Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana Review (PS4)
Introduction
This is the latest Ys game, with enhanced gameplay carried over from Ys: Seven and Ys: Memories of Celceta, where you can have a party of three members with different attack attributes. Again, this is an Action RPG game, with real-time combat that is similar to Kingdom Hearts and Nier games.
Day One Editions of this game include a sampler soundtrack CD and an art booklet. Remember to install the latest update to fix any possible issues in the game. The PS4 version also has extra dungeons, more playable Dana sections, and etc that are not present in the PS Vita section.
Story
The story takes place between the events of Ys V and Ys VI, in a mysterious island called the Isles of Seiren. Adol embarks on a ship to his destination with his good friend Dogim, but unfortunately got shipwrecked and ended up in that same mysterious island. As he explores the island with his fellow castaways, he will uncover the mysteries of the island as well as his mysterious connection with Dana, a girl who lives in the past.
This game has simplistic, yet interesting and well-structured story. The main plot is interesting, with good use of the game's lore and flashbacks. Dana's past story is also well-done, with interesting lore that ties in with the present storyline. The PS4 version also adds additional background story in the game's lore by playing Dana's past and extra dungeon, which is highly recommended.
This game also puts more emphasis on character expositions on each character, particularly all of the new characters introduced in this game. All of the new party members have interesting personalities and background story, such as Hummel, Dana, Laxia, Ricotta, and Sahad. Even the NPC castaways such as Dogi, Dina, Catherine, Kashu, Captain Barbaros, Sir Carlan, and many more have likable designs and personalities. There are also better character interactions between Adol and the other NPCs compared to previous Ys game. Unfortunately for Adol, he still has the static personality in this game, despite being adventurous and courageous.
Gameplay
1) Exploration and Progression Section
The game's exploration is the same as Ys: Memories of Celceta, where you can explore a certain region on foot. In this game, you must explore a large island, with different variety of areas that are home to different types of enemies. As you progress in the game, you can fast travel to different save crystals to save time. You will always return to the village for supplies, so it is recommended to use the fast travel feature extensively.
The progression is simple, as you can only progress the story by completing story objectives, such as exploring the areas that are marked in your map. You may also need to complete certain quests before proceeding, as well as exploring dungeons.
Quests are also available in this game, which usually involve you defeating certain enemies, collecting and delivering materials to the quest giver, as well as other objectives. Completing them will reward you reputation points as well as items, which are useful to trade rarer items or crafting items.
2) Upgrading and Customisation Section
This game has more simplistic upgrading system compared to Ys: Memories of Celceta, which is actually stay true to the game's setting. You can upgrade your weapons by spending different variety of materials such as ores. You can get the materials by exploring, defeating enemies, or harvest them from Harvest Points. However, you can only upgrade your current weapon, and you can even synthesise a better weapon from your existing weapon after progressing the game. Armour and accessories can be crafted by spending materials as well, and you can even trade materials with items from a vendor.
This game has simple customisation system, as you can equip your party members with one body armour, gauntlet, and two accessories. Each piece may have different effects, such as HP increase, immunity to status effects, and etc. It is best to equip different armour pieces and accessories accordingly. The leveling system is also basic, as you gain experience points by hitting and defeating enemies, which grant you increased stats.
3) Combat Section
The combat is similar to previous Ys game, which is real-time action combat as well as more freedom in combat such as jumping and dashing. You can attack an enemy with your equipped weapon, dodge roll or jump to avoid enemy attacks, and use Skills to defeat your enemies. Skills can be obtained as you fight higher leveled enemies such as bosses, and each of them has different usage, attack power, range and animation. You may also switch between three party members in combat and exploration easily.
This game also uses the three different attack attributes system, such as Slash, Strike and Thrust. Each playable character has their own unique attribute, such as Adol is a Slash-specialist, where his attacks can damage enemies who are weak against Slash attacks. Using the wrong attack attribute on enemies will deal lower damage than usual. This is critical when fighting against hordes of enemies, especially in harder difficulties.
You will also encounter different enemies have different designs, levels, and stats. Each enemy also has their item drop list, where you can obtain items by defeating them. Some enemies may even drop rare materials. Boss fights are the crème de la crème of the enemies, as each boss has different attack animations, stats, and designs.
While exploring the game, you may also be able to participate Interception and Suppression battles. Interception battles require you to defend your village from monsters in waves, and Suppression battles require you to destroy enemy nests as fast as possible. Completing them may reward you different items, which may be useful as you explore harder dungeons in this game.
