Item: Ys X: Proud Nordics
Rating: 4.9
Author: Gamohol

Adol is back – again – in a definitive re-release of Ys X akin to Persona 5 Royal. One of the biggest new additions is Oland Island, an unlockable location in Chapter 5 that features new enemies and new characters. An Arena, new gameplay abilities, racing mini-games, and a post-game super dungeon, too! I played through the new game so let’s talk about it.

Ys X: Proud Nordics Gameplay and Combat Mechanics Overview

Just like any other entry in the storied Ys franchise, Adol is perfectly capable of defeating a world boss near the end of every game but somehow manages to lose his equipment and levels in an unfortunate accident at the start of whatever game he’s starring in. In this case, Adol stars in Ys X: Proud Nordics, which is set sometime after Ys II.

The game is a faithful JRPG, but unlike the other entries, Ys X: Proud Nordics does away with the party system and focuses on two playable characters: Adol and Karja. This remains true for most of the game. Also, a lot of the game’s content is centered around seafaring, and I found that to be an enjoyable twist.

In JRPGs, one of my favorite moments is when the game opens up the world and gives you a vehicle (or in Final Fantasy VIII’s case, an entire military school — I meant “Balamb Garden”) with which you could roam the world around. In Ys X: Proud Nordics, that’s basically how you are from the start — and I loved every second of it.

Combat is also changed up a bit for Ys X: Proud Nordics. There are two main combat systems in this game that can run seamlessly together. Solo is all about fighting alone and having to perfectly navigate through enemy attacks while dishing out your own, and Combo. Combo is where the game shines in that both playable characters dish out skills together. The skill expression is high once you learn how to play perfectly.

The story is also decent. I like the bond between Adol and Karja, who is described by the community as a “pirate princess” — and I found that description apt. You meet new characters such as Canute and Astrid, who weren’t in the original release of Ys X, and the game plays out like a standard Ys game. I won’t say anything more, but I do recommend playing through the game at least once (though you will most likely play it some more).

Story, Character Design, and Seafaring Adventure in Ys X: Proud Nordics

While the game itself is good, and Ys X: Proud Nordics is an excellent addition to the series, the community (and myself) really questioned the decision of re-releasing Ys X: Proud Nordics as an entirely new game and not as a DLC. Sure, we’re used to revamped re-releases like Persona 5 Royal, Metal Gear Solid Delta, and Yakuza Kiwami 3: Dark Tide, but the main difference is that those games actually added a significant amount of content that warranted the re-release.

On the other hand, one thing I noticed is that Ys X: Proud Nordics was initially criticized for its poor performance on release, but my personal experience with the game has been nothing but smooth.

Criticism, Performance, and Re-release Debate in Ys X: Proud Nordics

Ys X: Proud Nordics has earned its spot as the definitive version of Ys X, and as a long-time Ys and Nihom Falcom fan, I loved every second of this game. While there are things that could be done better, such as using a better game engine for future titles, more responsive controls, and better business decisions, Ys X: Proud Nordics is an excellent entry into the proud Ys franchise and should be given a good and honest try by any RPG fan.

STREAMER SCORE

Performance
Streamability
Audience Engagement
Replayability

4.9

Summary

Ys X: Proud Nordics delivers a solid and engaging experience, with new content, combat mechanics, and character development, but it’s marred by re-release concerns and performance debates. Despite this, it’s an excellent entry for long-time fans of the Ys franchise.