Taylor Bauer
Taylor BauerFor Western gamers in the 90s and 2000s whose JRPG exposure was limited to the likes of Final Fantasy or Pokemon, the Ys series is like a treasure trove waiting to be discovered. Not getting into the Ys games myself until around 2018, I’m constantly astonished at how these wonderfully crafted games flew under my radar for so long.
Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is the latest example of that. Over the course of about 14 hours, Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana takes players back to the days of the SNES through a few rounds of remasters and ports, resulting in a fantastic JRPG experience made all the better with time and quality of life improvements. Here’s our review.
Okay, let’s get some housekeeping and contextualization out of the way. Ys III: Wanderers from Ys was released for the Super Nintendo in 1989. In 2005, the game was released again on PC and then on PSP, with additional content and quality of life (QoL) improvements. Now we’re playing a definitive version for this review on the Nintendo Switch, but it’s also available for PS5. Long story short, the game’s persistence over decades is a testament to two things: a wonderful story that, from the start, feels captivating and a JRPG design that has made the Ys series so memorable throughout multiple console generations.
As Adol, you head to Redmont, a town in Celceta, with your companion Dogi. Dogi grew up here, and it’s the capital of Felghana, making it an important place in this world. Unfortunately, its importance is threatened by the sudden emergence of monsters. Dogi’s childhood friend Elena also informs you that Felghana’s ruler is corrupt and financially draining Redmont. With time, you learn about the history of this place and why each side in the struggle between those in power and the townsfolk is driven by various goals and traumas. It’s a great story that plays out in less than 15 hours of gameplay, making it the perfect length. We need more JPRGs that aren’t 80 hours long.
Like most JRPGs, leveling up your character is crucial to success in Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana. Grinding, the act of replaying certain enemy areas to increase your level to compete with the increased difficulty areas or bosses ahead, is not really necessary here. Instead, new equipment you collect tends to give you clarity for when it’s time to move to a new area of the game. Unlike newer Ys games, you’re also only worried about one character, meaning that you’re mastering Adol’s abilities and magic instead of learning and expanding a ton of details of multiple characters. This allows you to get to know Adol’s skills and impact the game more effectively.
Boss design and the overall truncated nature of the game make this a quicker experience than many JRPGs, but it’s not necessarily one you’re ready to leave so soon. The gorgeous upscaling of the graphics and the vivid and unique art style are a treat. Music in-game is also incredible, and you have the option to switch to the PC-8801 and X68000 soundtracks as well if you have nostalgia for the older SNES and PC titles. The experience of any Ys game is truly wonderful, but something about the graphics, gameplay, and overall experience of Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana made this my favorite entry I’ve played to date.
Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana seems a bit dated compared to recent entries on paper, but QoL updates for this timeless story and journey make it a must-play for JRPG fans and Falcom fans. While the shorter run time and lessened depth of character management might be a drag for some who love immersion in these worlds, I am a huge fan of the sub-15-hour experience and never felt like I was overstaying my welcome.
In all, Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is a great way to jump into a franchise with a rich history for newcomers as well as a great way to experience a timeless classic again for longtime fans. The game is out now for Nintendo Switch and PS5.
A Nintendo Switch review code for Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana was provided for this review.
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39 Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana
29.99
Pros
- Concise yet satisfying JRPG experience
- Gorgeous art design and updates to the graphics
- A wonderful story that's easy to follow for newcomers
Cons
- Less depth to character management and intense JRPG strategy than most Ys games
