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[discoalucard]

Well, Falcom was making its own Ys 4 in partnership with Sega for Sega CD, so they definitely had a firm plan at some point.

Possibly, but they could've just been working on the same way as the others, just giving a vague plan and letting Sega do their own thing. After all, I think Sega handled most of the development of the SCD Popful Mail, which was drastically different from Falcom's own SFC version. I don't think they ever publicly revealed much about it other than stating that it existed at one point. I'm not too familiar with the development of the other Sega-Falcom games though, so maybe they were more closely developed.

 

[Dio]

Possibly, but they could've just been working on the same way as the others, just giving a vague plan and letting Sega do their own thing. After all, I think Sega handled most of the development of the SCD Popful Mail, which was drastically different from Falcom's own SFC version. I don't think they ever publicly revealed much about it other than stating that it existed at one point. I'm not too familiar with the development of the other Sega-Falcom games though, so maybe they were more closely developed.

Speaking of Popful Mail, that's a game I'd like to see remade in Chronicles style. It's ridiculously expensive as it stands right now for an english copy.

 

[Aeana]

Possibly, but they could've just been working on the same way as the others, just giving a vague plan and letting Sega do their own thing. After all, I think Sega handled most of the development of the SCD Popful Mail, which was drastically different from Falcom's own SFC version. I don't think they ever publicly revealed much about it other than stating that it existed at one point. I'm not too familiar with the development of the other Sega-Falcom games though, so maybe they were more closely developed.

I'd say the SFC version of Popful Mail is the one that stands out apart from both the Sega CD release and the original PC98 game, which Falcom made.

 

[Jucksalbe]

So which is the best version of Popful Mail or what are the differences? I only own the SFC version, but I barely played it.

 

[Taruranto]

I was under the impression that Falcom only sketched a vague scenario, then left Hudson/Tonkin House to do their own thing with it, which is how they ended up with two mostly different games but with the same characters and roughly the same basic plot.

Maybe you mean Ys V? There was a scenario that was released in the Complete Works book that differed substantially from the released SFC game. The PS2 version integrated some elements from this design.

Yeah, I meant Kefin. Brain fart.

 

[discoalucard]

So which is the best version of Popful Mail or what are the differences? I only own the SFC version, but I barely played it.

PC version - made by Falcom. Looks and feels like a combination between Ys (bump combat) and Legacy of the Wizard (side-scrolling)

PC Engine - similar to the PC version

Sega CD - fixes up the game to feel a lot like Wonder Boy in Monster World, but with more platforming. Larger characters and an attack button. The best of the bunch, personally. Only one localized into English, and one of Working Designs better efforts translation-wise, though they rebalanced the difficulty, so it's significantly harder than the Japanese version.

SFC - similar to the Sega CD version in basic gameplay, but the levels are all completely different. Good, but not as good.

 

[bishopcruz]

Ah, I see what you're saying. But it's doubtful they're going to go back to that after pushing out the new Celceta. Next one on the remake list is Kefin, let's hope they decide to restore some of the cut content from that one. Also: deets on Ys 4 original vision? Just how "different" were the actual Ys IV games to it?

Pretty different. Memories doesn't do HUGE changes until towards the end but:

Spoiler

1. Main bad guy in Mask was Eldeel gone nuts with power, in Dawn it was Arem, the former lord of the Darklings. Arem was a horrible villain. In Dawn Eldiel goes out like a punk.

2. The Mask of the moon in both was actually the Mask of Eyes from Ys 1, in both games you return to Esteria in order to retrieve it. The specifics differ in each game, but the return is part of both. I really missed this.

3. Duren is a lithe thief character, not NotDogi.

4. Lefance had a group of sages that worked with him. I think this was in both Mask and Dawn, but it might have just been dawn.

5. Bammy flat out kills Lilia in Mask, you have to resurrect her. In Dawn I forget what happens, maybe kidnapped?

6. Dogi is nowhere to be seen in Memories, he plays a big role towards the end of Dawn and Mask.

7. The final dungeons in both don't suck ass. Essentially the ancient city is raised from underground, and it becomes a huge Solomon Shrine like dungeon.

