Overview – developed by Nihon Falcom and published by NIS America, Ys X: Proud Nordics is an enhanced release of the most recent entry in the Action RPG series. The newest adventure of Adol Christin, the young adventurer takes him to Obelia Gulf, where he encounters a threat that could devastate the archipelago. This new version of the game is available for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam, with a link to each version at the bottom of this review.
Disclaimer: before I get into the review, I would like to thank NIS America for providing the copy of Ys X: Proud Nordics that was used for this piece, via the keymailer service. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this review, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.
Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into the review, starting off with the story. I have previously covered the original version of Ys X: Nordics, which you can find (HERE), so a large portion of the content below will be mostly the same. I will however be covering the new additions to the game after the gameplay segment, discussing them in a manner that avoids spoilers.
Story – Adol Christin, a young adventurer from a small mountain village sets out on a journey to Celceta, accompanied by his friends Dogi and Dr. Flair. During the journey on a passenger ship through the Obelia Gulf, they encounter the Balta Seaforce, a band of Normans who control the waters they are sailing. After this encounter, Adol and his companions land at the town of Carnac where they get to know the residents.
Later, Adol discovers a mysterious shell after hearing a voice call to him and is confronted by a strange immortal beast. While Adol is fighting this creature, he is imbued with the power of Mana from the shell, allowing him to slay the beast. After this unusual turn of events, Adol meets Karja, the “Pirate Princess” who shares the same power as Adol. The two become linked against their will and Adol learns of the undying “griegr”, leading to a new adventure to begin.
Gameplay – Ys X: Proud Nordics is the latest action JRPG in the long running series, with an emphasis on exploration, hack ‘n’ slash combat and dungeon crawling. There is also the inclusion of puzzle sequences, automated action sequences and new to the series with this release, there is the addition of sailing. In this adventure, the player commands the Sandras, a large ship that is used to explore Obelia Gulf, which will expand as the adventure progresses.
This adventure plays out over the course of several chapters, with each segment of the story having multiple objectives, which are each tied to the current chapter. During the opening of the prologue, the player will only control Adol, where the basics of combat and action are introduced. As the player makes their way through the adventure, Karja will be introduced as the secondary protagonist, linked to Adol through a shared power.
The different areas of Obelia Gulf are split into different areas, with open exploration zones and dungeons. This is where the Monsters and Griegr appear, the undying Griegr are enemies that can only be defeated by those with Mana, having taken over areas of Obelia Gulf. These monstrous creatures come in various forms, with Bestial, Humanoid and Special Griegr that will show up during the story, standing in the way of Adol and Karja.
Adol and Karja together form the Cross Action system, replacing the traditional party system that other games have used. This unique combat system functions in two distinct ways, with Solo and Duo modes. In Solo mode, the player controls either Adol or Karja (with the player able to switch freely), with the other acting independently. In Duo mode, both characters act together, allowing the player to deal massive damage to enemies with special skills.
Both Adol and Karja have a basic and air combo while in Solo mode, which can be extended by switching characters during combos. Both characters also have their own special skills, which use SP to perform them for varying costs, which regenerates over time. Adol and Karja also have special Mana Burst abilities, which can harm enemies, but can also be used to solve puzzles, with Karja wielding the element of Ice and Adol commanding the power of Fire.
While in Solo mode, players can also dash and jump, which allows for movement during combat as well as during some platforming challenges. In Duo mode, players can deal significantly more damage with extended combo, alongside special Duo Skills. These ultimate skills will devastate enemies, with significant damage being dealt to enemies. The Duo mode prevents the ability to dash, being replaced by the capability of blocking attacks.
In battle, as the player battles the monsters and undying Grieger, guarding attacks will charge up the Revenge Gauge, which will increase the damage of Duo Skills. The Revenge Gauge has a multiplier attached to it, which starts at 2X but can be increased. Some enemies have deadly Red and Blue attacks, which will significantly increase the meter. Red attacks must be guarded against, but Blue attacks must be countered with the Dash ability.
Throughout the game, the player must be aware of all threats, which is where the lock-on system comes into play. This lets players target a specific enemy, with the ability to switch between them automatically or manually. It is key to player survival to have awareness of enemies, as many of them can attack from a distance a deal big damage. There are also status effects that enemies can inflict, with poison, paralysis and the deadly curse.
Some of the enemies will have Shields attached to them, which will prevent them from taking damage. In order to break through the enemy defences, players will need to either bombard their foe with relentless attacks or use special Break Skills. Once their guards are down, the enemies will take damage as normal from attacks. However, some of the enemies will be regenerate their shield, extending the battle by needing to break through again.
