Ys X Nordics Announced by Nihon Falcom for 2023 Release

Nihon Falcom opened the official Japanese website for its latest Ys game. Titled Ys X Nordics, the game will take series protagonist Adol Christin to the chilly northern seas. There he’ll encounter new peoples, new lands, and new challenges.

Here are some of the details about the game, based on the official website. Note that some of the romanizations used may be unofficial and not be reflected by a future English-language release.

Ys X Nordics is set in the Oberia Gulf, a large body of water containing an archipelago of countless islands. There Adol encounters a maritime tribe called the Norman, threatened by a group of “immortal” beings called the Griga (or Grieger), that attack people. Unraveling the mystery of the Griga’s goals and nature will be core to the game’s narrative.

Other new features teased include a “Solo Mode”, a fast-paced combat mode where your partner is controlled by the AI. The “Combi Mode” is an unusual system that puts both on-screen characters in control of the player at the same time. Combi Mode is designed for fighting against strong opponents. A “Cross Action” system will allow players to switch modes as the situation suits.

Ys X Nordics will also feature nautical navigation. Players will control a sailing ship traversing the ocean and moving between Oberia Gulf’s islands. They’ll explore marine areas using nautical maps and charts, and even conduct naval battles against hostile ships. Screenshots on the official website also show navigation around 3D spaces using a grappling hook-like beam of energy. Another character also moves at high speed riding a hovering board-like vehicle.

Check out some screenshots below.

Ys X Nordics is set for release in 2023 on PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch in Japan. An international release has not yet been announced. In previous comments Nihon Falcom suggested that it would be out by the end of the 2023 fiscal year, which means it could be out on or before September 30, 2023.