User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 296 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 29 out of 296
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  1. Sep 18, 2017
    10
    Amazing RPG! iF youre a fan of the ys saga then this is a must! Endless vistas of beauty and an amazing storyline that keeps you hooked at all times!!!
  2. Oct 1, 2017
    10
    this is my first ys game i play.
    what can i say is falcom really make a awesome games. this games tell us interesting story that will make you want to continue play it. good gameplay, awesome OST.
    want good story? play this game :3
  3. Feb 1, 2018
    9
    This game slipped under my radar i nearly didn't buy it not being a fan of YS games or hack and slash RPG games, i had some spare money so i thought why not and i am glad i did was expecting an average game with it being a beefed up ps vita port to the PS4 but can honestly say one the best RPG's i have played for a while core game play here is fantastic and i read some reviews beforeThis game slipped under my radar i nearly didn't buy it not being a fan of YS games or hack and slash RPG games, i had some spare money so i thought why not and i am glad i did was expecting an average game with it being a beefed up ps vita port to the PS4 but can honestly say one the best RPG's i have played for a while core game play here is fantastic and i read some reviews before buying the game saying the story was bad, i really disagree the story was super weak to start but it really gets going mid way through the game and to be honest is easily on par with most big budget RPG story's just lacks the graphics and shine of course. I will say in summary this game will not be for everyone but for hardcore RPG fans this is a must buy hidden gem of 2017 just don't let the weak opening 20 mins of the game but you off. Expand
  4. Jan 23, 2019
    10
    I never played a YS game before and what a way to start this franchise with one of the best action RPG of the last years. Heck, even the start is exhilarating, with a fantastic rock tune to welcome you in with a bang. Seriously, I was never this excited about running around and fighting in years and that alone made me want to continue playing more and more.

    But I'm getting ahead of
    I never played a YS game before and what a way to start this franchise with one of the best action RPG of the last years. Heck, even the start is exhilarating, with a fantastic rock tune to welcome you in with a bang. Seriously, I was never this excited about running around and fighting in years and that alone made me want to continue playing more and more.

    But I'm getting ahead of myself: the game talks about Adol, the main protagonist the series and he's an adventurer who shipwrecks in an island - apparently it's as common as elder's scroll prisoner's theme! The game is set in this island called "The Island of Seiren" and your job is to get out of it alive while saving castaways, protecting your village from enemies and discovering the secrets behind this island in turn.

    What fascinated me about the story is that it can literally go anywhere and not feel forced: too many times I played RPGs where the plot just stops in order to tell you another story that has nothing to do with it, but here there's just no real story because your main job is to get out of the island while everything else is an additional, and the more you discover the more you learn about the island, which only makes you more curious to play!
    It's been since Berseria I wasn't this curious for a plot before and I can easily spend 5-6 hours playing non-stop!

    And it doesn't stop there: the island is huge and the game rewards for exploring it with rewards, crafting materials - there's no money since you're all castaways- fishing spots, questing, etc. There's always something to do here and I NEVER got bored to fight once.

    Speaking of combat: it's amazingly fun and fast, showing its 60 fps that really makes it a great experience! The combat is super fast, flashy, rewarding (dodging and parrying in time buffs you) and very responsive: I never felt the game doing something I never intended and the commands can be customized at your leisure. It's almost perfect...if it wasn't for the camera and lock-on that occasionally confuses you by not letting you turn the camera around, forcing you to unlock your target. In fact, the camera is probably the clunkiest thing in the game thus far and it can be troublesome when climbing or when needing to see down below. It's not game-breaking but still a pain to deal with.
    Other than that I have no complains about combat: enemies are well balanced for all difficulties and none of their attacks are broken (I tried hard and nightmare and it was quite enjoyable but the exp rates are lower so I got back to normal) and the game is not even stingy with SP and it's kind of encouraged to spam skills in order to kill them and obtain half of the sp back, and it's just so fun!