At set points through the adventure, the player will encounter powerful Bosses, who must be defeated before the story can progress. These encounters are highly challenging, as the player can often be trapped in an arena with deadly gimmicks. The bosses include giant monsters, as well as unique Puppet Griegr, which are humans that have been transformed. When the Puppet Griegr are neutralized, the player must purify them to restore their humanity.
As the player defeats enemies, they will be able to collect treasure and resources, which will be added to the player total. These items can be used to craft items and strengthen equipment, strengthening Adol and Karja for the adventure. Players can also find treasure chests and harvestable items throughout Obelia Gulf, with the ability to find rare and powerful items, which can have the chance to push the adventure forward.
By slaying the Griegr and monsters, Adol and Karja will both gain experience, levelling both of them up together and increasing their power. As levels increase, the player will be able unlock new skills by opening up Release Lines, a skill tree that opens up as the duo gains levels. This system allows the player to use Mana Seeds, which will provide benefits based on the type used. In this screen, players can build their own unique builds for the two characters.
Players will also be able to unlock special powers called Mana Actions. These skills will allow the player to reach previously inaccessible areas, opening up exploration options during the adventure. The Mana Actions include the Mana String, which is a whip like skill that will let Adol and Karja to swing across gaps. Then there is Mana Ride, which uses the Gullinboard to cross dangerous terrain, as well as use rails to reach inaccessible areas.
Throughout the adventure, the player will also discover Rune Stones, which will tell stories of the past. These will be scattered throughout the islands, with the main story ones being tied to the adventure. However, there are hidden Rune Stones, which will provide additional stories and details that players can seek out on islands. When the story has been seen, the player will have the details logged to revisit, with a Mana Seed being rewarded after.
Away from dry land, Adol and Karja helm the Sandras, a ship that was due to be turned to scrap. This ship allows them to cross Obelia Gulf and travel between its many islands. The archipelago is separated into different regions, which become accessible as the narrative progresses. At the helm of the ship, the player will be able to steer the ship and explore the islands. The crew starts small, but as Puppet Griegr are purified, they will join the Sandras.
There is the option for manual and auto control of the ship, letting players either go hands-on with control or take a more relaxed approach. If the player wants to cross the waters faster, they can activate the Mana Sail, giving the player a speed boost for a brief time. Starting with a single charge, the player will gain additional charges over the course of the game. Players can also get upgrades for the ship, improving the Sandras and unlocking new abilities.
On the waters, the player will be able to ride the currents of the seas, which will carry the player if they set it to auto navigation. These currents will provide the player with a boost of speed, aiding them in crossing the vast seas. They will also increase the regeneration rate for Mana Sails, allowing the player to reach their destinations much quicker. Lost cargo can also be picked up, providing money and resources for the player while riding the currents.
If the player wants to take a break from sailing, they can step away from the helm and explore the Sandras. As the player moves around the ship, they will be able to interact with those who have come aboard the ship. There are also facilities that can be used, with the ability to create potions and medicines to recover in the field, as well as food to provide a range of effects. As new crew join, the options and facilities for the player will increase.
While sailing the seas, there will be three camera angles that can be used. These include Dynamic, which is positioned behind the helm, a medium view and a far position camera angle. During the voyage, the player will encounter the Undying Fleet, Griegr ships that will engage the player in battle. When taking on enemies in naval combat, players will be able to use standard and special artillery to sink the opposing forces.
There will also be moments where the duo of Adol and Karja will perform an aboardage, getting onto the enemy ship and activating wave based battles. Here the pair will battle multiple waves of Griegr, taking them on aboard their vessel. There will be several waves of battle, with defeated enemies dropping gold and resources to collect upon defeat. At the end of an Aboardage, the player will be rewarded with special treasures for success.
Throughout the archipelago Obelia Gulf, there are many islands both big and small, which can be explored by the player. Many of the islands that can be disembarked from will have an enemy presence, alongside treasures and resources to collect. Then there are the settlements, where players can interact with the residents, learning more about the world and buying their wares, making landfall pretty useful for progression.
When visiting the settlements, merchants on the sea and within the Sandras, new equipment can be purchased. The items that can be obtained include weapons for Adol and Karja, as well as armor, crafting materials and more. To buy items, players can use gold with all traders, but many of them will also accept resources. The equipment that players use can be upgraded, increasing the stat boosts that they provide in exchange for rare resources.
Throughout the experience, there will be side quests that will pop up, offering optional adventures for the player to challenge. These can be provided by island residents, the crew of the Sandras and the loyal raven Hugill via letters or scouting. Many of these quests will provide special rewards for completing them, making them worth the time spent to do them. Crew Conversations will also pop up, with those on the ship discussing the events unfolding.
There are also special sea battles, shown as red markers or disguised merchant ships, which will activate if the player enters within range. These battles can be tough, but will give resource rewards if the player is successful in taking on the Undying Fleet. There will also be multi-stage recapture challenges, where islands must be liberated from the Griegr to earn rewards. These play out in sea battles first, before entering the stronghold for on-land battles.
