Ys IX: Monstrum Nox Reviews
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
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.
"Unpolished blood diamond."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
The problem is the game feels like a major step back from the previous entry in the series. The stilted storytelling, boring setting, and just decent soundtrack all feed into my feelings of disappointment. Lacrimosa of Dana was one of the best games I played in 2017, and the fact that Ys IX doesn’t reach that high is frustrating. If you’re in the mood for more Ys, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is still worth a play. This isn’t a bad game in the slightest…just a disappointing one compared to the highs of recent series entries.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a real shot in the arm as far as livening up the formula, and while Falcom accomplished the mission of making Ys’ non-combat gameplay more exciting, the setting of Balduq left much to be desired–maybe it’s just me being tired of having to quarantine after doing it virtually all of 2020, but it can’t really feel good for Adol either.
Ys IX had a lot of potential to clean up everything Ys VIII did wrong with the series, but instead, the developers decided to double-down on those previous decisions. At least in Ys VIII, the hideout where Dogi hangs out and the tower defense elements to protect it make some sense. In Ys IX, the hideout feels forced, and the tower defense element for the Grimwald Nox feels incredibly out of place and forced.
Ys IX Monstrum Nox may come from an established franchise, but it treads the line of least resistance, trying to be as safe as possible. While its painfully slow narrative ends strongly, combat remains its strongest asset. It takes no risks, ending up as an almost cookie-cutter version of the previous title in a different setting.
We can admire Ys IX: Monstrum Nox for its fun gameplay and good use of role-playing elements such as fascinating side quests and of course, interesting features of each character. On the other hand, it does not have an acceptable story and characterization and it does not reach an acceptable level in terms of technical graphics of a new game. In the end, If you are a fan of the RPG games or YS series, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a nice game to play.
Review in Persian | Read full review
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.
If in general the hybrid nature of Nintendo Switch tends to balance the technical limitations of the hardware with portability, in this case there is no valid reason why you should prefer this second version of Ys IX: Monstrum Nox to the one launched only a few months ago on PS4 and PS4 Pro, which for some time has even supported 4K resolution.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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 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.
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: 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 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
Adol Christin's most agile adventure excels but its PS5 port can only be recommended to first-time players
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
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox has the type of performance issues we shouldn't be seeing on consoles these days. When it's cooking, however, it provides a fully satisfying JRPG adventure for those seeking unique monsters to fight, vast environments to explore, and intriguing mysteries to unravel.
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.