Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. Feb 21, 2017
    85
    I appreciate what DotEmu has done with the console port of Ys Origin. A story localized this good deserves to be easily accessed by gamers on as many ports as possible.
  2. Apr 3, 2017
    82
    Ys Origin is a great place to start if you're new to the series like I am. It offers some replayability and the chance to explore the world of Ys, tempting you to delve into the rest of the series. If you already own the PC version, there's not really any reason to pick up this port, as there are hardly any changes. However, I can safely say this is the perfect time to get into Ys; with Ys VIII releasing sometime this year, and the easy accessibility of the rest of the series both on Steam and PSN, you'd be doing yourself a disservice passing up this solid series.
  3. Feb 21, 2017
    82
    While Ys Origin feels like a relic of the mid-2000's, its fast paced combat still stands the test of time and should satisfy fans waiting for Ys VIII's global release.
  4. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Apr 11, 2017
    80
    A total nostalgia bomb from start to finish, this JRPG has all the spells and whistles - not to mention ornate text boxes and a wonderful original soundtrack. Count me in. [Apr 2017, p.91]
  5. Mar 13, 2017
    80
    Ten years on his shoulders and Ys Origin is still one of the most enjoyable action-RPG ever made.
  6. 80
    Ys Origin may be over a decade old by this point but the quality shines through. It plays very well, moves at a fair pace and there’s enough content to keep you busy for a long time.
  7. Feb 27, 2017
    80
    Ys Origin on PlayStation 4 is a great action RPG that will appeal to anyone looking for a mechanically competent and musically magnificent experience from over a decade ago.
  8. Feb 27, 2017
    80
    Ys Origin is over a decade old and holds up well despite showing its age. It’s not a lengthy game and a single playthrough will only take roughly ten hours, though if one were to want to see the full story with every character, its brevity makes that much more feasible. Being as this is a dungeon crawler centered around climbing a massive tower, the short length makes it just long enough to feel like it is a complete game without overstaying its welcome. Even on easy, the boss fights won’t hand over a victory without a fight, and the nightmare difficulty will challenge even the most seasoned Ys veteran. While this is a fun game and should be played by all Ys fans, I would be more inclined to recommend it to people who are already fans of the franchise.
  9. Feb 25, 2017
    80
    As a huge fan of Ys ever since the beginning of the franchise, I'm thrilled to be able to enjoy Ys Origin on the big screen. It may not be a perfect entry in the long-running series but it's one that genre fans will definitely find hard to put down.
  10. 80
    Ys Origin is a wonderful action-RPG that's a handy reminder to us all that timeless, scrupulous game design often ages graciously, gracefully and beautifully.
  11. Feb 21, 2017
    80
    This is a very accessible but deep RPG, very enjoyable and replayable. Spanish-speaking players will also find texts in their mother tongue, something quite rare for games like this one.
  12. Mar 9, 2017
    76
    Ys Origin is a simple but very enjoyable and replayable Action RPG. If you like this genre and the series, don't miss it.
  13. Mar 4, 2017
    75
    Ys Origin is a good throwback to a time when action RPG were much simpler than they are today, but also a reminder that simple gameplay can be enjoyable and fun even ten or more hours later. The only downsides are a short length and a lack of variety, but this is nonetheless recommended to Adol Christin fans.
  14. Mar 13, 2017
    70
    Ys Origin is a great gateway into the Ys series, as well as another high-quality entry for those who are already sold on the series. Its streamlined approach offers a perfect combination of being able to showcase what Ys is all about without demanding too much of time commitment. Those looking for an engaging experience of combat and exploration should check it out.
  15. Mar 8, 2017
    70
    If you don't mind the game's port-related problems and weird changes, there's a chance that you could still have a good time with hacking your way through its enemies and bosses – especially if you're down with turning your Sony systems into your Ys machines. If anything, it's important for one to see if they can put up with DotEmu's work before they accept their mission to find the twin Goddesses.
  16. Mar 8, 2017
    70
    While things can feel monotonous in places, Ys Origin is a fun ride, and a great introduction to the series for newcomers. Existing fans are sure to enjoy the additional story, though - it's one that only adds to an already rich mythology. Feeling like a fresh escape from the hand-holding that's found in many RPGs these days, Ys Origin is also a welcome challenge that's sure to please those looking to test their skills.
  17. Mar 6, 2017
    70
    Despite its age, Ys Origin is a solid dungeon-crawling RPG adventure to rival the best of current gen games.
  18. 65
    Ys Origin isn’t a great game, even with the various modes, difficulty settings, and characters that unlock for replayability, simply because it’s straight dungeon crawl with little variety. However, these issues prevent Ys Origin from being as good as it could be, and they certainly make it difficult to recommend the title to newcomers of Ys.
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 56 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 56
  2. Negative: 9 out of 56
  1. Feb 26, 2017
    8
    Por un lado, los fans de la franquicia ya lo habrán adquirido (aunque no se trate de la mejor entrega de la misma, ni mucho menos. Ese honorPor un lado, los fans de la franquicia ya lo habrán adquirido (aunque no se trate de la mejor entrega de la misma, ni mucho menos. Ese honor para mi va a Ys: Oath Of Felgana), los que quieran iniciarse en el género de los Action JRPG se me ocurren pocos lugares mejores donde empezar, y, sencillamente, si te gustan un mínimo los videojuegos te gustara.