8. There is a much clearer link between the Eldean and the Goddesses of Ys.

9. No amnesia plot in either game.

10. Eldiel is just an old god who sits around being cared for and worshipped. Leeza takes care of him, but he is not the one who imparts knowledge to humanity. He is just the last survivor of a species that was hinted at being kind of dicks.

11. Lemnos has practically no role in the game. He is turned into a monster early on, then freed by Adol.

12. Leo is a straight up villain. He's barely in Mask, in Dawn he's around more, until his sudden but inevitable betrayal by Garuda.

13. The Romun occupation is being fought by Karna's tribe.

Those are the big changes off of the top of my head. Though I am sure I am missing a ton. It's been a few years since I played either Mask or Dawn, so I might be misremembering some details.

 

[luka]

Being the "original 4" has no meaning since neither game was developed by Falcom nor free of creative liberties by their respective developers. There's no original vision in either game.

I can't really say I agree with the idea that creative liberties nullify the significance of a game that came out compared to one that didn't. I haven't actually read the original Falcom storyline but I know that even Celceta is significantly different.

 

[Lumpy Onion]

I played a bit of Ys Book 1&2 last night and am still shocked at how meaty the audio is in this game. Hearing this as my first exposure to the series way back when I got my TGCD was incredible. Even with all the updates I still find the TGCD version of Ys 1&2 to be the most balanced versions of the games. Best music versions overall too.

Ys TGCD Intro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT-y7bZlpJM

 

[bishopcruz]

I played a bit of Ys Book 1&2 last night and am still shocked at how meaty the audio is in this game. Hearing this as my first exposure to the series way back when I got my TGCD was incredible. Even with all the updates I still find the TGCD version of Ys 1&2 to be the most balanced versions of the games. Best music versions overall too.

Ys TGCD Intro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT-y7bZlpJM

Oh yeah, Ys blew my mind back in the day. I also remember it was one of the first games that got a 10 from a reviewer in EGM, made me VERY interested in it. What was also pretty impressive was the localization for the time. Yeah, they changed a LOT of names but the actors were actual professionals, and the game just plain sounded great. Add the amazing cinematics on top of it, and the game really stands up as a gem of that era.

As for balance, it's tough to say. Ys 1 becomes a very different game when you don't stop levelling before Darm Tower, it gives you a reason to fight against the standard minions in the game, but it also does give the opion of trivializing some of the boss fights by over levelling.

Then again, there is something theraputic about putting in the Max level password and just destroying everything in sight. It is a great version, even though some of the storyline changes are just odd. Like seriously,

Spoiler

why keep Sarah alive? Why doesn't Adol get shipwrecked like every other version?

 

[Tye The Czar]

Does anyone know of Ys II Special? I heard it was a Korea-exclusive version of Ys II that is a complete overhaul of the original.

Has there been any success with the translation or even emulation?

 

[Psxphile]

Pretty different. Memories doesn't do HUGE changes until towards the end but:
*snip*

Nice. But I was talking about the differences between the first two games and this supposed "Ys IV concept story", the details of which were apparently out there... until that turned out to be a case of mistaken identity with Ys V.

Does anyone know of Ys II Special? I heard it was a Korea-exclusive version of Ys II that is a complete overhaul of the original.

Has there been any success with the translation or even emulation?

Hardcore Gaming 101 talks about it further down the page. I'm not aware of any translation attempts but why would they need to emulate it, it's a PC game right? Granted, there's probably a butt-load of compatibility issues to work out but as you can see from all the screens on that page and this one it can be worked out.

 

[demidar]

The white text on black background makes H101 hard to read at times :/

 

[Tizoc]

I've been meaning to ask something regarding Ys 3 and Oath in Felghana.

Spoiler

Is it ever hinted that Bishop Nicholas is the main villian? At least through speaking with the NPCs?

 

[discoalucard]

I can't really say I agree with the idea that creative liberties nullify the significance of a game that came out compared to one that didn't. I haven't actually read the original Falcom storyline but I know that even Celceta is significantly different.

