Developed By: Nihon Falcom
Ported & Published By: DOTEMU
Date of Release: February 21, 2017
Price: $20
It has been a long time since Playstation fans last got a taste of Ys, way back when Memories of Celceta hit the Vita in November of 2013. However rather than come out with a new sequel in this long running franchise, Falcom has chosen to take us back to the beginning with Ys Origin. This entry in the series is a prequel, taking place 700 years before the events of the first Ys games. This of course means that the veteran series protagonist Adol Christin has to sit this round out, however do not despair! This time around we have THREE individual protagonists to fill out the roster, and each of them brings their own story and unique gameplay style to the table.
If you have played a Ys game before (and I'm sure you have) then you should feel right at home with Yunica Tovah, our first playable character. She's a tough but compassionate young girl who has dedicated her life to protecting the goddesses. Do not underestimate her abilities because although she cannot use magic, she can swing around a massive battle axe as if it were a feather duster. Players new to the series should start with Yunica, as she is very easy to handle in combat. Once players feel comfortable they can tackle Hugo Fact, a magic user who plays out more like a bullet hell shooter than a typical RPG hero. The third (and secret) character will unlock once you finish the game as either Yunica or Hugo, and suffice it to say he's only for experienced players.
Of course it would not be an Ys game if it didn't have big badass setpiece boss fights, and Ys Origin delivers in spades! As usual each boss has it's weak point and a pattern that you can exploit, and half the fun is figuring out how! Unlike other games that have impossibly punishing bosses, in Ys Origin if you're dying frequently you can simply level up and try again. Also be sure to check out the upgrade menu at save points, though they may seem minor, the right enhancement can save your life. Be on the lookout for rare cleria ore as well, as it is vital for tempering your weapons.
The production values of Ys Origin are amazing, using the engine last seen in Ys: The Oath in Felghana. The music and graphics are of course as stunning as you would expect from a series of such a high caliber as Ys. From the stirring violin strains of the opening theme which give way to choral chants and guitar riffs, you can guess from just that track alone that the soundtrack is something special. And it truly is, with a wildly diverse soundscape of orchestral music inlaid with the finest hair metal that Falcom Sound Team J.D.K. has to offer. Just as rich are the gorgeously rendered 3D backgrounds and lush sprites that make up the visuals. For a port of a 2006 PC game, this is an impressive feat, and it helps that all the interface assets have been reworked in HD. Even though it's not quite as detailed as a new entry such as Celceta, Ys Origin has a charm of it's own.
After you survive the main quest three times over (needed to unlock the canon ending!) in Ys Origin there's still plenty to do. A host of unlockables including Time Attack, Boss Rush, and Arena modes round out the package, offering hours of gameplay beyond the main story. If you yearn for an epic story with brutal bosses, complex character development, and a truly hardcore soundtrack, look no further than Ys Origin. Newcomers will find an engaging start to a new series, and Ys veterans will find plenty of references to their beloved series, and even answers to some burning questions that they may have. At a solid asking price of $20, Ys Origin is an unbeatable value. Not to mention it's cross buy, so once it hits the PS Vita you'll get that version for free.
