys’, Gematsu (Sal Romano, Feb 7, 2020)
- ↑ Falcom President Toshihiro Kondo on Hajimari no Kiseki and Falcom’s New Engine, Siliconera (ALISTAIR WONG, Aug 8, 2020)
- ↑ Interview with Kondo Toshihiro: Reverie’s truths and foreshadowing for Kuro no Kiseki, Medium (Guan, Jan 2, 2021)
- ↑ Interview with Kondo Toshihiro: Aiming for the series’ new direction with Kuro no Kiseki, Medium (Guan, Dec 29, 2020)
- ↑ Monthly Falcom Magazine vol 122, pg. 7
- ↑ "In the latest Falcom Magazine, Kondo acknowledges the request for remakes but states the next Ys title they'll work on will be Ys X, running on a renewed engine. He previously (November 2019) stated the game "will be a blank slate" and "something commemorative"." – @Gu4n on Twitter, Apr 1, 2021 (Archive)
- ↑ First concept artwork of the next Ys game, interview tidbits, Gematsu (Sal Romano, Jun 22, 2022)
- ↑ Ys X Was Planned to Release This Year for Series 35th Anniversary, Noisy Pixel (Orpheus Joshua, Oct 16, 2022)
- ↑ Next Ys game to launch for PS5, PS4, and Switch by September 30, 2023 in Japan, Gematsu (Sal Romano, Nov 10 2022)
- ↑ Ys X Nordics Launching 2023 for PS4, PS5 & Switch Japan, Noisy Pixel (Orpheus Joshua, December 14, 2022)
- ↑ Unused Ys Seven Concepts for the Sea Will be in Ys X Nordics, Noisy Pixel (Orpheus Joshua, Dec 27, 2022)
- ↑ 【イースX】発売まもない、【ダイの大冒険】もうすぐ発売新作ゲームレビュー【Fate】 ※点数訂正
- ↑ Famitsu Sales: 9/25/23 – 10/1/23 [Update], Gematsu (Sal Romano, Oct 5, 2023)
- ↑ Falcom president on graphics criticism and Ys X: Nordics sales, Nintendo Everything (Brian, Dec 23, 2023)
- ↑ "近藤：パッケージとデジタルの比率は3：2。デジタル版は年々、本数は増えている。今後、さらに増えると見込んでいる。パッケージ版の売上は発売後まもなく止まるが、デジタル版は年末セールなどがあるたびに本数が動く。デジタル版には注力していきたい #日本ファルコム株主総会" – @michsuzu on Twitter, Dec 15, 2023