Ys X: Nordics Review Thread

Game Information

Game Title: Ys X: Nordics

Platforms:

PC (Mar 13, 2024)

Trailers:

Developer: Falcom

Publisher: Clouded Leopard Entertainment

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 80 average - 87% recommended - 23 reviews

Critic Reviews

33bits - Fernando Sánchez - Spanish - 91 / 100

Ys X: Nordics is presented as a solid addition to the franchise, offering evolved gameplay and new playable elements. The Mana String is quite interesting and gives many new possibilities to the protagonists that make the game more dynamic and fun. On the other hand, the naval combats, although interesting, have left us a little cold. Still, Ys fans are in luck because the spirit of Ys is still intact and in top form, and it’s still devilishly fun.

Checkpoint Gaming - Charlie Kelly - 7 / 10

Ys X: Nordics may not have been the flourishing and vibrant first venture in the series I was after, but I’m also far from turned off by the franchise. Its fast-paced action combat with a plethora of strategies and abilities to employ never ceased to satisfy my brain’s often insatiable need for flashy fighting. Backing it is kickass battle music with a heavy emphasis on electric guitar riffs that never get old. Though I wish the story, world and lore found within were more captivating, pretty and memorable, I can’t fault how fun and solid the gameplay loop of perusing both the vast seas and involved islands is. There are plenty of secrets, fun gameplay moments and goodies that await. Having considered all that, I’d call Ys X: Nordics a damn fine seaworthy ride indeed. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Console Creatures - Bobby Pashalidis - 9 / 10

Ys X: Nordics showcases many outstanding elements the series excels at — combat, skills, music, and characters are on-point and some of the best we’ve seen in the nearly 40 years the series has existed.

Final Weapon - Raul Ochoa - 4.5 / 5

Ys X: Nordics is a crowning achievement for Falcom as one of its most vibrant and compelling action RPGs yet. The setting of the Obelia Gulf invokes a sense of adventure and mystery, while its characters, locations, and lore keeps players engaged. As the young hero Adol and the pirate princess Karja, players experience a combat system that sets the new standard for the franchise as well.

GameBlast - Farley Santos - Portuguese - 7.5 / 10

Ys X: Nordics brings back the classic spirit of the franchise with fast-paced combat and revamped mechanics. The dynamic between Adol and Karja, united by a spell, creates a good starting point for the plot, and the duo combat system offers exciting moments, especially against bosses. The protagonists’ customizations and abilities also give plenty of room to explore different combinations. However, the game stumbles in several aspects. The narrative, although promising, gets lost in superficial developments and unmemorable characters. Exploration, although well-intentioned with the addition of naval combat and transversal abilities, suffers from simplified maps and a lack of incentive to revisit areas. Overall, Ys X: Nordics is a fun adventure, but it could have been more memorable if it had made better use of its ideas.

GameMAG - Russian - 8 / 10

Ys X: Noridcs is a competent development of a long-running series, and a great opportunity for new players to get to know it better.

Gamersky - 心灵奇兵 - Chinese - 8 / 10

As the latest game in the Ys series, Ys X: Nordics doesn’t stray far from the familiar formula. It takes a cautious approach, delivering a JRPG experience of consistent quality that lasts around 30-40 hours. If you’re looking for a return to a classic RPG adventure with well-rounded combat, systems and gameplay, or if you have a deep affection for the Ys series, then this game will certainly meet your expectations.

God is a Geek - Lyle Pendle - 7 / 10

Ys X: Nordics is a fun enough RPG with enjoyable combat, but dull sailing sections and subpar visuals make it a slightly disappointing sequel.

Hardcore Gamer - Chris Shive - 4 / 5

Ys X: Nordics brings welcome changes to the template that made its predecessors enjoyable. The ship exploration and naval battles add a new dimension to exploration that wasn’t present in previous games. The shift from a three-member party to two does put limit on play variety, but having two constant playable characters brings a different dynamic which works well in the greater context of the story. These changes help differentiate Ys X: Nordics from other entries in the franchise, but it maintains the elements fans have come to expect, such as recruiting people for their base and watching it grow. The story takes interesting turns, especially later in the game, and all is done with a great accompanying soundtrack and frenetic mana-enhanced combat. Returning Ys players will find many elements that are familiar, but enough changes were made to make this new entry stand out from what came before it.

Hey Poor Player - Kenny McKee - 4.5 / 5

As far as Ys chronology goes, Adol’s latest adventure is nothing if not a big step backward. If you ask me, however, this game is a major step forward. Offering an incredibly compelling story, intuitive new mechanics, and a refreshing and unique take on the Ys formula without compromising its identity, Ys X: Nordics is a literal boatload of fun that series fans and newcomers alike. I’d say that good things are on the horizon for Adol from here on out, but, well, we already know that’s true.

Hobby Consolas - Álvaro Alonso - Spanish - 80 / 100

Hard-hitting action, naval battles, a wide variety of mechanics and systems… It has its problems (some very obvious), but once you get on the boat of Ys X: Nordics, you won’t want to jump overboard.

