By the time the ships of the Ys series first set sail, players have come to expect a familiar blend of fast‑paced action, heroic storytelling, and a soundtrack that sticks in the mind long after the controller is set down. “Ys X: Proud Nordics” tries to take those expectations into uncharted seas, adding a splash of naval warfare, islands to explore, and a handful of fresh mechanics. The result is a game that feels both comfortably familiar and occasionally a little adrift. Below is an in‑depth look at the strengths, the shortcomings, and whether the new content truly justifies the journey.
Narrative Highs and Lows
The story of Ys X: Proud Nordics is a mixed bag of pacing and emotional resonance. The first half of the campaign is tightly plotted: quests flow naturally, characters are introduced with purpose, and the sense of discovery feels genuine. However, once the narrative crosses the halfway line, the pacing falters. Plot points that once seemed deliberate become rushed, and certain side arcs feel like they’re being skimmed over to make room for the final showdown.
Despite this uneven pacing, the game redeems itself with a final boss that is a genuine treat. The encounter isn’t just a test of reflexes; it’s a culmination of the story’s thematic threads—despair and hope, sacrifice and redemption. This climax, paired with what many fans will agree is one of the strongest scripts in the franchise (second only to Ys VIII), leaves a lasting impression. The dialogue mixes earnest gravitas with occasional levity, and the recurring motif of “the sea as both a barrier and a conduit” feels especially resonant in today’s climate of uncertainty.
The script also shines in its character work. Karja, the dualist partner to Adol, stands out as a top‑tier JRPG protagonist. Her fiery personality, coupled with a superb voice performance, injects the narrative with genuine energy. Karja’s development, her struggle between duty and personal desire, provides a fresh lens through which we view Adol’s own evolution.
Other characters, however, are less memorable. The two new party members introduced in this expansion feel more like filler than fully realized personalities. Their presence serves the story’s pacing rather than its emotional core, and they rarely get a moment to shine.. Nevertheless, the game’s overall focus on deepening Adol’s character, something the series has been doing progressively, adds a satisfying layer of introspection not often seen in action‑oriented RPGs.
Sailing Into the Unknown
The early nautical sections crawl at a glacial pace, making the opening hours feel more like a tutorial than an adventure. It isn’t until the mid‑game upgrade, when the sea truly starts to feel like a playground. This pacing issue is a double‑edged sword: on one hand, it forces the player to engage with the game’s systems before the real fun begins; on the other, it can test the patience of anyone who expected the series’ trademark instant gratification.
If you’re willing to weather the initial doldrums, the later naval combat becomes a blast. After the upgrade, the ship moves with a satisfying weight, and the newly introduced “pirate‑style” engagements feel like a welcome expansion to the classic Ys formula. In a genre where the ambitious pirate‑themed title Skull and Bones fell flat, Proud Nordics manages to carve out a niche that feels both daring and, surprisingly, well‑balanced.
From Naval Warfare to Swordplay
Combat has always been the heart of Ys, and Proud Nordics attempts to expand that heart in two distinct directions: a refined block‑and‑counter system for on‑foot battles, and a brand‑new naval warfare component.
The block‑and‑counter mechanic feels like a “Sekiro‑lite” adaptation. When timed correctly, the counter not only nullifies enemy attacks but also opens a window for a powerful follow‑up. The system, however, is still rough around the edges, the timing windows can be inconsistent. Despite these issues, the mechanic adds a strategic depth that rewards patience and observation, making each encounter feel less like a button‑masher and more like an engaging duel.
Equally noteworthy is the Duo Combat system, which pairs Adol and Karja in synchronized attacks. Mastering this system takes time, the combo inputs are not always intuitive, but once you lock into a rhythm, the experience is exhilarating. The duo attacks feel fluid and rewarding, reinforcing the narrative focus on partnership.
Audio and Visual Presentation
Visually, Ys X: Proud Nordics enjoys a noticeable upgrade over its predecessors. The cutscenes are the standout, presenting richer textures, smoother animations, and a more cinematic framing that brings the story’s emotional beats to life. Although the game still falls short of the graphical fidelity seen in big‑budget titles, character models retain a slightly blocky aesthetic, and some background assets feel recycled, the overall visual polish is a welcome step forward for the series.
The soundtrack is stable. It fulfills the role of underscoring action and exploration without ever becoming intrusive. However, the music lacks the memorable hooks that made earlier Ys scores iconic. Some tracks feel a bit cheap, leaning on synthetic instrumentation rather than the sweeping orchestration. Despite this, the soundtrack is adequate enough that I found myself keeping the volume on throughout most play sessions, something I often do not do with other JRPGs whose music feels forgettable.
New Content and Replay Value with Proud
Proud Nordics adds a new island, characters, and systems that aim to expand the world beyond its core narrative.
Öland Island emerges as a highlight. This optional location boasts its own self‑contained sub‑story and offers a broader environmental variety than the rest of the seas. From lush forests to craggy cliffs, Öland feels distinct and quickly became my favorite spot for side‑quests and hidden treasure hunts.
The introduction of Elding Fragments, a consumable that lets you push skills past their original maximum rank, gives players a reason to grind for a little longer. This mechanic adds a layer of skill customization that feels rewarding, especially for those who enjoy min‑maxing.
A new high‑end dungeon appears, offering a tougher set of challenges for players craving extra difficulty. The dungeon’s design incorporates both traditional platforming puzzles and the newly refined combat mechanics, making it a fitting test of everything you’ve learned. Two new characters join the party, but they feel like filler. Their story threads barely intersect with the main plot. While they do provide a few extra dialogue options, they don’t significantly enhance the overall experience.
Overall, the additional content is a mixed bag. Öland Island and the high‑end dungeon stand out as quality additions, while the filler characters and relatively modest soundtrack improvements feel more like nice-to-haves than necessities.
Conclusion
Ys X: Proud Nordics is an ambitious attempt to breathe fresh life into a long‑standing franchise. It succeeds in several key areas, most notably the enhanced cutscenes, the engaging naval warfare, and a script that balances despair with hope. The introduction of block‑and‑counter combat and a deeper Duo system provide satisfying combat evolution, and the new island of Öland offers a welcome change of scenery.
However, the game is also hampered by pacing issues, a lack of enemy variety, and repetitive level design that can make the second half feel monotonous. The soundtrack, while serviceable, never reaches the soaring heights of earlier entries, and the two new party members fail to leave a lasting impression.
In the end, Ys X: Proud Nordics may not be the pinnacle of the franchise, but it stands as one of the most compelling entries in recent memory. If you can endure the gentle lull of the opening seas, the journey toward the stormy horizon is well worth the sail.
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