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[iavi]

?!?!

Also a little surprised by this comment. A lot of time and effort went into making that trailer, and it's also the first and only HD trailer we've ever released. What makes it qualify as "cheap-looking"?

At any rate, I don't mean to focus on the negative. I'm really glad to see you guys excited for this release, and Volcynika, thank you very much for creating this lovely OT!

-Tom

Yeah, the font used for the blurbs do it a disservice, as mentioned above me, and, ironically enough, the focus gameplay in the trailer, when it's a game that looks this dated, just kind of funks things up. It's an incredibly effective trailer, though, regardless of all that said, so I wonder how much of any of that really matters. The timing/sync with the music track is fantastic.

Got me hyped.

I just hope either of these have an ending vid as badass as Oath's. Holy shit that one was triumphant.

 

[wyrdwad]

Yeah, the font used for the blurbs do it a disservice, as mentioned above me, and, ironically enough, the focus gameplay in the trailer, when it's a game that looks this dated, just kind of funks things up. It's an incredibly effective trailer, though, regardless of all that said, so I wonder how much of any of that really matters. The timing/sync with the music track is fantastic.

Yeah, Brittany's great with matching music and visuals. She also made the launch trailer for Ys Origin, which was absolutely stunning in that regard IMHO.

I just hope either of these have an ending as badass as Oath's. Holy shit that one was triumphant.

Well, Ys I leads right into Ys II, so its ending is more like an intermission before the second act. But Ys II's ending definitely shouldn't disappoint -- it's a classic RPG ending in the vein of old-school Final Fantasies, back when Final Fantasy games had lengthy and satisfying endings that gave each and every character their turn in the spotlight and really made you feel like your efforts meant something.

Falcom endings in general are typically like that. That is one company that knows how to end their games the right way. I still say Gurumin, of all games, has one of the best and most satisfying endings of all time. Gurumin! A game that you'd expect to have a really short, cheezy, uneventful ending, and it actually had me getting all teary-eyed!

So yeah... definitely no worries there. You'll be very pleased, I think.

-Tom

 

[onlyindreams]

Hmmmmm iuno when I'll get around to playing this (still have the other 2 games backlogged) but I bought it just to support publishers possibly releasing more niche Japanese games on steam if this sells well

 

[iavi]

Ava changed to match the occasion!

Going through older art of Adol now only makes me wonder wtf went wrong during the Celceta design process.

 

[wyrdwad]

Ava changed to match the occasion!

Going through older art of Adol now only makes me wonder wtf went wrong during the Celceta design process.

Awww. Not a fan of his look in Celceta? I actually quite like it. It may even be my favorite Adol design since... Ys V, I guess? He always looked either too angry or too emo for my tastes in his official art for most of the other games since then.

-Tom

 

[Prime crotch]

I stopped playing the first because of the last tower, that whole deal of going up and down the tower soured me on what was otherwise an amazing arcadey rpg.

 

[wyrdwad]

I stopped playing the first because of the last tower, that whole deal of going up and down the tower soured me on what was otherwise an amazing arcadey rpg.

You got far enough in that you can probably just switch over to Ys II, which is a much better game in general.

Or just play through the rest of Ys I with a walkthrough, since you're pretty close to the end.

-Tom

 

[iavi]

Awww. Not a fan of his look in Celceta? I actually quite like it. It may even be my favorite Adol design since... Ys V, I guess? He always looked either too angry or too emo for my tastes in his official art for most of the other games since then.

-Tom

Not angry or emo as much as weatherworn, I think. And big/broad like he was in his Ys 7/ Alernate Saga, able to take something down in a grapple match, if need be. Thats a perfect Adol, IMO. He actually looks capable of doing the stuff he does.

The Celceta Adol looks like he's fresh out of middleschool, which kinda works cause it's technically early in the arc, i guess, but still. Nah, not really a fan.

 

[Reknoc]

Can't wait, gonna spend tonight bumpin' n' grindin'.

 

[fushi]

You do indeed. It's amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo-ga8R-KKk

You just don't hear music like that on gaming-related albums anymore! Even the modern JDK Band -- whose CDs are still extremely awesome and well worth picking up! -- have a more modern air to them. This stuff, though, is just... raw, unfiltered and amazing. It's got that earnest indie garage band quality to it that anyone who enjoys '80s music undoubtedly can't get enough of, and remains one of my personal favorite Falcom music releases.

-Tom

Did you by any chance look into getting the original PC Engine CD soundtrack into this? Those are my favorite arranges of Ys I & II.

 

[wyrdwad]

Did you by any chance look into getting the original PC Engine CD soundtrack into this? Those are my favorite arranges of Ys I & II.

