Reviving a Classic: Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana
Over the past decade, the journey of being a fan of the Ys series in the Western world has become significantly smoother. For many years, securing a localization for new releases was erratic—more frequently disappointing than rewarding. However, this landscape transformed during the late years of the PSP era, when Nihon Falcom partnered with XSEED to introduce several of their titles to international audiences. A pivotal release from this collaboration was the PSP remake of Ys: The Oath in Felghana, a well-acclaimed reimagining of the third entry in the series. Now, the duo is set to enthrall gamers again with Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana, making its debut on the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4/5.
An Extensive Remake
The term “remake” can often be confusing in the gaming community, but Ys: The Oath in Felghana exemplifies a true re-envisioning of a classic title. This game retains the narrative and world constructs of Ys III: Wanderers from Ys, originally released on the NEC PC-8801 in July 1989. Unlike its predecessors, Wanderers from Ys adopted a side-scrolling format. While well-received, this gameplay style was unique to this installment and was not revisited in future releases.
The Evolution of the Series
Following the release of the original Wanderers from Ys and the departure of creators Masaya Hashimoto and Tomoyoshi Miyazaki, the franchise faced some tumultuous years. Ys IV saw two distinct versions, neither helmed by Nihon Falcom, and Ys V, a Super Famicom title released in 1995, emerged without substantial acclaim. However, the series regained footing with Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim in 2003, which featured a new engine and received a global release courtesy of Konami. This reinvigoration led to the development of Ys: The Oath in Felghana, which built on the framework of Wanderers from Ys.
Initially launching on Windows in Japan in 2005 and later on PSP globally in 2010, the game expanded upon the original narrative while aligning its gameplay mechanics with the rest of the franchise, enhancing virtually every aspect of its predecessor.
Modern Platforms and New Features
Fast forward to the present, and the classic title is being revitalized with Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana, currently accessible on modern consoles like the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4/5. This revamped version appears to use the PSP iteration as its foundation, a logical choice given it was the most recent version up to this point. Visual enhancements have been made, alongside the inclusion of a few new features.
Nonetheless, the main draw remains the ability to play this beloved title on current platforms. Players can now hear Adol’s voice contributing to conversation, choose between soundtrack versions, and select either original or redesigned character portraits. Despite these additions, the overall content mirrors that of the PSP version without substantial expansions anew.
A Streamlined Action RPG Experience
Despite the modest updates, Ys: The Oath in Felghana continues to shine as an impressive action RPG. For many, this entry strikes a delightful balance between the earlier, less complex titles and the more intricate, multi-character modern games. The narrative is straightforward, with Adol and Dogi returning to Dogi’s hometown, only to uncover lurking dangers that require heroic intervention.
The gameplay follows a relatively linear progression, where unlocking new areas depends on story events or abilities acquired earlier. Although exploration is encouraged, the world remains manageable, allowing players to revisit previous locations for upgrades using newfound skills.
Challenging Yet Rewarding Combat
Players frequently return to Redmont, utilizing its shops for vital items and equipment. While the grind for resources is reduced compared to the original, financial scarcity increases as the game progresses. Leveling can aid in navigating challenging sections, but Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana primarily tests player reflexes and skills. The difficulty options cater to a range of players, from casual to hardcore, allowing everyone to enjoy this thrilling experience.
Combat is fast-paced, filled with hordes of adversaries and environmental challenges. Boss fights are exhilarating, with intricate patterns to uncover, and the sense of mastery over encounters is immensely satisfying. Combined with a fantastic soundtrack and quick movement, players can easily immerse themselves in the game, embodying the essence of what makes the Ys series so beloved.
A Concise Adventure
The game’s brisk pace makes it possible to complete within ten to fifteen hours, a feature that might dissuade some players. However, many will appreciate the efficiency, as there’s little unnecessary filler. Players are rewarded with cheat points after completing the game, enhancing replayability for those eager to challenge their skills further.
Technical Insights
This review examined the Nintendo Switch version of the game, which runs smoothly in both handheld and docked modes. Although minor graphical improvements are evident, the core remains rooted in mid-2000s design, occasionally reflecting in texture quality. Despite better performance than the PSP version, some frame rate dips remain during frenetic segments, particularly with numerous on-screen elements. Anticipation surrounds the PlayStation version for potentially smoother performance.
Final Thoughts
The highlight of Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is its availability on contemporary platforms, allowing more players to experience this fantastic action-RPG. While the port is reliable, it doesn’t come without flaws, and the lack of significant new features may be a letdown for some. Nonetheless, the original charm of the game persists, making it a remarkable title both then and now.
Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is set for release on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on January 7, 2025.
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