They've never really released it to my knowledge, but I don't think it's a fully fleshed out storyline, more of a skeleton. This is just from seeing the commonalities between the SFC and the PCE game, but it probably just amounted to Falcom sketching out some characters, locations and the basics of the plot. Like, you'll notice both games have a village in the trees, but both games use them differently. This was because there was a mass exodus of staff from Falcom at the time that Hudson requested it, so they just kinda tossed something together with the people they had.

Does anyone know of Ys II Special? I heard it was a Korea-exclusive version of Ys II that is a complete overhaul of the original.

Has there been any success with the translation or even emulation?

It runs in DOSBox. Years ago when it was discovered there were compatability problems, but it should be playable from start to finish now. There are probably some threads about it still on the Ancient Land of Ys forums, if you can dig them up. No translation efforts, as far as I'm aware.

 

[Lightning Lord]

I've been meaning to ask something regarding Ys 3 and Oath in Felghana.

Spoiler

Is it ever hinted that Bishop Nicholas is the main villian? At least through speaking with the NPCs?

As far as Ys 3 goes,

Spoiler

Garland is simply Galbalan's right-hand man and there is no real build up.

In regards to Oath in Felghana,

Spoiler

they introduce the whole "Bishop Nikolas" persona to throw people who played the original Ys III off,

but as far as actual hinting goes I can't think of anything.

 

[enfieldvball]

Hmmm is $34 a good price to pick up Ys: Memories of Celceta at?
Is the game the same length as Ys: Seven and same content wise?

 

[Holykael1]

Hmmm is $34 a good price to pick up Ys: Memories of Celceta at?
Is the game the same length as Ys: Seven and same content wise?

Absolutely.
Celceta has more content than Seven, especially in the way of exploration, side content and optional stuff. The main story should be around the same length if not slighly longer.

 

[Aeana]

I played/beat Ys 2 Special and it's honestly not that great, although it is one of the better Korean RPGs from that era I've played.

 

[Tizoc]

As far as Ys 3 goes,

Spoiler

Garland is simply Galbalan's right-hand man and there is no real build up.

In regards to Oath in Felghana,

Spoiler

they introduce the whole "Bishop Nikolas" persona to throw people who played the original Ys III off,

but as far as actual hinting goes I can't think of anything.

Ah I see, in the case of Oath

Spoiler

I do recall them mentioning that he researched the Ruins at least, but I don't remember who mentions it @_@

 

[chaobreaker]

I just gotten all the steam achievements in Ys 1 Chronicles+. I played the game twice last January but gave up trying to beat Dark Fact in nightmare mode. Today I felt compelled to try again.

After a couple of attempts I finally managed to beat him a couple of hours ago. Last thing I had to do was beat that boss rush mode but that was nothing compared to the entirety of nightmare mode.

I am going to start Ys II now. Hopefully the boss fights are just as fun.

 

[Viola of the Abyss]

I just gotten all the steam achievements in Ys 1 Chronicles+. I played the game twice last January but gave up trying to beat Dark Fact in nightmare mode. Today I felt compelled to try again.

After a couple of attempts I finally managed to beat him a couple of hours ago. Last thing I had to do was beat that boss rush mode but that was nothing compared to the entirety of nightmare mode.

I am going to start Ys II now. Hopefully the boss fights are just as fun.

The achievement icons are wonderful! XD

 

[Psxphile]

The achievement icons are wonderful! XD

They're something alright.

Oath in Felghana
Origin
Ys I Chronicles
Ys II Chronicles

I still don't understand the butthurt surrounding the 'alone' meme showing up as an achievement.

 

[Lightning Lord]

Ah I see, in the case of Oath

Spoiler

I do recall them mentioning that he researched the Ruins at least, but I don't remember who mentions it @_@

I believe someone mentions the only people who have access to

Spoiler

Illburn Ruins are the clergy or something like that, but it's not very incriminating evidence.

The only character where they really hint that there is more going on than meets the eye is

Spoiler

Sister Nell, when you catch her while she's trying to confess her sins.

 

[linkboy]

I really like that Falcom is going back and tying the games together (Celceta spoiler

Spoiler

like Geis and Ernst being from Danaan)

It really does a great job of connecting everything.

While the stories in Ys games aren't particularly all that great, the world Falcom's created is and the overall story arc is one of the biggest thing that keeps drawing me back to the series.

