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XSEED announces Ys I & II Chronicles+ for Steam (Details)

iavi

Member
Ys Origins and Oath in Felhana are in my backlog - and now these two. Which is the best Ys game to play, for the man who only has time for one?

Definitely oath. Oath has the sense of adventure that makes YS YS. Origin strips all of that away in favor of dialogue heavy dungeon crawling. Not to say Origin is bad, but Oath was addicting from beginning to end... and THAT END. Omg.

Also, pre-ordered!

Cool that they show up as separate entries in the steam library.
 

Durante

Member
I think I prefer Origin to Oath. The gameplay just seems a bit more refined. But it's close either way.

Oh, and I just bought I & II.
 

wyrdwad

XSEED Localization Specialist
The preferred Ys game to start with depends on what you're looking for, really. I usually recommend either Felghana or Seven, but Origin is a good starting point as well for a very specific type of gamer.

If you're a casual gamer, or if you're more used to modern games than games of old, Ys Seven is absolutely the best place to start -- it's the most accessible title in the entire series, features the most modern game design elements, and is also the most forgiving, while still retaining all the elements that make an Ys game an Ys game.

If you're a seasoned gamer, or if you're more comfortable with the classic "NES hard" games of old or modern "hardcore" titles like Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, La-Mulana, etc., then Ys: The Oath in Felghana is absolutely the game for you. Easily the hardest title in the series, and featuring arguably its best soundtrack, Felghana captures the essence of what makes people love Ys, and is just a wonderful game all-around. But easy and forgiving, it is not!

Ys Origin has a few strikes against it as a starting point, since it's the only Ys game that doesn't feature Adol or Dogi as main protagonists, plus it has no towns and no overworld. As such, it's not a great representation of the Ys series as a whole... but it does do an absolutely excellent job of showing off how intense Ys gameplay can be, features some of the best bosses in the series, and also tells a damned fine story -- probably the best and most intricate story Ys has ever known. So if you're a stickler for a good story in your games and don't mind starting with a real outlier, Ys Origin might not be too bad an introduction.

...As for the other Ys titles available in English, Ys I & II and Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim are both titles that I wouldn't exactly recommend using to introduce yourself to Ys. I think they're more enjoyable if you already have a prior attachment to the series and can put them in context as you play.

-Tom
 

Aru

Member
Well, I started the series with Ys I Chronicles more than a year ago and I wouldn't have known I'd have so much fun with it. The maze dungeons were kinda annoying, but you get used to it. The boss battles were awesome though. Playing Ys II Chronicles just after that shows how much the gameplay is improved just by the introduction of magic spells. All bosses were better than Ys I C. ones outside of the last boss (he is a joke because
the player gets a magic that makes him invincible as long as he has some MP left
. I don't know how difficult this battle would be without that, I didn't try). The last boss of Ys I is crazy hard though.

Other than Ys I&II, Felghana is the most difficult title of the recent games.

I'd also recommend Ys Seven for beginners (or even Napishtim).
 
I am so fucking excited. I have beaten the original Ys back in the day on Wii Virtual Console, but I stopped at Ys II.

The games are so fucking good. I lost interest with the series after Ys Seven though. It didn't make the transition to 3D very well, and I hate the party system to death.
 

Genki

Member
CxSeq0B.png


This will get fixed, right? /anal
 
Delving into the series with Ys I and II on the PC-Engine years ago was tons of fun. I was a moron to pass up buying the PC versions when I was living in Japan-- I'd see them frequently for the equivalent of about 20 bucks. But now that there's a remastered PC version in English coming to Steam there's no way I can possibly resist.

Thanks XSEED for localizing and touching up all these great Falcom titles. And with Ys I and II down, we're one step closer to Xanadu Next.
 

Yuterald

Member
Maybe not anytime soon, but I keep pushing for them! Xanadu Next is still possibly my favorite Falcom game of all time, and Zwei II is up there as well. Really, REALLY good games!

-Tom

Hah, thanks for fighting the good fight then, buddy! I know you guys try your best to appease your fans. I totally understand why you can't justify certain titles either. It's just that I've played so many versions of Ys I at this point, lol! I could go for something completely new that we can't find anywhere else, know what I mean?

Oh, and by the way, not sure if anyone else asked about this game yet, but what happened to Nayuta no Kiseki? Any chance that we are ever going to get that?
What about Brandish on PSP, lol? I still need that game!!!
 
