Ys IX: Monstrum Nox

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is some of the most fun I have had within the action-JRPG genre, period. The adventure includes everything you could ask from the series, with the addition of an addicting gameloop, well-written character-driven narrative, a stellar soundtrack, and great controls. This is not a title to be slept on. Any fans of JRPGs worth their salt should give this adventure a shot, regardless if they have experience with the Ys series. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a masterpiece that only seems to stumble when balancing its level of difficulty.

Whether you’re dipping in and out or hunkering down with it for a long ol’ gaming sesh, Ys IX is captivating, rewarding, and worthy JRPG. [Issue#186, p.83]

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a more than worthy new entry in the series, thanks to its gripping story, great exploration mechanics, solid combat, and a very tight pace that keeps players interested and leaves them hungering for more. The low difficulty level, dated visuals, and a hit-and-miss soundtrack impact the experience slightly but in no way tarnish the quality of the game, which is, everything considered, even slightly better than its excellent predecessor.

While it isn’t perfect, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is one of the best action-RPGs I’ve played in recent years. With fantastic combat, a compelling story and characters, and exploration which is among my favorite in any recent game, after a slow first hour or two it grabbed me and never let go. Whether you’re a series veteran or you’ve never played an Ys game in your life, you’ll find an adventure that’s well worth taking.

Performance-wise Ys IX ran smoothly on the PS4 copy I had, though there have been issues with playing the game through the PS5’s backwards compatibility. Meanwhile, on PS4 there were rarely ever any framerate dips (and even then they were barely noticeable), and combat remaining fluid and responsive. This was thanks to a patch carried over from the Japanese version, which thankfully prevented those in the West from suffering through constant framerate dips. Other movements such as general running and climbing are just as fluid.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox might just be the best Ys game yet. More emphasis on storytelling and a wider range of gameplay elements makes for a game that’s a little more absorbing, and one that also gives you some time to breathe between all the fast-paced action. It takes a little time to get going, but once the narrative is in its stride you’ll want to know more about the Monstrums that battle by your side, and what secrets the Prison at the heart of Balduq holds. Add on top lashings of entertaining combat and a soundtrack that’s a pleasure to your ears from beginning to end, and you have a game that’s simply a joy to throw yourself into.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is an outstanding RPG and a big step forward for Ys, with superb story, combat, and characters — plus one of the best settings in the series. Ys IX: might not do everything perfectly, but it's one heck of a wild ride and a good contender for the best Ys game to date.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is, let's just come out and say it, pretty weird. But the most important question to me, however, is whether it's any fun or not. And, despite all of the changes, I think that it is. Would I want this to be the formula for every Ys game from here on out? Heck no. But a literal antithesis to Ys VIII's Seiren Island—which is absolutely what this game is—is really charming in its own way, and the fact that Falcom was able to add so many novel features while still keeping this game Ys-like at its heart is genuinely impressive. You'd think that basically being able to do whatever you want in this game would make it ridiculously easy, but I can promise you that it's not. It's hard, it's charming, it's enjoyable, and, despite Adol looking like a vampire lord, it's absolutely a Ys game to its very core.

The new adventure of Adol Christin results in a notable game that keeps many of the features seen in the previous title with new ones that are mixing with an interesting story, a charismatic cast of companions and plenty of side content to do.

Despite its flaws, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is an excellent action RPG and one that most Ys fans will adore.

By the end of my adventure I almost felt embarrassed that I’d missed out on the Ys franchise for so long. It has some pacing and technical issues, but the loveable characters, intriguing story and fantastic combat and movement far exceeded my expectations and made me want to experience everything I’ve missed. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox has made me a Ys fan and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Similarly to its predecessor, the only thing Ys is missing is a budget in line with current standards. Many might be repelled by the aged graphics and the crude direction, but those who manage to get past that will find the very best of old-school A-RPG. Thanks to explosive fights, very generous content and heroes whose powers give a good boost to the exploration, Ys is a must-have for fans of modest but lovingly made Japanese productions.

For all that Ys IX: Monstrum Nox does that's new, there's no denying that it's still a tried-and-true Ys game at its core. Although I wish it took more risks with its setting and gameplay, it's still a great action RPG that fans like me will love.

This is a great ARPG, with the best combat in the series and very good ideas. It is, however, a bit repetitive and visually outdated, although that doesn’t affect the solid core of this entry.

Ys 9 builds on the strengths of its predecessors, but doesn’t enhance it with modern visuals.

I ultimately found Ys IX: Monstrum Nox a satisfying Japanese RPG, but I wish the journey getting there was a little less conversation, a little more action, please.

