"Ys: The Oath in Felghana" is a beloved action role-playing game developed by Nihon Falcom, originally released in Japan in June 2005. It serves as a remake of "Ys III: Wanderers from Ys," expanding and refining the storyline and gameplay elements of its predecessor. The game has seen multiple releases and remasters across various platforms, solidifying its place in the Ys series.
| Ys: The Oath in Felghana |
Synopsis
The story follows Adol Christin and his companion Dogi as they visit Dogi's hometown of Felghana. Shortly after their arrival, they discover troubling events endangering the local populace, prompting Adol to intervene. The narrative, although based on the original "Ys III," introduces new scenes and modifications to enhance the storyline.
Gameplay
"Ys: The Oath in Felghana" adopts gameplay elements from "Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim," focusing on streamlined action-oriented mechanics. It minimizes inventory management by integrating healing items and stat bonuses as drops from defeated enemies. This approach encourages continuous engagement in combat while maintaining gameplay fluidity.
Development and Releases
Initially released for Windows in Japan, "Ys: The Oath in Felghana" later received a PlayStation Portable (PSP) port in April 2010 in Japan, followed by a North American and European release. Xseed Games facilitated the English localization, incorporating a fan translation to aid in reducing localization costs. The game's Windows version received its English release in 2012, featuring enhancements like achievements and leaderboards.
In April 2023, a high-definition remaster titled "Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana" debuted on the Nintendo Switch in Japan, with subsequent ports to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in May 2024. This remaster introduced voiced dialogue for Adol, improved textures and illustrations, and options to switch between different soundtracks from earlier Ys games.
Soundtrack
The game's soundtrack, arranged by Yukihiro Jindo, garnered acclaim and was released in various formats, including the "Original Sound Track" and "Super Arrange Version." These collections showcase the game's rich musical compositions that enhance the immersive experience of "Ys: The Oath in Felghana."
Conclusion
"Ys: The Oath in Felghana" remains a significant entry in the Ys series, celebrated for its engaging gameplay, narrative depth, and memorable soundtrack. With its journey through different platforms and enhancements over the years, the game continues to captivate both longtime fans and new players alike, solidifying its legacy in the realm of action RPGs.