Post by FM-77AV on Jul 19, 2005 14:04:49 GMT -5
Here's what I think of the PS2 versions of the Ys games (and while at it, I'll tell you about some other Ys games as well.)
YsI-II ETERNAL STORY
This is a good game, with good music and graphics. It could have been a PS1 game, but no matter. It works better on PS2 (because I don't like PS1, he he. ). However, I would recommend the PC version above this one, because it has a nicer box (I am a collector), and there are translation patches for both games. If you understand Japanese, however, it's a completely different thing. Then - by all means - get the PS2 version. After all, this game works better on a console.
As for the previous versions of YsI-II, I recommend the SHARP X68000, MSX2 and SEGA MASTER SYSTEM versions of YsI. The SEGASATURN version of YsII is the best in my opinion. It is featured on the FALCOM CLASSICS II compilation. The NEC PC-8801 version isn't bad either. Ehm, and of course - there's.... Never mind.
YsIII: WANDERERS FROM Ys (Taito)
This is - to me - the best version of YsIII (excluding THE OATH IN FELGHANA). It is very beautiful (one of a kind, really). I have always preferred 2D games, and YsIII is one of the best games in the series in my opinion. The hand-drawn graphics are incredible, and the music is good as well. The controls are decent (however, the PS2 controller is not very good for 2D games - the buttons are too far apart). The game is too short of course, but those are some tense four hours. Also, the game is very easy (not in the beginning of each new area, but after gaining a few levels). I definitely recommend this one. Mostly for the one-of-a-kind graphics.
The SEGA MEGA DRIVE (GENESIS) version of YsIII is the second best, in my opinion.
YsIV: MASK OF THE SUN - A New Theory
BEWARE! This game is awful. It is insanely boring and it is very, very frustrating to play! You get lost all the time, the walls are invisible (!), and the enemies are bizarre! It starts out really good, and I though "Man, this game is fantastic!", but that changes - fast. After that, you won't be able to continue. I gave this 3-4 hours total. (Good music though.) However, if you love Ys as much as I do, this is still a must!
- YsIV: MASK OF THE SUN (SUPER FAMICOM)
This game is very underrated. People claim that THE DAWN OF Ys is better, and that might be correct, but the dull battles in THE DAWN OF Ys aren't fun, so I'd still recommend this one above that. This game is far better than the PS2 version, and I highly recommend it.
YsVI: THE ARK OF NAPISHTIM
Due to bizarre delays, I haven't yet gotten my hands on the PS2 version (I live in Europe, and the damn game must be translated to many, many languages before I can get it - and I will play it in English!) Anyway, I played this game on PC back in the days (okay, 2003 might not qualify as "back in the days"). It's a good game. Great, even. And it is one of my favorite games ever. The music is overrated, but still good. The graphics are really good (the Quatera Woods are fantastic). The game is short (and easy), but it's a fine experience. Like every Ys game. The gameplay is some of the best I have ever experienced, and I'm not surprised they retained it in THE OATH IN FELGHANA. Buy! Now!
Ys: THE OATH IN FELGHANA
Expensive, but you will get your CDs of music that I personally don't find particulary interesting, but you might. The game, however, is fantastic. It's a close tie between YsVI and YsF, which one is the best? I'd still say YsVI, but many might not agree with me (YsVI was more of a revolution than this one - with eight year's delay and a helluva 3D engine made YsVI into one of the most bizarre [in a good way] experiences ever!). This is one of the best games I have played. Definitely top ten (and of course, all the other six Ys games are on that list too - in the top!). Oh, I haven't even mentioned the game yet. Anyway, the graphics are nice, albeit pretty much the same as in YsVI (but slightly less interesting - lacking the Quatera Woods and all ). The music is very good, with real guitars and all. Goody. I still find the YsIII soundtrack a bit overrated though. The gameplay is the same as in YsVI, but with some additions that makes it even more exciting. You need this game.
