As a giant fan of the Ys collection, my reference to it has been fairly…sophisticated these days. Ys 10: Nordics, the subsequent mainline title (which served extra as an interquel than a real blue sequel) was acceptable. Not fairly on the stage of Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Dana or Ys 9: Monstrum Nox. They are saying you may by no means actually return and the announcement of Proud Nordics not less than ensures that gained’t occur anytime quickly. However there are at all times the classics, like Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana.
Talking of sophisticated: That is primarily a current-gen port of 2005’s Ys: The Oath in Felghana, which is itself a remake of 1989’s Ys 3: Wanderers from Ys. Lengthy story quick, if you happen to’ve performed The Oath in Felghana on PlayStation Transportable or PC again within the day, Memoire is actually that however with some extras thrown in. It’s not a serious overhaul, serving as a method for PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Swap gamers to expertise a venerable traditional, and that’s completely tremendous. Issues could be awkward if it didn’t fairly maintain as much as current-day requirements, however fortunately, that’s not the case.
“The opening can be voiced and lends an epic air to the proceedings, although Adol’s character growth and function are just about the identical within the grand scheme.”
When contemplating the old-school and new wave of Ys video games, The Oath in Felghana falls someplace within the center. There’s no bump mechanic or overhead view – as an alternative, it opts for a side-scrolling perspective and fast-paced fight. Don’t count on any teammates to have Adol’s again, which might change in Ys Seven and function the method for Ys 8 and 9. Nonetheless, it represents some unbelievable motion RPG design and pacing, additional added by options like Turbo Mode for much more pace (and chopping down on tedious backtracking).
As for the narrative, you most likely know the drill: Adol and his greatest pal Dogi arrive at a location and discover themselves embroiled in incidents. This time, it’s Redmont, Dogi’s hometown within the Felghana Windfall, and the hunt for some essential statues. The plot shortly thickens, as Adol runs afoul of Chester (the brother of Elena, Dogi’s childhood pal) and finally learns the reality behind mentioned statues. It isn’t overly sophisticated, however the interpersonal relationships add some welcome depth, backed all of the extra by stable voice appearing which nonetheless holds up.
The opening can be voiced and lends an epic air to the proceedings, although Adol’s character growth and function are just about the identical within the grand scheme. No less than the brand new character illustrations showcased throughout cutscenes look good, although in case your mileage varies, you may at all times revert to the traditional designs.
In fact, the motion constitutes the principle attraction of a Ys title and Ys Memoire is not any slouch. Like many different features, it appears easy on the floor, as Adol can execute multi-hit slashing combos on the bottom or leap into the air for assaults. Nonetheless, the latter can be helpful for plunging strikes which might stun enemies. You even have Increase, which reinforces Adol’s harm and pace for a interval, and elemental assaults, unlocked by buying completely different bracelets all through. Some additionally support exploration and open up new paths.
“There’s a Zelda-esque side to some fights as they’ll necessitate utilizing a not too long ago obtained potential to defeat the boss.”
Once more, all of it sounds so easy, particularly in comparison with all of the mechanics of latest video games. Nonetheless, that’s the enjoyment of Memoire’s fight alongside the fluidity and responsiveness that defines the Ys collection. Decimating enemies feels satisfying however you gained’t instantly bulldoze by way of all of them – sure varieties are weak to particular assaults.
When you’re within the stream, all this begins to really feel like second nature. Foes will drop pickups like well being and bonus stats, additional fueling you for the subsequent struggle and maintaining the motion rolling. Environmental layouts are equally streamlined, maintaining the give attention to the motion however nonetheless providing loads of exploration and light-weight puzzle-solving. Whereas not extensively nuanced, they serve the aim.
Then you will have the boss fights, a trademark of many Ys titles. The primary gained’t precisely stress your expertise, however from then on, each battle generally is a frantic train in leaping, dodging, and preventing on your life to outlive. There’s a Zelda-esque side to some fights as they’ll necessitate utilizing a not too long ago obtained potential to defeat the boss. Granted, the sheer variety of unlockable expertise isn’t that prime, however every boss nonetheless stands out in distinctive methods, providing up completely different challenges and pushing you to adapt.
“It shortly attracts you in with its glorious fight and boss fights whereas the plot and characterization make sure you’re hooked all through.”
The ultimate key to the expertise is the music and suffice it to say that The Oath in Felghana represents a few of Falcom’s greatest work. Between the emotional violin of “The Boy Who Had Wings”, the fast-paced rock of “Be Cautious” or the intermixing of techno and guitar play in “Illburns Ruins,” there’s a lot to love. All of it provides to the ambiance and Memoire permits for swapping between the a number of variations launched all through the title’s historical past. Your mileage could differ at some renditions however it’s nonetheless a terrific choice to have.
Maybe the one actual draw back to the expertise is its visuals. Although it’s operating at excessive resolutions, the environmental textures, particulars, and results are beginning to present their age. Sure, there’s a appeal to them that feels timeless however don’t count on any important variations from the PC model. The sprite work and animations are nonetheless very fluid, although, and the boss designs maintain up exceptionally nicely.
Total, Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is a vital motion RPG, each for followers of the style and the collection as a complete. It shortly attracts you in with its glorious fight and boss fights whereas the plot and characterization make sure you’re hooked all through. The gameplay loop could really feel overtly rudimentary these days, however that throwback feels important given the collection’ course as of late. Generally, it’s good to hop into a simple but elegantly crafted hack-and-slash expertise corresponding to this.
“It’s not overly lengthy but in addition doesn’t really feel bloated or needlessly prolonged for the sake of it. And even when the visuals aren’t tremendous wonderful on a technical stage, I nonetheless just like the old-school aesthetic and character designs.”
Revisiting The Oath in Felghana on this style, particularly after experiencing so many different motion RPGs and dungeon crawlers by way of the years, it’s spectacular simply how a lot the expertise (and the implausible music) holds up. It’s not overly lengthy but in addition doesn’t really feel bloated or needlessly prolonged for the sake of it. And even when the visuals aren’t tremendous wonderful on a technical stage, I nonetheless just like the old-school aesthetic and character designs.
Then once more, time marches on, and Falcom will undoubtedly give attention to revamping the collection as soon as extra with its subsequent mainline entry. And that’s all nicely and good, however making its older experiences out there for a brand new era is nice, further bells and whistles however. If Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana accomplishes something past serving as an pleasant motion RPG, it’s offering that additional “Memoires” are needed, if solely to protect the expertise for future generations.
This recreation was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.
