Tag Archives: Ys IX

Games, PS5, Reviews

YS IX: Monstrum Nox – PS5 Review

Adol Christin has had many adventures in his time. One of his greatest adventures comes to the Playstation 5. Let’s visit the prison city of Balduq once more as we relive this adventure in our Review of YS IX: Monstrum Nox!

  • YS IX: Mostrum Nox
  • Platform: PS5™ (Retail & Digital) 
  • Release Date(s): May 9, 2023 (NA – retail, digital), May 12, 2023 (EU – retail, digital), May 19, 2023 (ANZ – digital) 
  • Genre: Action RPG 
  • Publisher: NIS America, Inc. 
  • Developer: Nihon Falcom 
  • Audio Languages: English, Japanese 
  • Text Languages: English, French 
  • Website: https://nisamerica.com/ys-ix/

*Special Thanks to NIS America for providing a Playstation 5 review key! Note, this review will only cover the differences between the Playstation 5 version compared to the Playstation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions. You can find the PS4 review here, and the Nintendo Switch here. *

Intro/Story:

To briefly cover the story of YS IX, here is the official plot summary from the game’s website:

Experience the thrilling adventure of Ys IX: Monstrum Nox as it pierces through the shadows onto PS5™! After being cursed by a mysterious woman, Adol Christin becomes a Monstrum—a powerful being who can exorcize monsters. To escape from the prison city of Balduq, Adol must ally with five other Monstrums, each with their own unique Gifts, and stop the Grimwald Nox, a shadowy dimension on the brink of overflowing into the real world!
Feared Protectors: Play as any of the six notorious Monstrums, each with their own unique Gifts that grant abilities, such as scaling sheer walls or detecting hidden objects, to protect the city from shadowy creatures.
The World Within the Walls: Explore the massive city, accept quests to aid the townsfolk, and enter the Grimwald Nox to vanquish the threats to Balduq.
Strength of the Night: Familiar mechanics such as Flash Move and Flash Guard allow you to outmanoeuvre your foes, while new additions such as Gifts and Boost Mode further augment your ability to fight.

If this is your first adventure, you take the role of Adol Christin. Adol is a legend in the world known for his travels and exploits which he documents. His adventure finds him arriving at the city of Balduq, where our hero is arrested, ironically due to his past exploits. From his arrest, Adol finds himself on another adventure unexpectedly.

During this new adventure, the narrative is delivered in a well-paced, yet predictable format. It works well for the YS games, and as the saying goes “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. The devs found the right pacing, and build upon it each YS game. However, this review will not go into detail about that, the previous reviews of this game go into great detail about it. This review covers the PS5 version differences. Let’s take a look at the gameplay:

Gameplay:

Adol has never played better compared to other versions of YS IX. The game holds a solid framerate, and does not drop. The load times are next to non-existent, except for the initial game load in. This PS5 version improves on the issues from the performance from the previous versions. As a result, Adol and his gang of Monstrums function much better. Based on this, the PS5 version of YS IX alone should be the version to go for if you are aiming for the best performance. Additionally, this version includes ALL the DLC from the previous versions of the game ready to download.

Visual

Visually, the game is on par with the PS4 version, but much clearer and sharper. It looks good. See the screenshots in this review to make that determination as you compare it to the other versions. The Playstation 5 captures Adol in all his adventurer glory.

Wrap-up/conclusion:

If you are a new player to the YS games and your platform of choice is not a barrier to entry, I recommend going for the playstation 5 version. You get the best performance for Adol’s newest adventure and the best looking version of it. Portability still goes to the Nintendo Switch. Playstation 4 version should only be considered if the other two are not an option.

Until next time, Mgs2master2 out!

Games, Nintendo Switch, Reviews

YS IX – Monstrum Nox (Switch review)

Earlier in the year, we had a chance to experience Adol Christin’s latest adventure on the Playstation 4. It was a wild and great journey indeed. Now, Adol’s adventure expands to the Nintendo Switch and PC. As an adventurer of life myself, I felt it would be appropriate to take a look at having the journey on my handheld device, the Nintendo Switch. Does it hold up or will it falter? Let’s take a look at our review!

YS IX: Monstrum Nox

  • Platforms: Nintendo Switch (Reviewed), PC 
  • Release Date: July 6, 2021 (NA), July 9, 2021 (EU), July 16, 2021 (ANZ) ● Genre: Action RPG 
  • Genre: RPG
  • Publisher: NIS America 
  • Developer: Nihon Falcom 
  • Audio Language: English / Japanese 
  • Text Language: English / French 

 

*Special thanks to NISA PR for providing a Nintendo Switch review Key and sorry about the delay in the review*

Note: most of this review will be similar to the Playstation 4 review. The key differences will be in terms of gameplay (load times, fps, etc) and visuals. Everything else will more or less be similar.

