Ys IX: Monstrum Nox Reviews
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a great action-RPG with fun, likable characters, a beautiful world to explore, and addictive combat everyone should try out.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is another solid entry in the often underrated Ys franchise. It’s fantastic cast of characters will get you incredibly attached to the townspeople and their goals and motivations and the flashy, fast paced real-time combat keeps encounters engaging and chaotic. If you’re happy with a slight performance trade-off for portability, it’s a great addition to your Nintendo Switch library.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox was just as fun as I remembered, only this time more polished and stable. The developers have ported over the PC version along with a number of minor visual tweaks and adjustments, yet they’ve omitted a number of useful features such as an unlocked framerate, cooperative multiplayer, and increasing visual settings such as draw distance. Overall I enjoyed playing through the game again but it’s hard to recommend to those that have played the original PS4 version on a PS5 console or those with a PS Plus subscription (as it’s currently on there), yet it’s easy to recommend to new players and those that wish to replay the experience.
Adol Christin's most agile adventure excels but its PS5 port can only be recommended to first-time players
Optimization woes aside, the latest entry in the Ys series is an action-packed and freely-explorable delight.
Another excellent addition to the Ys series with better combat, exploration, and new traversal mechanics.
Ys Ⅸ: Monstrum NOX is the result of a bravely new attempt by the production team inspired by Ys Ⅷ: Lacrimosa of DANA. Although some fans may feel it ambiguous, they can meet Falcom's small but elaborate semi-open world and enjoy excellent actions through this work.
Review in Korean | Read full review
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is another well crafted game of the Ys series and this latest reincarnation brings forth a great combat as well as exploration that keeps the player interested. Alas, not all is well with this version, and the game's poor performance on any screen creates an unnecessarily frustrating experience when we find ourselves dealing with more than two enemies at a time. Because of how almost ubiquitous this is, it makes it difficult to recommend Ys IX on the Nintendo Switch.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Despite at times significant performance issues, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox works well enough when it matters on the Switch. Players able to spend their time on Balduq on another platform will want to consider doing so, but if your only option is to play on the Switch or you really want to play on the go, Monstrum Nox is still at its core one of the best action-RPGs I’ve played in years.
"Unpolished blood diamond."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Overall, YS IX: Monstrum Nox is an enjoyable game that captures the heart of the JRPG genre. I highly recommend this game if you’re a fan of the series. And even if this is your first foray into the game, I am fairly certain you will enjoy it and would want to play the other games in the series.
While the majority of the formula isn't shaken up, the city of Balduq and its citizens have many sides to it. With an interesting story and a well laid out large city to explore Ys IX Monstrum Nox is another great adventure.
Despite non-trivial performance issues that significantly detract from the experience, a simple game design in virtually all respects, and few innovations, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox still has the virtue of its predecessor in having a solid, accessible battle system, diverse and relatively balanced action-RPG, yet with some enhancements, plus a reasonably well-written story, well-designed characters and, above all, considerable refinement in vertical level design and exploration in and out of dungeons.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Ys IX Monstrum Nox is a very good Action RPG that will dazzle the regulars of the genre and the lovers of this saga
Review in Spanish | Read full review
At the end of the day, the game is still immensely fun, and a great action RPG, though it’s still best played on the PS5 (and PC, depending on how that port turns out), of course. Still, for a downgraded version, this is one of the better weaker Switch ports I have seen lately, even if a lot more work should be done for improving the exterior areas (which seems to have been already done, thankfully!), and I say for those who enjoyed the VIII port on Switch, you’ll enjoy this port just as much, if not a bit more.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a fabulous title, filled with all the beats and quirks expected from a great JRPG. The story is fabulous and the characters, both new and returning, are interesting. The customization options of the combat mean anyone can enjoy the game. From the newest of newbies all the way to combat-hardened JRPG vets that want a massive challenge. Overall, I would recommend Ys IX: Monstrum Nox to anyone who loves JRPGs or adventure anime, along with all of the other Ys titles as well.
In many ways Ys IX: Monstrum Nox feels like a game that confidently builds on its immediate predecessor while addressing its key weaknesses, namely traversal. As a result you have a game that feels like a concept shined to near-perfection, and I can’t wait to see what Falcom does next.
Although I do appreciate what Falcom tried to do with a huge change of pace and ambience in Ys IX, the city of Balduq is far too uninteresting in comparison to previous Ys entries and the narrative takes itself way too seriously. Thankfully, the combat is still amazing and what makes Ys IX: Monstrum Nox a must play for die hard Ys fans.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
High quality, high speed action. Moderate storyline but senstational soundtrack. There were concerns of a scare factor if the title implemented something totally new, but thankfully, it delivered 'what Ys is known for'. The only complaint - if we were to be picky - would be the standard looking graphics.
Review in Korean | Read full review