Best Ys Game for Beginners in 2026: Start with Ys VIII or Ys X?

Short answer: if you’re completely new to Ys, start with Ys VIII.

Whether you’ve never heard of Ys before, or a friend recommended it and you’re ready to dive in, this guide will help you quickly find the best starting point.

In 2026, the Ys series has two notable milestones: the enhanced upgrade “Ys X: Proud NORDICS” (often translated as “Norman Glory”) released for PS5, and Falcom has confirmed that multiple new projects are in progress, with a new Ys title also in the planning stage. For new players, this is a good time to jump in.

But for a series that has been around for nearly 40 years and has over 40 releases, the most confusing question remains: with so many entries, where do you start? What’s good about each one?

1. Quick Answer for 2026 Newcomers: Which Game Fits You Best?

If you don’t have time to read the whole article, here’s the summary:

Your Situation	Recommended Game	Reason
Play only one, experience the series at its peak	Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana	Highest overall polish in story, music, character writing – the top pick for newcomers
Want the latest title and modern Ys	Ys X: Proud NORDICS	Enhanced edition with duo combat + naval exploration; the most technically complete and polished entry at this stage of the series
Want hardcore action challenge	Ys: The Oath in Felghana or Ys Origin	Strict hitboxes, solid impact – peak pure action design in the series
Care mostly about story but dislike old visuals	Play Ys VIII or Ys X directly	Stories are self-contained; no need to catch up on earlier games
Just curious about lore, don’t mind old gameplay	Ys I & II – watch a story recap, don’t play them yourself	The origin of the series’ plot, but the “bump combat” system feels extremely dated by modern standards – only recommended for hardcore retro fans

Why this order? Because the story connections between Ys games are looser than you might think. Except for Ys I & II which must be played back‑to‑back, the other entries are largely independent. Skipping a few won’t hurt your understanding of the main plot.

2. The Nearly 40‑Year Chronicle of the “Red‑Haired Adventurer”

One of the most famous memes about Ys comes from its protagonist, Adol Christin – a red‑haired adventurer who seems to cause disasters wherever he goes. Fans often joke that wherever Adol lands, disaster follows. (And just to be clear, his hair is red, not silver – long‑time fans are quick to correct that.)

Back to business: the Ys series has only one core protagonist – Adol – who appears throughout the entire mainline series. From a 16‑year‑old running away from home in Ys I to an experienced, respected adventurer by Ys X, players accompany him from a green youth to a living legend.

To help new players quickly grasp the timeline, here’s the chronological order of main entries:

• Ys Origin: The earliest point in the timeline, set 700 years before Ys I in the ancient kingdom of Ys. The only entry where Adol is not the protagonist.
• Ys I & II: The true origin of the series. These two games’ stories are directly connected and must be played consecutively. The first game even uses a “bump combat” system – you literally bump into enemies to attack. You witness Adol arriving in Esteria, meeting the goddess Feena, and then ascending to the floating kingdom of Ys.
• Ys IV: Memories of Celceta: Takes place right after I & II. Originally had two versions; Falcom’s own remake “Celceta” is now considered the official canon.
• Ys III: The Oath in Felghana: Set after IV. This is a remake of Ys III, introducing the multi‑weapon system from Ys VI.
• Ys V: Lost Kefin, Kingdom of Sand: The only main entry that feels slightly disconnected and has not received a modern remake.
• Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim: A milestone entry. Introduced the three‑attribute weapon system (Emelas swords), which later influenced Oath in Felghana and Origin. The first fully 3D Ys, expanding the “winged ones” lore.
• Ys Seven: Introduced the three‑party member system, laying the foundation for multi‑character combat.
• Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana: The peak of the series’ reputation, widely regarded as the highest‑rated entry. Story depth and character writing reach Falcom’s best. Dana becomes one of the most unforgettable heroines in the series.
• Ys IX: Monstrum Nox: Added “monstrum abilities” for vertical exploration, but is confined to a prison city. Innovative, yet reception is more polarized.
• Ys X: Nordics: The latest mainline entry. Its enhanced version, Ys X: Proud NORDICS, was released in 2026, further refining duo combat and naval exploration.

3. Four “Self‑Revolutions” of the Combat System: Evolution Across Generations

As Falcom’s most representative high‑speed action RPG series, Ys’s gameplay evolution is a microcosm of Japanese ARPG history.

