Considered by many to be one, if not the best game in Falcom’s long-running action-RPG franchise, Ys VIII: Dana’s Lacrimosa is still a joy to play six years after its PS Vita debut . Adol, the series’ protagonist and lifelong adventurer, is shipwrecked on an unknown island and has no choice but to gather his fellow passengers to establish his base of operations and find a way home.
Exploration is at the heart of Ys VIII. This island isn’t an open world, but it has large connected zones that you just want to map. Zones loop back on each other, create shortcuts, open secret locations, and piece by piece creates a picture of the island. In short, it’s a brilliantly realized setting, and the urge to explore it only grows stronger as the story progresses.
Speaking of stories, it’s hard not to get caught up in the intrigue. Deep in the depths of the island lie profound mysteries, and the insatiable hero Adol can’t help but get close. The plot is supported by an engaging cast of characters, some of whom will join your adventure party.
This neatly connects to the combat in the game. Silky smooth and packed with fun mechanics. As is typical of Ys, combat is fast-paced, requiring quick reflexes and knowledge of enemy weaknesses. is the key to success. Despite being fairly simple on the surface, combat can be tricky, but mastering perfectly timed blocks and well-placed dodges can make each battle a blast, especially when facing bosses. has great ups and downs.
Ys VIII is still great. teeth Enhanced with PS5. A slight increase in resolution, better shadows, and a huge improvement in draw distance give the game’s slightly dated visuals an edge. Load times are also basically non-existent.
However, there’s no upgrade path for those who already own Ys VIII on PS4, which makes it a tough sell. Yes, and aside from the aforementioned technical improvements, there are only minor differences at best.
That said, if you’re completely new to the game and a fan of action RPGs, Ys VIII is still a great island-trekking, monster-mashing experience. One of Falcom’s masterpieces.
