[duckroll]

Pre-order link: http://store.steampowered.com/app/223810/

From the XSEED 2013 Lineup PR:

Ys I & II Chronicles+ Windows PC (Steam), February – XSEED Games has delighted RPG fans for years by publishing multiple Ys titles from legendary RPG developer Nihon Falcom for handheld platforms and Windows PC, and now Ys fans can celebrate once more as an enhanced remake of the classic first two games in the Ys franchise comes to Steam for the first time. Including both Ancient Ys Vanished: Omen and Ancient Ys Vanished: The Final Chapter, this action RPG tells of red-haired swordsman Adol Christin’s inaugural adventure to defeat the evil forces blighting the isle of Esteria and uncover the mysteries of the eponymous lost land of Ys.

As for what the game actually is, since there are two versions of Ys I & II on PC in Japan (an earlier Complete version, and a newer Chronicles version based on the PSP release)...

This seems to be the biggest question I'm seeing from our announcement, so I figured I'd jump in and address it. Steam programmer and all-around miracle worker Sara essentially managed to combine Ys I & II Chronicles with the earlier fan-favorite PC release Ys I & II Complete, effectively mixing all the best features of both versions. That means it's got the selectable soundtracks and selectable art styles from Chronicles alongside the visual flexibility of Complete (including a greater viewing area, togglable screen frame and support for windowed mode). Plus it's got a few updates, like the ability to resize the window in windowed mode and have the graphics scale smoothly, as well as the usual complement of achievements and leaderboards. The achievements are a little different this time, too. Based on feedback received from our Felghana and Origin Steam releases, we've tried to feature fewer incremental achievements and instead go for more once-and-done tasks... but with a twist. Some of these achievements are meant for long-time Ys fans, so their unlock conditions are occasionally kind of like puzzles unto themselves. But if you are a long-time series fan, you can theoretically attain every single achievement on one single playthrough. The rest of our game announcements are pretty straight-forward, but if anyone has any specific questions, feel free to ask. I might not be able to answer, of course... but hey, I can try! ;) -Tom

I've made some comparison shots for Ys I & II Chronicles+ so that you guys can see how this port looks and the care I've taken working on it. The game has two display modes: "Complete" (4:3) and "Chronicles" (roughly the same as the PSP version). I took a bunch of shots in different display modes. You can also see how we've expanded the Chronicles art compared to PSP in the Ys II shots. I hope this clears up some confusion! Ys Chronicles+ (HUD, etc. shot) 1x Size: Complete Mode | Chronicles Mode 2x Size: Complete Mode Filtered/Unfiltered | Chronicles Mode Filtered/Unfiltered Letterboxing: Filtered/Unfiltered 720p: Complete Mode Filtered/Unfiltered Chronicles Mode Filtered/Unfiltered Ys II Chronicles+ (Portrait/Dialogue shot) 1x Size: Complete Mode | Chronicles Mode 2x Size: Complete Mode Filtered/Unfiltered | Chronicles Mode Filtered/Unfiltered Letterboxing: Filtered/Unfiltered 720p Widescreen: Complete Mode Filtered/Unfiltered | Chronicles Mode Filtered/Unfiltered

Seems like they're putting good effort into the release to benefit fans. So I think they deserve more attention rather than it being buried in a line-up thread. :)

[epmode]

NICE.

Moar Falcom on PC pls! I'd even rebuy Trails in the Sky!

[Eusis]

FSo I think they deserve more attention rather than it being buried in a line-up thread. :)

Seemed more like it was burying everything else int he lineup thread. :P

But still, a very nice effort and already up for pre-order.

[duckroll]

Seemed more like it was burying everything else int he lineup thread. :P But still, a very nice effort and already up for pre-order.

Someone should tell XSEED's marketing department (?) that their screens on the Steam page look fucking awful and stretched. :(

[Yuripaw]

Awesome. Um, the question I guess I wish was answered is...do we know when it'll be out?

[Volcynika]

Awesome. Um, the question I guess I wish was answered is...do we know when it'll be out?

February! Sometime.

[Sheroking]

Yay.

Just keep releasing Ys games on PC and I'll keep buyin' em.

