Ys Origin

About

"Ys Origin is an action-packed Pревью game set 700 years before Ys I & II. The twin Goddesses of Ys have vanished, and a search party, including apprentice knight Yunica Tovah and sorcerer Hugo Fact, is sent to retrieve them from the Devil's Tower. This game builds upon the gameplay elements of Ys: The Ark of Napishtim and Ys: The Oath in Felghana."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,043 reviews

story443 positive mentions

grinding181 negative mentions

Fast-paced and engaging combat with a variety of characters to choose from, each offering unique playstyles.
Excellent soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience and keeps players motivated.
Challenging boss fights that require learning patterns and strategies, providing a satisfying sense of accomplishment.

Repetitive gameplay due to having to play through the same tower multiple times with different characters to experience the full story.
Unskippable cutscenes and lengthy dialogues can disrupt the flow of gameplay, especially during retries.
Difficulty spikes can be frustrating, particularly if players miss upgrades or are under-leveled for boss encounters.

story
1,371 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
65%
3%
The story of *Ys Origin* serves as a prequel to the first two *Ys* games, exploring the backstory of the twin goddesses and the events leading to their disappearance. Players can choose from three characters, each offering a unique perspective and gameplay style, with the true narrative revealed through the third character's storyline, which is considered the canon ending. While the plot is straightforward and may feel predictable, it is engaging enough to keep players invested, especially for those familiar with the *Ys* lore.
- “Immersive storytelling: as a prequel, the game provides rich lore that ties into the greater Ys universe.”
- “The story balances emotional depth with high-stakes action, creating a memorable narrative experience.”
- “The narrative is engaging, with well-paced dialogue and an intriguing plot that keeps players invested throughout their journey.”
- “The story is simple but straightforward, while being one of the most developed in the series.”
- “The story is rather bare-bones, but mildly interesting, particularly if you are a Ys fan or a fan of traditional fantasy storylines.”
- “It's quite tedious if you intend to experience the entire story as there are three playable characters and the final and true story arc doesn't unlock until you complete the game with the first two characters.”
gameplay
655 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
52%
2%
The gameplay in "Ys Origin" is characterized by fast-paced, hack-and-slash mechanics that blend action RPG elements with platforming and puzzle-solving. Players can choose from three distinct characters, each offering unique combat styles and story perspectives, enhancing replayability. While the game is generally praised for its smooth controls and engaging boss battles, some players note that the gameplay can become repetitive across multiple playthroughs.
- “Engaging gameplay: the fast-paced combat, intricate level design, and satisfying progression system make Ys Origin incredibly addictive.”
- “The gameplay is fast-paced and fun, with interesting boss battles and a cool story that benefits greatly from knowing what comes before.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly enjoyable to play through, with three different characters and their own playstyles, and the third playthrough giving you a more impactful story with the knowledge of the first two.”
- “What started as a promising playthrough through a charming hack and slash quickly became a slog to the end as it became clear there were going to be no new combat abilities or unfolding of the base gameplay.”
- “Boring repetitive maps that force a lot of backtracking, obscure dated game mechanics, boring low-poly repetitive rooms, obtuse graphics, and terrible control configuration... another basic port that is slowly fading away for its ancient design and lack of interest in updates.”
- “Bosses are damage sponges that can one-shot or require boring mechanics like run in, hit 2x, run out, wait for explosion, and repeat.”
music
644 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
34%
1%
The music in "Ys Origin" is widely praised as one of the standout features of the game, consistently described as phenomenal, energetic, and perfectly complementing the gameplay. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to enhance both the high-octane combat and the game's quieter moments, with many considering it among the best in the entire Ys franchise. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant draw for players, often leading them to replay the game just to enjoy the music.
- “Timeless music: the soundtrack is nothing short of phenomenal, with energetic tracks that perfectly complement the high-octane combat and serene melodies that enhance the game's quieter moments.”
- “The soundtrack is also a highlight, featuring an energetic and memorable score that perfectly complements the action.”
- “The music is phenomenal and perfectly captures the mood of each area and boss fight.”
- “The soundtrack is a bit underwhelming.”
- “Some tracks make me think of royalty-free music, rather than something made for the game.”
- “Music also took a step down from Oath; most of the non-boss music feels really limp and underwhelming.”
