Ys: Ark of Naphishtim (イース -ナピシュテムの匣), launched 3/10/2005, developed by Konami, printed by Konami Shanghai
I’ve had Ys VI for fairly some time (I both purchased it proper earlier than I left Japan in 2005, or extra doubtless I purchased it in 2013 on one other journey). I used to be ready to play it till I had completed the opposite Ys video games earlier than it, which I’ve lastly carried out, so I can play this recreation I’ve had sitting round for ages. As a result of I performed it on an precise PS2 I wasn’t capable of take screenshots, so I’ll need to attempt to borrow some screenshots from the web to do that put up.
The Ys collection began out with the vastly well-liked Ys I&II — not simply the profitable laptop originals however the extremely regarded PC Engine port. After that, although, the unique group disbanded. Ys III’s facet scrolling gameplay was not as effectively favored, and the ports weren’t nice. Ys IV had the bizarre double launch, with a (somewhat unhealthy) Tremendous Famicom recreation and a greater PC Engine recreation — though by this time, the “run into enemies” fashion was fairly old-fashioned. Ys V lastly added extra motion parts, however that recreation had a lot of issues as effectively.
It was 8 years earlier than Ys VI got here out, and I wonder if on the time individuals thought the Ys collection was simply useless. In 2003, Ys VI lastly appeared, in addition to PS2 ports of the primary three video games. The PS2 port of Ys VI (with the quantity dropped) was launched a number of years later in 2005 — as ordinary the port was not dealt with by Falcom.
One huge change between Ys 3 and 6 is that the mess of competing computer systems (PC-98, MSX, and so on) had been swept apart and changed with Microsoft Home windows, which in all probability allowed for simpler improvement. DirectX 9 was out by this level. Clearly the graphics are much better than something the collection had seen earlier than, and the technological developments additionally allowed for a extra fast-paced, motion oriented recreation.
Adol can do a primary assault, however you possibly can hit the button a number of occasions to chain assaults collectively. You even have a jump-spin assault, a downstab assault, and some extra issues that I by no means actually used a lot as a result of they had been too onerous for me to execute reliably. (The worst one on this respect was the sprint bounce, which it’s good to do so as to entry sure treasure chests however I by no means managed to do it proper)
As ordinary, Adol can do magic-like assaults as effectively. The way in which it’s carried out on this recreation is that you just get three completely different swords, considered one of every aspect. By incomes Elemen you possibly can improve the swords, and as you accomplish that, you acquire the flexibility to make use of the sword’s related energy. As soon as you employ it, it takes a while to recharge, relying on the extent of the sword (I believe it additionally helps it recharge if you happen to beat monsters with it).
The bosses are large and colourful. This recreation shares Ys V’s capacity to equip an merchandise and carry as much as 9 of them, so you possibly can have quite a lot of therapeutic throughout a combat. I really discovered that this alone didn’t break the issue of the combats — you are able to do further levelling and sword crafting to make most bosses a lot simpler (together with the ultimate bosses) although.
The sport is comparatively brief, a function it shares with the earlier video games. For extras, you’ve gotten a Time Assault mode (vs all of the bosses), a bonus dungeon, some elective bosses and merchandise assortment throughout the recreation, and more durable issue ranges.
The storyline is the same old Ys fare, the place Adol involves a brand new place and solves the issue there. For some purpose when Konami did the PS2 port they changed the anime opening with a CG one (opposite to what I’ve seen elsewhere, this was not one thing carried out for the English launch.) All of the traces are voice acted, however the high quality varies.
The story brings again a number of characters from earlier video games, notably Dogi and Terra (from Ys V). However all of the returning characters play facet components. The principle storyline entails Adol’s ship being attacked by Romun Empire forces, which causes him to shipwreck on Canaan Island, a spot that’s lower off from the primary lands by sturdy vortexes. He’s saved by two daughters of the chieftain of the Eleshia individuals. He distrusts people, however Adol slowly wins his belief after which goes out to attempt to discover the magic mirror they’ve misplaced. After all this can ultimately result in stopping a world-destroying evil. The plot is nothing particular, nevertheless it’s sufficient to help the motion with out being so detailed and lengthy that you just simply need to combat issues.
On the entire it is a much better recreation than Ys 3, the Tremendous Famicom 4, and Ys 5. I nonetheless have a robust nostalgic affinity for Ys I&II although. The entire Ys 6 releases can be found in English. Except you actually care about voice appearing it looks as if the PC model (on steam) is one of the best ways to play it.
I can be out of city subsequent weekend, however I’ll attempt to schedule a put up on Langrisser V.