    And how can I forget about the music?! This is usually a subjective thing but HOLY CRAP, the moment I got to the island, and Sunshine Coastline (that's the name on youtube at least) hit, I was like "Oh wow, this is...amazing, time to do some adventuring!". And it's not just one music: many tracks in the game are outstanding and really remarkable! I sincerely recommend checking the OST of the game and it's not something I say all the time!

    The game is just so fun...so what's wrong with it? Hmm it's hard to say...for instance while the story is pretty good the characters are your basic anime clichè that really changes nothing - Laxia is your usual tsundere who hates you for no reason, Sahad is your Bara character with a golden heart, Hummel is your silent and mysterious character and Ricotta is your overly cheerful character. The game is filled with clichè characters which are not entirely bad, but it feels like they tried to make anime fans happy first...I mean did we REALLY need to see Adol peeking on Laxia naked at the beginning, with her getting all mad for X hours of gaming - even though it's later explained but it's still crap-?
    No we didn't.

    Also while the bosses are challenging and fun, the enemies tend to die rather quick unless you play on higher difficulties, which makes them more resilient. In addition you have a 3-type system where depending on your type of hits you can break enemies...however considering you can have 3 characters at all times, and the 6 characters are of 3 types each, you can essentially have one of each everytime - and it's encouraged considering you get more rare materials.

    The map is also kind of confusing...it will take a while before you can learn how to use it, and there's a serious lack of voice acting in the game - at least in the English version - and the graphics aren't really that great, looking like ps3 era graphics.

    But I would just nitpick at this point: I cannot stop recommending this game for anyone needing for a fun action RPG with some surprisingly good plots and overall a clichè but likable roster of characters.
    And considering it's also pretty long - easily 40-50 hours on your first playthrough - it's a good value for your money! Give it a shot!
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  5. Nov 30, 2017
    10
    First impressions were less then I expected. I thought the graphics weren't all that good and seemed a bit childish. HOWEVER after a few hours I realised I was very wrong. This game was absolutely incredible. It kind of reminded me of the epic book The Mysterious island by Jules Verne. The building of the township was a nice extra to feel like you're building towards something. The sceneryFirst impressions were less then I expected. I thought the graphics weren't all that good and seemed a bit childish. HOWEVER after a few hours I realised I was very wrong. This game was absolutely incredible. It kind of reminded me of the epic book The Mysterious island by Jules Verne. The building of the township was a nice extra to feel like you're building towards something. The scenery was great. The story was amazing and I genuinely loved every minute. The only things that I would have liked is a bit better voice acting and more of it as a good portion is text. However the game is absolutely stunning and truly a game to remember. Must play Expand
  6. May 24, 2019
    10
    I’ve been playing Ys game for about 10 years now. I got Ys Seven before my first deployment and played through it very fast. Since then I’ve been addicted beating every Ys game save for V. Ys VIII does not disappoint. The fighting is amazing, the characters are great, the music is outstanding and the story is superb. If you find this game on the shelf pick it up, you won’t regret!
  7. Aug 8, 2018
    10
    This is a amazing game that many will overlook don't be that person play this game. Anyone with just a passing interest in jrpgs or action rpgs need to experience this rich story and it's smooth gameplay. On the PS4 Pro to the art style shines. Falcom are truly underated masters.
  8. Apr 23, 2018
    9
    The model of YS SEVEN becomes perfect with more playable content in YS VIII,. YS VIII is a great game for me.
    It also has a lot of shortcoming. The weak graphics, unnatural body movements and so on. But all of these, you will be amazed by the greatness of the game at first. Then you wil think —— Why it can not be better?
    So Sony, please acquire Falcom immediately.
  9. Aug 19, 2018
    8
    In search of a longer lasting RPG I stumbled upon Ys Viii. Having never played any of the Ys game before I readied up for something new and didnt get disappointed overall. The game has some subjective shortcomings but is worthwhile. The price tag might be debatable. Read on for details.

    Graphics 6-7/10: The graphics are clearly outdated. At least one generation maybe even two. Although
    In search of a longer lasting RPG I stumbled upon Ys Viii. Having never played any of the Ys game before I readied up for something new and didnt get disappointed overall. The game has some subjective shortcomings but is worthwhile. The price tag might be debatable. Read on for details.