graphics
274 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
53%
4%
The graphics of "Ys Origin" are a blend of charming 2D sprites and 3D environments, reflecting its 2006 origins while still maintaining a nostalgic appeal for fans of classic JRPGs. While some players note the visuals are dated and reminiscent of PS2-era graphics, many appreciate the art style and vibrant colors, which enhance the overall experience despite minor graphical glitches. Overall, the game's aesthetic is well-received, with a strong emphasis on its unique character designs and engaging environments, making it visually appealing for its time.
- “Visually, Ys Origin maintains the series' signature art style while enhancing it with improved graphics.”
- “The presentation of Ys Origin is excellent, with 2D graphics that still hold up today and a fantastic soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's action.”
- “The graphics are a nice mix of 3D/2D and the soundtrack was never boring.”
- “Boring repetitive maps that force a lot of backtracking, obscure dated game mechanics, boring low-poly repetitive rooms, obtuse graphics, and terrible control configuration... another basic port that is slowly fading away for its ancient design and lack of interest in updates.”
- “The graphics are definitely showing their age (the game was originally published in Japan in 2006), but don't really detract from an otherwise enjoyable experience.”
- “The graphics are a little dated and look like they belong on the PlayStation 2, but that's a minor fault.”
grinding
185 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
1%
98%
The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a mixed experience; while some players find it necessary for overcoming challenging bosses, others feel it can become tedious, especially with multiple playthroughs required. Many appreciate that grinding is relatively quick and can be enjoyable due to the engaging combat system, but some express frustration with the repetitive nature of grinding and the need for it on higher difficulties. Overall, grinding is present but varies in intensity depending on the player's chosen difficulty and playstyle.
- “Normal mode was not grindy at all, and unlike Ys I & II, Origin is much more straightforward in giving instructions.”
- “However, on later playthroughs, you will understand the boss patterns better and be able to beat them in subsequent runthroughs with almost no grinding.”
- “There is practically no grinding in this game if you do not skip mobs; even if you were somehow still underleveled, it's relatively quick to level to the proper tier for the boss.”
- “Most of the 'challenge' on any difficulty above easy comes from forced level grinding when the game decides you have to kill certain monsters that will take 1 damage until you've gained an arbitrary number of levels.”
- “The game can be pretty tedious and repetitive.”
- “This game will hard wall the player into grinding more than most RPGs.”
replayability
140 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
44%
2%
The game boasts high replayability due to its three distinct playable characters, each offering unique playstyles and story arcs, encouraging multiple playthroughs. Players can also engage with various difficulty settings, unlockable modes, and achievements, enhancing the overall experience. While the main story is relatively short, the diverse character perspectives and additional content provide ample incentive for players to return.
- “Each character—Yunica, Hugo, and the unlockable third character—offers a unique playstyle, ensuring replayability.”
- “The game is highly replayable, with three campaigns that will last you about 10 hours each; you will see most of the same things in each one, but they feel distinct and interesting.”
- “This game also has supreme replayability, as you can (and should) play as all three characters, each with a unique storyline and playstyle.”
- “The replayability mainly relies on the few different stories you can experience as well as some unlockables such as a boss rush and arena mode, a slightly upgraded version of each character, and the original protagonist of the series that you can unlock who's only available to use in boss rush and arena.”
- “If going for full completion though, the replay value eventually depletes and the process turns into more of a grind towards the end of it.”
- “While the length for one character is the average of any other Ys game, the replay value lies in the fact there are three characters in total, each one with their own play style and emphasizing one aspect or another.”
character development
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
48%
12%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while the three main characters receive notable arcs, particularly Hugo, many players feel that secondary characters lack depth, which detracts from the overall experience. The game's focus on gameplay often overshadows character growth, leading to missed opportunities for deeper storytelling. However, replaying the game with different character routes enhances the understanding of character dynamics and world-building, making it worthwhile for those invested in the narrative.
- “As such, I recommend playing the third character’s story route only after you’ve beaten both Yunica’s and Hugo’s story campaigns, since you’re missing out on interesting character developments and world building otherwise.”
