Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,405 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA Game Cover
Ys VIII is a fantastic new action RPG from Falcom that is great for getting into the excellent Ys franchise and one that has a ton of quality content and sublime combat.
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"Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA" is an action-packed RPG that follows the adventures of Adol Christin after he is shipwrecked and washed ashore on a cursed island. With the help of newfound allies, Adol must uncover the ancient mysteries of the island and rescue its inhabitants from threatening creatures. Along the way, Adol is plagued by dreams of a mysterious blue-haired woman named Dana, whose story is intertwined with the island's fate. The game features exhilarating combat, captivating exploration, and a rich, immersive story.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,405 reviews
story732 positive mentions
grinding82 negative mentions
  • Engaging and emotional story with well-developed characters, especially Dana.
  • Dynamic and fast-paced combat system that rewards skillful play with mechanics like Flash Guard and Flash Move.
  • Beautifully designed world with a sense of exploration and discovery, complemented by an outstanding soundtrack.
  • The game starts slowly, with a tedious introduction that may deter some players.
  • Some side quests and mechanics, like the raid system, can feel repetitive and detract from the overall experience.
  • The graphics, while charming, may feel dated compared to modern standards, and there are occasional bugs that can disrupt gameplay.
  • story1,703 mentions

    The story of "Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana" is widely praised for its depth and emotional engagement, with many players noting that it evolves from a simple survival narrative into a complex tale filled with twists and character development. While the pacing can be slow at the beginning, particularly in the first few chapters, the narrative picks up significantly, revealing intriguing mysteries and fostering strong connections with the characters, especially the dual protagonists, Adol and Dana. Overall, the game is recognized for its compelling storytelling, memorable characters, and the integration of side quests that enrich the main plot, making it a standout entry in the Ys series.

    • “I found this game randomly on Steam and decided to give it a chance... truly an awesome game with a dynamic combat system, great exploration, an amazing story, and compelling side quests.”
    • “Ys VIII was able to capture the hearts of the fans due to their captivating story and characters.”
    • “The story is captivating, constantly motivating you to push forward.”
    • “The story isn't great and the map sucked but even so it's a blast for the 18 hours or so I played to beat it.”
    • “The story ends with a common trope, and not a very good one at that.”
    • “The story starts off very generic where you are a young man set off to find adventure wherever it may take you, but slowly the story evolves where you have some kind of connection to this person named Dana.”
  • gameplay709 mentions

    The gameplay in "Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana" is widely praised for its fluidity, fast-paced action, and engaging mechanics, including a refined combat system that emphasizes skillful dodging and parrying. Players enjoy the exploration elements and the variety of character abilities, which contribute to a satisfying gameplay loop. However, some critiques mention repetitive mechanics and pacing issues due to frequent story interruptions, though many agree that the overall experience is enjoyable and rewarding.

    • “The gameplay is really fluid and fun, with some stellar music.”
    • “Fun gameplay loop mixed with really solid combat and some wonderful places to explore make this a ton of fun.”
    • “The gameplay is phenomenal and the best thus far.”
    • “The gameplay is rather chill and as long as you remember to keep your weapons fully upgraded at all times, you'll do just fine with only little grinding to do here and there, in addition to quality of life improvements over the console versions that make exploration way less grueling.”
    • “The gameplay is you just running around on linear maps and hitting monsters.”
    • “The story interrupts the gameplay a lot with many cutscenes and lots of dialogue, which of course you can skip but then again you won't know what's going on.”
  • music661 mentions

    The music in the game has been universally praised, with many reviewers highlighting it as one of the standout features. The soundtrack is described as diverse, energetic, and emotionally resonant, enhancing the gameplay experience significantly. While some noted a lack of standout guitar solos compared to earlier entries in the series, the overall quality and composition of the music remain exceptional, solidifying its reputation as a hallmark of the Ys franchise.

    • “The music is absolutely incredible with some all-time greats of any RPG [sunshine coastline!!!!!!].”
    • “The soundtrack is an absolute banger!”
    • “The music is beautiful and catchy, the scenery is awesome, and the story is amazing.”
    • “The music wasn't particularly standout besides the Lacrimosa of Dana and battle music, in my opinion.”
    • “However, the game seems to be using PS Vita sound files for the OST, making the music quality quite poor.”
    • “And the music tends to be somewhat bland, and repeats far too often, undermining some of the dramatic moments, which for a series famous for its amazing soundtracks, was a disappointment.”
  • graphics375 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they feel dated, often comparing them to those of PS3 or even earlier consoles. While some appreciate the charming art style and colorful environments, others criticize the visuals as mediocre and lacking the polish expected from modern titles. Overall, the graphics are seen as a step up from previous entries in the series, but they do not meet the standards of AAA games, which may deter players who prioritize high-end visuals.