    Graphics 6-7/10:
    The graphics are clearly outdated. At least one generation maybe even two. Although I have to say that DEVs made kind of the best out of it and present still a somewhat decent result. Enemies look good, effects are amazing but the details are crucially lacking and the character models are disappointing. In times of crystal clear 4K HDR games you have to downrate this game in comparison to other candidates in this genre.

    Sounds and soundtrack: 10/10
    This is a no-brainer for me. I really like the fighting sounds and the general atmosphere the game provides. The soundtrack is pushy pumping while taking care of emotional parts. I really like it!

    Controls 9/10:
    Controls are decent. Combos can be executed with ease after a while. Menu-ing is standard but still easy enough to feel comfortable. The usual jumping, strafing and fighting is smooth and without lags. It feels that you are always in control of the movement and the game responds to the needs. No complaints so far. Still nothing special also.

    Story & Mechanics 8/10:
    The story is okay. Its nothing spectacular but still provides enough basis to create a nice surrounding for a group of ppl who are stranded at an island and try to get life going preparing for an escape. Character development and crafting is well made and somewhat interesting although I miss the red string, whereass the sidequest are really lacking. In some parts of the game I feel too much disturbed by defense missions, offense missions or just a cut-loads of dialog that goes for an hour. I like story but if the story is thin I really dont need one hour at once of it. After all the mix is okay, some parts are optional and the game doesnt get too boring.

    Sum up: 8/10
    The game was worth the buy. I dumped 20hrs straight in two sessions into this game. I liked the chracters and the mechanics. On PS4 Pro I didnt encounter lags. Sound output is decent, the soundtrack is pumping. Although the story is a bit thin and the graphics are clearly outdated I would recommend this game. The price tag of 60 is highly debatable and I wouldnt recommend to spend such a high price for it. Wait for a sale. Everything around 40 and less seems acceptable to me.

    Enjoy!
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  10. Dec 28, 2019
    8
    Pros:
    Interesting take on a ‘deserted island’ story with an interesting plot and a great cast.
    Great combat, special moves. Dozens of boss fights, each with their own unique look. Great soundtrack. Great exploration. 30+ hour adventure with New Game +. Cons: Dated visuals, feels like a last-gen game. It starts off a little slow, it takes a few hours to get good. The map is a
    Pros:
    Interesting take on a ‘deserted island’ story with an interesting plot and a great cast.
    Great combat, special moves.
    Dozens of boss fights, each with their own unique look.
    Great soundtrack.
    Great exploration.
    30+ hour adventure with New Game +.

    Cons:
    Dated visuals, feels like a last-gen game.
    It starts off a little slow, it takes a few hours to get good.
    The map is a little confusing.

    Bottom Line:

    YS VIII is excellent. It does look dated as if it was intended to be a PS Vita game first but if you can look past that you’ll get a great Action RPG that while does take a few hours to get going, once you get going it is very gripping and hard to put down. The story starts off simplistic enough but ends up telling a very interesting story about two protagonists. Without spoiling anything, I was legitimately surprised at the twists it threw and it is very well written. The cast is great and I liked all the characters, the ease of character switching made it very good too.

    The soundtrack is fantastic as well. The music sticks with you long after you’ve beaten the game and it really set the atmosphere upright. The combat is fun and fluid and has tons of special attacks and the game doesn’t hold back on boss fights.

