Episode 0 depicts the origin of the "Ys" story!

Ys Origin, an Episode 0-like title set in the ancient kingdom of Ys, which was introduced in the first "Ys" series' origin story "Ys" ("I") and its sequel "Ys II" ("II"), will be released on October 1, 2020 as a luxury package "Special Edition" ( PS4/Switch) on October 1, 2020!

Ys" is probably a title that holds a bit of a special place in the hearts of the generation that experienced the early days of video games in the 1980s. When "I" first appeared in the late 1980s, the popularity of PC game consoles was heating up, and at the same time, the level of difficulty was rising rapidly. It was a time of dinosaur-like evolution, as if trying to differentiate itself from the Famicom (NES), which was now firmly established in the living room as the nation's most popular home video game console.

While PC games were becoming more advanced, as if to say, "Difficulty is the status of a game," RPGs appeared with the catchphrase, "Now, RPGs have entered the age of gentleness. I" appeared with the catchphrase "I" is for "I" is for "I" is for "I" is for "I".

I" has no difficult puzzles that require you to turn your brain upside down to find the answers, and no bosses that attack so ferociously that you want to crash your keyboard. The game is designed to be "gentle" in that you can find the answer to a puzzle if you twist your brain a little, and the game has an exquisite game balance that can be conquered one day if you grasp the behavior patterns of the enemies and steadily improve your level.

In addition, the attractive characters and event scenes drawn with an anime touch, the cool BGM, and the epic back-and-forth storyline that is not completed in "I" alone but only in "II" together with "I" make "Ys" a very exciting game. Ys" became very popular.

Since then, the game has been repeatedly ported and remade for various hardware platforms, and has also been adapted into anime, comics, novels, and other media mixes. Last year, the latest title, "Ys IX" for PlayStaion 4, was released in 2019.

The ancient kingdom of Ys appeared in "I" and "II". Adol, the adventurer protagonist, started his career by conquering Ys, and "Ys Origin," introduced here, is set about 700 years before Ys. Why did Ys become a lost ancient kingdom? ...... The mystery will be revealed.

Originally released as a PC game in 2007, "Ys Origin" has since been ported to PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Xbox One. Now, with the release of the "Special Edition" on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, the game is now playable on all current hardware. This is amazing!

So, let me give you a quick introduction to the charms of this title. Please note that all game images in this article are of the Nintendo Switch version.

Opening the package!

Let's start by opening the package. This time, I would like to use the Nintendo Switch version, the first port of the game!

So let's start with the package. The package depicting the twin goddesses of Ys, Fina and Rhea, is truly divine.

The contents include the game software, a poster, a special edition art book, and a 2-disc original soundtrack.

The Special Edition Art Book is a substantial collection of illustrations, setting materials for the main characters, and images of the opening movie before trimming.

What is most exciting is that it comes with the legendary original soundtrack, which is currently at a premium price. This is a coveted item for game music fans.

The name "Special Edition" is no lie!

The moment you start up the game, "Ys" fans will inevitably weep!

After enjoying all the extras, it's time to get to work on the main game.

Selecting "Start Game" from the title screen will start the prologue. First, listen carefully to the BGM. The music played here is "PROLOGUE-Ys ORIGIN-", an arranged version of "FEENA", the opening theme of "I"! It is a joy to hear this famous song by Yuzo Ancient played on the latest hardware! If you are an old "Ys" fan, your tension will be at its highest at this point.

Those of you with a better sense of what's going on may have already noticed this. This title contains not only this song, but also rearranged versions of many popular songs used in "I" and "II". The Ys sound has always had a reputation for its beautiful melodies, and this is brought back to life in the latest mode.

The music for this action was written by the well-known Falcom Sound Team jdk, and their opening movie song "GENESIS BEYOND THE BEGINNING" is also very cool! The collaboration of hard rock band sound and magnificent violin is the specialty of jdk. The tension was building up even more.

Sorry, I got a little too excited, but the main game has not started yet! I get it!" I'm sure my comrades who have played this game will nod their heads in agreement. Please nod your head.

The game begins with the selection of the main character.
The first two you can choose from are Yunika Tova, an apprentice knight wielding a great axe, and Hugo Facto, a young man who is called a genius mage. The two characters in "Toba" and "Facto" may ring a bell for some of you. The protagonists of this title are the ancestors of the six priestesses who appeared in "Ys II".

The player takes control of these women and descends to the ground in search of the twin goddesses Rhea and Fina, who have disappeared from the floating Temple of Salmon, along with the Black Pearl, the source of magic. The game is about conquering the "tower" where the goddesses are thought to have invaded.

After reading the introduction up to this point, some of you may have "hit the nail on the head" again. As you can see, keywords that are connected to elements described in "I" and "II," such as the names of characters and the setting of the "tower," are scattered here and there, as if missing pieces of a puzzle are being filled in. One of the most interesting aspects of this work is that it reveals the events of 700 years ago, which have been told piecemeal.

Choose a hero with different abilities to conquer the "tower!