4) Gameplay Conclusion
Excellent gameplay all-round, with major improvements over the previous Ys game such as more interesting boss battles, better exploration, and more smoother combat system. Each playable character has different playstyles, skills, and stats, which makes them fairly unique characters. The combat system is the major hightlight of the gameplay, and the ease of exploration is entirely welcomed in this game. There are also different difficulty modes that cater to players who have varied playing skills, as well as providing different amount of challenges.
The only real issue I have with the gameplay area is the minimal amount of puzzles. However, I suspect it may hinders this game's story pacing a lot more, so it is just a minor issue. Regardless, excellent gameplay.
Graphics
This game has excellent graphics. Well-designed character models, great animations such as attack animations, variety of environment designs, and many variety of monster designs. There are several palette swap enemies, but there are good variety of enemies for me to ignore them safely. This game has excellent great framerate performance.
This game has bugs, such as the mislabelled effects on food items, wrongly labelled stats collection entries, and etc. I have not encounter any glitches yet, although there are reports of glitches regarding Inferno Mode.
Sound
This game has excellent soundtrack. Fitting, adrenaline-pumping, and great music. I bought the soundtrack as I am now a big fan of Falcom's music, and this is no exception.
The English voice acting is great, with no real weak-spots as all voice actors did amazing job in voicing their characters with different personalities. There is also Japanese voiceover options for players who like to listen the original dub while playing the game.
It should be noted there is an audio bug while playing the game with English voices option, where one scene plays the Japanese voiceovers instead of English voiceovers.
Replay Value
This game has high replay value. You can play the game again in New Game Plus mode, play in harder difficulties such as Nightmare or Inferno difficulties, complete every quest in this game, collect every item, complete Interception and Suppression battles, complete every single Peoples entry, as well as complete the optional dungeons in the present and Dana's past. Once you have completed the game, you may also play the Time Attack mode, where you fight bosses in subsequent battles with the fastest time.
Conclusion
This is an excellent game, and it is now one of my favourite Action RPG games ever. Interesting story, many likable characters, great gameplay, excellent graphics, great music, and high replay value are the major highlights of this game. Of course, the game may not look as great as NieR: Automata, but this is still one of the best looking RPGs.
The actual issues this game may have are the quality of translation, which may not be up to par to XSEED's works. While it is unfortunate XSEED did not translate or localise this game themselves, NIS America did a good job in translating and localising this game for the English audience, despite some translation issues.
Regardless, this game is a worthy purchase for Action RPG fans. Great contender along with NieR: Automata. Get it as soon as you can if you like Action RPG with excellent combat system.
Score
Story: 8/10
Gameplay: 10/10
Graphics: 9/10
Sound: 9/10
Final Score: 9.0/10.0 or 36/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Interesting story.
- Great lore.
- Many likable characters.
- Excellent dual-protagonists focus.
- Great exploration and progression.
- Good story pacing.
- Excellent combat.
- Unique playable characters.
- Simple yet effective trading system.
- Good amount of content and side activities.
- Excellent graphics.
- Great music by Falcom Sound Team JDK.
- Good English voice acting.
- Dual-audio.
- High replay value.
Cons
- Some English translation issues.
- Some unresolved mysteries, such as Ricotta's origins.
- Bugs and glitches.
**Images are from RPGfan.
This is the latest Ys game, with enhanced gameplay carried over from Ys: Seven and Ys: Memories of Celceta, where you can have a party of three members with different attack attributes. Again, this is an Action RPG game, with real-time combat that is similar to Kingdom Hearts and Nier games.
Day One Editions of this game include a sampler soundtrack CD and an art booklet. Remember to install the latest update to fix any possible issues in the game. The PS4 version also has extra dungeons, more playable Dana sections, and etc that are not present in the PS Vita section.
Story
Enjoy another Adol's adventure.
This game has simplistic, yet interesting and well-structured story. The main plot is interesting, with good use of the game's lore and flashbacks. Dana's past story is also well-done, with interesting lore that ties in with the present storyline. The PS4 version also adds additional background story in the game's lore by playing Dana's past and extra dungeon, which is highly recommended.
This game also puts more emphasis on character expositions on each character, particularly all of the new characters introduced in this game. All of the new party members have interesting personalities and background story, such as Hummel, Dana, Laxia, Ricotta, and Sahad. Even the NPC castaways such as Dogi, Dina, Catherine, Kashu, Captain Barbaros, Sir Carlan, and many more have likable designs and personalities. There are also better character interactions between Adol and the other NPCs compared to previous Ys game. Unfortunately for Adol, he still has the static personality in this game, despite being adventurous and courageous.
Gameplay
1) Exploration and Progression Section
Explore different areas in the Isles of Seiren.