Maybe not anytime soon, but I keep pushing for them! Xanadu Next is still possibly my favorite Falcom game of all time, and Zwei II is up there as well. Really, REALLY good games!
-Tom

I do hope you can get Xanadu Next upon Steam. I really think it's a game that PC gamers would enjoy quite a lot. Really fun game.
 
Ys Origins and Oath in Felhana are in my backlog - and now these two. Which is the best Ys game to play, for the man who only has time for one?
The best one if you can only play one is Oath, it's an amazing game. They are all worth it though. Find the time to play them all.
 
Is there any chance that we could get Ark of Napishtim released on Steam in the future as well, or would Konami's PS2/PSP releases pose a problem for that? I'd really love to own official English versions of all the PC Ys games.
 

chaosblade

Unconfirmed Member
Is there any chance that we could get Ark of Napishtim released on Steam in the future as well, or would Konami's PS2/PSP releases pose a problem for that? I'd really love to own official English versions of all the PC Ys games.

I'd say it's likely. Wyrdwad has said in the past that there shouldn't be an issue with licensing and that has been echoed by some others as well. Deuce has offered his translation (just like 1&2, Felghana, and Origin), and there's also the possibility of licensing the one from Konami (Wyrdwad expressed interest in that, but it might not be possible).

I got it for free thanks to Groupon and it does indeed look nice in the Steam library alongside the other games though. Just needs those I & II icons fixed.

 

Cheddahz

Banned
RuBH3if.png


All I have to say is that I'm super excited to play this, I played Oath last year after picking it up on sale and I loved it
 

upandaway

Member
Oh man, they're easily my favorite Ys games (and some of my favorite games period). The mazes are really fun (they'd be terrible with any other kind of combat system, but they're amazing when you just run into enemies).

I never really clicked with the rest of the Ys series (I did like Felghana), but Ys I & II are some amazing stuff to me.
 

wyrdwad

XSEED Localization Specialist
Wow, lots of questions popped up in here overnight!

Can't give any answers in response to questions about release chances for games, though, if they're not games we've already announced. All I can really say is that... well, you've got a crazy-ass Falcom fanboy working at XSEED, so *of course* I'm pushing for every game you've listed! To date, I've pushed (and in many cases continue to push) for XSEED to release Brandish: The Dark Revenant, Nayuta no Kiseki, Xanadu Next, Dinosaur: Resurrection, Zwei!!, Zwei II, VM Japan, Vantage Master Portable, Gurumin PC, Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim PC, Trails in the Sky (trilogy) PC, Sorcerian Original, Brandish 4, and even the Project EGG official MSX2 emulation of Dragon Slayer IV: Drasle Family (because hell, why not, you know?).

I think I even suggested RINNE at one point. And that's a Falcom game even most Falcom fans have never heard of. ;)

So don't worry, I've got you guys covered! The good fight... she is being fought, and fought hard! Heheheheh...

Also, yes, I just put an email in to have that Steam banner issue looked into. Thanks for letting me know, though! That one somehow slipped past our radar completely. We have separate banners for Ys I and Ys II, but it looks like they aren't being used right now for some reason. Hopefully, this will be fixed soon.

EDIT: Oh yeah, there's one comment the above paragraph + sentences doesn't address:

I lost interest with the series after Ys Seven though. It didn't make the transition to 3D very well, and I hate the party system to death.

HEATHEN!!! ;)

-Tom
 

Glass Rebel

Member
Wow, lots of questions popped up in here overnight!

Can't give any answers in response to questions about release chances for games, though, if they're not games we've already announced. All I can really say is that... well, you've got a crazy-ass Falcom fanboy working at XSEED, so *of course* I'm pushing for every game you've listed! To date, I've pushed (and in many cases continue to push) for XSEED to release Brandish: The Dark Revenant, Nayuta no Kiseki, Xanadu Next, Dinosaur: Resurrection, Zwei!!, Zwei II, VM Japan, Vantage Master Portable, Gurumin PC, Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim PC, Trails in the Sky (trilogy) PC, Sorcerian Original, Brandish 4, and even the Project EGG official MSX2 emulation of Dragon Slayer IV: Drasle Family (because hell, why not, you know?).

I think I even suggested RINNE at one point. And that's a Falcom game even most Falcom fans have never heard of. ;)

YOU'RE TEARING ME APART WYRDWAD
 

chaosblade

Unconfirmed Member
Brandish: The Dark Revenant, Nayuta no Kiseki, Xanadu Next, Dinosaur: Resurrection, Zwei!!, Zwei II, VM Japan, Vantage Master Portable, Gurumin PC, Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim PC, Trails in the Sky (trilogy) PC, Sorcerian Original, Brandish 4, and even the Project EGG official MSX2 emulation of Dragon Slayer IV: Drasle Family (because hell, why not, you know?).