We asked about that when we were working on the PSP version (and asked about getting the 16-bit console versions of the Ys III music, too, when we were working on Felghana), but for a variety of reasons, it turned out to be a no-go. Sorry!

-Tom

 

[M3d10n]

If you can't get into the bump combat, what makes you think you'll like this version? It still has that.

The bump combat fells much better in the remakes. It was very stiff in the orginals, but on the remake it's fluid and has great feedback. When you're overleveled and well equiped, it's like running around with a chainsaw.

 

[Arksy]

I regret playing Origins first because I couldn't get into Oath, I'm not entirely sure why. I'm sure it's great and I'll have to get back into it but Origins was an incredible dungeon crawling ARPG.

How does this stack up? Lots of fast paced incredibly tight gameplay? Good story and soundtrack? Great boss battles and style?

 

[LiquidMetal14]

I'm ready.

 

[Jucksalbe]

How does this stack up? Lots of fast paced incredibly tight gameplay? Good story and soundtrack? Great boss battles and style?

The combat is very different and takes some time to get used to, but it is incredibly fast. The soundtrack is amazing, you probably heard some tunes in Ys Origin already, but if you want just listen to some tracks on YouTube. The story is okay, meaning nothing really special, but it's not bad in any way either. You can learn to talk to enemies in Ys II, which leads to the most interesting conversations of the game and makes the final dungeon feel completely different. But most of the time you will spend bashing into enemies.

 

[Prophane33]

The bump combat fells much better in the remakes. It was very stiff in the orginals, but on the remake it's fluid and has great feedback. When you're overleveled and well equiped, it's like running around with a chainsaw.

Sweet. I'd heard/saw that it worked a little bit differently in the PSP remakes. It's still the "bump" combat at heart, but feels much more satisfying/is far less finicky. It's also not like I NEVER got used to it in the originals, I played about...half of Ys 1.

 

[chaosblade]

Re: Ys I & II.

I actually started the Ys series with the PSP version of Chronicles. For whatever reason I decided to start from the beginning, even though it's not really the recommended way to play them. Didn't matter, I enjoyed Ys I and loved Ys II. Played them shortly after launch, so this will be somewhere in the ballpark of a 2 year anniversary for me.

Will have to break away from Fire Emblem briefly to replay these. Had it preordered since it went up.

Re: Trailer.

I actually didn't comment on it before, but I agree with some of the comments about the text. Less is more, show don't tell, etc. I know this was a "feature trailer," but I still think it was too wordy. That's my biggest criticism. It didn't need to explain the different viewport options for example, just saying there are two of them and showing them would look better. Text would also look better if it was smaller and didn't cover the whole screen. And I agree with a comment on XSEED's forums (IIRC?) about sound effects, it seemed a little off without them.

Hatsuu definitely has it in her to make great trailers though. But that's an art in and of itself, it won't come quick and will take lots of practice.

Re:

You can also pick from two different character art styles: the style used in Ys I & II Complete, or a redrawn and more modernized art style with a few extra moe undertones.

Must... resist... commenting...

 

[Arksy]

The combat is very different and takes some time to get used to, but it is incredibly fast. The soundtrack is amazing, you probably heard some tunes in Ys Origin already, but if you want just listen to some tracks on YouTube. The story is okay, meaning nothing really special, but it's not bad in any way either. You can learn to talk to enemies in Ys II, which leads to the most interesting conversations of the game and makes the final dungeon feel completely different. But most of the time you will spend bashing into enemies.

Bought, thanks.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

I bought the game, but I dunno how well it'll run on my computer. I have an ATI video card, and that's why. I'll probably just wait till I put my new computer together to play it, cuz my computer seriously is fucked up. Because I punched the shit out of it because it wasn't working right. And now it's working worse.

The point is, Ys I & II have some of the best music in the entire series. The butt rock is so fucking hard.

 

[Ledsen]

Re: Ys I & II.

I actually started the Ys series with the PSP version of Chronicles. For whatever reason I decided to start from the beginning, even though it's not really the recommended way to play them. Didn't matter, I enjoyed Ys I and loved Ys II. Played them shortly after launch, so this will be somewhere in the ballpark of a 2 year anniversary for me.

Will have to break away from Fire Emblem briefly to replay these. Had it preordered since it went up.

Re: Trailer.

I actually didn't comment on it before, but I agree with some of the comments about the text. Less is more, show don't tell, etc. I know this was a "feature trailer," but I still think it was too wordy. That's my biggest criticism. It didn't need to explain the different viewport options for example, just saying there are two of them and showing them would look better. Text would also look better if it was smaller and didn't cover the whole screen. And I agree with a comment on XSEED's forums (IIRC?) about sound effects, it seemed a little off without them.

