Ys X: Proud Nordics review

Across the nearly four-decade-long legacy of the Ys franchise, recurring protagonist Adol Christin has witnessed a multitude of extraordinary events during his globe-trotting expeditions. The result has been one of the most reliably entertaining action role-playing series around, with taut combat systems, dependably skillful soundtracks, and, since 2009’s Ys Seven, a steady interest in storytelling.

Unsurprisingly, Nihon Falcom’s Ys X: Proud Nordics sustains the expositional success of 2024’s Ys X: Nordics. Set about a month after Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished, the game finds a notably younger Adol and his best friend Dogi aboard a ship bound for Celceta. In keeping with franchise tradition, the feeling of serenity proves to be transitory. Tensions escalate when a pirate faction hijacks the ship, claiming the captain hasn’t paid the sea tolls required for vessels voyaging through the Obelia Gulf.

Storytelling Plays a Larger Role

Audaciously, Adol gets into a duel with the Balta Seaforce’s leader, a girl named Karja Balta. But the showdown is stopped when it’s an obvious stalemate and the pirates realize that Adol is a civilian. With the captain arrested, Adol and Dogi end up on nearby Balta Island, and it’s clear we’ll see more of the teenage Pirate Princess. This time Falcom has doubled down on cinematic presentation with smoother animation and improved cutscene choreography. What follows is a near-unprecedented amount of character development that sidesteps the usual fawning over the red-haired adventurer.

Although previous entries have offered noteworthy contexts, Proud Nordics establishes a new watermark for the franchise. Much of this is rooted in the geopolitical tensions of the harbor-based settlement of Carnac. Squeezed between two contested territories and inhabited by a variety of different cultures, there’s a palpable sense of disgruntlement smoldering within the town’s younger population.

A Bountiful Number of Backstories

Gradually, you’ll recruit these teens as members of the Carnac Youth Brigade when the game’s sea-faring component opens up. Their individual stories and motivations are far richer than your typical NPCs, with Falcom drawing on the narrative accomplishments of their Trails franchise. From one youth who’s learning to subdue his overzealousness to another with a deep-rooted resentment for his father, many members of the Youth Brigade are looking for a mentor. Unsurprisingly, they find that figure in Adol, resulting in some poignant interactions. Interestingly, Proud Nordics continues to warn about generational behaviors, exploring rebellion and reconciliation with graceful restraint.

Undoubtedly, the biggest expositional triumph is making Adol and Karja’s relationship compelling enough to sustain interest across a 30+ hour trek. Sure, the game still leans on the gimmick of having its dual protagonists bound together via a magical set of shackles. But witnessing how a sibling-style kinship impacts the Pirate Princess and forces her to confront unexamined insecurities remains one of the best arcs in Ys history. That said, it might be time to give Adol a chance to speak. In theory, the silent lead helps players project themselves into the adventure, but it can undercut more emotional scenes. The new English dub is slightly improved but still uneven, with odd line deliveries breaking tension mid-scene.

The Power of Teamwork

Conspicuously, the Party and Damage Type systems that have been a part of the Ys franchise across the last few entries remain absent. Combat in Proud Nordics still revolves around its dual-mode system but benefits from refined responsiveness, better camera control, and newly tuned enemy AI. Solo Mode lets you swap instantly between Adol and Karja for fast, frenetic duels, while Duo Mode accentuates synchronized strikes and cooperative defense. The result is combat that feels sharper and more cinematic than ever.

With proper timing, a Perfect Guard can now trigger new skill chains, rewarding precise defense with spectacular counterattacks. Most importantly, the Revenge Gauge system has been rebalanced to avoid overexploiting its massive power buffs, making boss battles more intense and measured. Proud Nordics also adds a few new sea duels and late-game quests for players who wanted more than the original’s linear naval progression.

Smooth Sailing

While land-based combat is frenzied, Proud Nordics’ sea battles are still deliberately paced, with slight tweaks improving camera zoom and aiming mechanics. Initially, The Sandras remains a humble ship, but the steady upgrade flow still ensures you’ll eventually command a fearsome war vessel fitted with enhanced cannons and reinforced hull plating. Boardings remain thrilling highlights, blending ship combat with up-close action set pieces.

And yes, there are still frustrations. Exploration, while diverse in structure, could use more environmental variety, and a handful of side quests feel too perfunctory. Although camera framing is noticeably improved, certain tight encounters still expose its spatial limitations.

For the Most Devoted Fans

Ys X: Proud Nordics doesn’t reinvent things, instead giving the trek a thorough polishing. Higher frame rates, slightly improved visuals, refined combat, and minor quality-of-life tweaks help justify its arrival, but those who already experienced Ys X: Nordics may find the changes incremental. A notable exception is the new Öland Island undertaking, a substantial side venture that gives both newcomers and returning players fresh ground to explore amid the Obelia Gulf. With no upgrade path for existing owners, this release is best for those who overlooked the original releases. As usual, patience is the path toward a refined, definitive version of Adol’s journey

With its enhanced presentation, technical stability, and still-remarkable balance between story and action, Ys X: Proud Nordics confirms that Falcom’s seafaring experiment stands among the series’ finest modern works. The Öland Island undertaking further sweetens the deal, offering a self-contained adventure that feels at home alongside Adol and Karja’s odyssey without overstaying its welcome. For new players, it’s the best way to experience that odyssey in full. For veterans, it’s a lovingly polished voyage that celebrates Ys’ four decades of adventure, just don’t expect new horizons.

Ys X: Proud Nordics was played on PC with review code provided by the publisher.