    Es cierto que con las gafas del día de hoy puede parecer simple, desfasado, y genérico, pero es una de esas joyitas que nos recuerdan de vez en cuando como se hacían los juegos antaño, y es capaz de sacarle los colores a mas de un juego de la actual generación. Una aventura larga (8-9 horas con cada personaje), divertida y muy bien diseñada. Y no menos importante, ¡¡traducida a nuestro idioma!! (el primer Ys que puede atribuirse ese logro).

    Un gran título que esperemos sirva para la llegada de la saga completa a los sistemas actuales, y la gente empiece a conocer (y admirar como es debido) esta gran saga.
    Full Review »
  2. May 3, 2023
    8
    I enjoy this game. I was scared this first when I learnt that I have to paly three times to get the real ending but it's really enjoyableI enjoy this game. I was scared this first when I learnt that I have to paly three times to get the real ending but it's really enjoyable even if I got really tired of seeing the tower.

    It has just the right amount of links it takes around 5 to 6 hours to beat a campaign and it doesn't field prolonged.

    The combat system is really fun and fast-paced and you really get to enjoy all the characters even if magic boy was the one I enjoyed the least because magic spam is not as fun as axe in the face.

    The character story was really enjoyable. I got some emotion and feelings out of it that I didn't expect and I really enjoyed the last character story and first girl.
    Full Review »
  3. Mar 12, 2023
    7
    Pros
    - fun combat against varied enemies
    - 3+1 characters with varied skills and playstyles (3 of them have their own EX forms able to buy
    Pros
    - fun combat against varied enemies
    - 3+1 characters with varied skills and playstyles (3 of them have their own EX forms able to buy from the post game arena shops making the total of characters up to 7)
    - interesting story told from three different points of view
    - plethora of post game content to keep you satisfied and for you to get your money's worth

    Cons
    - the three playthroughs happen through the same 25 floors, with the only changes being boss order and cutscenes
    - game is weirdly optimized to the point it crashes if you die more than two times, but this happens only on the first two main bosses

    Ys Origin is a game I wish I had gotten as a child since there is so much content to lose your time to. The story feels like an early 2000 anime and it gets told to you from the three different perspectives of three distinct characters: Yunica, Hugo and Toal.

    The moment you are finished with one of the three playthroughs you open up the boss rush and boss arena for you to bash your head against a plethora of challenges. It also opens up a shop in which you can spend the currency earned in those extra challenges for various bonuses and other things.

    One of the unlockables are the superforms of the three protagonists, plus a bonus fourth character which you can then throw at the story and the challenges as well. This game offers so much content for such a low asking price, you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't play it.

    As to the bad, if you want the full story and to unlock all the post game content, you must finish the three playthroughs that are on offer. These playthroughs will run you through the same twenty five floors, with the same enemies (though different boss order). What makes this bearable is the fact that the three protags have different enough fighting styles and abilities that it is kept fun.

    What I find less excusable is the fact that the game has a tendency to crash on the first two major boss fights if you die more than two times. For a 2017 PS4 remaster of a 2006 game I find it more than sad the game crashes on a PS5. You can avoid this by overleveling the bosses though.

    Ys Origin is an ARPG and thus you can overlevel anything and make sure you don't die as often. The difference a single level makes is so massive that cannot be overstated. If you are the same level as the boss you will have 200 HP and it will be doing 25 damage to you. One level higher and you have 206 HP but you are getting hit for 10 damage. And then two levels above you have 211 HP and suddenly they hit for 1 damage. Overleveling works wonders.

    All in all Ys Origin works best as a solid pallet cleanser between your bigger games you intend to play. However If you are a fan of the grander Ys series, this game does a decent job of setting up the events of the first game. Definitely recommend this hidden gem.
    Full Review »