[PlayStation 5] Review of Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana

Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana marks a significant return for the Ys series, now with a fresh facelift courtesy of Nihon Falcom, XSEED Games, and Marvelous. Originally a classic Ys III remake from 2010 for the PSP, this game has been revitalized for modern consoles. If you’re a fan of the series or just intrigued, you might want to stick around for what’s been updated and what makes this version stand out.

Originally conceptualized to breathe new life into the 16-bit era hit, Ys III: Wanderers From Ys, this edition hits the shelves as Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana for PlayStation 5 and 4. Fans who cherished the original can now embrace a bunch of upgrades and added features, including an all-new voiceover for the iconic hero, Adol Christin. The high-definition visuals and revamped music brings a level of detail that wasn’t possible in the earlier releases, making the adventure both visually and audibly captivating.

Beyond that, this version boasts multiple configurations of its sweeping soundtrack, further accessibility settings, and freshly conceived character illustrations, cementing this as the ultimate version of this beloved game.

This remastered version brings with it exciting features like new voiceovers, polished graphics, and trophy support to boot. You’ll journey back into the shoes of Adol Christin alongside his rugged companion, Dogi, exploring the vibrant landscapes of Felghana. For seasoned fans like myself, it’s an opportunity to experience a corner of the Ys universe that might have been missed first time around.

The earlier entries in the Ys saga are renowned for their lean towards action and exploration, thrusting players almost immediately into the thick of the adventure. In more recent releases like Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana and Ys IX: Monstrum Nox, the narrative takes greater precedence, setting the scene for hours before letting players loose. In contrast, Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana feels like a relative of Ys Origin, focusing more on the raw, engaging mechanics we’re used to from the early days.

Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana delivers a thrilling gameplay experience characterized by its exhilarating, arcade-style combat. Button-spamming through fast-paced encounters, mixing jump attacks, and magical bracelets that act as tools for both puzzles and powerful combat moments make for an exciting mix. Strategic combat will see you toggling between elemental forces that come into play especially when foes’ resistances test your mettle.

Control-wise, the game remains true to its Japanese roots, which may seem awkward for some. Thankfully, the controls are fully customizable, and I’d highly recommend tinkering with these settings to enhance your gameplay. A small gripe would be the overlap in functions on the DualSense touchpad, necessitating a bit of reconfiguration each time you want to switch between the no-fall power-up and fast travel. Using unused buttons on the controller could have streamlined this.

The level design taps into nostalgia, offering old-school maze-like environments without the crutch of a mini-map. Exploration is key as you navigate a compact world with mammoth dungeons. You’ll be retracing steps, solving puzzles, and unlocking paths in a way that’s refreshingly challenging. Unlike modern games filled with guidance, this game opts for a more organic approach, encouraging exploration until you crack the puzzle.

These dungeons pose a respectable challenge, even at normal settings. Combat isn’t just an option; it’s a necessity as the climb in level is critical. Boss battles present formidable opponents, often demanding grinding and resource upgrades. However, just a level or two more can shift the balance dramatically in your favor.

On the technical side, it’s powered by a 3D engine akin to the nostalgic HD-2D style, presenting a world that nostalgically resonates with its low poly environments and 2D sprites while maintaining a smooth 60 frames per second. Textures look upscaled, retaining their original charm, with improved character portraits to choose from—whether you’re loyal to the original PSP art or prefer the new renditions.

Voiceovers are available in English and Japanese, offering flexibility for how you wish to hear the characters come alive. Patrick Seitz brings Dogi’s character to life with a familiar gusto, while Heather Hogan’s portrayal of Elena is outstanding. The game’s audio scores are robust yet might not reach the high watermark of Falcom’s finest, though tracks like the Overworld theme definitely stand out.

With 59 trophies up for grabs, including multiple bronze and silver achievements all the way to that elusive Gold, this game has a layered incentive for completionists. Cross-saves and Cross-Buy enable you to enjoy the game on both PS4 and PS5, with separate Platinum opportunities.

All in all, Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana brings an action RPG experience that resonates with nostalgia, providing a rich gameplay experience reminiscent of its early days. A bit of a learning curve with its level design and challenging difficulty can be rewarding once you’ve got the hang of it. This Cross-Buy offering at $29.99 ensures you experience it on both PlayStation consoles, making it a valuable pickup for any franchise devotee.

Disclaimer: This review of Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana was based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by XSEED Games.