The progression is simple, as you can only progress the story by completing story objectives, such as exploring the areas that are marked in your map. You may also need to complete certain quests before proceeding, as well as exploring dungeons.
Quests are also available in this game, which usually involve you defeating certain enemies, collecting and delivering materials to the quest giver, as well as other objectives. Completing them will reward you reputation points as well as items, which are useful to trade rarer items or crafting items.
2) Upgrading and Customisation Section
Customise your characters with different armours, accessories, and outfits.
This game has more simplistic upgrading system compared to Ys: Memories of Celceta, which is actually stay true to the game's setting. You can upgrade your weapons by spending different variety of materials such as ores. You can get the materials by exploring, defeating enemies, or harvest them from Harvest Points. However, you can only upgrade your current weapon, and you can even synthesise a better weapon from your existing weapon after progressing the game. Armour and accessories can be crafted by spending materials as well, and you can even trade materials with items from a vendor.
This game has simple customisation system, as you can equip your party members with one body armour, gauntlet, and two accessories. Each piece may have different effects, such as HP increase, immunity to status effects, and etc. It is best to equip different armour pieces and accessories accordingly. The leveling system is also basic, as you gain experience points by hitting and defeating enemies, which grant you increased stats.
3) Combat Section
Fast paced and smooth action combat.
The combat is similar to previous Ys game, which is real-time action combat as well as more freedom in combat such as jumping and dashing. You can attack an enemy with your equipped weapon, dodge roll or jump to avoid enemy attacks, and use Skills to defeat your enemies. Skills can be obtained as you fight higher leveled enemies such as bosses, and each of them has different usage, attack power, range and animation. You may also switch between three party members in combat and exploration easily.
This game also uses the three different attack attributes system, such as Slash, Strike and Thrust. Each playable character has their own unique attribute, such as Adol is a Slash-specialist, where his attacks can damage enemies who are weak against Slash attacks. Using the wrong attack attribute on enemies will deal lower damage than usual. This is critical when fighting against hordes of enemies, especially in harder difficulties.
You will also encounter different enemies have different designs, levels, and stats. Each enemy also has their item drop list, where you can obtain items by defeating them. Some enemies may even drop rare materials. Boss fights are the crème de la crème of the enemies, as each boss has different attack animations, stats, and designs.
While exploring the game, you may also be able to participate Interception and Suppression battles. Interception battles require you to defend your village from monsters in waves, and Suppression battles require you to destroy enemy nests as fast as possible. Completing them may reward you different items, which may be useful as you explore harder dungeons in this game.
4) Gameplay Conclusion
Excellent gameplay.
The only real issue I have with the gameplay area is the minimal amount of puzzles. However, I suspect it may hinders this game's story pacing a lot more, so it is just a minor issue. Regardless, excellent gameplay.
Graphics
Excellent graphics. Bugs are present.
This game has bugs, such as the mislabelled effects on food items, wrongly labelled stats collection entries, and etc. I have not encounter any glitches yet, although there are reports of glitches regarding Inferno Mode.
Sound
Good English voice acting and great soundtrack. Dual audio is available.
The English voice acting is great, with no real weak-spots as all voice actors did amazing job in voicing their characters with different personalities. There is also Japanese voiceover options for players who like to listen the original dub while playing the game.
It should be noted there is an audio bug while playing the game with English voices option, where one scene plays the Japanese voiceovers instead of English voiceovers.
Replay Value
High replay value.
Conclusion
An excellent game.
The actual issues this game may have are the quality of translation, which may not be up to par to XSEED's works. While it is unfortunate XSEED did not translate or localise this game themselves, NIS America did a good job in translating and localising this game for the English audience, despite some translation issues.
Regardless, this game is a worthy purchase for Action RPG fans. Great contender along with NieR: Automata. Get it as soon as you can if you like Action RPG with excellent combat system.
Score
Story: 8/10
Gameplay: 10/10
Graphics: 9/10
Sound: 9/10
Final Score: 9.0/10.0 or 36/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Interesting story.
- Great lore.
- Many likable characters.
- Excellent dual-protagonists focus.
- Great exploration and progression.
- Good story pacing.
- Excellent combat.
- Unique playable characters.
- Simple yet effective trading system.
- Good amount of content and side activities.
- Excellent graphics.
- Great music by Falcom Sound Team JDK.
- Good English voice acting.
- Dual-audio.
- High replay value.
Cons
- Some English translation issues.
- Some unresolved mysteries, such as Ricotta's origins.
- Bugs and glitches.
**Images are from RPGfan.
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