The last part of the core gameplay to discuss is Viewpoint Isle, a mysterious island that Adol visits throughout the adventure. This place exists within a separate time space, where Adol interacts with an old man that lives there alone. Here, Adol will learn the mysteries of the island, while learning more about the Mana Actions that have been obtained. But this island is not safe, as there are monster and Griegr that roam this mysterious island.
New Content – as this is an updated release, there have been some changes and additions to the gameplay experience. The biggest new addition to this version of the game is Öland Island, a vast isle of mystery with a brand new storyline that runs alongside the main narrative. Here the Shield siblings Astrid and Canute reside, offering new content that further expands the world of Ys X. There is even a special dungeon somewhere on the island.
Alongside the brand new island and story, there are special challenge modes that players can unlock to challenge. The first is the Coliseum, where deadly beasts can be battled for rewards, facing many dangerous foes. These battles provide rewards for completion, as well as special items for getting specific rankings based on time. Players can challenge the monsters with Adol and Karja in the duo mode, or with only one of them in solo battles.
There are additional challenges that players can discover, but those become available later in the story. Alongside the new narrative content, several improvements to the game have been made, with tweaks to some areas and boss battles. There are new upgrade systems that have been added, with resources that can be used to improve skills and Mana Actions. This further enhances the game experience, as it makes battle and exploration more flexible.
Alongside the other enhancements to the game, there are new wind currents that can be added to the seas of Obelia Gulf. These are opened up by destroying Undying Fleet ships, appearing when entering the golden encounter zones that appear on the map. The last thing to discuss is that inclusion of all existing premium DLC, with costumes, accessories and cosmetic items for the Sandras as a bonus. However, there will be new DLC for this release.
Now with the gameplay and new content covered, it is time to discuss the other aspects of this release, starting with the controls.
Controls – This release has a comfortable input system, allowing for easy to pick up action that flows smoothly. It is snappy and responsive with zero issues in terms of lag, with movement and combat being satisfying. The sailing felt clunky before, but feels improved and refined. The game handles well with the Joy-Cons in handheld and docked play, but for those with bigger hands or alternative needs, the game works well with a range of controllers.
Difficulty – in this adventure, players can take on 5 different challenge levels when starting the game. There are the Easy and Normal options offering a more relaxed experience, whereas Nightmare and Inferno are for those who want a brutally tough challenge. Hard is the recommended option for those experienced with Ys, as it I tailored to those who experienced the other games. For those who may struggle, there are several assist options to help.
Presentation – the original release of Ys X looked good, with the anime style and Nordic theming that is present throughout. The designs and artwork is gorgeous, with the environments feeling vibrant and exciting. This title also has new art elements, like Chibi Adol and Karja pins for the HUD. The visual performance has also been upgraded, with quality and performance settings, offering 60/120 FPS performance as well as improved resolutions.
The influence of Norse folklore and themes further elevate the experience, with musical elements having elements of Nordic theming. The soundtrack is still fantastic, with the existing soundtrack coming over as well as having brand new compositions added to the game. There is both English and Japanese Voice work, with the cast including Bryce Papenbrook (Demon Slayer) and Cherami Leigh (Dorohedoro) and Patrick Seitz (One Piece).
Final Thoughts – when I reviewed Ys X: Nordics back in 2024, it was one of the best Action RPG titles that I had played, even giving it a place in my best of list for the year. I said back then that this continued to uphold the legacy of the Ys franchise, with this enhanced release further bolstering that feeling. The narrative was as engaging the second time around, with the same emotional experience, made even better by the additional story.
The action feels refined and flows well, with a buttery smooth experience at either 60 or 120 fps, which is a significant improvement over the previous release. This is especially so with the first Nintendo Switch release, which was hampered due to hardware constraints. The battle system, exploration and general game experience is greatly satisfying, and the sailing which was the only issue feels polished. This rounded out the experience.
All of the elements that made this release great, with the Duo system feeling more responsive due to the improved performance. There is little graphical downgrade when playing in performance mode, with both versions looking gorgeous. Then there is the extra content and bundled DLC, which just tie the whole package together. If you played Ys X before or missed out on it the first time, I whole heartedly recommend this release, even if you never played Ys before.
In the end, I give Ys X: Proud Nordics a final score of 5/5. What was one of the best games of 2024 is back and better than ever, with enhanced performance, gameplay and brand new content. This is the definitive way to experience the latest and greatest entry in the legendary Ys series. If you want to check this title out for yourself, a link to each version of the game will be below.
Link to Nintendo Switch 2 version (HERE)
Link to PlayStation 5 version (HERE)
Link to Steam version (HERE)
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