I think I even suggested RINNE at one point. And that's a Falcom game even most Falcom fans have never heard of. ;)

I'd... I'd probably buy them all.

I don't really know anything the VM games, Sorcerian, or RINNE, but I'm sure I'd be interested after learning more.
 

Eusis

Member
I'd... I'd probably buy them all.

I don't really know anything the VM games, Sorcerian, or RINNE, but I'm sure I'd be interested after learning more.
Yeah, haha.

Though I think half of why people want Xanadu Next released (the other half being that it's a good, likely to appeal to PC gamers title) is that we have that fan translation out there. But it's not a Deuce one, so I'm guessing it's more of a crapshot if that can be bought/licensed for this. Would love to see Nayuta no Kiseki, but I guess it'd have to be a DD only title or be ported to 3DS or whatever first.
 

wyrdwad

XSEED Localization Specialist
I'd... I'd probably buy them all.

I don't really know anything the VM games, Sorcerian, or RINNE, but I'm sure I'd be interested after learning more.

I could fill you in on Sorcerian and RINNE sometime (though I'll admit, I've put very little time into RINNE so far, so I could only really tell you the history behind it at this point)... but if you're interested in learning more about the VM games, you could always play one of them for free:

http://www.falcom.co.jp/vantage/index_e.html

It's a very addictive game, and has some truly excellent AI when you play against the computer.

-Tom
 

chaosblade

Unconfirmed Member
I'll give that a shot. Installer icon looks like a microwave for some reason.

And I kind of know the history behind RINNE, or at least that it's remake of a game from another developer and is kind of un-Falcom-like.

Edit: This Engrish is amazing. Kalcos hasii woned! Kind of wish it had a tutorial, I halfway understand what I'm doing.
 
Can't give any answers in response to questions about release chances for games, though, if they're not games we've already announced. All I can really say is that... well, you've got a crazy-ass Falcom fanboy working at XSEED, so *of course* I'm pushing for every game you've listed! To date, I've pushed (and in many cases continue to push) for XSEED to release Brandish: The Dark Revenant, Nayuta no Kiseki, Xanadu Next, Dinosaur: Resurrection, Zwei!!, Zwei II, VM Japan, Vantage Master Portable, Gurumin PC, Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim PC, Trails in the Sky (trilogy) PC, Sorcerian Original, Brandish 4, and even the Project EGG official MSX2 emulation of Dragon Slayer IV: Drasle Family (because hell, why not, you know?).

So what's stopping Napishtim PC? You kinda have the rest of the series localized on PC now lol.

More importantly, I want to add it to my steam library. =x
 

wyrdwad

XSEED Localization Specialist
I'll give that a shot. Installer icon looks like a microwave for some reason.

Heh. The way you phrased that, it almost sounds like that's your REASON for giving it a shot. So... mental note: make all icons look like microwaves in all future titles. ;)

And I kind of know the history behind RINNE, or at least that it's remake of a game from another developer and is kind of un-Falcom-like.

Yeah, pretty much. It's a remake of Bothtec's PC-88 classic "Relics," and is full of Falcom cameos (like the main characters of Brandish actually showing up in it!). I assume its creation was part of Falcom's deal with Bothtec, since they're the company that runs Project EGG, which has rereleased virtually every old PC-88, PC-98, MSX and MSX2 title Falcom ever released (and a bunch of later ones as well) for Windows.

The weird part about it, though, is that there's not a single mention of its existence on Falcom's website. Heck, there's not even a soundtrack release, save for its main theme song being placed on the Xanadu Next OST as the theme from the original Xanadu Next teaser movie, with no mention of RINNE at all! Falcom definitely developed it, though, so I'm assuming maybe they just struck a deal to let Bothtec do all the advertising for it or something.

Either that or it's cursed, like The Ring. Or the game from Nanashi no Game. ;)

So what's stopping Napishtim PC?

Time and resources, mostly. As you can probably tell, our plate is already pretty full. ;)

-Tom
 
Can't give any answers in response to questions about release chances for games, though, if they're not games we've already announced. All I can really say is that... well, you've got a crazy-ass Falcom fanboy working at XSEED, so *of course* I'm pushing for every game you've listed! To date, I've pushed (and in many cases continue to push) for XSEED to release Brandish: The Dark Revenant, Nayuta no Kiseki, Xanadu Next, Dinosaur: Resurrection, Zwei!!, Zwei II, VM Japan, Vantage Master Portable, Gurumin PC, Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim PC, Trails in the Sky (trilogy) PC, Sorcerian Original, Brandish 4, and even the Project EGG official MSX2 emulation of Dragon Slayer IV: Drasle Family (because hell, why not, you know?).