    Despite it’s aged look, it is well worth the money and a great action RPG with replayability.
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  11. Dec 22, 2019
    9
    This game was the first action rpg I ever enjoyed in my life. Certainly one of the biggest reasons was: the soundtrack is wonderful and very exciting. It dictates what must be understood by an rpg to have action. The development of the game is not, in the matter of story, very good. But still, a great action rpg!
  12. Jan 14, 2020
    10
    The game is perfect. The art style is lively and beautiful, every character well developed and designed. The gameplay is an absolute blast that no other action RPG comes even close to. Every Ys game has a soundtrack that reflects the greatest in the entire video game industry has to offer. And of course, the main grade in any RPG is the story, and this one is utterly unique and wellThe game is perfect. The art style is lively and beautiful, every character well developed and designed. The gameplay is an absolute blast that no other action RPG comes even close to. Every Ys game has a soundtrack that reflects the greatest in the entire video game industry has to offer. And of course, the main grade in any RPG is the story, and this one is utterly unique and well realized. Everybody needs to play this, as the YS series is a complete bastion of greatness that should have the recognition is so well deserves. Expand
  13. Jul 9, 2020
    9
    Ys VIII was honestly a game I picked up on a whim, knowing nothing about the Ys series so keep in mind this review comes from that perspective.

    It's fun, pure and simple. I was entertained and looked forward to playing the game whenever I could get the chance until I beat it. This is the kind of game that makes you realize that a game doesn't need to spend an absurd amount of money on
    Ys VIII was honestly a game I picked up on a whim, knowing nothing about the Ys series so keep in mind this review comes from that perspective.

    It's fun, pure and simple. I was entertained and looked forward to playing the game whenever I could get the chance until I beat it. This is the kind of game that makes you realize that a game doesn't need to spend an absurd amount of money on graphics in order to be good.

    Graphics 6/10 - It's dated, this is that common last gen lower textured standard Anime Style JRPG graphics that have been around since the PS2. However the colour pallete is well suited to the environments and it services the game well enough. Overall it's actually pretty good once you take into consideration you can also get this game for the PSVita.

    Sound 8/10 - The sounds in the game are done well enough. By no means are you going to get Final Fantasy level epic orchestral symphony tracks but the music is solid, there are several really good tracks and most importantly it adds to the game instead of detracting from it. The background music never overtakes the action, it doesn't become a distraction.

    Gameplay 9/10 - The gameplay is simple and straightforward but varied enough especially as you will want to switch gear around to best suit your environment. You can play as any of the members in your party so if you don't like how one character handles you can play as one that suits you. While there are some challenging areas of the game, especially if your looking to find all the treasure chests however nothing was overly frustrating or required a guide nor did it ever feel like I had to waste a ton of time grinding and its balanced well enough I never felt like I had to play a certain character to progress unlike alot of action JRPGS where your basically forced to play as the main protag because they have an ability you need to get through boss fights. Overall it's the gameplay and Story that will have you coming back. It's just fun to play.

    Story 8/10 - As I mentioned earlier this is by no means a summer blockbuster and personally I've never been a fan of stories that use time and or character jumping as it usually winds up filling the plot with massive holes or just making things a convoluted mess. However Ys VIII manages to keep everything moving forward and cohesive while doing so. Overall I found myself with grand adventure feeling and was entertained during my play. There was a few anime tropey things but they were not overdone and it avoided the whole "OMG main protag you are just the best" constant gushing, the characters felt rounded out well enough, even the npc survivors you meet along the way and overall it avoids the pitfall I find in a lot of these games where npc's and party members tend to fade away the moment your done with their "arc".

    Overall 9/10 - This is one of those games that is better than the sum of its parts because everything just comes together to give you a good, fun and entertaining experience.
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  14. Jan 2, 2019
    8
    I really want to give this game a 10/10, but I cant. As someone who has been playing Ys titles since the release of Ys Origins on the PC, I know you don't play the game for the graphics. Sure, they look a lot better now, but it still looks dated.

    Otherwise, its your typical Ys game - Amazing combat systems (though too easy even on Inferno if you know how to abuse Flash Guard/Shield to
    I really want to give this game a 10/10, but I cant. As someone who has been playing Ys titles since the release of Ys Origins on the PC, I know you don't play the game for the graphics. Sure, they look a lot better now, but it still looks dated.

    Otherwise, its your typical Ys game - Amazing combat systems (though too easy even on Inferno if you know how to abuse Flash Guard/Shield to never get hit in battle), loveable characters that start to grow on you, and absolutely pumping sound track.

    I also like that to get the "True" ending didn't require an obscene amount of work. I hit the reputation required without realizing it.