Early “bump combat” and side‑scrolling action (Ys I‑V)

In the original Ys, you don’t press an attack button – you control Adol to bump into the side of an enemy to deal damage. This design is simple yet demands precise positioning. Ys II retained and refined the system. Ys III changed to a side‑scrolling action platformer, breaking away from the previous top‑down perspective – controversial at the time, but showing Falcom’s willingness to overturn its own formulas.

3D foundation and multi‑weapon switching (Ys VI)

Ys VI marked the series’ shift toward modern action. It introduced full 3D graphics and vertical moves like jumping and diving. The most iconic feature is the “three Emelas swords”: Wind sword for speed and aerial hang time; Fire sword for high damage and wide arcs; Lightning sword for area magic. Players can switch on the fly to exploit enemy weaknesses – the feel is crisp and satisfying. Games from this era all inherited that fluid high‑speed action.

Party system and strategy (Ys Seven, VIII, IX)

Starting with Ys Seven, the series added party members – you’re no longer alone. You can switch between characters in battle, each with unique skills, special attacks, and elemental affinities. Ys VIII’s exceptional standing owes much to its smooth, well‑paced combat feel.

Duo combat and naval exploration (Ys X)

The latest entry, Ys X, shook up the formula again. It ditched the traditional character‑switching in favor of a two‑person tag‑team. Players can switch between “solo mode” and “duo mode” (press guard button R2): in solo mode, Adol deals high damage; in duo mode, you defend to build revenge stacks and unleash powerful combined attacks. The game also added naval exploration, letting you sail a ship across a wide sea.

4. Why Has It Lived for Nearly 40 Years? Worldview, Music, and Protagonist Charm

1. A Grand yet Open Worldview: From “Ys” to the “Winged Ones”

Falcom is clever: each adventure map is different, but the “winged ones” civilization weaves a dark thread through the entire series. The surface story is Adol’s travelogue, while the deep lore – from the Black Pearl in Ys I, to the runaway destruction of the Ark in Ys VI, to the revelations in Origin – unfolds layer by layer. This structure makes the series surprisingly newcomer‑friendly: no matter where you start, you’ll get drawn into the bigger picture, and playing in order won’t feel like you already know everything.

2. Music That Never Fails to Excite

One of Falcom’s signature strengths is its soundtracks. Ys series BGM is famous for its upbeat, high‑tempo electric guitar melodies – almost a constant throughout the series. Boss battle themes and final boss tracks are especially legendary; some even say Ys’s music is the soul of the games.

3. Focused, Lean JRPG Experience

Unlike the chatty, hundreds‑of‑hours “Trails” series, Ys is short, punchy, and fast. Playtime isn’t bloated, there’s no overly complex stat system – no dragging, just direct action. This lean, focused design is part of what makes Ys feel refreshing even today. Falcom maintains a stable, high‑output development rhythm, which means recent games have seen slow visual and technical progress – but in terms of fast, direct, responsive combat pacing, they remain top‑notch.

5. Ys X: Proud NORDICS and New Title News – What’s New in 2026?

1. New Title Status

Falcom has confirmed that multiple new projects are in development, and a new Ys entry is in the planning stage. As for whether that means “two brand‑new games” or “several projects in the pipeline,” no official announcement has been made as of this article’s publication – check official sources for updates.

2. Ys X: Proud NORDICS – What Does the Enhanced Upgrade Add?

This is the core option for jumping in during 2026. Ys X: Proud NORDICS (often translated as “Norman Glory”) is a fully enhanced version based on the original Ys X: Nordics. It launched on PS5 in February 2026.

The biggest addition is a full new chapter – the large island Eland Isle at the far north of the Obelia Gulf, completely filling out a new adventure for Adol and Karja. This chapter unlocks in the middle of the main story, not as post‑game content. Other additions include new “Mana Actions” for greater exploration freedom, new boss fights, Mana Gliding races, and arena battles. The PS5 version offers smoother performance, visual refinements, and support for 4K at up to 120 FPS.

Purchase note: The enhanced version is a separate product. DLC from the original Ys X: Nordics (digital edition) will NOT work with Proud NORDICS. If you already own the original, be aware that this is a standalone release.

Additionally, Ys Seven, Ys VIII, and Ys IX are all planned for PS5 release, making it a great time for new players to catch up.