    • “The visuals and aesthetic are honestly gorgeous; I don't know how this was originally a Vita game.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful; they are obviously not at the level of an AAA title, but they beat any AAA title when it comes to artistic design.”
    • “With a beautiful soundtrack, graphics, and story, including a vast amount of characters to grow to like, this game never failed to surprise or shock me with awe.”
    • “My only gripes with this game is that it does feel like a PS3 game with its graphics.”
    • “You can tell from the graphics that it's not a AAA title.”
    • “The graphics look like something from a PS3 game, if I'm being generous.”
  • optimization109 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players noting significant improvements since its initial release, where it suffered from crashes and performance issues. While some users report smooth gameplay and stable frame rates, others still experience frame drops, stuttering, and bugs, particularly in graphically demanding areas or with specific hardware configurations. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game is much more playable now, optimization remains inconsistent across different systems.

    • “The performance is fantastic: I was able to play at 4K with a full 60fps on a 3GB GeForce 1060 with only a few minor tweaks.”
    • “The PC version is absolutely solid, no crashes and great performance throughout.”
    • “Now the game runs smoothly, only crashed 2 times in the first 15 hours of playing.”
    • “There are also some peculiar performance issues with this port, like random frame time spikes and a stupid bug that causes screen tearing on multi-monitor setups.”
    • “Poor performance with a 3080 Ti, especially for how simple the graphics are.”
    • “Sadly it's horribly optimized; about 7 hours into playing the frame rate took a huge chug and the game looked like a PowerPoint.”
  • grinding94 mentions

    Overall, player feedback on grinding in the game is mixed. While some players appreciate the minimal grinding required for progression and find the combat engaging, others criticize certain aspects as tedious, particularly in the later stages where backtracking and resource farming can feel excessive. Many agree that the game respects players' time with quality of life improvements, making grinding less of a chore compared to previous titles in the series.

    • “A very good JRPG with little to no grinding and great combat.”
    • “Beautifully balanced, no grinding, no real farming needed.”
    • “No grinding needed, but you can grind if something feels too difficult.”
    • “The next twenty hours were more of the same: explore, kill monsters, farm (so much farming), improve gear ...”
    • “There is so much about this game that is just unnecessary bloat: constantly interrupting cutscenes, raids, spongy enemies, and the least enjoyable grinding in the entire series thus far.”
    • “It is a shame that I stopped playing somewhere close to the end and never managed to pick it up again, because the grinding kind of made it stale pretty quickly.”
  • emotional76 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana" is widely praised for its well-written characters and touching narrative, which evoke a range of feelings from heartwarming moments to gut-wrenching conclusions. Players appreciate the depth of character development and the engaging story that unfolds across multiple timelines, often leading to an emotional investment that resonates long after the game ends. The combination of a compelling soundtrack and memorable interactions enhances the overall emotional experience, making it a standout entry in the series.

    • “She's such a well-written character, her struggles and suffering were heart-wrenching to watch, and her unyielding determination despite the odds being stacked against her was downright inspiring to see, giving me a lot of inspiration and hope to carry on.”
    • “The story starts out as a not too original shipwrecked story about trying to escape an empty island, but once you get far enough into the game, the story becomes something else as you are introduced to many secrets of the island and the world as a whole that made me cry at a few points.”
    • “It’s not often you come across masterpieces, but Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is simply breathtaking and provided a voyage which has left a lifelong and emotional mark on me.”
    • “I dropped the game many times before chapter 3 because of the boring story and how ugly the 3D models are, but honestly, don't let this dissuade you.”
  • stability53 mentions

    The stability of the game has seen significant improvement since its initial release, with many players reporting a smoother experience and fewer crashes. However, some users still encounter minor graphical glitches and occasional freezes, particularly during cutscenes or specific interactions. Overall, while the game runs well for most, a subset of players continues to experience issues, suggesting that stability may vary depending on individual setups and updates.

