Nihon Falcom’s Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is just around the corner, and if you’ve got any interest in the series, this is where I’d begin.
While Ys X: Nordics is the latest game in the series, the older games play differently and are just as imaginative and expansive. However, I’ve always found myself intrigued by the older games in the series due to how well everything came together.
Return to Ys’ early chapters
Ys Memoire is a remaster which adds an English dub for Adol, new portraits, additional soundtracks, including the PC-8801 and X68000 versions, and a few other quality-of-life changes, including Turbo Mode, the ability to skip dialogue, and 60 frames.
The gameplay in Oath in Felghana is a finely tuned, action-packed experience. You control Adol Christin, the series’ red-haired protagonist, as he explores Felghana, battling enemies in real time with fluid, responsive controls. The game introduces a refined version of the mechanics introduced in Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim, offering fast-paced combat emphasizing movement, dodging, and attack timing.
The Oath in Felghana is one of Adol’s earlier adventures as he and Dogi end up in Redmont, Dogi’s hometown. Adol’s companion is eager to show him the country and meet the locals, but not long after landing, the pair are split up to deal with several pressing issues. Adol is sent out to visit and save the mayor of Redmont in the mine, which is the event that leads our hero to more significant problems at hand.
The Red-Haired Adventurer Returns
The ability to jump and attack mid-air adds verticality to combat and exploration, a departure from earlier Ys games. The platforming elements are challenging without being overly frustrating, and the game’s progression ensures a steady learning curve as new abilities and equipment are acquired. Boss battles are a highlight, requiring strategic thinking, pattern recognition, and quick reflexes. These encounters are challenging and rewarding, testing players’ mastery of the game’s mechanics.
Newer mechanics like dodging and parrying aren’t available, so you’re left to think on your feet for most encounters. Bosses are also much more complicated and require your full attention to defeat them. Even early bosses had me against the ropes, and it wasn’t until I sat back and thought through my strategy that I overcame the challenges in front of me. You’ll often see the game over screen at the beginning, so be ready to challenge bosses repeatedly.
NewerYs games include party members you can freely switch between. In Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana, you control Adol and Adol alone, making gameplay fast and furious. Striking enemies earn additional buffs like extra experience points, MP, HP, and strength, making every strike count.
Adol gains access to three elemental bracelets throughout his journey, each tied to a unique magic ability: Ignis Bracelet, which shoots fireballs, perfect for ranged attacks and breaking obstacles; the Ventus Bracelet, which creates swirling blades around Adol, helpful for close-range damage and multi-enemy encounters; and the Terra Bracelet, which emits a powerful shockwave, great for stunning enemies and solving environmental puzzles.
Each bracelet also has utility outside combat, playing a role in exploration and puzzle-solving. For instance, the Ventus Bracelet can help Adol glide across short distances, while the Terra Bracelet can trigger mechanisms or destroy barriers. These abilities, powered by a rechargeable magic gauge, add strategic depth to battles and encourage players to experiment with different tactics.
The RPG elements—such as levelling up, upgrading equipment, and collecting valuable items—are well-balanced, ensuring that grinding never feels necessary unless you want to perfect your skills or improve your gear for more challenging encounters.
The story of Oath in Felghana is pretty basic, but it’s filled with charming characters you’ll meet in Redmont. Newer titles feature a base Adol uses, which is true here, with Dogi’s hometown being Adol’s base.
The Oath in Felghana could have used some modern-day improvements. Notably, there is no in-game mini-map, which can make navigation challenging. Additionally, the 2.5D platforming elements, such as jumping to attack enemies or moving between rocks, do not always land, so you have to backtrack if you fall down a hole. In many instances, players may engage in extended encounters with flying enemies due to difficulties in executing jump attacks accurately and positioning correctly, which are some of the more frustrating enemies you encounter.
Verdict
Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is a look to the past for the series, updating one of Adol’s best adventures with bells and whistles like Turbo Mode, new voiced lines, and more. If you’re curious about the series, The Oath in Felghana is a great place to start, but be warned that there is a challenging game ahead of you. Thankfully, it doesn’t overstay its welcome and has a straightforward story that’ll keep you invested to the end (and onward to more adventures).
[The publisher provided a copy of the game for review purposes.]
Reviewed on: PlayStation 5
Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana Review
Summary
Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is a look to the past for the series, updating one of Adol's best adventures with bells and whistles like Turbo Mode, new voiced lines, and more. If you're curious about the series, The Oath in Felghana is a great place to start, but be warned that there is a challenging game ahead of you. Thankfully, it doesn't overstay its welcome and has a straightforward story that'll keep you invested to the end (and onward to more adventures).
Liked
Fast and frantic combat
A simple story told well
The soundtrack is memorable
Didn't Like
Can be difficult at times, mostly during boss battles
Dungeon layouts can be confusing
Some low quality textures
8