Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim is an action role-playing game in which adventurer Adol Christin is shipwrecked on the Canaan Islands after the Romun fleet attacks his expedition. Rescued by members of the native Rehda tribe, he explores the archipelago and investigates the forces threatening its inhabitants.
Combat takes place in real time and centers on three elemental swords, each providing distinct attacks and magical abilities. Players explore interconnected areas, collect equipment and items, and battle regular enemies and large bosses.
All in all, Adol's sixth adventure is a strong one. It was strong enough to bring the series back into prominence.
In the end, the real question is not 'Is Ys VI a quality title?' but 'Is it worth its asking price?' Solid action, well-utilised visuals, and a great soundtrack make The Ark of Napishtim a more than solid title on the whole for someone who is walking in knowing what to expect it is. For those looking for a longer adventure, despite its charm, they would...
If you played this back in the PS2 days, know that it is worth picking up again thanks to all the changes XSeed and Nihon Falcom have given this update. If you're fresh on the Ys series, then give this one a go, you won't be disappointed.
You could do better within the Ys series, but it's still near the top of the pack as far as retro-styled action RPGs go.
Overall, regardless of whether this is your latest Ys adventure, or even your first one, you could certainly do worse than picking up Ys VI. For fans, it'll probably seem a little less polished than later titles, but for both newcomers and veterans alike, there's a lot to love here. As a starting point for getting into the series, Ys VI makes sense,...
