The best Ys game for those who want the newest entry: Ys X: Nordics

Release Date: October 25, 2024

Play it on: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Nintendo Switch

Pros

While most Ys games work well as a starting point, Ys X: Nordics has a few things going for it that make it better than average for first timers.

First of all, Ys X introduces a new combat system. Instead of using a variety of playable characters, Adol now fights in tandem with deuteragonist Karsha as players swap between the two and execute combo attacks to inflict heavy damage. Based on series tradition, Falcom will likely reuse this battle system in at least one more game, so new players will be learning these mechanics at the same time as longtime fans.

Second, despite being the latest entry in the series, Ys X takes place very early in the overall timeline. It picks up right after Ys II, meaning that it’s even more self-contained than normal in terms of its story and references. In other words, you don’t need to do homework to understand this one, unless of course you want to play some other very good games!

Cons

It’s the newest game in the series, which means when it comes out in October, it’ll cost you more than the previous recommendations. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is $40 and can go on sale for less than $20, and Oath in Felghana runs for much less than that on PC. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is even available via PlayStation Plus Extra as of writing, so anyone subscribed to Sony’s service can jump into that one very easily.

Ys X: Nordics also doesn’t necessarily feature the highs in its soundtrack that other entries in the series do. Don’t get me wrong, the soundtrack isn’t bad by any means. But for a series so well-loved for its music, it’s not hitting you with tracks on par with Vacant Interference and The Boy Who Had Wings quite as often. Your mileage may vary, depending on your auditory tastes.