Ys references in Dark Souls/Demon's Souls

[Adol]

Forever ago when I made a thread about the copy of Demon's Souls that I'd imported, I mentioned that the plot shared a few common threads with the origin story of the Ys series.

Basically, small kingdom uses potent sorcery to bring itself power and prosperity; unwittingly unleashes an unstoppable wave of demons that destroys their home. Meanwhile, the gods and six priests create a refuge using arch stones where they can hide away from the evil and bide their time trying to find a hero to reverse it... not word-for-word the same as Ys, but pretty similar.

Anyway, been playing a ridiculous amount of Dark Souls... I found a few things which I thought were kind of funny. One of the rings you can get mentions that it grants the favor and protection of the goddess "Fina". Also, a high priestess which you have the option of rescuing is called "Lady Reah"

Could be coincidence, but Ys isn't exactly a cult following in Japan, so it's not too far flung to think that maybe the references are intentional. That might be all there is for all I know, but it's a huge game, so if anyone else spots anything that strikes them as familiar, let's compile them in this thread.

[Adol]

Oct 9, 2011 17:47:26 GMT -5 @karura said:

Or we could use this thread instead

That's actually a thread about "Random Ys References", as you can see in the subject. This one is about Ys References in the Souls series. But thanks for the contribution none the less.

[Red Hairdo]

Interesting. I recall you mentioning the Demon's Souls one before, but it sounded too vague and generic to be actually considered a reference to me. But after THIS, I think in both games it must have been quite intended. XD

[SkyeWelse]

These aren't exactly Ys References but rather references in Dark Souls that I think are related to the manga/anime series Berserk.

1. First off, well, everything in Dark Souls could realistically fit into the world of Berserk and vice versa... so there's that.

2. The first blacksmith you meet, sure does look a lot like Blackmith Godo from Berserk, who crafted the Dragon Slayer.

3. The young man in New Londo Ruins who goes by the name "Rickert". May not be a reference, but it's still a character name from the Berserk series that is an uncommon name.

4. The black phantom that invades in the depths when you are human, Kirk, wears an armor of thorns, that sure does look familiar to the armour of Skull Knight, who just happens to carry a badass looking sword that has rose thorns all around the blade. Upon seeing the silhouette of Kirk in the official guide, my first instinct was "that's Skull Knight!".

So yeah, I think that if there are homages or references to this series, it would certainly make these other Ys references, especially with the ring and with Rhea of Thorolund, plausible.

Plus, we have seen before in 3D-Dot Game Heroes that From Software threw in a blatant Ys reference, so we know that they are fans at least. : )

-Thomas

[Trebia]

I didn´t play that game. o.o
Now,you made me curious.
The only one I know that does references to Ys(and so many XD )it is my beloved Zelda.