Hatsuu definitely has it in her to make great trailers though. But that's an art in and of itself, it won't come quick and will take lots of practice.

Re:



Must... resist... commenting...

Recommended by whom? I'd certainly recommend anyone with an interest in the series to start from the beginning, the first two games are brilliant!

 

[darkside31337]

Re: Ys I & II.

I actually started the Ys series with the PSP version of Chronicles. For whatever reason I decided to start from the beginning, even though it's not really the recommended way to play them. Didn't matter, I enjoyed Ys I and loved Ys II. Played them shortly after launch, so this will be somewhere in the ballpark of a 2 year anniversary for me.

Will have to break away from Fire Emblem briefly to replay these. Had it preordered since it went up.

Re: Trailer.

I actually didn't comment on it before, but I agree with some of the comments about the text. Less is more, show don't tell, etc. I know this was a "feature trailer," but I still think it was too wordy. That's my biggest criticism. It didn't need to explain the different viewport options for example, just saying there are two of them and showing them would look better. Text would also look better if it was smaller and didn't cover the whole screen. And I agree with a comment on XSEED's forums (IIRC?) about sound effects, it seemed a little off without them.

Hatsuu definitely has it in her to make great trailers though. But that's an art in and of itself, it won't come quick and will take lots of practice.

Re:



Must... resist... commenting...

Wait what?

Was going to buy this today but its not the recommended way of starting? What is the recommended way of getting into the franchise then? :|

 

[Arksy]

Wait what?

Was going to buy this today but its not the recommended way of starting? What is the recommended way of getting into the franchise then? :|

I'd personally go with Origins, because it's self-contained and it's really an origin story detailing the world and the goddesses.

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

I still have to touch Origins. I'll finish that before I touch this.

Loved Oath in Felghana. This series is becoming one of my favorites fast.

 

[Isaccard]

Would be nice if we got Ark of Naphitisim on Steam too.

 

[Volcynika]

Would be nice if we got Ark of Naphitisim on Steam too.

Deuce has already offered up his translation, and hopefully it'll be something that they will look into in the future. I hope so, haven't played it since it came out on PS2. That Ernst battle theme, hnnnghhh

 

[Warrior_Keoni]

Would be nice if we got Ark of Naphitisim on Steam too.

I think Napishtim will make its way over eventually.

 

[Reknoc]

Wait what?

Was going to buy this today but its not the recommended way of starting? What is the recommended way of getting into the franchise then? :|

Any of the Ys6 3 or Seven.

 

[Aeana]

Wait what?

Was going to buy this today but its not the recommended way of starting? What is the recommended way of getting into the franchise then? :|

It's a great place to start. It's where lots of people started, being the first two games and all. Starting with one of the more modern games and going backward seems like you're doing yourself a disservice anyway. But it really doesn't matter; start where you want, and play in any order you want.

 

[ttocs]

Glad I found this thread. I forgot this was coming out today. I've always wanted to play these but never got around to picking them up in their previous versions. This seems like one of the better ways to enjoy the series beginning so I took the jump. Going to play it tonight after work.

 

[djtiesto]

Normally being single on Vday sucks but this will definitely ease the pain somewhat... (now if that gamer chick I met the other day wants to go out again, that will help even more )

I'm gonna rip the Turbo soundtrack to use, it's definitely my favorite of all the Ys ones. That crunchy 80's synth sound so prominent in all those early redbook games... I'm such a sucker for that sound.

 

[PixyJunket]

I would say Oath in Felghana is the best starting point.

Origin should be played after I & II (if you intend to play I & II).

 

[kpjolee]

Aww..why today..on Valentines. Cant play until tomorrow.
Thanks for bring this game on Steam. Hope it turns out to be real good and I will keep supporting u guys.

 

[Easy_D]

This shit is so mine as soon as the clock turns 00:01 on the 25th.

I would say Oath in Felghana is the best starting point.

Origin should be played after I & II (if you intend to play I & II).

But I already played Origin

 

[Gunsmithx]

Can't wait to get this installed and go through the games again.

 

[Ledsen]

Wait what?

Was going to buy this today but its not the recommended way of starting? What is the recommended way of getting into the franchise then? :|

This is a great way of starting, just do what you were planning to.

 

[Volcynika]

This shit is so mine as soon as the clock turns 00:01 on the 25th.