- “All 3 characters get pretty good character development, but Hugo seemed to have the strongest.”
- “Great replay value, great story, great character developments, music, and gameplay.”
- “Additionally, some players might find the lack of deeper character development a missed opportunity, as the focus on gameplay can overshadow character arcs.”
- “⛔ No real character development outside of the playable characters, which is a symptom of not having voice acting.”
- “The cast of characters, although outside the player's circle, seem a bit generic, but that is not saying much due to the style of the Ys series. The character development for most of the characters isn't as good as the development for the main heroes or main villains, but they do add to the storyline.”
emotional
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its well-crafted narrative that balances humor and depth, particularly through character dialogues and impactful story arcs. Players noted that the emotional weight increases significantly when experiencing different character perspectives, with some moments being genuinely touching and even tear-jerking. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to engage players emotionally, despite some critiques regarding the depth of the story and character development.
- “The story balances emotional depth with high-stakes action, creating a memorable narrative experience.”
- “I liked the character dialogues; they ranged from funny to emotional and touching.”
- “From the combat to the characters to the classic-but-heart-wrenching story, this game delivers on all fronts.”
humor
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying the character dialogues that range from funny to emotional, and the comedic interactions among characters, particularly the roos. Many find the humor to enhance the gameplay experience, making it engaging and entertaining, despite some criticisms of the storyline and character depth. Overall, the game is recognized for its amusing elements, making it a fun action JRPG.
- “I liked the character dialogues; they ranged from funny to emotional and touching.”
- “Also, the roos have some hilarious dialogue.”
- “Great humor and character interaction.”
atmosphere
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
23%
15%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by vibrant environments, detailed character designs, and a superb soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While some reviews note a lack of storytelling in level design, many praise the unique and immersive atmosphere, particularly in its darker, fantasy-inspired elements. Overall, the combination of fluid animations, engaging music, and visually rich settings creates a compelling atmosphere that resonates with players.
- “The vibrant environments and detailed character sprites create an inviting atmosphere, and the animations are fluid, contributing to the overall polish of the game.”
- “The music is marvelous, and it perfectly complements the mood and atmosphere of the game.”
- “The soundtrack ranks among the best game soundtracks of all time, creating an atmospheric richness that complements the excellent visual presentation.”
- “There isn't much atmosphere to it, next to no storytelling in level designs.”
- “Ys has a slightly darker, and more dark-fantasy inspired atmosphere compared to the Trails games.”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
92%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting a smooth experience free of major bugs or glitches, while others have encountered significant issues such as soft locks, crashes, and graphical anomalies. While a portion of users praised the optimization and minimal glitches during extensive playtime, others expressed frustration over persistent bugs that detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “No bugs, no glitches, and no problems.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any interruptions.”
- “I haven't encountered any crashes or stability issues.”
- “Game is horribly buggy, cannot even get to the tutorial because the game soft locks.”
- “I rated the game because it is buggy and crashes.”
- “However, when I launch the game, the FPS jumps to 1000 or so (not possible?), then into negatives, and then the screen turns all funky colors and freezes.”
optimization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
29%
29%
Overall, the game is well-optimized, running smoothly on a variety of systems, including lower-end PCs. However, some users have reported minor issues, such as a black screen during cutscenes on Windows 10. Despite these hiccups, the game's performance allows for an engaging experience, encouraging players to refine their strategies during challenging encounters.
- “The game is very well optimized, and it can run smoothly on any PC, even your grandma’s.”
- “On top of that, the graphics manage to be impressively beautiful while retaining excellent system performance.”
- “She also has an unusual amount of stuttering in her lines.”
- “This boss killed me probably 20 times, but it was still a great experience because each time you can make tiny optimizations or notice something new about an attack that will let you avoid it more easily.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the Ys series appears to be underappreciated, potentially due to insufficient advertising compared to its overseas presence, which may affect its visibility and sales.