[PlayStation 5] Review of Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana

Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana, brought to us by the talented team at Nihon Falcom and published by XSEED Games along with Marvelous, is the latest jewel in the time-honored Ys series. This release is a fresh spin on the Ys III remake, which first captured gamers’ hearts on the PSP back in 2010. Wondering what this remastered edition brings to the table? Let’s dive into the Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana and uncover the new thrills it offers!

Originally crafted as a modern take on the 16-bit console classic, Ys III: Wanderers From Ys, this cherished installment has been revitalized for the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 as Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana. Close to 15 years have passed since its last version, and this time, returning fans and newcomers alike can relish a swath of enhancements, such as an all-new voiceover for the iconic hero, Adol Christin. With its reimagined high-definition graphics and revamped musical scores, this epic adventure has never looked or sounded better.

The remaster doesn’t stop there. It rolls out multiple soundtrack versions, new accessibility features, and fresh character illustrations, establishing Ys Memoire as the definitive edition of this respected classic.

Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana serves as a remaster of Ys III’s 2010 PSP edition, enhancing the beloved game with new voiceovers, crisp high-definition visuals, and trophy support. Join Adol and his steadfast companion, Dogi, as they traverse the intriguing landscapes of Felghana. As an enthusiastic fan of the Ys series, I was thrilled to embark on one of the few entries I hadn’t yet tried.

Earlier Ys titles focused sharply on action and exploration, thrusting players right into intense gameplay with minimal introduction. Meanwhile, the more recent additions, like Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana—my personal favorite—and its sequential releases, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox and Ys X: Nordics, weave richer narratives, often spending hours on setting the stage before diving into the action. Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana harks back to the style of Ys Origin more than other series entries, both in gameplay mechanics and its overall feel.

When it comes to gameplay, Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana excels, presenting fast-paced, arcade-style action that keeps players engaged. Expect to be constantly engaging enemies with rapid attacks and incorporating jumps for aerial assaults. Combat and exploration are enriched by using magical bracelets—Fire, Wind, and Earth—all equipped with unique abilities. Whether you’re solving puzzles or battling foes, these elements add depth by requiring tactical switching to overcome enemies with specific elemental resistances.

While the controls in Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana stay faithful to the original, I found them somewhat cumbersome. Thankfully, they are customizable in the options menu. Adjusting them made a significant difference in gameplay fluidity—assigning jump to the X button, attack and talk to Square, and accessories to Circle enhanced the control intuitiveness. A minor hiccup I encountered was with the touchpad binding, which managed both the no-fall power-up and fast-travel ability, necessitating constant toggling. It would have been far more efficient if each function had its own dedicated button given the surplus of available buttons on the DualSense controller.

The level design in Ys Memoire follows an old-school methodology with branching paths and a noted absence of an in-game map. Although the game world is compact, featuring only a few key locations, the dungeons are vast, monopolizing most of your playtime. These non-linear designs often mandate revisiting areas, hunting for elusive items or hidden passages that move you forward. You’re bound to experience some backtracking until you solve the puzzles needed to progress. This level of design contrasts sharply with the straightforward, linear routes pervasive in contemporary games.

Even on normal difficulty, these dungeons are no walk in the park, testing your skills as you raise Adol’s level by confronting every enemy. Boss battles feel like formidable barriers, often requiring some grinding. Equipping and improving new gear can make a world of difference—suddenly, you’ll find previously challenging bosses manageable.

Technically, the game operates on a 3D engine akin to Square Enix’s HD-2D lineup, providing environments with a low poly charm and 2D character models, all running smoothly at 60 fps. While the visuals have seen an upscale, maintaining their retro allure, players can switch between PSP original art and newly refreshed designs for the remastered edition. Personally, I preferred the updated artwork though the classic designs hold nostalgic appeal for fans of early 2000s anime.

Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana comes with both English and Japanese voice options for player preference. Patrick Seitz’s return as Dogi meets expectations, while Heather Hogan’s portrayal of Elena stands out pleasantly. The game also offers three background music settings—Original, PC-8801, and X68000—though it’s fair to say the soundtrack, while enjoyable, doesn’t quite match some of Falcom’s iconic compositions. Particularly, I appreciated the Overworld theme more than some, like the abandoned mine track, which didn’t quite hit the mark.

This game packs a robust set of 59 trophies including 52 Bronze, 6 Silver, and a single Gold, covering story milestones and requiring six full playthroughs for completion. Fortunately, with strategic planning, later runs can be completed swiftly. Cross-Buy support allows both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions with trophy synchronization, each supporting its own Platinum trophy.

If you missed the PSP version when it launched, diving into Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is a rewarding adventure. This remaster stays faithful while adding a modern polish, boasting varied soundtracks and fast-paced mechanics reminiscent of early Ys installments. Beginners should anticipate an initial challenge due to the difficulty level and may need to level up strategically. To claim the coveted Platinum trophy—or for an authentic experience—starting on normal difficulty is advisable. Available as a Cross-Buy title for $29.99, players receive both PS4 and PS5 versions, making it a valuable addition to any game library.

Just a heads-up: This review of Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is based on playing a PlayStation 5 version provided by XSEED Games.