Intro/Story:

From the official website, here is the story:

Renowned adventurer Adol “the Red” Christin and his companion Dogi arrive at Balduq, a city annexed by the Romun Empire, only for Adol to be detained before setting foot inside. While imprisoned, he meets a mysterious woman named Aprilis who turns him into a Monstrum, a being with supernatural Gifts and the power to exorcise monsters. Now, Adol must ally with his fellow Monstrums to fend off the fearsome threats emerging from a shadowy dimension called the Grimwald Nox, as well as unravel the mysteries of the Monstrum curse, and the truth behind the unrest within Balduq.

Veterans of YS games understand this is a very familiar trend. Adol will end up in a location, some event occurs, and Adol gets tossed into his latest adventure. This is less of a trope and more of a franchise staple. It is the life of an adventurer, as they seek the adventure no matter where they go. With players taking the role of Adol Christin, the world’s most famous adventurer, this is a must. In YS IX, Players will experience a well-crafted story that is properly delivered and well-paced.

However, we are reviewing the Nintendo Switch version! We will be on the go on our own life adventure while experiencing Adol’s adventure on the go! How does it perform? Let’s check out the gameplay!

 

Gameplay:

As stated in our Playstation 4 review, the gameplay in YS: IX is very straightforward. The controls from the PS4 version are mirrored in the same button placement on the Nintendo Switch (the difference being, they are just called different buttons). It is a very easy transition if you are playing it from one console to the other. If the Nintendo Switch version is the only version the player is experiencing, they will be able to learn the controls quickly. YS games have very simple controls and are quick to pick up.

In terms of gameplay performance, the game suffers quite a bit. Loading from area to area takes some time, loading in from the main menu into the game takes time, and loading, in general, takes some time. It is nothing extensive, but transitioning from the PS4 version to the Switch Version, there is a clear difference. Additionally, the first thing the Switch player will notice, the FPS of YS IX drops in several areas. I do not think it even maintains 30fps at any portion of the game.

However, this is the difference here. When the Switch is docked, the game remains more or less a solid 30fps consistently throughout the entire adventure. However, going handheld mode with the Nintendo Switch, the performance is the issue. The game struggles to maintain a solid 30fps in handheld mode in several areas of the game, especially areas with a ton of action. I am a primary handheld player when I use the Nintendo Switch, so while I’m thankful we can take Adol’s latest journey on the go, I gotta deal with the performance issues. It is not game-breaking or immersion-breaking, it is just annoying. However, it is a marvel that YS IX is working on the Nintendo Switch so players who are like me and go handheld mode, just be wary of those performance issues.

One day these NISA ports to the Switch will not take a hit in performance, and when that day comes, I will be loving it.

Audio and Visual:

Audio-wise, YS IX still sounds as fantastic as it does with its Playstation 4 Counterpart. It doesn’t matter if it’s the handheld mode or the docked mode. The sound is still fantastic, along with the MasterCraft voice work.

Visual wise, docked or handheld, the Nintendo Switch version takes a hit in the visual quality. It is nothing that is immersion-breaking, but it is obvious where it takes the hit. I hope one day with these NISA ports the visual quality doesn’t take hits.

Wrap-up/conclusion:

Ys IX was one incredible journey. Though it is a shorter game in length than Adol’s previous adventure, the quantity is not what matters. Ys IX is a quality game with a great story, simple gameplay, and an ambitious adventure for our hero. At the end of this game, I found myself wanting to return to it once more while awaiting the next big adventure. I look forward to where Adol goes next. With the addition of the Nintendo Switch port, I can now take this adventure on the go. It has obvious issues, but it is still a fantastic game all around with a very playable port.

  • Until next time, Mgs2master2 out!

