I just beat the latest Ys game in the US. Ys: The Arc of N., is actually Ys VI. Yes, a game made by Falcom... But the last addition to the Ys series (at least brought to america) was 10 years ago. So I wont blame you guys if you've never touched a previous Ys game and have no idea what's in this new one. Now before I start with the review, I want to warn you guys: This game is midway between good and great. It's not perfect, it's not mind blowingly awesome, and I've played loads of games that I found more enhancing and/or better than this version of Ys.

Lastly, it's pronounced Yees. For some reason I've been pronouncing it Whyz all these years... Oh well.

Lemmi open this up with saying that Ys: The Arc of N., is a hack and slash em up rpg. So you thumb to button bashers will love it. It's Loads of stress relief on my part. The game also, like most rpgs from 1997-2001, has a fixed platform map at an angle for a bit of a 2d/3d feel while your little character, Adol, runs slashingly threw it.

Unlike the previous Ys games, you get three swords with their own powers to play with (wind, fire, and lightning) instead of just upgrading one by one. And the more you strengthen the sword with a material called Emel (that you get from killing monsters), the more powers you can unleash. While the sword swinging is relatively basic (slash, jump slash, slash jump, magic sword attacks), all three swords are handled differently (for example, the fire sword swings slower than the other two but gives a bit more heavy damage). At the same time you have to go through the game fighting monsters that you need to constructively use the different swords/attacks/movements to beat.

Now the monster system has good points and bad points to it. Yes, you have to use your brain while fighting them. And you need to be at certain levels to fight others (or you'll cause no damage). The monsters will also have their own special moves. But they repeat the same monster designs with different colorations through the game (which is nothing special) and fighting them can become repetative, specially towards the end.

Onto the towns, there are 2 towns in the entire game. You're basically stuck in a small island called Canaan. Of course, there are good and bad sides to this. One, I assure you that you'll Never get lost in the game. Also due to the layout, you'll think you'll know the map like the back of your hand but new parts will always be opened up for you. The bad side? You're going to have to run back and forth between the two towns and monster-filled plains to get to certain destinations. This Isn't as monotonus as it sounds until I was towards the end, because I found myself having to run from one side of the island to sweep down monsters for emel to the other side to strengthen my swords fully. Just a bit more repetativeness.

The characters are nice, the plot is nice, most of the meat is in the main story with very small sidequests. I was happy because some of the characters remember Adol from the previous games, so you get the feeling that this character actually HAS a past... And isn't just there to instantly become a hero full of teen angst, hating their life. I mean, when you think Hero, you think Adol Christan. He fits the mold perfectly, unlike other games nowadays where all the hero does is whine and question their point in life.

Music. It doesn't follow up to the beautiful stuff that was in previous Ys games of the past. The Ys legacy was known far in the past (around the time of Sega Master System and up) for having heavy metal guitar music. Literally, in the very first Ys game I was STRESSED in a certain Tower level simply because the music was just that tense and awesome. This game kinda disappointed me in that area. However the music is still good and orchestrated very well. They do have two or three tracks with the guitar in this game, but it's sorta moot compaired to previous versions of Ys. Trust me though, you wouldn't notice if you've never played the previous games. So you will find no disappointment, you'll find the music very catchy and fitting. Just my personal rant.

Infact, the only Real thing I was absolutely irked over with Ys, the Arc of Napishtem was the full voice cast (with exception of Adol). Everyone in the game, from the main characters to the secluded little npcs, have a voice talent playing them. But while there were a few voices that fit their characters perfectly, there were more that were 'eh', and a few that absolutely grated my nerves. I personally can't believe how they voiced some of the npcs, it's aweful. Still, there were voices that turned characters I would normally enjoy seeing (like a particular pirate girl) into character I'd regret coming across. The good part to the voices... They can be turned off with the options command, though it's either every voice or no voice.

Anyway, If you've never experienced Ys, this game will definately get you into it. Ys: The Arc of N. Definately has the specific Ys feel that was in the previous games. So it's worth playing either way.

Game is mildly short, but just the perfect length to me for the hack and slash genre and plot.

No motion sickness warning.