Ys X: Nordics, the next installment in the beloved Ys series, is on its way to multiple platforms in 2023, Falcom has announced. The game will arrive in Japan in 2023, with a localized version likely to reach North America or Europe at some unspecified point months or years later.
Ys X: Nordics follows Ys IX: Monstrum Nox, which arrived in Japan in 2019 and finally made its way west in early 2021, courtesy of NIS America. That previous game is also available on multiple platforms, but the Switch version came several months behind the PlayStation 4 edition. This time, PS4, Switch, and PlayStation 5 versions are being planned as development proceeds.
Falcom has recently taken a pronounced interest in Switch as a platform, thanks to its popularity in Japan, after mostly ignoring the hardware during its first few years. The developer reportedly has three additional Switch titles scheduled for release in Japan in calendar 2023, in addition to Ys X: Nordics.
As for Ys X: Nordics itself, the story follows recurring hero Adol Christin as he ventures into a series of islands known as Obelia Bay while aboard his ship. Most of the available screenshots show him roaming about on land, as is typical for the franchise, but sailing sounds like it will be an important mechanic. If it's good enough for Assassin's Creed, why not Ys?
Combat also appears set to switch things up from what players have seen in the past. A "Cross Action" combat system reacts to the situation. In "Solo Mode," players control a particular character while a partner contributes to the effort. In "Combination Mode," control shifts to multiple players as they engage with more fearsome foes.
The Ys series has been around for a long, long while, and Ys X: Nordics arrives in time to celebrate the 35th anniversary. In North America, the franchise remains a niche success but enjoys a devoted fanbase that will likely make the new installment a success, once a publisher--probably NIS America again, who took over for XSEED--brings it west.
