What Order Should You Play The Ys Series In?

The Ys series is a beloved action-JRPG with a lot of roman numerals to sort through. With a series as long running as Ys, it’s natural for players to wonder what order these games should be played in.

The Ys series by Nihon Falcom has a rich history, and understanding its play order can make a significant difference in your experience. You have the option of following either the chronological order, which traces the events of Adol Christin’s adventures, or the release order, which reflects the development and progression of the games over time.

Here’s a breakdown of both, along with some suggestions for how to approach the series.

Release Order of the Ys Series:

*Note: Ys III and IV are now considered non-canon, replaced by Ys: The Oath in Felghana and Ys: Memories of Celceta respectively. Ys V was never reloaded outside of Japan.

1. Ys I (1987)
2. Ys II (1988)
3. Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim (2003)
4. Ys: The Oath in Felghana (2005, a reimagining of Ys III)
5. Ys Origin (2006)
6. Ys Seven (2009)
7. Ys: Memories of Celceta (2012)
8. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana (2016)
9. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox (2019)
10. Ys X: Nordics (2023)

This release order allows you to experience how the series evolved, with improvements in graphics, combat mechanics, and storytelling. It’s a great way to appreciate the historical context of the series and see how it modernized over the decades.

Chronological Order:

For those more interested in the narrative, the chronological order follows Adol’s journeys in separate mostly standalone stories at different points in his life.

1. Ys Origin (set 700 years before Ys I)
2. Ys I & II (the beginning of Adol’s adventures)
3. Ys X: Nordics
4. Ys: Memories of Celceta
5. Ys: The Oath in Felghana
6. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana
7. Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim
8. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox

This order allows players to experience Adol’s adventures as they unfold in the series’ timeline, adding a sense of continuity. For example, Ys X: Nordics takes place between Ys II and Memories of Celceta, making it Adol’s third major adventure and providing insight into his early days. While Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim being a later game actually references events and plot points from the games before it.

Another Ys play order option:

Ultimately, the Ys series is flexible when it comes to where you begin, as each game stands relatively well on its own, focusing on a new adventure in Adol’s life. Ys I and II are so wildly different from later titles that if you don’t start there it may be hard to go back. However, I know plenty who have done it. I know plenty who have also just skipped them. (Sorry completionists).

Most agree not to start with Ys VI as it’s so lore heavy, but even that isn’t an issue if you’re not super into the story and just want to enjoy the action gameplay. Most starting choices now for this would be the modern titles like Ys VIII or Ys X.

Choosing the play order that best fits your preferences will mean more enjoyment in the long run.

Ys X: Nordics will release on the Switch, Playstation 4 and 5, and PC on October 25, 2024.