    Overall, its a solid game, and sucked away 30 hours so far of my life doing a Nightmare first playthrough, and I'm going back for a 100% completion run on Infinity-Inferno mode this weekend.
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  15. Jul 1, 2020
    10
    I cant give 9.9 so this gets rounded up to 10.
    I love this game, the island setting is a cool decision, and exploring the giant beautiful island for shipwrecked passengers to build your village and community makes exploring interesting.
    The Combat is lots of fun and all the characters play well and the story is really good, I can't say anything about it due to spoilers though but it kept
    I cant give 9.9 so this gets rounded up to 10.
    I love this game, the island setting is a cool decision, and exploring the giant beautiful island for shipwrecked passengers to build your village and community makes exploring interesting.
    The Combat is lots of fun and all the characters play well and the story is really good, I can't say anything about it due to spoilers though but it kept me entertained.
    If your looking for an action-rpg thats easy to get into and that will suck you in then this is a great place to start and if you like this make sure you grab Memories of Celceta next.
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  16. Feb 1, 2020
    10
    One of the best overall jrpg games I have ever played. A must own!!!! Support this series!
  17. Feb 26, 2018
    9
    Simply amazing.
    Not a single minute in this 45+ hours story will bore you.
    Entertaining combat, the thrill of exploration, amazing visuals, a good story and nice characters create one of the best and most fun jrpg of this gen.

    Absolutely recommended
  18. Apr 1, 2019
    10
    Terrific RPG! Engaging story, fun as hell combat, fun yet simple skill and crafting systems, fun world to explore. This was my first ever Ys title and I'll be anxiously awaiting Ys IX here in the U.S.
  19. Jun 16, 2019
    10
    Being new to the series, this game impressed me quite a lot. Soundtrack is absolutely fantastic and memorable, gameplay is fun, and story is very interesting; you can easily find yourself absorbed in the plot, and the game gives you no shortage of questions that need answers, keeping you always interested in what's gonna happen next.
    The art is also quite impressive in menus and such,
    Being new to the series, this game impressed me quite a lot. Soundtrack is absolutely fantastic and memorable, gameplay is fun, and story is very interesting; you can easily find yourself absorbed in the plot, and the game gives you no shortage of questions that need answers, keeping you always interested in what's gonna happen next.
    The art is also quite impressive in menus and such, which brings me to another point - the characters are great, they all bring something new to the table.
    It seems that heart and soul was put into this game, and it was absolutely worth it. This game is beautiful.
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  20. Jan 29, 2019
    8
    Gameplay : 6 (Combat feels uneasy and a little bit weird. But dana solves it)
    Story : 8 (Good anime "lost" with harem :))
    Bosses : 10 ( Bosses are fun and you need to think and react fast to slay )
  21. Dec 12, 2017
    10
    First Ys game I've played. This game has a beautiful history with every character being charismatic it's own way... The controls also have great responsiveness, making a smoothing gameplay. JRPG fans must play it for sure!
  22. Jan 16, 2018
    10
    Coming from someone who plays a lot of games but never can stick to a single one for more than I few hours. I have currently put over 36 hours into this game and I am nowhere near finished with it.

    Its in no way an original game, its your standard JRPG fair, everything is very predictable, the graphics aren't PS4 quality at all, the characters are your usual fair, the combat is
    Coming from someone who plays a lot of games but never can stick to a single one for more than I few hours. I have currently put over 36 hours into this game and I am nowhere near finished with it.

    Its in no way an original game, its your standard JRPG fair, everything is very predictable, the graphics aren't PS4 quality at all, the characters are your usual fair, the combat is surprisingly fun and not overly complicated. But for some reason I am absolutely love it. It has just really clicked with it. Most of the time I couldn't care less about the story, but I want to actually get everyone off the island and find out Dana's history.

    I haven't cared this much about a story in a game since Bioshock Infinite!
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  23. Jul 15, 2018
    9
    Probably the best second Ys game in the franchise.

