NIS America announces Ys X: Nordics release date

NIS America has announced that Ys X: Nordics, the latest entry in the legendary Ys series, will be released on October 25, 2024, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG. The PC versions will include a Japanese text option, while both PC and console versions will feature Japanese and English audio. Ys X: Nordics is a 2023 action RPG developed by Nihon Falcom. Part of the Ys series, it was released in Japan for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch in September 2023.

Adol Christin is Back in Ys X: Nordics

Ys X: Nordics is a landmark in the legendary Ys series. The latest release in the franchise offers thrilling, fast-paced combat, a touching story of unlikely allies, and naval exploration in the vibrant Obelia Gulf. After a fateful encounter at sea, the red-haired young adventurer Adol Christin and the proud pirate Karja Balta find themselves bound by destiny—and the mysterious power of Mana. As they search for a way to undo the mystical bonds that tie them together, they soon become embroiled in a conflict between two factions: the seafaring warriors known as the Normans and the enigmatic and seemingly immortal Griegr. To save the people of the Obelia Gulf, Adol, and Karja must navigate the depths of their unexpected bond and the power it grants them.

Nihon Falcom is known for its narrative continuity in its RPG franchises. The Trails series has followed the same storyline for years, even as it introduces new characters, continents, and plots. Today, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak was released, starting a new arc after its predecessor, The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie. In interviews, Nihon Falcom CEO Toshihiro Kondo has expressed intentions to bring older titles to current consoles, either as remakes or remasters.

The Ys franchise follows a similar path. The main protagonist, Adol Christin, appears in all the mainline Ys games. However, unlike Trails, the Ys series does not necessarily follow a continuity as its titles are released. Ys X: Nordics is a direct sequel to the second game, Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished: The Final Chapter, which can be played in the Ys I & II Chronicles+ collection. Meanwhile, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox, the last internationally released title, is set at the end of the canonical Ys timeline.

Regardless, players can enjoy Ys without being too concerned about the timeline of its events, as each game can be played as a standalone. You can keep an eye on our comparator for the best deals on Ys X: Nordics when it arrives for Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, and PC on October 25, 2024.