[The Grim Heaper]

Pre-ordered earlier today. Awww yeah

Awesome. Um, the question I guess I wish was answered is...do we know when it'll be out?

I think sometime in February.

[Nillansan]

Yup, this sounds like a great port, I am definitely going to pre-order this to show my support.

[Mileena]

buying to support this series on PC. I need more

[Vigilance]

More Ys is always good news.

[mclem]

No TG16 soundtrack is a shame, but I think I might take the plunge anyway.

[Aeana]

Someone should tell XSEED's marketing department (?) that their screens on the Steam page look fucking awful and stretched. :(

Yes, they really do look dreadful. I was commenting on it earlier, and I was having second thoughts about pre-ordering until Sara linked those images here.

No TG16 soundtrack is a shame, but I think I might take the plunge anyway.

This is something that could be easily added in by anyone, just as it was in the Complete versions of the games.

[wyrdwad]

Someone should tell XSEED's marketing department (?) that their screens on the Steam page look fucking awful and stretched. :(

Yeah, we know. Steam, uh... doesn't seem to like 4:3 screenshots. We're working on getting better ones to replace those.

-Tom

[Eusis]

Yes, they really do look dreadful. I was commenting on it earlier, and I was having second thoughts about pre-ordering until Sara linked those images here.

Meanwhile I just kinda figured Valve forgot games were ever in aspect ratios other than 16:9.

[pyrandes]

Wasn't sure as to what differentiated it from the PSP version... but looks like a lot of love went into this version. Definitely double dipping for this one (and replaying it again, something I've had a mind to do for the past month or two).

[biocat]

Yay! But wasn't a very well done fan translation already released for Complete?

[wyrdwad]

Yay! But wasn't a very well done fan translation already released for Complete?

Complete doesn't run well on modern systems without a lot of nudging. Also, this version has all the Chronicles additions, like selectable soundtracks (including an all-new studio performance recorded by the JDK Band in 2009) and selectable character art.

Plus, our translation is even better, because it's based on that very same fan-translation... but with a full editing pass to smooth it over and make it really sparkle! ;)

-Tom

[jooey]

Yay! But wasn't a very well done fan translation already released for Complete?

Your point being... what? That no one should buy this?

[Aeana]

Yay! But wasn't a very well done fan translation already released for Complete?

Complete has problems on modern operating systems, and isn't flexible with regards to resolutions and such. The translation in this release is actually the same translation from the fan translation; they licensed it from Deuce. Well, I'm sure it's been touched up a fair bit.

[Terra_Ex]

Good stuff, will definitely buy them, need more decent jrpgs on the pc.

[ambientmystic]

Great news, bumping this thread coz' the game needs all the exposure it can get!

Keep on bringing those Falcom Ys games to Steam, XSEED! More localized Japanese games are always welcome.

EDIT:- Judging from the screenshots posted by Sara it seems like Complete mode is the way to go.

[not psycho]

Pre-ordered. I think 2x size unfiltered complete mode is the best the game can be played.

[mclem]

This is something that could be easily added in by anyone, just as it was in the Complete versions of the games.

Now I'm intrigued. I have the TG16CD version on VC, I wonder if there's a way to extract the audio.

[Aeana]

Now I'm intrigued. I have the TG16CD version on VC, I wonder if there's a way to extract the audio.

The music is all audio tracks on the CD, so you can rip the music like any other CD. EDIT: Oh, you said VC. I don't know how that works.

[MTMBStudios]

Keep putting out more Japanese games on Steam/PC.
Will definitely get this down the line.

[PixyJunket]

Pre-ordered. I think 2x size unfiltered complete mode is the best the game can be played.

Dropping truth bombs here.

Edit: Actually, I would probably go with 2x Unfiltered Chronicles Mode myself. But what's important is 2x Unfiltered.

[RedSwirl]

Yeah, we know. Steam, uh... doesn't seem to like 4:3 screenshots. We're working on getting better ones to replace those. -Tom

Seems to be how it is for all 4:3 screenshots on Steam.

[Dambrosi]

Oh HELL YEAH. I don't say this often, but Day One, release date and funds permitting.

Oh, and another 2x Unfiltered Chronicles Mode vote here. Whatever that gets me.

