Ys X: Proud Nordics Nintendo Change 2 Evaluation

Ys X: Proud Nordics is a peculiar launch for Falcom. Proper off the heels of the unique Ys X popping out within the west, an expanded re-release was introduced for Japan. Proud Nordics makes use of the Nintendo Change 2 as the premise for its tech as an alternative of the unique Nintendo Change. Alongside this western launch is a brand new PS5 port by Falcom and a PC launch being dealt with by PH3. Right here’s the kicker: this can be a full-priced re-release with no improve path. There’s no save switch both, so it’s a must to purchase the sport another time and restart the journey. That is a kind of re-releases that makes an attempt to rebalance the sport, sprinkling mechanical additions in all through the run time.

I reviewed the unique recreation again in 2024, and located it to be an satisfying title which tried to experiment with the established components to combined outcomes. It tried to maneuver the collection ahead from the celebration system that outlined it for the reason that Ys Seven on the PSP, whereas nonetheless making an attempt to not stray too distant. The motion fight felt wonderful, and the ship touring mechanic was neat on paper. Touring from island to island on Obelia gulf is satisfying if you happen to like the trendy Ys gameplay loop, however the visible selection on these islands was severely missing. Whereas the pacing of the story may drag out in spots, I feel there’s a robust coronary heart to Ys X. 

The very first thing you’ll discover if you happen to’re coming off the Change launch is simply how a lot better it appears to be like and runs. Proud Nordics provides two graphics modes, Graphics and Efficiency. Graphics goals for near native decision and 60 frames per second, and Efficiency will decrease the decision to try to hit an uncapped framerate goal of 120 frames per second. For reference, the unique Change launch was at 30 frames per second. On condition that the bones of this recreation had been designed with the Change’s {hardware} in thoughts, the Change 2 is ready to deal with most of this with ease (or… Ys). When set to 120 frames per second, it principally hits that in areas from the unique recreation, with VRR smoothing out many of the dips when enjoying in handheld mode. I made a decision to play many of the recreation in High quality mode, the place I not often noticed any dips from the 60 frames per second goal. Exterior of some property popping in awkwardly (I’m nonetheless satisfied that is basic Falcom factor, given how I really feel prefer it was additionally in Horizon), this can be a model of the sport with virtually no compromises to the upper finish variations of the unique Ys X. It’s plain that in case your solely level of comparability is the Change model although, you’re in for a deal with. It appears to be like and runs leagues higher.

A enjoyable element I seen about this western launch of the sport, in comparison with the Japanese copy I imported, is that it looks as if the post-processing was changed. I marveled on the implementation of DLSS throughout my overview of Trails Past the Horizon’s Change 2 launch, and that gentle DLSS appears to be used right here as nicely to clean over the sides. The unique Change 2 model was missing in stable Anti-Aliasing, and that’s not likely an issue right here anymore. What’s even higher is that this utilization of DLSS closes the hole far more on the visible presentation between Graphics and Efficiency, permitting gamers to take pleasure in 120 frames per second with out seeing the decision dip a lot. The one draw back is that sure 2D UI property like goal markers present ghosting. Our model of the sport appears to carry up higher visually than the unique launch, which I feel is fairly neat.

On the left, the Japanese launch of Proud Nordics. On the fitting, the Western launch.

The most important new characteristic for this model of the sport is a model new space to discover, Öland Island. Two new characters present up right here from a special Norman tribe, tasking Adol and Karja to show their price by uncovering the secrets and techniques of the island. The actual goal for this part of the sport is so as to add the variability that gamers had been sorely craving. Benefiting from the Change 2 {hardware}, the areas on this part of the sport are a lot bigger and extra satisfying to discover. The extent of problem for the brand new bosses can be robust, which I feel is sweet for enlargement content material. The story and divulges listed here are first rate, however I wasn’t actually coming again for that. The music, new locales, and new fights simply make this well worth the time spent. I haven’t achieved all the new non-compulsory finish and post-game content material, nevertheless it’s a stable exhibiting that addresses lots of the criticism with Ys X. This space is Nordics at its best. If future Ys video games aren’t constrained by the unique Change {hardware}, I feel we’re in for one thing actually particular for XI. Hopefully, they transfer the timeline ahead some, although.