 

[Holykael1]

I really like that Falcom is going back and tying the games together (Celceta spoiler

Spoiler

like Geis and Ernst being from Danaan)

It really does a great job of connecting everything.

While the stories in Ys games aren't particularly all that great, the world Falcom's created is and the overall story arc is one of the biggest thing that keeps drawing me back to the series.

I agree with this but I think Seven, Origin and Oath have pretty good stories in their own right. They have top notch pacing and execution aswell as genuinely shocking and well pulled of twists.

 

[linkboy]

I agree with this but I think Seven, Origin and Oath have pretty good stories in their own right. They have top notch pacing and execution aswell as genuinely shocking and well pulled of twists.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the stories suck (they're pretty good for game stories, which as we know, tend to lean towards the weaker side of things).

What I love most about YS's stories is that they don't overstay their welcome (the top notch pacing you mentioned).

 

[chaosblade]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the stories suck (they're pretty good for game stories, which as we know, tend to lean towards the weaker side of things).

What I love most about YS's stories is that they don't overstay their welcome (the top notch pacing you mentioned).

I'd say Celceta and Seven's stories overstayed their welcome. Especially Seven.

 

[jb1234]

I'd say Celceta and Seven's stories overstayed their welcome. Especially Seven.

Yeah, Seven's characters talk forever. Some of the story itself is interesting and I like where it ultimately went plot twist-wise but it could have been done with much less words.

 

[luka]

Yeah, Seven's characters talk forever.

that kiseki influence

 

[demidar]

that kiseki influence

I will understand once Sora no Kiseki is released on Steam.

 

[Viola of the Abyss]

Isn't there an option to skip cutscenes?

I like games with heavy story so I don't mind but it's inconvenient not to have the option for those who don't care about the story.

Also a question, can I kick Adol out of the party and keep him underleveled in Celceta? Or do I need him further on?

They're something alright.

Oath in Felghana
Origin
Ys I Chronicles
Ys II Chronicles

I still don't understand the butthurt surrounding the 'alone' meme showing up as an achievement.

Beautiful, simply beautiful!

 

[luka]

Oath's steam achievements are pretty awful. Beating the final boss on nightmare without taking damage I can do, but doing that escort quest on every single difficulty is just unreasonable...

 

[linkboy]

Isn't there an option to skip cutscenes?

I like games with heavy story so I don't mind but it's inconvenient not to have the option for those who don't care about the story.

Also a question, can I kick Adol out of the party and keep him underleveled in Celceta? Or do I need him further on?



Beautiful, simply beautiful!

Celceta spoilers

Spoiler

You'll need him for the end of the game, so I'd recommend leveling him up

 

[discoalucard]

While the stories in Ys games aren't particularly all that great, the world Falcom's created is and the overall story arc is one of the biggest thing that keeps drawing me back to the series.

What drives me nuts is how much retconning there is, not to mention the inconsistencies between ports. (Sara the Fortune Teller being killed vs. kidnapped, for instance.) Also, what you posted in that spoiler, obviously none of that was in any of the previous versions of Ys IV.The PS2 port of Ys V made some stronger connections to the Eldeen arc where there wasn't any previously. It makes it hard to keep straight if you've been playing the games for a long time.

 

[Viola of the Abyss]

Celceta spoilers

Spoiler

You'll need him for the end of the game, so I'd recommend leveling him up

Spoiler

I wanted an all girls party... Also this means I can't use Frieda as continuously switching party members to kill Slash resistant monsters would be a pain >_>

 

[linkboy]

What drives me nuts is how much retconning there is, not to mention the inconsistencies between ports. (Sara the Fortune Teller being killed vs. kidnapped, for instance.) Also, what you posted in that spoiler, obviously none of that was in any of the previous versions of Ys IV.The PS2 port of Ys V made some stronger connections to the Eldeen arc where there wasn't any previously. It makes it hard to keep straight if you've been playing the games for a long time.

Which is why I think Falcon has been remaking some of the games (III,IV and I fully expect V at some point in time). to try and clear up the continuity disaster that the storyline had become.

Sure, they're retconning the hell out of it, but they're developing a constant arc between all the games.