[Decado]

can we take this as a sign that the other Ys games on steam did OK?

[Mrbob]

Sweet. Pre ordering tonight.

[Bassmastergeneral]

I should take a picture of all of the different versions of these games I own :P

Very awesome that they've prepared a special release. I would have been happy with complete versions on steam. Love the selectable music on chronicles.

Pre-ordered!

[TheExodu5]

Sounds like they're doing a great job with this release. Looking forward to it.

Here's hoping we see Trails in the Sky down the road.

[Gaogaogao]

more pc steam games plz xseed

[Lain]

Someone should tell XSEED's marketing department (?) that their screens on the Steam page look fucking awful and stretched. :(

Ahaha, I was thinking just that as I was browsing the steam page after seeing someone bought it on my friend list.

[biocat]

Complete doesn't run well on modern systems without a lot of nudging. Also, this version has all the Chronicles additions, like selectable soundtracks (including an all-new studio performance recorded by the JDK Band in 2009) and selectable character art. Plus, our translation is even better, because it's based on that very same fan-translation... but with a full editing pass to smooth it over and make it really sparkle! ;) -Tom

That's good to know. Last time I played Complete was on XP probably. I still have the book style LE sitting in my room. I haven't played it on anything modern.

I wasn't insinuating that anyone shouldn't buy this. I'm a huge Falcom fan and wouldn't dare try to hurt their sales. I just wanted to know explicitly what is superior about this new version.

Thanks for the quick reply.

[Teknoman]

Does complete mode feature the theme of Adol intro? Or is that something you can only get on the TG16/PCengine release?

[Sara]

Does complete mode feature the theme of Adol intro? Or is that something you can only get on the TG16/PCengine release?

There's something like that included with Complete as a separate EXE; the Eternal opening, I think?
We're looking into porting it over to Chronicles+ but it won't be in at launch.

[polyh3dron]

OK I'll buy this.

[Teknoman]

There's something like that included with Complete as a separate EXE; the Eternal opening, I think? We're looking into porting it over to Chronicles+ but it won't be in at launch.

Cool, looking forward to it.

[Yuterald]

Hmm. Would rather have something I already don't own, but this is cool, I guess. I'd like to get a proper Xanadu Next release, a Zwei!! game, or two? Yeah, I get it, not going to happen any time soon.. =(

[Strange in Stereo]

So bought.

[vall03]

pre-ordered the game, can't wait to play the game again. Anyway, it says "Ys I" on my Steam library, will it be separate installs for each game?

[AlphaDragoon]

Hell yes, I'm in.

[Sara]

pre-ordered the game, can't wait to play the game again. Anyway, it says "Ys I" on my Steam library, will it be separate installs for each game?

Yup, it will. The preorder is a little broken right now and only shows Ys I, as well as being able to "install" Ys I (without actually downloading anything). It'll get fixed soon enough.

[bishopcruz]

Complete doesn't run well on modern systems without a lot of nudging. Also, this version has all the Chronicles additions, like selectable soundtracks (including an all-new studio performance recorded by the JDK Band in 2009) and selectable character art. Plus, our translation is even better, because it's based on that very same fan-translation... but with a full editing pass to smooth it over and make it really sparkle! ;) -Tom

You lie sir! You call her Reah! That automatically makes it worse. ;P And no, I will never forgive you for that. I'll take the bitterness to my grave.

Seriously though, is the script the same one used in the PSP version?

Game is preordered, I cannot wait, differences in opinion over translations aside. Now all we need is Ys VI and we have a full release off all the Falcom PC Ys games, and that would be pretty sweet. I still remember buying Ys 1 and 2 complete off of Falcom's store and paying over $100 for them shipped. Worth every penny. These games still stand up even today, and the more people that can play them, the better.

[Teknoman]

I'd like to see Dinosaur Resurrection after hearing this:

Wind Tower

[Sara]

Seriously though, is the script the same one used in the PSP version?

Yes, it's identical aside from some minor adjustments made for the change over to PC/Steam.

[Zapages]

Will pre-order as soon as possible... Its a great series and game. :)

[super-famicom]

Japanese games on Steam? I heartily approve!

Quick, Someone tweet this news to Kamiya!