Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta

If you have already played through Revelations in Celceta, there is little reason to start over. It remains a good game, just not necessarily a better version.

Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta is a slightly spiffed-up version of a game that is very much of its time and place in the history of the series. While it’s not the best Ys game you can play on the Switch, or even the second-best, going on a journey with Adol rarely shortchanges the player on thrills. Those using a Switch 2 will find this to be a particularly comfortable handheld experience, but there’s a satisfying quality to it wherever or however you choose to play it.

Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta is a great way to get newcomers into the series. It’s fast-paced, fun, and often satisfying to play as Adol and his friends, but the story falters sometimes, making it a weak aspect of this adventure. Returning fans will experience a polished remaster that doesn’t stray far from what was already great. Even with its flaws, Revelations in Celceta is lively, and it’s a blast to play.

Adol Christin embodies adventure, and even with amnesia, there’s a fun cast of characters and enjoyable combat surrounding him to carry through its thirty-hour length. Pacing issues do slow things down at the beginning, but once the story starts hitting that next gear, everything ramps up to match that enjoyably brisk pace. There are nitpicks that drag it down from being something truly special, but there’s a perfectly serviceable action adventure in Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta. The story of Adol continues, and this outing will keep players interested in seeing where the winds take him next.

It’s easy to enjoy Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta for what it is: a fast and straightforward JRPG that still feels good to play even years later. However, its age shows in ways that are almost impossible to ignore. It’s a decent entry for newcomers curious about Ys, but returning players may find there’s just not enough to justify another trip through Celceta.

Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta is a good entry in the long-running action RPG series, but it’s far from the best. Despite the game’s title, the plot is forgettable but the explosive combat, charming characters, and booming soundtrack are engaging enough to keep your attention until the credits roll. Adol has had more memorable adventures on Nintendo Switch, but mapping out the Great Forest of Celceta is still a fun time.

Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta's Switch release is a lot easier to recommend now via backward compatibility on Switch 2, and is well worth getting if you haven't played it before and want a great portable experience. If you have played Celceta before, the new soundtrack option isn't enough to justify a new purchase unless of course you want to revisit the game on Switch 2. I don't recommend playing it on Switch 1 though if you have other options.

For those just seeking a satisfactory action JRPG, Revelations in Celceta does what it needs to do. Solid character progression, enemy design, and exploration supplement an effective journey from a strictly gameplay lens. However, almost everything about its character writing and story suffers from hollow conflict and underwhelming resolutions, ultimately cementing it as one of the worst narratives in this series.

Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta is still the same game from the PlayStation Vita. It is still a solid title to play with a strong core gameplay loop. It still has some of the problems of being made for that hardware, like its graphics and party AI.