Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA Reviews
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is easily the most ambitious entry in series to date, with an expansive world map and a greater emphasis on storytelling.
It took years for Falcom to develop the perfect entry in the series, and with Ys VIII: Lacrimosa Of Dana, they finally managed to do so by refining the renewed story focus and gameplay mechanics introduced in Ys Seven without taking away what makes the series so enjoyable. With a well-executed, albeit not really original story, charming cast, fast paced battle system, engaging boss battles, tight challenge level and plenty of side-content, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa Of Dana is without a doubt the best entry in the series and one of the best action role-playing games released this year.
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is an exhilarating adventure with plenty of secrets to uncover and a wonderous island for you to explore. If you're a fan of the series or are even just a fan of RPGs in general, then Lacrimosa of Dana is an easy title to recommend. Its fast paced combat system and intriguing storyline will keep you hooked throughout.
Nearly seven years after first releasing on Vita, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana holds up incredibly well even today. Despite its old-school aesthetics, the game looks nice and runs especially well on the PS5, thanks to its high and consistent frame rate. Granted, the old-school gameplay might not float the boat of folks who want something more modern. For fans of classic JRPGs, however, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana’s interesting characters combined with its fun action combat and base-building and crafting mechanics make it one of the best games I’ve ever played in the genre.
I always found myself constantly moving and exploring everything that Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana had to offer, and whenever I needed to take a quick break from all the tight action, I found myself appreciating the company of my fellow castaways and the natural wonders of Seiren Island. With its streamlined combat system and compelling narrative, the latest entry in the Ys series is another solid addition to the Switch's growing library and should definitely be on every JRPG lover's list..
With fun, fast-paced combat, likable characters, and an enjoyable story that takes full advantage of its beautiful shipwrecked setting, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is a top-shelf action RPG. Exploring the Isle of Seiren is as rewarding as mastering the character-swapping, hack-and-slash battle system, and both fit into an addictive feedback loop of adventuring that keeps everything moving at a quick clip. Editing issues and inconsistent image quality in handheld mode are small blemishes on an otherwise polished production, but don't let them deter you; Ys VIII is a true gem.
Ys VIII proves once again that 2016 is the year of J-RPG. Not only does it offer solid RPG elements and dynamic combat sessions, it also does a very good job at making us discover the Siren Island and care for our heroes. And with its excellent graphics (especially for the Vita version) and this very good soundtrack, all that makes it one of the best game of this summer 2016. A great J-RPG to play on the go !
Review in French | Read full review
Excellently playable anniversary of the Ys series with brisk action and some serious dramaturgical weaknesses.
Review in German | Read full review
Ys VIII isn't Adol's typical adventure, but it's so well-crafted (aside from chatty characters) from its combat down to its methods of exploration and side mission variety. It may take a bit longer for newcomers than long-time fans to take the bait, but once you're reeled in, you will be hooked. You'll need to be hooked, because even with a crit-path strategy for completion, it will easily take over 40 hours to get through the mystery of the Isle of Seiren. Fortunately, any action-RPG fan, even those who disliked the Ys series in the past, will find plenty to lure them in and keep them on the line.
Despite the rough visuals and occasional storytelling misstep, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana delivers some of the best music and combat of any RPG out there.
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana has introduced a new type of adventure to the Ys series and does it incredibly well. The game takes the action-RPG genre to a new level with its excellent story pacing and gameplay. The game offers many hours of exploring and fast-paced action along with plenty more for those who'd like to dive deeper into the mysteries of the island. The truth is after picking up Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana I simply couldn't put it down until I finished the story. In the end, I found myself attached to many of the characters that I met along the way and part of me wished that this Ys adventure never had to end. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana will also release on PS Vita and PC.
As a lover of RPGs, this game is extremely lacking, and it caters only to previous fans of the series.
Ys VIII on Switch manages to offer the best handheld version of the game, but it comes with its own fair share of problems that hold it back.
Despite some small annoyances, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is a blast on the Switch. The simply, yet fun, combat is a winner whether you’re on the go or playing at home. Add in a thrilling story and it makes for one of the better offerings for the platform. Sure, it could perform a little better and do a better job with direction, but these things are quickly forgotten when you’re defending your settlement or finding new residents.
Ys VIII's smooth combat, amazing music, and fun-to-explore environments make for a memorable and rewarding experience. Unfortunately, you may want to steer clear of a Switch port that mars that experience with technical and localization issues.
Ys VIII is nearly perfect when you're simply exploring the island and defeating monsters, but the story sometimes interrupts the action too much.
The Ys series is back and its newest installment is simply remarkable.
Ys VIII is a smooth and speedy action RPG that is weakened by a curious proclivity to pander to trends instead of carving out its own niche in the space this series helped to define decades ago.
Nihon Falcom & Nippon Ichi Software has crafted yet another fantastic entry in the Ys series. The same great gameplay and storytelling elements that have become synonymous with the series, along with exceptional graphics. Sure, the top-down view has been replaced but the new 3D graphics help brings the world to life and I enjoyed the voice lines. Combine that with some enjoyable character development and a game that spans over 40+ hour and you got a game that you won't want to put down for a while.