*Special thanks to NISA PR for the review key!*

Games, Playstation, PlayStation 4, Reviews

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox – Review

The Life of an adventurer is one full of excitement. One of the most legendary adventurers, Adol Christin, keeps books for his adventures. His latest adventure is one that takes him on a journey that even he did not expect. Traveling with his partner, Dogi, what lies ahead for our heroes? Let’s take our own journey in our review of Ys IX: Monstrum Nox.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox

  • Platform: PS4; (Nintendo Switch, PC – Summer 2021)
  • Release Date (PS4): February 2, 2021 (NA), February 5, 2021 (EU), February 12, 2021 (ANZ), Nintendo Switch, PC: Summer 2021
  • Category: JRPG
  • Publisher: NIS America
  • Developer: Nihon Falcom

*Special thanks to NIS America for providing a Playstation 4 review key*

Intro/Story:

From the official website, here is the story:

Renowned adventurer Adol “the Red” Christin and his companion Dogi arrive at Balduq, a city annexed by the Romun Empire, only for Adol to be detained before setting foot inside. While imprisoned, he meets a mysterious woman named Aprilis who turns him into a Monstrum, a being with supernatural Gifts and the power to exorcise monsters. Now, Adol must ally with his fellow Monstrums to fend off the fearsome threats emerging from a shadowy dimension called the Grimwald Nox, as well as unravel the mysteries of the Monstrum curse, and the truth behind the unrest within Balduq.

As a story, Ys IX has a mysterious yet predictable vibe playing it. Players of previous Ys titles would understand. That does not detract from the experience. Ys IX goes through similar moments as previous titles but is done rather well. It seems the story delivery breaks the 4th wall as characters within the game call out what predictable moment is happening. That is not to say the entire game is like this. There are moments in Ys IX that occur in this game I have not experienced in any other Ys Game. All of this wrapped up with charming characters and immersive gameplay works well.

The story itself is done well enough and incorporated into the gameplay appropriately that it does not detract from the experience at all. There are no huge “lore dump” moments, and everything shifts around the mystery of Balduq and discovering the truth behind the events taking place. Let’s take a look at the gameplay of this adventure. Note, if players are new to Ys, understand that each game is its own contained story while there are references to past games. They are just another chronicle in the adventures of Adol.

Gameplay:

The gameplay is straightforward in Ys IX. If the player has played previous Ys titles (namely Memories of Celceta and VIII), the gameplay is the same with some new elements mixed in. Newcomers to Ys should not worry as the game gives tutorials for each new gameplay component introduced. Combat is smooth, and roaming the world of Balduq brings the adventurer out of any player.

When players begin, they are confined in a small portion of the world. However, as the story progresses, more of the world becomes open to them. This also comes with new mechanics that will be introduced, to not only incorporate in combat but in the traversing of the world as well. All of the gameplay elements incorporated with the story help bring the world of Ys IX to life.

Update:

As of the day 1 patch, there is no more issues with the game crashing on the Playstation 5. Those playing on the Playstation 5, enjoy the game to your heart’s content!

Audio/Visual:

Visual wise, Ys IX looks on par with other Ys games. That is a very distinct style that Falcom sticks with on all their titles. It is not a bad thing as it looks very great. On Playstation 5, it looks just as great as it would on the Playstation 4. With that distant style, the environment also is very well done. The city of Balduq is very well done and has that atmospheric look to it. It adds to the immersion of the game as well. From going into ruins to exploring the city’s outskirts, Ys IX maintains that aesthetic and uses it to carry throughout the entire game.

Audio-wise, as with all other Falcom titles, the soundtrack is fantastic. The developers craft the music tracks to fit each part of the city the player is exploring and the combat theme and hit those emotional cues during cutscenes. Additionally, the English voice work is very well done. The game has an all-star cast that lends their voices to fit the roles. A special shoutout to Erika Harlacher, who does the voice of Yufa (aka Raging Bull). She does her role extremely well during the course of the game. The entire English cast dedicates their all to these roles, and it shows very well. Overall, I think this is the best voice work in a Falcom Game yet. Every character is charming, and the voices only make it so much better.

Ys IX -Monstrum NOX- OST - Tranquil Silence

Ys IX -Monstrum NOX- OST - Monstrum NOX

Fun Factor:

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox was an enjoyable game. I finished at 32 hours (with 96% completion of everything), which is shorter than YS VIII and on par with Memories of Celceta. Don’t let that length fool you, though. This is a full-length game with full-length fun. Anyone looking to scratch that adventurer itch should not pass this up.

Wrap-up/Conclusion:

Ys IX was one incredible journey. Though it is a shorter game in length than Adol’s previous adventure, the quantity is not what matters. Ys IX is a quality game with a great story, simple gameplay, and an ambitious adventure for our hero. At the end of this game, I found myself wanting to return to it once more while awaiting the next big adventure. I look forward to where Adol goes next.

Update: AS of the day 1 patch, there is no more backward capability issue on the Playstation 5. This means players can play the game from start to finish with zero issues on the Playstation 5. Thank you NISA team for being on top of the issue!

 

Until next time, Mgs2master2 out!

*Special thanks to NIS America once more for the Playstation review key!*