    Story: Story and narrative are pretty good for jRPG standards, every time the game starts to feel like it has overstayed its welcome it throws you another twist to keep you interested. Characters: Probably the best point of the game, every character in this game has its own story and interacts with the other NPCs in interesting
    Probably the best second Ys game in the franchise.

    Story:
    Story and narrative are pretty good for jRPG standards, every time the game starts to feel like it has overstayed its welcome it throws you another twist to keep you interested.

    Characters:
    Probably the best point of the game, every character in this game has its own story and interacts with the other NPCs in interesting ways. This applies to both party members and townspeople.

    Granted, they could pull this off because there is only one town in the game, there are very few NPCs (around 30) so they could focus on quality instead of quantity.

    In any case, the sidequests the NPCs provide are never time-wasting chores, but actual side quests with story that serve to deepen the game's lore and form bonds with the protagonist and with one another, and sometimes even directly affect the main quest.
    On short, Ys8 is about quality, not quantity.

    Gameplay:
    Tight, and skill based real time combat. Some bosses are challenging but if the player learns the patterns and weak spots they can be beaten with no need of level grinding.
    It also has a crafting system which I initially thought it would be a chore, but in the end it was not the time-wasting gimmick it usually is in other titles, but no. It hardly ever requires to grind for materials thanks to a trade system that allows you to get materials you may be missing in exchange of others you may have too many of.

    Graphics: I will not lie, it is an ugly game. I would say it belongs to the early PS3 era. The art is not bad itself. But the game's graphic engine is just too dated to make it justice.

    If you enjoy jRPGs, specially the ones that focus on character development and interactions (Eg: Tales Of...). Then you will enjoy this one,
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  24. Mar 11, 2019
    10
    This game do not receive praise enough, never thought i would find another game that would give me the same feeling that Zelda BOTW gave me, but this game is amazing, history, caracters, gameplay, exploration... everything amazing, Zelda is only better than this game by the care and budget with the game and trademark, but this jrpg is a masterpiece.
  25. Jul 22, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I love it. Truly amazing game. The art and character design is great. Stroy is amazing. Ys 8 deserves an anime adaptation if it's not there yet. So much to do on the mysterious island. The boss fights were amazing especially the secret bosses. I can't Express how much I love the story and how deep is it. I dont know about others but I really enjoy this type of game. After obtaining the platinum trophy and unlocking the endings.. I watched the ship leaves the island and it felt so nostalgic after a year of playing this game. Hope to see more great games like this :) Expand
  26. B1d
    Dec 26, 2019
    10
    This was the first Ys serie I've played but i loved it. It has touching story, great music and of course enjoyable gameplay. I am confident that you will like it.
  27. Jan 26, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game was my first entry to the Legacy of Ys series and overall I was extremely impressed by this game, finding its story and cast of characters to very enjoyable. There is something about this game's plot and double protagonist that really draws you in and makes the game feel like the truly unique and unforgettable experience that it is. In my opinion, the way that Dana's storyline is slowly intertwined into Adol's really works well and your time on the isle of seiren feels fantastic and the game makes you want to explore and find everything. I have started new playthroughs of this game probably more than any other game and that reflects how magical the experience is. My only complaint for the ps4 version is it did not get all of the costume dlcs available to other platforms. Expand
  28. Apr 1, 2020
    8
    Great JRPG - First one I've completed in awhile. it's fun, has measured exploration, great characters, enemies, locations, etc. The only reason I didn't give it a 9 is the characters talk way too much. I really wish that the creators of JRPGs would limit that a bit more.
  29. Apr 8, 2020
    10
    Amazing game, great music, this is my first ys game and I am now a fan of the series it is a must pay for JRPG fans
  30. Apr 11, 2020
    9
    From 6,F,O,7 to 8,it is the fifth Ys game I have Played.To be honest,I prefect to 6FO's gameplay,but Dana is so impressive for me.
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 39
  2. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. Oct 18, 2017
    90
    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.
  2. Oct 18, 2017
    87
    The visuals are a little outdated but that can’t take away much from the rest of this gem, that.
  3. Oct 13, 2017
    80
    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.