That's what I think of the following games. I hope I've been of any help. By the way, it feels good to see that people are actually buying Ys games. It sickens me when people are downloading these painstakingly produced games.
YsI-II ETERNAL STORY
This is a good game, with good music and graphics. It could have been a PS1 game, but no matter. It works better on PS2 (because I don't like PS1, he he. ). However, I would recommend the PC version above this one, because it has a nicer box (I am a collector), and there are translation patches for both games. If you understand Japanese, however, it's a completely different thing. Then - by all means - get the PS2 version. After all, this game works better on a console.
As for the previous versions of YsI-II, I recommend the SHARP X68000, MSX2 and SEGA MASTER SYSTEM versions of YsI. The SEGASATURN version of YsII is the best in my opinion. It is featured on the FALCOM CLASSICS II compilation. The NEC PC-8801 version isn't bad either. Ehm, and of course - there's.... Never mind.
YsIII: WANDERERS FROM Ys (Taito)
This is - to me - the best version of YsIII (excluding THE OATH IN FELGHANA). It is very beautiful (one of a kind, really). I have always preferred 2D games, and YsIII is one of the best games in the series in my opinion. The hand-drawn graphics are incredible, and the music is good as well. The controls are decent (however, the PS2 controller is not very good for 2D games - the buttons are too far apart). The game is too short of course, but those are some tense four hours. Also, the game is very easy (not in the beginning of each new area, but after gaining a few levels). I definitely recommend this one. Mostly for the one-of-a-kind graphics.
The SEGA MEGA DRIVE (GENESIS) version of YsIII is the second best, in my opinion.
YsIV: MASK OF THE SUN - A New Theory
BEWARE! This game is awful. It is insanely boring and it is very, very frustrating to play! You get lost all the time, the walls are invisible (!), and the enemies are bizarre! It starts out really good, and I though "Man, this game is fantastic!", but that changes - fast. After that, you won't be able to continue. I gave this 3-4 hours total. (Good music though.) However, if you love Ys as much as I do, this is still a must!
- YsIV: MASK OF THE SUN (SUPER FAMICOM)
This game is very underrated. People claim that THE DAWN OF Ys is better, and that might be correct, but the dull battles in THE DAWN OF Ys aren't fun, so I'd still recommend this one above that. This game is far better than the PS2 version, and I highly recommend it.
YsVI: THE ARK OF NAPISHTIM
Due to bizarre delays, I haven't yet gotten my hands on the PS2 version (I live in Europe, and the damn game must be translated to many, many languages before I can get it - and I will play it in English!) Anyway, I played this game on PC back in the days (okay, 2003 might not qualify as "back in the days"). It's a good game. Great, even. And it is one of my favorite games ever. The music is overrated, but still good. The graphics are really good (the Quatera Woods are fantastic). The game is short (and easy), but it's a fine experience. Like every Ys game. The gameplay is some of the best I have ever experienced, and I'm not surprised they retained it in THE OATH IN FELGHANA. Buy! Now!
Ys: THE OATH IN FELGHANA
Expensive, but you will get your CDs of music that I personally don't find particulary interesting, but you might. The game, however, is fantastic. It's a close tie between YsVI and YsF, which one is the best? I'd still say YsVI, but many might not agree with me (YsVI was more of a revolution than this one - with eight year's delay and a helluva 3D engine made YsVI into one of the most bizarre [in a good way] experiences ever!). This is one of the best games I have played. Definitely top ten (and of course, all the other six Ys games are on that list too - in the top!). Oh, I haven't even mentioned the game yet. Anyway, the graphics are nice, albeit pretty much the same as in YsVI (but slightly less interesting - lacking the Quatera Woods and all ). The music is very good, with real guitars and all. Goody. I still find the YsIII soundtrack a bit overrated though. The gameplay is the same as in YsVI, but with some additions that makes it even more exciting. You need this game.
That's what I think of the following games. I hope I've been of any help. By the way, it feels good to see that people are actually buying Ys games. It sickens me when people are downloading these painstakingly produced games.