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.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a great game that maintains enough elements of previous Ys games so that longtime fans will feel at home while the Monstrum gifts breathe new life into the gameplay.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a continuation of what fans have come to expect from the series and the Monstrum gifts add a new and fun gameplay mechanic.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox isn't a massive step up over its tropical predecessor, but it hits all the right beats it needs to make for an addictive and engaging action-RPG. Fast-paced combat, a memorable setting, and a surprisingly content-rich open world make for an experience that action-RPG fans won't want to miss out on. Were it not for the performance issues, we might even be inclined to say this is the best example of the genre on the Switch yet. Given those problems, however, a totally unreserved recommendation of Ys IX: Monstrum Nox on Switch is tough to make. Performance is reported to be a little bit better on PS4 and PS5, so if you have access to one of those consoles, we'd recommend getting it there. Otherwise, you're still in for a good time on Switch - just brace yourself for those frame drops.
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 several steps in the right direction for the series.
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.
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.
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
By the end of my adventure I almost felt embarrassed that I'd missed out on the Ys franchise for so long. It has some pacing and technical issues, but the loveable characters, intriguing story and fantastic combat and movement far exceeded my expectations and made me want to experience everything I've missed. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox has made me a Ys fan and I couldn't be happier about it.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is an epic tale with a vibrant world within its walls. With its tried and true gameplay, this latest entry nimbly balances familiarity with the rush of innovation.
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
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.