It might be unfair of me to make so many comparisons between Ys VIII and IX, but like I said, I absolutely loved VIII. IX does a lot of things well, but many elements are subpar compared to how its predecessor handled them. Still, the Gift abilities make the city of Balduq a delight to explore, and the tried-and-true battle system is as exhilarating as it ever was. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is not as polished or as fulfilling as Ys VIII, but second best is nothing to scoff at. This is a fantastic RPG, and an excellent entry in this long running, underappreciated series.

Newcomers risk drowning in a sea of references, while franchise veterans are bound to be put off by more cut-scenes than the series is known for, but Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is an astonishingly addictive action-RPG that just gets better as it goes on. A rough opening and choppy plotting undersell a genuinely gripping mystery that reflects on Adol's history as an adventure, culminating in an incredible last act. Falcom's dungeon design is the best it's been in years and the numerous gameplay additions made to combat bring the Seven Engine close to capturing the same highs that defined the Napishtim era. Monstrum Nox may not live up to its narrative potential, but Ys IX's gameplay only leaves one thing to be desired: more.

A more serious and engaging story combined with the always entertaining gameplay we see in Ys series, made Ys IX: Monstrum Nox one of the best games in the series and one of the best JRPGs of the year.

Ys IX Monstrum Nox remains another strong entry in the Ys franchise, offering up engaging combat fans will love. Visuals don't push any envelopes by any stretch and the writing has its hiccups, but Monstrum Nox has everything that makes a Ys title great.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox follows closely the footsteps of the Ys series and at the same time it greatly enriches the gameplay and the exploration, features that deliver a great, lengthy and enjoyable game.

Ys has always had some of the most entertaining combat married with some of the best soundtracks in the RPG genre. However, Monstrum Nox manages to improve upon that already solid base with the titular Monstrum powers that elevate the exploration and boss battles thereby making both the moment-to-moment gameplay as well as the crowning encounters all the more entertaining. It comes together into an RPG experience that is not to be missed.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is another fine adventure for Adol Christin. Considering previous entries like Lacrimosa of Dana and Memories of Celceta were more light-hearted affairs, IX’s darker themes is a slight departure, but it forges a strong identity of its own. Packed with a fun (if not especially vibrant) setting, enjoyable gameplay and engaging narrative, some smaller issues hold it back, and Nihon Falcom’s game engine is certainly looking tired. Regardless, any long-term Ys fans would do well to pick this one up.

Despite some pacing issues and repetitive level design, Ys IX: MonstrumNox is a worthwhile journey for Adol that pushes the series forward in the right direction by introducing a plethora of new gameplay elements that I hope to see expanded even further in the next adventure.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is the most ambitious Ys game to date, delivering a larger focus on narrative and a much more involved and organic world to explore. The game stumbles under its ambitions a bit, with a slow opening chapter and a consistently struggling framerate. Despite those issues, though, this is easily one of the best entries in the long-running franchise, and while veteran fans will get a lot out of the callbacks sprinkled throughout the game, newcomers are still in for one of the best action RPGs of the year.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is another great addition to the Ys series of JRPGs. The gameplay loop does settle in very quickly with some repetitive environments but the combat is superb as always and the new traversal abilities are a lot of fun to use.

The more I played Ys IX, the deeper I fell for it. It looks, plays, and sounds similar to Ys VIII, but its emphasis on story and new movement abilities like grappling, gliding, and wall-running gives it a flavor of its own. Better still, action RPG fans who've long been "Ys-curious" can jump into Ys IX without fear of missing out on the ongoing story. The Court of the Crimson King welcomes all adventurers, new and old.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox brings a wide array of impressive gameplay elements in concert with a wonderful cast of characters to make an exhilarating, thoughtful package that’s one of the series’ best.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a great RPG with fast paced combat and plenty to do in its dense world.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is another excellent addition to the Ys series. Its darker tone and gloomier atmosphere help it to stand out from the rest of the series, but it somehow works in its favor. The character writing and narrative framing is a remarkable step-up from previous titles, yet still preserves the thrilling intense action that the Ys series is known for. Some of Monstrum Nox’s sidequests stand among the best in the entire series. I have a few qualms with its repetitive structure, though what truly stings is the frequent crashes I experienced on the PS5. I loved my time with Adol’s adventure throughout Balduq and look forward to his next big adventure.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a continuation of what fans have come to expect from the series and the Monstrum gifts add a new and fun gameplay mechanic. In some ways the Monstrum gifts make this the most fun Ys game to play even though there are other arguments against it being the best one.

Ys IX: With Ys IX: Monstrum Nox, Falcom has once again created a really fun JRPG. In this installment of the saga, enough new features are added to make the game experience even better than the previous one, and despite being weighed down by its graphics, this aspect does not become a barrier that prevents us from enjoying everything that the game has to offer.