Every little thing else is small enhancements to the gameplay that significantly add up and enhance the moment-to-moment gameplay. The motion feels higher than ever with the upper framerate, however Falcom has tightened up the RPG development and recreation really feel additional. There are two new sources to the sport: Elding Fragments and Glowing Whitesand. Elding Fragments might be spent to stage up Adol and Karja’s expertise, permitting you to not should improve them with out simply grinding out utilizing them in battle. I discovered my ability utilization extra conscious than ever as I attempted to construct up my kits for each characters as quick as potential on this model. So a method to max them out with out spamming them in each battle was appreciated. Perhaps it’s as a result of I knew what I used to be doing, however I felt character development was much more brisk this time round. 

The Whitesand lets you improve Adol and Karja’s mana powers, which I feel is an excellent change. Now you can stage up the String, Burst, Trip, and Sense expertise. I not often used the String means because it was so gradual, however with the ability to hasten how shortly you’ll be able to zip to enemies makes it a enjoyable device within the arsenal to shut the hole shortly. The timing on Mana Sense may nonetheless be a bit annoying once you’re making an attempt to rummage for treasure, however letting you keep within the mode longer barely alleviates that downside. Permitting you to extend the acceleration and harm dealt in your Gullinboard unlocks all types of capabilities for it in the way you traverse the on-foot part of the sport. Hell, I even discovered methods to throw it right into a combo and magnificence on enemies. I by no means actually preferred the way it managed within the unique recreation, and so they’ve tightened it up considerably. Now you can kick off the bottom to achieve momentum with the left bumper, permitting you to by no means get off your board if you happen to’re adequate. 

There was some criticism to how the ship managed within the unique, with the sport taking a very long time for it to really feel actually responsive. I felt this was a weak criticism since I take pleasure in incomes that form of factor by way of funding within the methods and world. You place within the effort to trace down the lacking folks from Carnac, they be a part of your crew and make your ship higher. You seek out sources on islands, and make investments them again into your boat to make it stronger and management higher. By the tip, your boat will do what it must do. Proud Nordics begins your boat’s dealing with at a a lot greater level than it was within the unique recreation, having it really feel instantly like a toy boat in an enormous bathtub. Add on a number of new factors within the sea to create new wind currents, and also you’ll get round quicker than ever. I’m combined on it, since I really like my friction, however I can’t deny that it was good for this replay. There’s an irony in me loving them enhancing dealing with and pace upkeep on the Gullinboard however not the ship, however I feel I simply love my boat journey being a bit gradual for immersion functions. If you happen to should know, I’m the form of man who hates the concept of the Swift Sail in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD.

As a lot as I take pleasure in all of this new content material, although, I don’t know if I’d say it’s price it for the value of admission. By and huge, that is nonetheless the unique Ys X. It took me about 18 hours to unlock Öland Island, round Chapter 5. You’ll see the brand new mechanics pop up all through the early chapters. I swear there’s extra voice performing than there was, there’s a handful of bosses that had been redesigned or modified (the sandworm isn’t terrible anymore), and the complete recreation has been rebalanced in slight methods most won’t discover. In addition to that, it’s the identical trek by way of Obelia Gulf as earlier than. There are few issues Ys X Proud Nordics does higher than its mainline predecessors, however every little thing right here is completed fairly nicely all the identical. It’s genuinely a tough recreation to not let your self bask in, and I did take pleasure in it greater than ever on this revisit. However I’m additionally an enormous Ys man, so after all I might.

I loved Ys X: Nordics, so it’s laborious for me to not sing the praises of an additional polished model of the sport with extra content material. Ys X: Proud Nordics performs to its strengths, however I doubt it would tackle all the weaknesses in a means that converts those that weren’t keen on it. I stand by the concept that Ys X was a enjoyable experiment, and with Proud, they’ve refined it right into a recreation that I feel higher matches as a successor to Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana and Ys IX: Monstrum Nox. I don’t discover this to be absolutely transformative, and it doesn’t elevate the unique recreation too far above what it already was. Having mentioned that, it’s laborious to not deny that that is the model of the sport to get. If you happen to’ve already performed the unique, it is likely to be price ready for a sale until you’ll be able to’t wait. The moment-to-moment gameplay is best than ever, and the story is enjoyable regardless of getting slowed down in exposition. However this isn’t a full-on remake or reimagining, and if you happen to simply performed the bottom recreation, I feel you’ll discover it to be a modest improve. 

Model Examined: Nintendo Change 2Review Copy Offered by NIS America