Ys IX: Monstrum Nox Reviews
Adol Christin shows us a good time as he grapples, glides, and wall-runs while mowing down innumerable monsters in Ys IX: Monstrum Nox-all while wearing some damn fine threads.
Another fun, fast-paced action role-player from the makers of Trails Of Cold Steel but it's not quite the revelation its predecessor was, despite superior storytelling.
With Ys IX: Monstrum Nox, Falcom has re-created a really fun JRPG. In this installment of the saga, many novelties are added to make the playable experience even better than the previous one, and despite being weighed down by its graphics, this aspect does not become a barrier that prevents us from enjoying everything that the game has to offer.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is the most ambitious Ys game to date, delivering a larger focus on narrative and a much more involved and organic world to explore. The game stumbles under its ambitions a bit, with a slow opening chapter and a consistently struggling framerate. Despite those issues, though, this is easily one of the best entries in the long-running franchise, and while veteran fans will get a lot out of the callbacks sprinkled throughout the game, newcomers are still in for one of the best action RPGs of the year.
Ys IX is a classic action RPG, with great exploration mechanics, an accesible combat system and a beautiful soundtrack. We love the story and new characters, but Nihon Falcom game also shows outdated graphics and some repetitive missions.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
While not innovating or distorting the original formula, Ys IX Monstrum Nox still proves to be an eventful and extremely rewarding action-JRPG.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a great RPG with fast paced combat and plenty to do in its dense world.
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.
This here’s the tricky part – is Monstrum Nox worth getting on PS5? If you’ve never played it before, this is a great time to start. You’ve got smooth, fast-paced combat, corny dialogue, and a narrative crammed with anime nonsense. These games are utterly shameless and it rules. On top of that, the DLC makes an excellent cherry on top, a wacky garnish if you will. But if you’ve played any other version of the game, I wouldn’t bother with this one. The graphics are the same, the content is 95% identical, and your PS5 can play PS4 games. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a great game, but it’s not quite worth a double dip.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is an addictive action RPG the fans of the series will relish. It doesn't quite hit the highs of Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana, but the slight change in approach is fully welcome and I'm looking forward to where Adol's adventure takes him next. The Nintendo Switch version is filled with performance issues that really hinder the experience, however, the game is incredibly fun and fans of the genre should still pick this up.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a successful and must-have Japanese RPG for Adol fans, but it's not the decisive step forward that a legendary series like Ys deserves. The Switch version is plagued by too many technical uncertainties.
Review in Italian | Read full review
A better version of a great game with lots to do and intrigue abound. Ys IX is another winner for the venerable series and it's a far better port than its predecessor.
Ys IX Monstrum Nox remains another strong entry in the Ys franchise, offering up engaging combat fans will love. Visuals don't push any envelopes by any stretch and the writing has its hiccups, but Monstrum Nox has everything that makes a Ys title great.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a more than worthy new entry in the series, thanks to its gripping story, great exploration mechanics, solid combat, and a very tight pace that keeps players interested and leaves them hungering for more. The low difficulty level, dated visuals, and a hit-and-miss soundtrack impact the experience slightly but in no way tarnish the quality of the game, which is, everything considered, even slightly better than its excellent predecessor.
Despite some pacing issues and repetitive level design, Ys IX: MonstrumNox is a worthwhile journey for Adol that pushes the series forward in the right direction by introducing a plethora of new gameplay elements that I hope to see expanded even further in the next adventure.
Overall, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is both a solid addition to the Ys franchise, as well as a good starting point for newcomers. While the combat can get a little repetitive, the overall gameplay loop does enough to keep players coming back for more. Monstrum Nox can feel a bit generic in various aspects at times, but beneath the surface is a deeper RPG than expected. The overall narrative combined with interesting characters, solid gameplay, and strong side content make Ys IX: Monstrum Nox a fun experience.
A new chapter in the long-lasting Nihon Falcom series, that delivers exactly what you expect: classic JRPG experience with outdated tech and gameplay that is still fresh and entertaining.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is another solid action RPG, but it lacks the overall cohesion of its island-based predecessor. The city of Balduq is a disappointingly monotonous setting, and the game's storytelling often feels disjointed. But as is usually the case with Falcom's long-running series, it's the fast-paced, satisfying, and addictive gameplay that elevates the experience. Adol's latest adventure certainly isn't a classic, but for the most part, it's still a fun ride.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox seems to harken back to a time when JRPGs started to hit their stride with 3D worlds and broke free of the classic 2D presentation. It might look and feel old for some. Others, however, will appreciate its dogged dedication to more old-school JRPG conventions. The game’s dated visuals are especially obvious on the Switch but the ability to play it on the go makes the issue a bit of a wash. If you’re looking for some JRPG comfort food with solid action, exploration and storytelling, Ys IX could whet your appetite for hours upon hours.