Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA Reviews

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA is ranked in the 91st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
91 / 100
Aug 30, 2017

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is definitely going to set the bar for future installments of the Ys series. Hopefully it continues to go up from here, because I had an absolute blast experiencing this story and playing through the game. There were a few hiccups along the way, such as slight frame rate drops during more intense combat moments when there was a lot going on, minor voice acting issues, and rare AI issues. But these moments are easily counterbalanced by an incredible soundtrack, amazing story, addictive gameplay, and one of the best battle systems for any Action RPG around. Ys fans, you’re going to love this game. Action RPG fans, pick this one up. Everyone else… you might just be surprised with how good this game really is. Well done, Falcom.

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Aug 29, 2017

The story of survival at the heart of the game is pulled off well thanks to an endearing cast of characters who all have a unique perspective and purpose. Ys VIII is hardly thematically rich, but it's so satisfying to play, tapping into that primal desire to pull off flashy combos at high speeds and watch that map percentage slowly creep up. Rather than one of shambling prehistoric beasts that populate Seiran, Ys VIII is no dinosaur and this is the freshest and most fun the series has been for a while.

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Unscored
Aug 30, 2017

Ys 8 Lacrimosa of Dana is without a doubt a great JRPG and one of the best entries in the main series. Keeping every element that made the series so great. Besides its gorgeous Soundtrack and great combat, it also features one of the best plots ever, being nearly as good as Origins, full of likeable characters and mature storytelling. Yet, its giant open world and playtime are it´s biggest problems at the same time, letting the first third seem more like aimless padding than a captivating element. However, this is basically the only complain I have, I enjoyed the latest entry in the Ys series way too much to not recommend it, Ys 8 Lacrimosa of Dana is truly an amazing JRPG.

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7.8 / 10.0
Aug 30, 2017

If you’re a long term Ys fan, sure the story content may not be to your liking, but as it’s own thing, once the game lets you go out and explore, it’s one of the best in terms of gameplay.

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5 / 5.0
Aug 30, 2017

When all is said and done, Ys VIII is an utterly engrossing and nostalgic adventure that no fan of the action-RPG genre should miss.

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8.4 / 10.0
Aug 28, 2017

In short this game will surprise you as it makes RPG nay sayers a fan.

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9 / 10
Aug 30, 2017

Despite the complaints, I can easily see Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana going down as a modern classic of the genre. The sense of wonder the game offers during exploration, the beautiful artistic presentation, and the just plain solid and fun gameplay make this a title that you absolutely should not pass up.

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9 / 10.0
Aug 30, 2017

Right now is a great time to be a fan of the Ys series. With just about a simultaneous release of the upgraded Ys Seven for the PC which came out back in 2009, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana takes the concepts that were designed almost a decade ago and takes it all a step further.

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Sep 7, 2017

It’s another win for Falcom as they continue to churn out quality games and be the envy of every developer in the genre, and we wish them the best as far as this great series gaining more noticeable mainstream attention.

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8.8 / 10.0
Sep 13, 2017

This was my first Ys game and I can truly say that I would love to play the other ones to see if they offer the same kind of caliber when it comes to features and gameplay. And I’m hoping to find out what other adventures Adol has gone on to. If you’re a person who loves action RPG and likes the survival island life simulation, then this game is definitely for you.

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9.5 / 10.0
Aug 29, 2017

All I have to say now is, well done Falcom. Well done. You've got a new Ys fan, and made a certified masterpiece. I haven't played a game that's captivated me this much since Rogue Galaxy, back in 2007, so keep it up. Not just for us, but for the betterment of the JRPG genre.

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Evan Norris
Top Critic
Unscored
Sep 11, 2017

This is a title that can go head-to-head with anything released in 2017, including Breath of the Wild. With charming characters, fun combat, lots of opportunities to explore, and a large set of role-playing mechanics operating like clockwork, it accomplishes everything it sets out to do.

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8 / 10.0
Aug 31, 2017

As a tightly designed title, with every aspect intended to serve a single common purpose, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is actually a pretty strong entry in the series. Its simplicity really is its strength, and players looking for some sense of adventure should be able to find a good one in this. Additionally, that simplicity also makes Ys VIII accessible to players who have yet to experience this neat and fun series.

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10 / 10
Oct 2, 2017

Personally I would have to say that for me the game didn’t disappoint and I will defiantly be looking into past games in the series and looking forward to future ones.

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Games Xtreme
Mike Thomson
Recommended
Sep 17, 2017

With a killer soundtrack and a well-refined combat system, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is an adventure definitely worth diving into.

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Unscored
Oct 5, 2017

The combat mechanics make sense right from the start, which is refreshing for an RPG, but they are further complimented with an element of strategy to make Lacrimosa of Dana shine.

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9 / 10.0
Oct 6, 2017

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is an exhilarating and extensive experience, which fans of the franchise, and just fans of action RPGs in general, absolutely need to play.

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9.5 / 10.0
May 7, 2018

Technical issues aside, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA is Nihon Falcom’s magnum opus, a masterpiece that will be remembered for years to come as the developer’s lasting legacy.

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7.9 / 10.0
Jun 18, 2018

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana might not be the most gorgeous game there is, but it's an excellent JRPG adventure that will keep you busy with a hefty amount of playing time.

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9 / 10.0
May 3, 2018

Although a few technical issues do still exist, Ys VIII is still a fantastic JRPG. The combat is fun, the story is interesting, the soundtrack is excellent, and there is a ton of content to wade through.

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