The best classic Ys game to start with: Ys: The Oath In Felghana 

Play it on: PC (via Steamand GOG), PlayStation Portable,

Versions on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 will launch in 2025

Pros

Ys: The Oath in Felghana is an action-RPG-platformer hybrid that stars Adol Christin as the sole playable character. The game explores the homeland of series regular Dogi as he discovers just how much has changed during his years-long absence. What starts as an errand to protect Dogi’s friends turns into an adventure that explores just how deep the darkness in this community goes.

Clocking in at around 12 hours for a first playthrough, Oath in Felghana plays more like a Metroidvania than a traditional RPG. Adol will acquire new abilities that improve his combat and movement capabilities as the game progresses, which lets the player uncover new paths and treasures that were hidden in previous areas. Oath in Felghana also rewards careful use of your abilities in combat, since reading enemy attack patterns and responding with the right attacks or magic is key to survival.

Make no mistake, this is a tough game. But that feeling of finally overcoming the strongest foe you were stuck on for an hour couldn’t be sweeter.

Not only is Oath in Felghana a high point in the series, it’s also a remake of the third Ys game. In other words, it’s very light on references and solidifies some tropes that recur in later entries (such as Dogi’s penchant for crushing walls). It’s a great game on its own merits, and it’s often on sale for $5 or less.

Cons

Despite officially launching in English in 2010, Ys: Oath in Felghana was originally released all the way back in 2005. That is to say, this is an older game that you can straight-up call “retro” today. The graphics, while impressive for its time, definitely show the game’s age. The RPG elements are also decidedly basic, with just a few pieces of equipment to find and very few recovery items. In fact, bosses are so hard in Oath in Felghana because they prevent Adol from using any items at all.

The game’s old-school design can become a burden if you’re not used to retro sensibilities. Adol can go from healthy to dead in just a few seconds if enemies corner you in just the wrong way, for example. And on harder difficulties, bosses can feel impossible until you figure out very specific strategies to defeat them. If you’re not interested in a game that’s more action than it is RPG, you’d be better off with one of the later entries in the series.

Note on platforms

The PC version is the original release of Ys: The Oath in Felghana. It features some high resolution options courtesy of publisher Xseed, but otherwise has no special features. The PSP version of the game adds voice acting, a new game plus mode, an additional Boost gauge that makes the game easier. Ys Memorie: The Oath in Felghana is a modernized re-release for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation platforms that includes the PSP version’s extras and some new artwork.

If you like Ys: Oath in Felghana

Ys VI: Ark of Napishtim and Ys: Origin seemingly use the same engine as Oath in Felghana and play very similarly as a result.

Also, while not an Ys game, Falcom’s The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails plays similarly enough to Oath in Felghana that I can recommend it to those who enjoy this playstyle.