Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA

The truth is after picking up Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana I simply couldn’t put it down until I finished the story. In the end, I found myself attached to many of the characters that I met along the way and part of me wished that this Ys adventure never had to end.

It took years for Falcom to develop the perfect entry in the series, and with Ys VIII: Lacrimosa Of Dana, they finally managed to do so by refining the renewed story focus and gameplay mechanics introduced in Ys Seven without taking away what makes the series so enjoyable. With a well-executed, albeit not really original story, charming cast, fast paced battle system, engaging boss battles, tight challenge level and plenty of side-content, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa Of Dana is without a doubt the best entry in the series and one of the best action role-playing games released this year.

If you’ve never played a previous Ys game, like me, this is a great game to experience despite the long history and number in its title. Lasting just over 40 hours for me, this is a relatively easy recommendation for even none JRPG fans who prefer more mechanically driven games.

Aside from the one or two issues it has Ys VIII is a magnificent game, it's fun to play, with mechanics that suit both casual players while giving more hardcore gamers a challenge. The plot is compelling and the characters memorable, while the music is not only enjoyable but also instills a sense of adventure and nostalgia that serves to endear the whole experience to the player. It’s the perfect starting point for new players while remaining true to the saga’s long legacy.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is at times a somewhat enjoyable game that feels stuck in the past. The dominating storytelling however, is brought down by a stiff and unnatural translation

I often found myself torn between pushing the main story forward and doing all the side activities, but the real tell was I just really enjoyed spending time in the game no matter what I was doing. The graphics, music, and game mechanics all work well together to provide many hours of delightful and fun entertainment.

Ys VIII puts players back in the shoes of Adol as he sets off on his new adventure. It brings a first class, action-packed and responsive combat system Falcom fans expect, and keeps a high-energy pace throughout the adventure. It also surprises fans with an increased focus on story that pays off with a generally engaging narrative with great pacing, and a cast of simple but varied characters that will keep players interested. Though it doesn't match the technical prowess of other games with a similar visual style, it nevertheless manages to create a highly immersive world and engaging exploration through a wide array of different and interesting environments, a strong soundtrack, and Metroidvania-inspired exploration.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is easily the most ambitious entry in series to date, with an expansive world map and a greater emphasis on storytelling. It carries the proud tradition of a skillfully satisfying and lightning fast combat engine, paired with a soundtrack that could only have been composed by the legends at Team JDK. It makes a strong case, not only as one of the best Ys games ever made, but also as a contender for game of the year.

Despite the rough visuals and occasional storytelling misstep, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana delivers some of the best music and combat of any RPG out there.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA has its share of flaws but its very satisfying combat more than makes up for it while the fun exploration and good story kept me going through all of it. Ys fans will love this one, and those new to the series are sure to get some enjoyment with the solid fast paced action that might turn them into fans as well. This is definitely a game I would like to have with me to play if I ever get shipwrecked on a deserted island.

Ys VIII is a fantastic new action RPG from Falcom that is great for getting into the excellent Ys franchise and one that has a ton of quality content and sublime combat.

Ys VIII is a great adventure, with a solid combat, OST and exploration system. It's not perfect, but if you like action RPGs you shouldn't miss it.

The visuals are a little outdated but that can’t take away much from the rest of this gem, that.

Despite some technical issues, Lacrimosa of Dana is a solid game, full of things to do and friendly enough to capture the interest even of those who aren't JRPG enthusiasts.

A great JRPG which will satisfy friends of the genre as it offers an interesting story, well-written characters, satisfying challenge and a great battle system.

Ys VIII is on of the best episodes (if not the best) of the franchise created by Falcom. A frantic combat system, a huge map and an enjoyable exploration make it a great adventure, not to be missed by any PS4 role playing fan.

A must-buy game for the JRPG genre fans that only needs improvements in its story to be almost perfect. The best gameplay mechanics of this saga and one of the big Japanese titles of 2017.

We did not expect Lacrimosa of Dana to be so deep, hectic, and fun.

Ys VIII abandons the sprawling, dramatic settings of other JRPGs for a restrained world and cast, then gives us every reason to fall in love with both. From combat to story to exploration to sound, Ys VIII offers subtle, but refreshing distinctions from the usual genre fare.

There is no doubt that Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA is one of the best deliveries of the saga. Despite its small flaws and shortcomings as not being translated into Spanish, it's an ARPG with a scent of Kingdom Hearts and one of the best games of the genre to date.

