Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Ys: Book I & II refines the classic action-RPG formula with fast-paced, real-time combat that instantly feels both approachable and engaging. Rather than relying on complex button combinations, you simply steer Adol into enemies to unleash attacks, making encounters fluid and intuitive. Precision and timing still matter, though, especially in tighter corridors or when swarmed by multiple foes.

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The two adventures offer a pleasing variety of environments—from the winding caves and villages of Book I to the floating islands and ancient shrines of Book II. Each dungeon introduces new traps, puzzles, and enemies, encouraging you to experiment with movement and positioning rather than simply button-mash. You’ll often find hidden passages or secret treasures tucked away, rewarding exploration as much as combat prowess.

Character progression is straightforward but satisfying. Adol gains new swords, shields, and accessories that tweak health, attack speed, or defense. Shops are stocked with healing items and occasional rarity drops, ensuring you can tackle tougher monsters or boss encounters without grinding excessively. The pacing keeps you on your toes—there’s always a new challenge around the corner, from mini-bosses to environmental hazards.

The enhanced CD-quality soundtrack and anime-style cutscenes punctuate the gameplay with narrative beats and boss introductions, breaking up exploration with dramatic flair. Save points are generously placed, and load times are minimal, so you spend more time adventuring and less time waiting. Whether you’re revisiting as a long-time fan or diving in fresh, the gameplay loop remains compelling and encourages you to press on to the next landmark in Adol’s journey.

Graphics

Visually, this release modernizes the original PC-88 and PC-Engine editions with a richer color palette and more detailed sprites. Towns, forests, and cavern interiors all benefit from refined textures and smoother animations, breathing new life into environments that felt dated on earlier platforms. The clarity of each map region makes navigation intuitive and highlights hidden secrets with subtle visual cues.

The standout graphical upgrade comes in the form of newly animated cutscenes crafted in an anime style. These sequences, produced by a well-known studio, introduce major villains and story turning points with expressive character art and dynamic camera angles. They serve as reward beats between major milestones and add an emotional layer absent from the original chiptune-only releases.

Combat animations are crisp, with Adol’s sword slashes and enemy reactions popping off the screen. Even during intense battles, frame rates remain rock-steady, preserving the fluidity of the bump-attack mechanic. Overall, the visual enhancements respect the series’ pixel-art roots while delivering a presentation that feels right at home on modern displays.

Story

Ys: Book I & II follows the intrepid red-haired hero Adol Christin as he uncovers the mysteries of the long-lost land of Ys. In Book I, Adol arrives in the port town of Minea and learns of six sacred books that, when united, will guide him to Ys. The narrative is tightly paced, with each recovered book unlocking new regions, characters, and bits of lore about the divine civilization that once thrived there.

Book II plunges you straight into the heart of Ys itself, a paradise besieged by dark forces. Adol must form alliances with Ys’s inhabitants—mysterious mages, frog-folk warriors, and ancient guardians—to combat the greater evil lurking beneath the city. The story deepens, introducing political intrigue, moral dilemmas, and memorable supporting characters who help flesh out the world.

Dialogue is presented through readable on-screen text, and while a few translation quirks persist, the core plot remains engaging. Character development feels earned as you witness Adol evolve from a curious explorer into a seasoned hero willing to sacrifice everything to save a civilization. The dual-chapter structure offers a complete narrative arc that resolves satisfactorily yet leaves room for future adventures.

Overall Experience

Ys: Book I & II offers exceptional value by packaging two classic action-RPGs into one seamless adventure, complete with modern enhancements. The combination of snappy combat, rewarding exploration, and a stirring soundtrack makes for hours of nostalgic yet fresh gameplay. For fans of the series, it’s a definitive way to experience Adol’s formative quests; for newcomers, it’s an accessible entry point into one of the genre’s pioneering franchises.

The difficulty curve is well balanced: early dungeons teach you core mechanics, while later challenges demand mastery of positioning and item usage. Auto-maps and generous save points help smooth progression without overly diluting the sense of risk. Whether you tackle the quests in one marathon session or pick them up piecemeal, the game stays consistently engaging.

In sum, Ys: Book I & II stands as one of the best retro remakes available. Its marriage of classic gameplay and modern polish delivers an experience that feels both timeless and immediately gratifying. If you’re looking for a legendary action-RPG saga with rich audiovisual presentation and compelling world-building, this is a must-play release.

Retro Replay Score

8.1/10