6. Pros and Cons: Why Veterans Love It, Why New Players Sometimes Struggle

Pros

• Fast, unique combat: Whether it’s bump combat, Ys VI’s three‑weapon switching, or Ys X’s duo tag‑team, Ys consistently delivers distinctive action with quick, direct feedback.
• Legendary soundtrack: Pure Falcom electronic rock, high‑energy throughout, hugely elevating immersion. Dana’s theme in Ys VIII, for example, remains unforgettable for veteran fans.
• Short, punchy story with strong supporting casts: Main story runs 20‑30 hours, tight pacing, and the series excels at tragic “lost kingdom” ensemble drama. Dana is often called Falcom’s best‑written heroine.
• Very low barrier to entry (with one exception): Aside from Ys I & II which are linked, every other entry is self‑contained. New players can start with the latest Ys X or the widely acclaimed Ys VIII without any story baggage.
• Stable technical performance: Falcom’s optimization track record is solid. Even ports generally run at stable framerates, with very few crashes or game‑breaking bugs. Compared to some Japanese publishers that release rough PC ports, Falcom’s quality control is noticeably higher.

Cons

• Outdated visuals: Due to Falcom’s small‑studio size, the series’ graphics and modeling are often mocked as “generations behind.”
• Antiquated systems in older games (especially I & II): The bump combat system feels extremely dated by modern standards.
• Weak map design and exploration: Compared to top‑tier ARPGs like Zelda, Ys’s level design is mostly linear, lacking the “wow, I can actually go up there” discovery moments.
• Inconsistent quality, “post‑masterpiece syndrome”: Ys VIII was so good that its sequels (IX, X) inevitably suffer in comparison, amplifying their flaws.
• Some entries have controversial writing: Certain games’ plot setups feel rough, especially compared to the natural progression of Ys VIII.

7. Beginner’s Guide (2026): Full Recommendations

Facing such a long‑running series, newcomers can feel lost. Here are honest, opinionated recommendations:

🟢 Absolute top pick

• Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana: The entry with the highest overall polish and the best starting point. Story, music, characters, combat flow – every aspect is near its peak. Dana’s tragic arc and complete character growth define “narrative weight.” If you play only one Ys, this is the one.

🟡 Recommended for most

• Ys X: Proud NORDICS: Since it’s 2026, experiencing the newest enhanced version makes sense. Duo combat feels fresh, and it represents a minor leap in Falcom’s visual fidelity. If you care about graphics or want to see modern Ys, this is a solid choice.

• Ys: Memories of Celceta: If you want to experience the story of Ys IV or a more “classic” Ys, this remake is the best option – the updated visuals are friendly to modern players.

🔴 For hardcore/action purists

• Ys: The Oath in Felghana and Ys Origin: Peak action feel. Despite older graphics, they have strict hit detection and solid impact. These represent Ys at its best in pure action design.

👎 Strongly not recommended (unless for retro study)

• Ys I & II: Don’t start here. The bump combat system feels extremely dated by modern standards. If you’re curious about the lore, watch a story recap – it’s much less painful.

8. Buying Advice (2026)

• Platform choice: PS5 version of Ys X: Proud NORDICS offers the best experience (4K, 120FPS). For PC, recent PC versions have become generally stable, but it’s still wise to check recent user reviews before buying.
• Limited budget: Prioritize Ys VIII during a Steam sale – excellent value.
• Plenty of budget: Go directly for Ys X: Proud NORDICS to experience the series’ latest systems.
• Pricing strategy: This series is on sale very often. Big seasonal discounts usually bring substantial price drops. Don’t buy at full price.

9. So, Which Ys Game Should You Start With?

Ys is not perfect. Its visuals are always a step behind, some entries have balance issues, and certain stories stumble. But after nearly 40 years, it still retains that pure sense of “adventure spirit.”

It may not be the best‑looking action game, but it captures a sense of adventure that few modern action RPGs can replicate.

Purchase decision summary
If you can accept dated graphics in exchange for tight storytelling, great music, and fast‑paced combat, the Ys series is worth starting in 2026.
If you prioritize cutting‑edge visuals, open‑world exploration, and 100‑hour epics, it may not be the best fit.

If you’re still undecided, just start with Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana. It will very likely show you why fans have loved this series for nearly 40 years.

Copyright Notice
Game screenshots and related media referenced in this article are the property of Nihon Falcom Corporation and their respective rights holders.