Ys VIII gets its hooks in you with its progression loop; you're always making new discoveries and locating new materials to craft something better. Nihon Falcom also does its best to inject variety when it can, from battles that involve your entire village to Dana learning different fighting styles throughout the game. With a wealth of content to pursue, you always have something to do, even if it's merely fishing or cooking. On top that, Ys VIII has a lot of memorable battle moments; I only wish the story and characters held the same allure.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana provides more than enough thrilling action RPG gameplay to satisfy fans' appetites. Even though some of the magic is gone, there's no denying that this is one memorable entry in the series.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA is a heartwarming and interesting journey with fantastic characters and a balanced combat system.

I admit my expectations were perhaps a little high for Ys VIII, particularly because I'm such a fan of this series and this developer. Its weak writing is a grievous misstep, one that stunts the emotional impact of its narrative and characterization by imparting a generic, been-there-done-that tone that is uncharacteristically underwhelming for this series. Those frustrations are mitigated by the joy of discovery, in combing Seiren Isle's nooks and crannies for gorgeous vistas and missing castaways; it's when the action grinds to a halt in service of tedious dialogue that I feel my most keen frustration with Ys VIII.

While obviously not without its flaws, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is one of the stronger, albeit more obscure, JRPG offerings to hit the PS4 this year.

While the narrative doesn't especially resonate, the rest of the game very much succeeds. In other RPGs, extraneous features and side activities feel like they exist merely to tick off expected boxes, but in Ys VIII, they serve a much more significant purpose. There's a cohesiveness to everything that makes the individual components stronger than they would be by themselves. Ys VIII ends up being so enjoyable because of how thoughtfully most of its pieces are considered and implemented.

But even when it falters, it’s hard to hate Ys VIII for long. The feel of fighting your way through a big, beautiful island of untamed wilderness to save a group of people brought together by circumstance while uncovering an ancient mystery is an absolute delight, and will compel you to keep exploring for hours on end. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to the exploits of Adol Christin, you’ll find a lot to enjoy in the exotic world of Ys VIII.

Lacrimosa of Dana is, probably, one of the best entries in the Ys series. It's fun to play, there's a lot to discover and, overall, is a really satisfying experience. The story has much room for improvement and graphics are not at their best, but that's probably the only two negative aspects of an overall excellent game.

It may take a bit longer for newcomers than long-time fans to take the bait, but once you’re reeled in, you will be hooked. You’ll need to be hooked, because even with a crit-path strategy for completion, it will easily take over 40 hours to get through the mystery of the Isle of Seiren. Fortunately, any action-RPG fan, even those who disliked the Ys series in the past, will find plenty to lure them in and keep them on the line.

VIII Lacrimosa of Dana is an addicting action JRPG that features great combat and a narrative worth exploring.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA is such a well made game. The controls for combat are top notch and all the systems in place for things like fishing, crafting and exploring make this a very easy game to lose hours to.

Featuring an undeniable retro charm, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana certainly doesn't stand out for the graphics. On the other hand, the gameplay is fun, frenetic and framed by a pleasing and multifaceted narrative. A title strongly recommended to old-school RPG action fans.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is an outstanding RPG that will easily capture the hearts of players. There is so much packed into Adol Christin’s biggest adventure yet. Thanks to the success of the Trails series, Ys VIII’s storytelling received a remarkable improvement over its predecessors. It’s not flawless, but that shouldn’t stop RPG players from missing out on the best Ys game in many years.

Ys VIII is, without a doubt, a huge step for the franchise. In stripping away a lot of the usual narrative tropes the series is usually known for, Nihon Falcom have put a fresh spin on the franchise that puts characters and small moments over grand adventures and vast mysteries. Tied together by a fast-paced combat system and great music, the negatives of Lacrimosa of Dana are far outweighed by the positives, and this is a game that any JRPG fan would be a fool to sleep on.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana doesn’t deviate far from what Ys games are known for, it just takes what they do and expands on them. The story isn’t Shakespearean, but it’s more developed and interesting than what was shown in previous titles, and while the characters are still trope-based, they have more depth than seen in previous entries and this is on top of improvements in graphics and music composition. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana shows the series maturing a bit but without deviating too far from what made us fans in the first place.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is an exhilarating adventure with plenty of secrets to uncover and a wonderous island for you to explore. If you're a fan of the series or are even just a fan of RPGs in general, then Lacrimosa of Dana is an easy title to recommend. Its fast paced combat system and intriguing storyline will keep you hooked throughout.

Extremely well playable anniversary of the Ys series with brisk action, which however has some serious dramaturgical weaknesses.