so fun!

The combat is a fat step up from the "bump" system of the first two games. Normal is mildly ball busting if you don't specifically get an extra level or two before every boss. Fine plot, good art.

If you're looking for a fun action RPG with a decent challenge that won't demand too much of your time, then this game is perfect. The combat is very polished and the boss fights are tough as nails, but they never feel unfair and are incredibly satisfying to overcome. The story is very basic and predictable, but it's short so it doesn't overstay its welcome, and the characters are charming enough to get you through it. Furthermore, you don't need to have any knowledge of any previous Ys entries to enjoy it, making this a good starting point with new players (although I personally started with VIII, Dana Forever). The music is amazing as always, and Falcom once again lives up to their reputation. And lastly for fellow deck owners, I played this on mine and it ran great. I did adjust controls a bit for personal comfort, and a couple movies didn't play properly, but aside from that the gameplay sections ran perfectly.

It is also worth mentioning that there is an updated port for Switch and PlayStation that is currently available in Japan and is being released in the West in 2025, but I still think this version is worth getting, especially considering it goes on sale for $5.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a solid ARPG that will give you a fun challenge without taking up too much of your time, then I highly recommend this game.