Buying the game on my birthday, but not for me (It's ok a friend got it for me already )

 

[Wonko_C]

I'm staring at the "Time left to unlock" screen, and time isn't running any faster. On the contrary, it seems to be going more slowly. What sorcery is this!?

 

[Volcynika]

I'm staring at the "Time left to unlock" screen, and time isn't running any faster. On the contrary, it seems to be going more slowly. What sorcery is this!?

Valve Time!

 

[ryz]

Wait.. so this is a remake of a remake of Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished (1987) and Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished - The Final Chapter (1988)? Sorry, i'm not up to date on the Ys series..

 

[PixyJunket]

Achievements look fun and hilarious.

"NO. I REFUSE TO DRAW THIS."

Wait.. so this is a remake of a remake of Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished (1987) and Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished - The Final Chapter (1988)? Sorry, i'm not up to date on the Ys series..

Yes.

 

[ryz]

Yes.

Sounds good! Will buy then.

 

[wyrdwad]

Wait what?

Was going to buy this today but its not the recommended way of starting? What is the recommended way of getting into the franchise then? :|

The biggest issue with starting with Ys I & II is that they're so incredibly DIFFERENT from the rest of the series. The Ys series has changed and evolved over the years more than almost any other series out there, and while Ys I & II are great, they're very faithful remakes of games originally released in 1987 and 1988, so they have very old-school, obtuse puzzles to solve, cliched/classic plot elements (depending on your point of view), maze-like dungeons and generally simplistic (but satisfying) gameplay.

Other Ys titles like Oath in Felghana and Origin feel much more modernized, while still retaining that same sort of old-school charm, so they're generally more accessible games overall.

Bottom line: Starting with I & II isn't necessarily a terrible idea or anything, but just be aware that they're not very representative of the series as a whole, and don't hesitate to give one of the later games a try if you find yourself not much caring for them.

-Tom

 

[ttocs]

Which game did you guys like better, Ys seven or Oath in Felghana? I played Ys Seven and loved it but never tried Oath on the PSP. I'm wondering if I should pick that up as well on the PC.

 

[PixyJunket]

Which game did you guys like better, Ys seven or Oath in Felghana? I played Ys Seven and loved it but never tried Oath on the PSP. I'm wondering if I should pick that up as well on the PC.

Oath by a million.

Ys Seven is great, but it was very disappointing to me in many ways. Seven has some modern RPG bloat, which went against every other Ys game being ultra lean and focused; where not a minute, item or action is wasted.

 

[wyrdwad]

Which game did you guys like better, Ys seven or Oath in Felghana? I played Ys Seven and loved it but never tried Oath on the PSP. I'm wondering if I should pick that up as well on the PC.

I prefer Oath, but it's a close call. I usually like to say that Oath in Felghana is to Super Metroid as Ys Seven is to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Basically, Ys Seven has a gajillion skills to learn and tons of equipment to find, giving you numerous methods to get through certain parts of the game. It's also got a really big, sprawling overworld with lots of places to go and little optional hidden treasures to find.

Felghana, on the other hand, is a much more elegant, structured experience -- you only get three skills (all of which are extremely important, since they're used to get past environmental hazards and reach new areas Metroidvania-style), no party members and no extraneous locations. A place for everything, and everything in its place.

I'd say if you prefer Super Metroid to Symphony of the Night, then you'll probably prefer Felghana to Seven. If it's the other way around, then... vice versa.

-Tom

 

[Mrbob]

I have this pre ordered but after reading this thread I almost feel like I'm playing them out of order. I finished Origin, and can't decide if I should start Oath next. Or Ys 1.

 

[Sara]

I have this pre ordered but after reading this thread I almost feel like I'm playing them out of order. I finished Origin, and can't decide if I should start Oath next. Or Ys 1.

If Origin's the last one you played, I'd personally go into Ys I & II, but that's just me. Origin and I & II go together well (regardless of which you play first, Origin or I & II). I think following that with Oath might seem just a little odd, but I think it'd go well.

 

[wyrdwad]

I have this pre ordered but after reading this thread I almost feel like I'm playing them out of order. I finished Origin, and can't decide if I should start Oath next. Or Ys 1.

If you played and completed Origin, I think you'll probably enjoy I & II -- especially since there are story links/throwbacks to I & II in Origin that will help make the experience more interesting and cameo-ridden for you.

Probably good to switch things up a bit before playing Felghana anyway, since Origin and Felghana run on the same game engine. I think you should be good to check out I & II next.

-Tom

 

[Truckondo2.0]

Did this game unlock just now? I'm not at my PC and my ipad app has lost the unlock timer. Can't play due to watching my baby boy.

 

[The Grim Heaper]

It's out! Installing 1 now.