While not innovating or twisting the original formula, Ys IX Monstrum Nox is revealed, however, an action-jrpg full of events and extremely rewarding. The psychological introspection of the protagonists, the action valuable and the general pace, lend the side to very few defects. The usual Japanese immobility in technical terms and the heavy linearity are undoubtedly heavy for those who expected an evolution from the excellent Lacrimosa of Dana. Nevertheless, even if weakened by an aspect entirely comparable to a title for PS3 and some drops of tone in the narrative, Ys IX Monstrum Nox remains a valuable game, absolutely indicated to fans of the series and enough circumscribed and autonomous to be played as a stand-alone episode.

Ys IX is probably a step back if directly compared to Lacrimosa of Dana, due to the uneven balance between action and story, but it's still a very solid JRPG, graced by a fast paced combat system.

The night of the monsters may therefore not be the shocking event that we all expected, especially after the achievements of Lacrimosa of Dana, but a good story and the tested gameplay of the series, here embellished with a handful of new mechanics and above all by the Gifts of the Monster, which among other things greatly lighten the exploratory phases, still make it a delightful action RPG.

Overall, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is both a solid addition to the Ys franchise, as well as a good starting point for newcomers. While the combat can get a little repetitive, the overall gameplay loop does enough to keep players coming back for more. Monstrum Nox can feel a bit generic in various aspects at times, but beneath the surface is a deeper RPG than expected. The overall narrative combined with interesting characters, solid gameplay, and strong side content make Ys IX: Monstrum Nox a fun experience.

A new chapter in the long-lasting Nihon Falcom series, that delivers exactly what you expect: classic JRPG experience with outdated tech and gameplay that is still fresh and entertaining.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox doesn’t amaze with branching storylines or groundbreaking visuals, but so much of its design, from smart shortcuts to platforming-based exploration, helps it to feel fast and light on its feet. Getting to know this world serves as a strong invitation to go back to past games, yet it doesn’t make you feel like a loser if you don’t. It’s RPG comfort food that lets you relax and have fun, without getting in its own way.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a good entry in the franchise but Falcom needs to improve on the visuals which now have become too obsolete for today's standards.

Ys IX is a classic action RPG, with great exploration mechanics, an accessible combat system and a beautiful soundtrack. We love the story and new characters, but Nihon Falcom game also shows outdated graphics and some repetitive missions.

Ultimately, Ys 9 is largely the same game as the last one but in a fundamentally less interesting context. As bombastic as the combat is there’s not quite enough depth in it to compensate for the game’s failings, relatively minor as they may be. It’s still an enjoyable and breezy experience (you could beat the whole story in 30 hours with time to spare) but we’d still recommend Ys 8 as the preferred way to dip your toe into Falcom’s waters. Then, if you want a similar experience but just not quite as good, there’s always Ys 9 for afterwards.

Overall, despite all of my complaints, I did have a great time playing through Ys IX. Despite the boring setting and the frustrating continuation of tower defense segments, the core of the game is still Ys. Battles are fun and frantic, and the new exploration mechanics just feel amazing and satisfying to use. The problem is the game feels like a major step back from the previous entry in the series. The stilted storytelling, boring setting, and just decent soundtrack all feed into my feelings of disappointment. Lacrimosa of Dana was one of the best games I played in 2017, and the fact that Ys IX doesn’t reach that high is frustrating. If you’re in the mood for more Ys, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is still worth a play. This isn’t a bad game in the slightest…just a disappointing one compared to the highs of recent series entries.

Ys IX had a lot of potential to clean up everything Ys VIII did wrong with the series, but instead, the developers decided to double-down on those previous decisions. At least in Ys VIII, the hideout where Dogi hangs out and the tower defense elements to protect it make some sense. In Ys IX, the hideout feels forced, and the tower defense element for the Grimwald Nox feels incredibly out of place and forced.

Ys IX Monstrum Nox may come from an established franchise, but it treads the line of least resistance, trying to be as safe as possible. While its painfully slow narrative ends strongly, combat remains its strongest asset. It takes no risks, ending up as an almost cookie-cutter version of the previous title in a different setting.

Once again, Falcom proves its talent for making great games, with tight production times and limites budgets: a must-have for the devoted fans of the series and an accessible starting point for new players.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is another solid action RPG, but it lacks the overall cohesion of its island-based predecessor. The city of Balduq is a disappointingly monotonous setting, and the game's storytelling often feels disjointed. But as is usually the case with Falcom's long-running series, it's the fast-paced, satisfying, and addictive gameplay that elevates the experience. Adol's latest adventure certainly isn't a classic, but for the most part, it's still a fun ride.