My favorite action-JRPG of all time. Fast action, slash, slash, slash. Interesting characters and a delightfully INSANELY over the top storyline. Everything you want from an anime styled action game. Super rewarding and challenging combat. Surprisingly deep. A mustplay for fans of the genre.
No need to have played any Ys game before this.
No need to have played any Ys game before this.
As a big Ys fan this one is definitely high up there for me. I think they nailed everything just right in the franchise in this game and some. The camp building, boss battles, and characters made this fantastic. For anyone new to the series this is probably the best place to start but may also give you higher expectations for the rest of the series.
The music in this is incredible as usual for Falcom but this one just slaps. The story is pretty engaging as well and doesn't have a whole lot of filler as say Memories of Celcetta.
The music in this is incredible as usual for Falcom but this one just slaps. The story is pretty engaging as well and doesn't have a whole lot of filler as say Memories of Celcetta.
Honestly this might be my favorite Falcom game ever.
The gameplay was fun and satisfying. I had a ton of fun trying out everyone's different play styles, and I was actively encouraged to use everyone. Hummel and Ricotta I used less, but they were still fun. Flash Moving and Flash Guarding took a while to master but it made the combat more fun once I got the hang of it. And outside of combat, I loved the exploration aspect. The Isle of Seiren actively encouraged me to explore its every nook and cranny, and going back to previously inaccessible areas once I got the appropriate Adventuring Gear was always a treat.
The OST is an absolute banger. Probably in my top 3 Falcom OSTs of all time. When Sunshine Coastline first played, little did I know that it was only a preview to an absolutely banging soundtrack. Hope Alive in particular is my favorite Falcom boss theme now.
As for the setting, apart from what I already mentioned above about exploration I quite liked the feel of the island. As a Monster Hunter fan, the Isle of Seiren gave me a similar vibe to the Deserted Island/Moga Woods from Monster Hunter Tri, which added to my enjoyment. And I loved Castaway Village, and each castaway endeared me in their own ways. I actively searched for castaways to rescue and maxed out their approvals, I was that endeared to them.
The core party was also a joy to be with. Laxia, Sahad, Hummel, and Ricotta all were very fun and endearing characters in their own ways and I was attached to them all, and Adol, while a (largely) silent protagonist, was cool too. But the real star of the show has to be Dana herself. She's such a well-written character, her struggles and suffering were heartwrenching to watch, and her unyielding determination despite the odds being stacked against her was downright inspiring to see. Dana has become one of my absolute favorite characters in fiction and has officially surpassed Estelle as my favorite Falcom character.
So yeah. Ys VIII was great and I enjoyed my time with it quite a lot.
Dana Forever!
The gameplay was fun and satisfying. I had a ton of fun trying out everyone's different play styles, and I was actively encouraged to use everyone. Hummel and Ricotta I used less, but they were still fun. Flash Moving and Flash Guarding took a while to master but it made the combat more fun once I got the hang of it. And outside of combat, I loved the exploration aspect. The Isle of Seiren actively encouraged me to explore its every nook and cranny, and going back to previously inaccessible areas once I got the appropriate Adventuring Gear was always a treat.
The OST is an absolute banger. Probably in my top 3 Falcom OSTs of all time. When Sunshine Coastline first played, little did I know that it was only a preview to an absolutely banging soundtrack. Hope Alive in particular is my favorite Falcom boss theme now.
As for the setting, apart from what I already mentioned above about exploration I quite liked the feel of the island. As a Monster Hunter fan, the Isle of Seiren gave me a similar vibe to the Deserted Island/Moga Woods from Monster Hunter Tri, which added to my enjoyment. And I loved Castaway Village, and each castaway endeared me in their own ways. I actively searched for castaways to rescue and maxed out their approvals, I was that endeared to them.
The core party was also a joy to be with. Laxia, Sahad, Hummel, and Ricotta all were very fun and endearing characters in their own ways and I was attached to them all, and Adol, while a (largely) silent protagonist, was cool too. But the real star of the show has to be Dana herself. She's such a well-written character, her struggles and suffering were heartwrenching to watch, and her unyielding determination despite the odds being stacked against her was downright inspiring to see. Dana has become one of my absolute favorite characters in fiction and has officially surpassed Estelle as my favorite Falcom character.
So yeah. Ys VIII was great and I enjoyed my time with it quite a lot.
Dana Forever!
hard asf ngl
Credits to the true final boss music for being one of my top 10 favorite songs not only on gaming, but of all music history!
this is it. this is the apex of the series. this is what i originally set out to play, and it checked every box for me. the very culmination of what the series has been building on since the very beginning. absolutely beautiful game