Falcom has been doing the same thing for decades, and that's not necessarily a criticism. The Ys series never tried to be a spectacle on the level of Final Fantasy, nor a AAA blockbuster that redefines the genre. Instead, it offers fast-paced action, distinctive pacing, and characters that are likable without excessive drama. Ys X: Nordics does not destroy that formula, but tries to expand it.
And the result is... interesting.
Story and pace
Ys is not a series that excels in depth of narrative, but in pace. Nordics confirms this. The story is correct, the characters are likable, but the emotional weight remains moderate. There are no big shocks or jaw-dropping drama, but there is consistency.
Our eternal hero, Adol Christin, again in search of adventure, finds himself - of course - in the middle of problems during a routine voyage and the transport of a doctor. Due to unfortunate circumstances, they turn off the road to a nearby town that is under attack by evil beings called Griegr. Although Adol manages to defeat them, it quickly becomes clear that it is a siege of these undead creatures who have a sinister plan: to turn all humans into Griegre.
Of course, Adol is the only one who can help. Griegr are undead and normal weapons can't do anything to them. They are only vulnerable to weapons imbued with Mana, a mysterious energy that can be wielded by rare individuals.
One of those rare ones is Karja, the princess of the Normans, a kind of vikings of this world. Fate (and Mana) bind Adol and Karja to the point that they cannot be separated more than a few meters. This brings a number of complications, but also opens up the basic game mechanics - synergy.
New mechanics, same Adol
The biggest change comes in the combat system. Instead of a classic party lineup, you now have a duo. Adol and Karja can fight separately or together. In the so-called In "Cross Action" mode, the fight becomes more aggressive, faster and visually striking, but also more risky because you share the defense.
You can freely change characters and use their arts. Adol is fast and mobile, Karja is slower, but stronger and capable of breaking through the defense. The system encourages experimentation and min/max through different art combinations. You can still head through the wall and button mash, but it's far less fun. The game rewards precision.
The system of defense and evasion should also be emphasized. Red attacks can be blocked in "Guard" mode, while blue ones require a timely dodge. Perfectly timed moves trigger short, powerful sequences and give you a tactical advantage. It's not the Souls depth system, but the timing here makes sense.
In addition, Mana abilities come - jumps to distant points, a kind of "hookshot" moments that open up verticality and exploration, and Mana surfing that speeds up movement on certain terrains. They are not revolutionary mechanisms, but they nicely break up the classic walk from point A to point B.
Nordic scenery
Nordics brings a maritime element and sea exploration, which is an interesting change of pace. Navigation and battles at sea are not overly complex, more arcadey, but they break the linearity typical of the series. Don't expect a Black Flag level of naval experience, though. This is more of an addition than the foundation of the game.
The tempo is good. The game doesn't drag unnecessarily, the fights come often enough to keep the pace going, and the progression is steady, if sometimes slower than I'd like. Conversations can last too long, and although the characters try to convey the drama that confronts them, I still find myself rewinding the dialogues and running to brandish my sword again.
The environments are charming, but technically modest. Visually, the game is clean and clear, but it's clear that Falcom is still working with a limited budget. The animations are solid, but not spectacular, and the character models sometimes feel a bit dated.
The anime style definitely brings out the game, because it always looks at least decent, but realistically, we could see graphics like this on the Playstation 3. That's why the soundtrack is where the game excels, especially during world exploration and combat. Fast rock riffs on the electric guitar immediately spur you into action and remind you: "yes, this is Ys."
Switch 2 version
The game runs flawlessly on Switch 2. Two modes are available - Quality and Performance. Quality targets 4K at 60 fps, while Performance allows 120 fps at a lower resolution (720 to 1080p).
I personally stuck to 60 fps mode. While 120 fps is impressive on paper, on a larger screen the characters looked a bit grainy to me, while 60 fps offered a more stable and cleaner presentation.
Anyway, no stuttering, no performance drops, and loads are fast. This is the most technically polished version of the game.
What is Proud Nordics?
It is worth noting that Ys X: Proud Nordics is actually an expanded and more content-rich version of the original from 2023 - Nordics, which, I must admit, I realized only afterwards.
It includes an additional region, new characters, all integrated DLC packs, cosmetic additions and some system balancing. It's not a new game, but it is a more rounded edition. If you're new to Nordics, this is the version to play.
Conclusion
Ys X: Proud Nordics is another solid continuation of a long-standing series that knows its audience. If you're looking for a fast-paced action JRPG without too much philosophy and with enough content to keep you engaged for about twenty hours, Nordics will satisfy you.
The combat is fast and fun, the pace is good, and the Nordic atmosphere gives the game its own identity, even if it never technically reaches the high budgets of the competition.
If you are looking for a modern JRPG spectacle that pushes the boundaries and touches your soul - this is not the game.
Rating: 3.5/5
Sample of Nintendo Switch 2 version provided for review purposes by publisher NIS America