    • “Fantastic game and runs great on Steam Deck!”
    • “Runs great now, never had a problem in almost 80 hours.”
    • “30+ hours in and still no glitches.”
    • “Another minor bug is if you change your application during any loading screen, the whole game freezes and you need to reopen it again to get it working.”
    • “Numerous graphical glitches, stutters, G-Sync issues, and crashes were enough for me to refund this game.”
    • “This game is super buggy and hard crashes a lot!”
  • character development52 mentions

    Character development in this game is generally praised for its depth and emotional engagement, with many players highlighting the strong narratives and personal growth of both main and side characters. While some reviews note that certain characters feel underdeveloped or generic, the overall consensus is that the game offers a compelling story that enhances the character arcs, making it a standout feature despite some graphical limitations. The combination of engaging dialogue, character interactions, and a rich storyline contributes to a fulfilling experience for players who appreciate character-driven narratives.

    • “The character development was amazing and really made me want to play until the end.”
    • “This game had everything: a compelling story, great character development, even better than other Ys games. The setting on the island and the fact that you are in a small community makes you feel closer to even the secondary characters. It was such a bliss to read everyone's stories and see how the main plot affected not just Adol or the main cast, but everyone in Castaway Village. It was such a beautiful experience.”
    • “Great game, great sense of progression, nice character development.”
    • “There's not enough character development in this one. Two characters in particular I felt had me emotionally engaged, but other than that, not so much.”
    • “Lots of exploration that didn't feel terribly fulfilling... tiny nuggets of story with the absolute minimum levels of character development.”
    • “- Side character developments are very weak and generic; outside of two main characters portrayed, you really don't care about them.”
  • humor24 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its engaging character interactions, witty dialogue, and a blend of funny and heartwarming moments that enhance the overall experience. While some players appreciate the lightheartedness and campy charm, others find certain elements, like toilet humor and lengthy cutscenes, less appealing. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's charm, making it enjoyable for fans of character-driven narratives.

    • “Funny character interactions.”
    • “The story is saved by excellent writing, funny dialogue, strong vocal performances, and engaging pacing.”
    • “Character design and interaction is engaging and funny.”
    • “Laxia: not funny...”
  • replayability11 mentions

    The game offers strong replayability through features like New Game Plus, multiple endings, and various difficulty levels, allowing players to experience different aspects of the story and gameplay. The enjoyable combat mechanics and local co-op mode further enhance the replay value, making it appealing for both solo and multiplayer experiences. Overall, players appreciate the potential for revisiting the game to explore missed content and unlock new skills.

    • “In Ultima: finally a game that has a nice new game plus replayability.”
    • “Great storyline, enjoyable characters, multiple endings, different difficulties, and achievements for replayability; what's not to like?”
    • “There is potential for replayability, so even when the game is completed, you can go back to this game and play what you have unlocked.”
    • “It has replay value, especially if you missed some quests.”
    • “His local co-op addition was also fun to play with a friend through the entire game again; it makes me wonder if he might do the same for Monstrum Nox. I can only hope for more replay value!”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a vibrant and immersive setting, blending elements of adventure and mystery, particularly enhanced by its tropical island backdrop. Players appreciate the unique charm and emotional depth conveyed through the music and character interactions, which contribute to a sense of exploration and discovery. Overall, the atmosphere is described as both beautiful and engaging, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The story took some turns I did not expect and managed to tell an intense tale, and being on an island stranded helps set the atmosphere.”
    • “The JRPG atmosphere is perfectly captured across the wide variety of tracks, from high-energy battle themes to more mellow, tropical tunes, fitting for the game’s deserted island setting.”
    • “The 'Hawaiian' atmosphere will never leave you, and you will move from classical music to neoclassical metal.”
    • “There is a feeling of mystery that is uncovered the more you play, and it adds a lot to the atmosphere and charm of the game.”
    • “More emphasis is put towards creating an atmosphere of adventure than some lame slice-of-life drama, and I do appreciate that.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The game's monetization model is well-received, as players appreciate that it avoids being a cash grab and does not pressure them into purchasing DLC or microtransactions for progression. Users can access all items, weapons, and levels through regular gameplay, allowing for a balanced experience without the need for additional spending.

    • “No worries about having to buy DLC or microtransactions for an easy grind; you can obtain all items, weapons, and levels normally and become overpowered in the game.”
    • “The game feels like a cash grab, with too many microtransactions that disrupt the experience.”
    • “It's frustrating that essential items are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending extra money.”
    • “The monetization strategy is aggressive, pushing players to spend more than they should just to keep up with the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

85% average critic score

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Play time

44hMedian play time
42hAverage play time
37hMain story
70hCompletionist
30-60hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 38 analyzed playthroughs

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