Ys X: Proud Nordics Reviews
Ys X: Proud Nordics is the definitive way to experience Adol and Karja's maritime adventure. The massive quality-of-life improvements to ship navigation and the rock-solid performance on current hardware elevate the already excellent Cross Action System to new heights. While a slow opening and a somewhat grind-heavy rune progression system keep it from sheer perfection, the thrilling combat, phenomenal soundtrack, and stellar character dynamics make it a must-play action RPG. A truly epic voyage that respects the legacy of the franchise.
Review in Italian | Read full review
It may have all the same bones as the original version, but Ys X: Proud Nordics on Switch 2 is undoubtedly the way that this landmark action-adventure title deserves to be experienced on Nintendo hardware. Not only are the visuals improved, but the major performance bump makes everything from striking down enemies to simply navigating menus an absolute joy.The new gameplay additions, ranging from new story scenarios to tough-as-nails dungeon crawling, are nice to have as well, even if they ultimately feel like a small speck awash in the sea of gameplay variety that Ys X already contained. This enhanced version's siren song may be too faint to lure back anyone who forged through the original release, but newcomers and prospective fans owe it to themselves to answer the call and embark on the definitive version of this grand adventure.
Whether they dive right in or wait a while, the good news is that Proud Nordics will be delivering a fantastic experience once they pick it up, as it’s the definitive version of Nihon Falcom’s latest RPG.
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Ys X: Proud Nordics is the definitive edition of a stellar action RPG, but those who’ve already experienced Adol and Karja's adventures might not find enough here to justify a return trip.
Even if it's the definitive way to experience Ys 10 with some genuinely fun new content, Proud Nordics only further showcases what could have been.
Ys X: Proud Nordics is built on the solid bones of Ys X: Nordics. It, however, doesn’t add a lot of extra substance to warrant a new playthrough. It is the ultimate version of the game and the new recommended Ys to play for newcomers.
The added content in Ys X: Proud Nordics is definitely a nice bonus compared to the original, but is paying full price again really worth it? If there were ever a time for Adol to voice his thoughts, this would surely be it.
Ys X: Proud Nordics, like the original, is a pretty good game. However, with no real way to upgrade – Ys X: Nordics owners on PC get a slight discount – I really cannot recommend picking this up. It doesn’t offer enough to justify releasing so soon after Nordics, even if you’ve not touched either version before.
A refined and expanded adventure that elevates an already strong entry into one of the franchise’s finest
An improved and expanded take on Ys X that is a must-play on Nintendo Switch 2
As a complete game, Ys X: Proud Nordics is among the best in the series. As a re-release, however, it leaves much to be desired.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Ys X: Proud Nordics delivers Falcom’s most confident and complete take on the adventure, refining the original release with sharper combat, cleaner presentation and a brighter sense of character. The Switch 2 version benefits from stronger performance, faster loading and a noticeably smoother flow during exploration and battles, although the dated engine and occasional stutters reveal the limits of the underlying technology. The added content and quality‑of‑life improvements give this re‑release genuine value, yet the full‑price model and lack of an upgrade path remain difficult to ignore. Even so, Proud Nordics stands as the definitive way to experience Adol’s latest journey, offering an energetic, polished and consistently engaging action RPG that plays to the series’ strengths.
However, the lack of cross-progression does mean that you'll have no choice but to start over. On the other hand, if you've yet to play Ys X, I can wholeheartedly recommend this version. While returning players do have to wrestle with whether the upgrade is worth it, new players should absolutely dive in without hesitation.
Ys X: Proud Nordics is the same great game with extra content that adds a lot of value and rewarding challenges for those who master its memorable seafaring campaign. It may have released a bit too soon but what's here is excellent stuff regardless. ⛵
Ys X: Proud Nordics doesn’t revolutionize the original version, but it still manages to enhance the experience. The new narrative content, additional abilities, and various gameplay refinements make this edition more complete and better balanced. For those who have never played Ys X, this is undoubtedly the best version to start with. Adol and Karja’s adventure remains fun, dynamic, and full of spectacular moments, thanks above all to a combat system that continues to be one of the game’s strongest points. Those who have already completed the original might find the new features less essential, but the collection of additions still makes Proud Nordics a successful re-release.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Ys X: Proud Nordics is an action RPG that shines with its frenetic dual-damage combat, captivating narrative, and gorgeous art style. Now available for the first time entirely in Spanish, it's the perfect entry point for new players and an unforgettable gift for veterans.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
If you didn’t play the original game the first time around, Ys X: Proud Nordics is an absolute must–buy for fans of action-focused RPGs. For returning players? I’d still recommend it, though the lack of an upgrade path is a massive frustration. But having all the old DLC thrown in for free, along with the quality-of-life updates, the smoothed–out ship travel, the refined combat, and the sheer scale of the new content makes it a vastly superior experience to its original form, with this the definitive way to experience Adol’s journey.
This is a solid ARPG with a simple yet engaging story. Thanks to the chemistry between its protagonists, its revamped combat system, an outstanding soundtrack, new quests, and quality-of-life improvements, this is the definitive version of Ys X. All of this compensates for the shortcomings in environment design and the simplicity of sea navigation. This is a title that prioritizes fluid gameplay and character development over a complex story or visual innovation. Fortunately, it doesn't lose the essence and DNA that sets Falcom games apart from more traditional franchises on the market.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Ys X: Proud Nordics is an enhanced version of a good JRPG that could have elevated it to greatness, but it left me wanting more on some of the promises made. The story remains the game’s highlight, with intriguing plot development, great new characters and locations, and a dungeon as icing on the cake. However, the combat feels repetitive and button-mashy at times, so some new mechanics would have been welcome alongside the further skill mastery and mana hold. The graphics are also a mixed bag: the character design and cutscenes are great, but the muddy textures sometimes made me wonder if this was a current-gen game. This may be limited to the Switch 2 version that I played, but I think Ys X: Proud Nordics would have benefited from more development time and a longer break after the first game, which is still fresh in the minds of most fans.