However, it is not at all uninteresting for those who have never played the "Ys" series. It is a game that can be enjoyed very much as an independent action RPG.

Let's start with the main character's performance.

As mentioned earlier, Yunika is a power fighter who swings an axe as big as her own body and reaps enemies one after another. Although her range is short, she can be pushed around to a certain extent with her number of attacks and wide range.

If you are familiar with action games, you may find it easier to progress if you start the game with Yunika.

Hugo, on the other hand, can fire light bullets that can attack enemies at a distance. Although it tends to be a disadvantage in close combat, its long range is very attractive. By taking advantage of the terrain and situations, you can fight on favorable terms, such as making a preemptive attack from a distance before the enemy sees you, or inflicting damage from a position out of reach of the enemy's attack. If you are a beginner or not good at action games, you may find it easier to progress if you play with Hugo.

Each player character has its own advantages and disadvantages, but this is "Ys," a game of "kindness. No matter which character you play, you will never get stuck. As long as you collect the right items, raise your level, and train your character, you should be able to move forward.

Once you have chosen your character, it is time to begin the adventure.

The stage is set in a "tower" where countless demons roam. The objective is to find the twin goddesses Rhea and Fina, who are somewhere in the tower.

In the tower, there are not only demons, but also various tricks, which must be solved in order to advance.

Sometimes you will have to defeat a predetermined number of enemies, and at other times you will have to use "skills" that you will be able to use by acquiring magical tools to pave the way.

Above all, "skills" are important in this work. Each character has skills corresponding to the three types of magic tools: wind, lightning, and fire.

Activating this skill while jumping increases the jump distance and dwell time, so it can be used to reach places that are out of reach of normal jumps. If you are lost, it may be a good idea to try flying with the wind skill first.

Another strategy element of this work is "Boost. Boost can be activated when the "Boost Gauge," which accumulates over time or when the player is attacked by an enemy, is full. When activated, the attack speed, number of consecutive attacks, and defense are increased. The boost can be used to round up all enemies.

Later in the game, you can press the boost activation button again while the boost is activated to launch a powerful "burst" attack. Immediately after activating the boost, the player is invincible for a moment, and when the burst is activated, all enemy attacks are nullified, so it can also be used as a means of emergency evasion.

In addition, special attacks can be unleashed by combining the directional keys and attack buttons. This attack lowers the defense of the enemy it hits, so if you have the time, aim for this as well.

In this way, the main character has a wide variety of attack methods. Let's combine these attacks to attack the towers.

The "tower," which is the stage of the game, is divided into six areas, each with its own unique field.

At the end of each area, a large boss awaits, as is customary in the series.

These bosses are all unique and not easy to defeat. There are probably very few people who can beat them on the first try. However, all bosses have their own patterns of behavior, and after repeated trial and error, you should be able to find a clue to your strategy.

When you finally find a pattern that works and defeat the boss, you will feel a great sense of accomplishment! This is what "Ys" is all about! This is what "Ys" is all about!

By the way, once you complete this game, you will unlock the "Time Attack Mode" in which you can only enjoy battles against bosses. Even after you finish the main game, you can hone your skills to achieve the best score!

The drama woven by the various characters is also noteworthy!

The appeal of "Ys" is not limited to its action RPG gameplay and music. The drama of the attractive characters is also not to be forgotten.

This title, of course, has a well-developed story element.

The story is told through conversations and battles with fellow knights who have descended to the ground, as well as through the mysterious enemy forces that are active in the towers. The main character experiences frustration and growth in the midst of such a situation. ......

In a sense, this work, which depicts a universal drama, is a part of the "Ys" series, but at the same time, it is also a title for beginners of the "Ys" series. It is rather enviable to be able to start "Ys" with this work, which is episode 0-like! Fans who are already familiar with the series may think, "I'm so envious that I can start "Ys" from Episode 0!

As the story progresses, Yunika and Hugo meet up with each other around the middle of the story. The situation in which the main characters, who have taken different routes, act as one team is exciting, no questions asked.

Another story element that should not be forgotten is that there is actually a third protagonist in the game.

After clearing the scenario of Yunika and Hugo, the story of the third protagonist is released. That protagonist is the "clawed man" who stands in front of them as an enemy! What kind of story does he have to tell? What kind of story does he have, and what kind of ending awaits him?

So, that's all for now. I'd like to talk about the charms of "Ys Origin".

If you have played "Ys" before, you will have no complaints, and if you have not played "Ys" before, you will surely enjoy this game with a fresh feeling. In addition, there should be no need to hesitate, as you can get the "Special Edition" now, which is full of great benefits!

If you have even the slightest interest in the game, don't hesitate to get it.

Product Information

Ys Origin Special Edition

Now on sale

Suggested retail price: 5,800 yen (excluding tax)

Genre: Action RPG

Players: 1 player

Compatibility: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4

Rating: B

Supported languages: Japanese, English, French, Italian, German, Spanish

Developer: Dotemu

Publisher: 3goo Inc.