Introduction to Ys X Nordics
The first series that comes to mind when considering the broad concept of adventure is Ys, where protagonist Adol Christin lives his life pursuing the sheer thrill of that notion. And while every entry sans Ys Origin features a new standalone journey of Adol for future generations to ponder via his travelogues, none have embraced the collective nuance of adventure as much as Ys X Nordics.
Exploring the Seas with the Sandras
Utilizing unused Ys Seven ideas for the sea, Ys X Nordics finally lets fans explore the ocean at their leisure, with a fully decked-out ship called the Sandras and an accompanying crew that gradually grows as you progress the overall narrative. This implementation seems so characteristic of Ys that an outside party may find it astonishing that it hasn’t been executed before. But when considering the sheer scope and ambition of exploring this merged environment, it makes sense it took this long to enact effectively.
Adol’s youth makes the central conflict and world seem significantly more threatening.
The ship implementation goes the full nine yards with plenty of cosmetic and practical customization at the helm of you reaching new areas. Plus, outright ship battles against the antagonistic force, the Griegr, occur regularly. These bouts morph from cannon-filled endeavors to in-person encounters by boarding the opposing ship. The interiors of these vessels are even dungeons themselves, with truly significant gameplay-enhancing rewards at the heart.
Adol Christin’s Early Adventures
The shining strengths of adventuring are also transparent due to the truly vast region-specific maps that, in a macro sense, dwarf the presentations of the previous games by a landslide. What also contributes to this general childlike delight is the younger age of the protagonist, Adol Christin. Far contrasting the 24-year-old adventurer seen in Ys IX, Adol is 17 years old here. Occurring soon after his debut journeys in the land of Esteria and the titular locale of Ys across Ys I and Ys II, Adol is still a fresh-faced and relatively inexperienced youth. Despite his standout notable accomplishments from the first two Ys games, he lacks the experience and history to truly seem reliably competent.
Ys X Nordics finally lets fans explore the ocean at their leisure, with a fully decked-out ship called the Sandras.
Still, this justifiable naivete works out in the setting’s favor as Adol’s youth makes the central conflict and world seem significantly more threatening. Of course, when considering series hindsight, Adol’s mortality is never necessarily in question, but the new faces he meets are not so safe. That is the strength of these more standalone ventures; the new townsfolk and allies are never truly off the chopping block of consequence. Ys IX approached this concept with an inventive perspective-shifting mechanic instilling consistent tenseness. On the other hand, Ys X returns to the foundations of this character-affixed worldbuilding.
While I’ve rarely played Ys for the narrative alone, there is undeniably something captivating about playing a new journey from Adol’s beginning forays into the world, akin to imagining color within a black-and-white photo. Thinking of Adol at this age brings to mind the classic 80s aesthetic of Ys I, so seeing that specific point of time presented in a modern engine is wonderfully jarring.
Welcoming Newcomers and Longtime Fans
On that same token, Ys X Nordics can also work fantastically for first-time players. Almost every entry in this series can be someone’s first without worry, yet Ys X is undeniably one of the most welcoming. Besides being the new hot product on the block, the relative earliness of the timeline can aid in intriguing prospective, intimidated parties, doubly so when the only earlier games chronologically aren’t exactly compelling to a more modern audience.
New Combat Systems and Gameplay Dynamics
There’s plenty to say and peruse regarding Ys X Nordics. Its combat systems and character dynamics are wholly refreshing components providing inherently greater gameplay individuality than what the past four entries brought to the table. Still, the probably overlooked setting and premise offer a more nuanced adventure than what many would consider. The collective and malleable potential of Ys is truly boundless, and Ys X Nordics represents that reality tenfold.
We’re excited to delve deeper into Ys X Nordics when it is released on October 25, 2024, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
