Henry Viola
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a fantastic starting point for newcomers to the series, as it effortlessly immerses you into the secrets behind the prison city of Balduq. The frantic and fast paced combat combined with slick traversal mechanics allow for a highly addictive gameplay loop. It is, however, a bit questionable the level of effort put into this native PS5 port considering there's very little improvements made and no upgrade path from PS4. If you haven't experienced this fantastic JRPG yet, then this is hands down the definitive way to enjoy it, but I can't recommend another purchase for those who already have.
The Sunbreak expansion only serves to elevate the already excellent experience that Monster Hunter Rise features, with a slew of new monsters, locales, armor, weapons, mechanics, and quality of life updates. It builds on nearly every aspect of the base game, without compromising anything in between. Just know that there is a high barrier to entry, especially for non-hardcore fans, in terms of price, difficulty, and grind.