Ys: Origin (2006)

Game Details

The perfect mix of action, exploration and story with screen-filling bosses, unique platforming elements, and innovative puzzles.

RPG Gamers summary

Ys Origin, set 700 years before the events of its predecessors Ys I & II, brings its players into a tumultuous period in the world of Ys. As demons threaten the survival of the land, the twin Goddesses move their citizens to the relative safety of the sky, sparking an ongoing air-to-surface battle. The sudden disappearance of the Goddesses throws the land into uncertainty, and heralds the primary quest of the game: a daring search for the missing deities, believed to be in the dangerous location known as the Devil’s Tower.

In Ys Origin, players get to experience the narrative journey from the perspective of Yunica Tovah, an apprentice knight, and Hugo Fact, a scarred sorcerer, revealing not only their adventures but the subtleties of how their individual views shape the perception of this quest.

Very much in line with the Ys series tradition, it extends the gameplay mechanics introduced in earlier instalments such as Ys: The Ark of Napishtim and Ys: The Oath in Felghana, whilst introducing new features unique to this edition. Ys Origin fuses an arcade-style RPG with platforming and Metroidvania elements, melded with an intricate narrative, making it a balanced blend of action, exploration, and story.

The game brings a rich variety to the playing experience with gigantic, dynamically-behaving bosses, innovative puzzles, and a captivating mystery, all encased within the renowned Ys dungeon environment. Challenges abound with unlockable game modes such as “Time Attack” and “Boss Rush”. The additional Arena Mode offers unique rewards for players who outlast hordes of determined enemies.

Moreover, Ys Origin now officially supports English language for the very first time. It further emphasizes player experience with five difficulty levels, customization options to accommodate different setups (keyboard and mouse or USB gamepad), high-resolution graphics with full widescreen support, and over 40 unique Steam Achievements. The game includes Steam Cloud support and allows players to compete in its leaderboards.

In sum, Ys Origin enhances the classic Ys gameplay with new elements and narrative complexities, whilst ensuring an engaging and highly customizable player experience. Whether you are new to the Ys universe or a longstanding fan, the game promises a challenging and immersive journey into the quest for the missing Goddesses.

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RPG Gamers Review

Unrated

Get this game I played this

Release Date 21 December, 2006

Setting Fantasy

Perspective Bird's-eye view

Genre Role-Playing (RPG)Action

Game Details

The events of Ys Origin take place 700 years before those depicted in Ys: The Vanished Omens; it is the first game in the timeline of Ys, and a prequel to the entire series. It is also the first Ys game in which the main protagonist is not Adol Christin, the red-haired swordsman and recurrent hero of the series.

There are three main playable characters in the game: Yunica Tovah, a young apprentice knight; Hugo Fact, a skillful magician; and a mysterious person known as The Claw, who can be unlocked only after having completed the game with the other two. These characters venture to the sinister Darm Tower, each having her or his own motives. The three also vary in gameplay style: Yunica plays similarly to Adol from the previous games, specializing in melee combat with swords and axes; Hugo fires magical bullets with his staff and has access to other types of magic; The Claw is distinguished by his speed in close combat.

The game is set entirely in the Darm Tower, discarding the overworld and populated areas of the previous games. The fast-paced action RPG gameplay is similar to the one adopted in Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim and Ys: The Oath in Felghana. As the story progresses, characters acquire skills that can be combined in order to extend battle strategy. Some of the bosses from the first and the second Ys re-appear in this game.