IGN Korea - Seongho Moon - Korean - 8 / 10

One of the developer interviews mentioned something about implementing a Souls-like element to the game, which was a bit of a concern. Once the game was released, it kept the classic taste of Ys, all while adding creative cinematics thus if you’re once a fan, this game won’t disappoint. Classic ARPG masterpiece as Ys would be, we recommend everyone to give it a try.

INVEN - Youngseok Yang - Korean - 8.3 / 10

Ys X successfully expands and evolves Falcom’s action style. A clean, flowing story that befits the adventures of the young Adol is presented, accompanied by excellent BGM. Moreover, offering plenty of additional enjoyment through New Game+ was also delightful. The challenging content is also quite engaging, giving a glimpse of Falcom’s efforts in preparing for a new era.

Nintendo Life - Mitch Vogel - 8 / 10

Ys X stands as another great entry in this long-running action series, bringing in some cool ideas of its own without straying too far from what made its predecessors so beloved. Enjoyable combat, an excellent soundtrack, and an engaging world to explore all make this one an easy recommendation, even if it can stumble a bit with its performance and doesn’t totally stick the landing with all its new ideas. We’d highly recommend Ys X if you’re at all a fan of the past entries or are looking for another solid action RPG to add to your collection.

NookGaming - Isaiah Parker - 9 / 10

I’m thrilled to report that Ys X: Nordics isn’t just good, but in many ways it represents Ys at its best. I have some foibles with it, such as an occasionally inconsistent presentation and a comparative lack of memorable environments. However, it’s a mostly successful modernization and refreshment in a series that was in need of exactly that. Coupling this with improvements to cutscenes elevating an already great story and some of the best boss fights in the series, and you have a game that won’t be leaving my mind any time soon. I’m always excited for what’s coming next with Ys, but as I reflect on this title, I’m downright impatient as I think of the ways they can push its changes even further. Our 10th is always a big deal, and it’s clear that Ys understood that.

PSX Brasil - Portuguese - 90 / 100

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Saudi Gamer - Arabic - 9 / 10

Just when I finally got burned out of the franchise after Ys IX, Ys X took all the necessary steps to elevate the franchise to higher heights and make one of the best games in the long running franchise by providing the most action packed RPG in Falcom’s history despite the obvious budget choices.

Spaziogames - Gianluca Arena - Italian - 8 / 10

Ys X Nordics is an intuitive and refreshing action JRPG (more action than RPG, to tell the truth) that captures the spirit of the old episodes of the franchise and gives the player a lot of room to explore, loot and fight across the islands of the Obelia Gulf. Not the prettiest PS5 title to date, but certainly a funny and intuitive one.

The Outerhaven Productions - Scott Adams - 4 / 5

Ys X: Nordics showcases the impressive capabilities of the new engine developed by Nihon Falcom. Adol controls exceptionally well, and Karja adds depth to the roster of characters he encounters. Although the game starts off slowly, once you acquire all the necessary tools, it plays like a dream.

TheSixthAxis - Miguel Moran - 8 / 10

Ys X: Nordics maintains a lot of the qualities that this series has come to be known for. Some of those qualities aren’t necessarily a positive, like the familiarly linear dungeon encounters and the less-than-impressive visuals of the game, but a lot of it works great. Combat is the best it’s ever been, naval gameplay is a fresh and welcome addition, and Ys X: Nordics introduces refreshing character moments with Adol and Karja that I’m desperate to see more of in the next entry.

VGChartz - Thomas Froehlicher - 7 / 10

I have deeply conflicting feelings towards Ys X: Nordics, to such an extent that it turns out to be difficult to score. The part of me that really enjoyed the battle system and sense of exploration, which are both better than ever before in a Falcom release, would opt for a high mark; the part of me that’s disappointed with the characters, narrative, and visuals would score it lower.

Video Chums - A.J. Maciejewski - 8.5 / 10

I had an excellent time with Ys X: Nordics and it’s outstanding that after all these years, Adol’s adventures are still taking him to such refreshingly different worlds that are home to distinctly memorable characters. It makes me wonder: where will he end up next? ⚓

Wccftech - Francesco De Meo - 9.3 / 10

Ys X Nordics stands as one of the best entries in the series, second only to the excellent YS VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana. With a cast of charming characters, an engaging story, and fast-paced action gameplay powered by some interesting mechanics that force players to balance offense and defense, the franchise by Falcom has taken a decisive step forward, delivering a highly polished and satisfying experience.

oprainfall - Patrick Aguda - 4 / 5

Ys X: Nordics is a very fun action game with loveable characters and a soundtrack that’s sure to have one or two tracks that’ll stick in your mind. The Cross Action System allows for players to enact beautiful destruction and is sure to be a hit with action fans. It has a story that does enough to capture your attention and keep it through the duration of the game, and is a perfect starting point for those new to the Ys series. The naval gameplay does need some polish, but Falcom gave an excellent first attempt. While the game was hampered by some technical and visual issues, this should not deter you from playing this game. Longtime fans of the Ys series, as well as newcomers, will find a lot to enjoy in this game. I certainly had a lot of fun playing through it.