You sir are fighting the good fight. I am also so very happy to see someone like yourself pushing for these great games. I could use more Falcom games.

Between yourself and the awesome work that Sara put in making this PC port awesome makes me so happy and without an ounce of regret for ... well.. I lost count at how many times I've repurchased various versions of Ys. I'm glad to be supporting Falcom and you guys much more.
 
RuBH3if.png


All I have to say is that I'm super excited to play this, I played Oath last year after picking it up on sale and I loved it

Man, let me know your thoughts on it. I wrote a LTTP on the PSP version a few months back. Basically, it's now one of my favorite ARPG's ever, even though I played the superior Oath in Felghana beforehand. Would like to see what you think after your first play through.
 

Eusis

Member
I'm guessing Gurumin would require a new translation and dub unless Mastiff's willing to sell off their assets and rights to XSEED or whatever. Same problem as Ys VI, except that definitely wasn't dubbed on PC and Deuce translated it already anyway as I recall, so I'd THINK it's a matter of editing and all that other release preparation crap.
 

Cheddahz

Banned
Man, let me know your thoughts on it. I wrote a LTTP on the PSP version a few months back. Basically, it's now one of my favorite ARPG's ever, even though I played the superior Oath in Felghana beforehand. Would like to see what you think after your first play through.

Alright man, I doubt I'm going to be able to play it the first day (since it comes on Valentines Day and I have plans) but once I start it up, I'll let you know how the PC version is ;)
 

wyrdwad

XSEED Localization Specialist
Alright man, I doubt I'm going to be able to play it the first day (since it comes on Valentines Day and I have plans) but once I start it up, I'll let you know how the PC version is ;)

Plans? On Valentine's Day?! What kind of a nerd are you?! ;) Heheheh...

-Tom
 
lol.. What, you're not planning to do anything for Corporate Candy-Purchasing Day, Tom? ;P At least we'll keep you and the rest of XSeed in our hearts for bringing us so many great localisations. <3
 

FGMPR

Banned
Tom, would I be correct in assuming that the "Ys" titles that never had a PC release have almost no chance of appearing on Steam? Could the Steam numbers possible add up enough to fund PSP/Vita to PC ports?

I just finished (and loved) Oath and have moved onto Origins and really want to see the entire collection, in English in my Steam collection.

Anyhow, I'll likely finish Origins and buy I&II and move straight into them, so keep up the good work :)
 

RM8

Member
I'd be willing to try these, but I didn't love the Oatmeal Banana and I didn't even finish it :/ Will give it a second chance at some point. The music is pretty awesome, though.
 

wyrdwad

XSEED Localization Specialist
Tom, would I be correct in assuming that the "Ys" titles that never had a PC release have almost no chance of appearing on Steam? Could the Steam numbers possible add up enough to fund PSP/Vita to PC ports?

Us funding the development of an Ys game seems highly, highly unlikely, since Falcom almost certainly makes waaaaaaaay more money than we do. ;) But I wouldn't say there's NO chance of other Ys games appearing on Steam, because bear in mind that, Celceta and Dawn of Ys aside, every Ys game HAS actually been released on PC in one form or another.

Sadly, that form is officially-released emulated Super Famicom versions on the part of Ys IV: Mask of the Sun and Ys V, and a notoriously tough-to-get-running Chinese PC port on the part of Ys Seven. So the likelihood isn't really very high.

Still, it's not completely outside the realm of possibility...

-Tom
 
Once Napishtim is on Steam with widescreen and achievements, I'll be a content Ys fanatic.

Although the Falcom fanatic in me will still want to see Xanadu Next, Dinosaur Resurrection, Zwei II and Gurumin (in order of preference) with the same perks.
 

Het_Nkik

Member
Yeah, Ys VI is the only other Ys game I really care about showing up on Steam just so we can get a non-censored, non-awful load times version. Dumb Konami.
 

wyrdwad

XSEED Localization Specialist
Yeah, Ys VI is the only other Ys game I really care about showing up on Steam just so we can get a non-censored, non-awful load times version. Dumb Konami.

"Censored"? I assume you mean the 3D models, right? Because as far as I'm aware, there was no content censorship in Ys VI...

-Tom
 
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