 

[Psxphile]

Having the Wing of Alma key item perform double duty as a 'fast travel' between all activated save points on the overworld in Napishtim would go a loooong way in alleviating that game's backtracking issues. Even better if you can warp to points inside dungeons/caves as well, and simply eliminate it's original purpose of allowing you to escape dungeons from anywhere inside since all it does is take you to a designated save point.

Another thing to add to the Steam x Napishtim wish list. I'm not holding out hope on this one, though.

Also, what's the point of this punk:

He's an optional fight on Quatera Island and pretty tough when you first find him, but in time you can come back and take him out. But you get nothing significant for your trouble. What a dick.

Also, this guy? Fuck this guy right here:

 

[Lumpy Onion]

The fish boss in Celceta has been making me avoid this game because of frustration.I even switched to normal ages ago and am still finding things challenging in the game overall. Heard it was a really easy game so I'm a bit surprised or maybe I'm just rusty.

Also just got to the final dungeon (I assume) of Ys 7. To be honest this has one of the most fun stories I've seen in a JRPG in a while. Totally caught me off guard with the story twists. I always hear how 7 doesn't have a good story so it is nice to be pleasantly surprised and liking it.

 

[Sir Ilpalazzo]

Oath's steam achievements are pretty awful. Beating the final boss on nightmare without taking damage I can do, but doing that escort quest on every single difficulty is just unreasonable...

The level 60 one is pretty absurd too.

 

[kiriin]

The fish boss in Celceta has been making me avoid this game because of frustration.I even switched to normal ages ago and am still finding things challenging in the game overall. Heard it was a really easy game so I'm a bit surprised or maybe I'm just rusty.

That boss in particular seem to get a lot people offguard. Try to be patient and get the timing down eventually he'll open a weakpoint where you can burst down his entire health in one go.

 

[Levyne]

That fish boss is one of the few that I just kind of outlasted without really learning the fight.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

I still don't understand the butthurt surrounding the 'alone' meme showing up as an achievement.

eh, I think it's mostly because it seems dumb to saddle a game with a meme that won't be the slightest bit amusing in a few months. I didn't have a problem with it, but I get why some people did.

 

[keisuke999]

I think of Ys stories the same way I think about SOTN or Megaman. The characters and stories themselves don't really mean much. Like, I don't really care, as I can guess the entire plot pretty early.

But, the gameplay is just too good and music is just too perfect to let dumb stories get in the way.

 

[jdkluv]

The fish boss in Celceta has been making me avoid this game because of frustration.I even switched to normal ages ago and am still finding things challenging in the game overall. Heard it was a really easy game so I'm a bit surprised or maybe I'm just rusty.

Just spam at his antenna with skills that have a high stun.

Also, this guy? Fuck this guy right here:

fuck you

 

[Viola of the Abyss]

Ys Community Thread |OT2| "Do you know the name A'dol C'hristin?"

On other news, I'm almost finished with Celceta. I'm liking it very very much despite the rough beginning. I finally managed to more or less understand how the loot system works and how to take advantage of it. Even just walking around the map to discover a little more of it is pleasant!
So far I'm liking it more than Felghana in both gameplay (those Felghana flying enemies *argh*) and story but not as much as Ys I.

 

[One Foul Note]

Ys Community Thread |OT2| "Do you know the name A'dol C'hristin?"

On other news, I'm almost finished with Celceta. I'm liking it very very much despite the rough beginning. I finally managed to more or less understand how the loot system works and how to take advantage of it. Even just walking around the map to discover a little more of it is pleasant!
So far I'm liking it more than Felghana in both gameplay (those Felghana flying enemies *argh*) and story but not as much as Ys I.

Did you find yourself using the loot/crafting system a lot? I am currently progressing through that game (at the very fish boss that has been referenced earlier) and I'm finding difficult to ever want to upgrade my gear given the level of resources required and the fairly rapid rate I am acquiring new gear which makes the entire practice kinda pointless. I can see their being a tipping point where it becomes a lot more viable (and do wish their is one since I like the crafting concept) but currently I am barely touching it.

 

[Reknoc]

 

[kiriin]

^ The animation is quite funny. A tons of references and cameo from Falcom's games.

 

[demidar]

What's that from?