Ys X: Proud Nordics [REVIEW] – A Bigger and Better Second Voyage 

It feels like we only just unpacked our bags from our last trip to the Obelia Gulf, but less than a year and a half on, here we are again, with Ys X: Proud Nordics serving as a massive, expanded re-release of the original 2024 action-RPG. If you are anything like me, you probably spent a good chunk of time sailing the seas with Adol and Karja not too long ago, which makes the prospect of buying a definitive edition this soon a bit of a head-scratcher. I was a little sceptical about whether Falcom had added enough fresh content to justify double-dipping, but after jumping back in to see exactly what this souped-up version brings to the table for us returning veterans, it’s left a positive impression. 

Check out some screenshots down below: 

Right, let’s address the massive elephant in the room straight away. Ys X only just came out in October 2024, so the idea of shelling out full price for an enhanced edition this soon – especially when there is absolutely no way to carry your old save file over or upgrade if you own the original game – is a tough pill to swallow. Having to start Adol and Karja’s adventure entirely from scratch stung at first… BUT, I must admit, after sinking more hours into Obelia Gulf, this really is the definitive way to experience the adventure. 

If you are coming back for a second round, you already know the basics. The story follows a younger Adol tied to the fierce pirate princess Karja, and the combat revolves around that brilliant Cross Action system. Swapping between rapid solo strikes and heavy, dual-character defence still feels incredibly satisfying, and it all plays wonderfully on the PlayStation 5 (with support for up to 120fps if your TV can handle it).  

But you want to know about the new stuff, right? Well, whilst the developers could have just thrown the old DLC into a bundle and called it a day – though to be fair, they actually have included every single piece of cosmetic costume DLC from the original game – they have clearly made this release a labour of love, with plenty of meaningful gameplay additions and improvements added to the experience. 

“If you didn’t play the original game the first time around, Ys X: Proud Nordics is an absolute must-buy for fans of action-focused RPGs.“

The biggest draw is Öland Island. This place is massive, featuring five sprawling maps and some of the best dungeon layouts the series has seen in years. It gives us a much deeper look into the history of the Norman people and also introduces a couple of new faces to flesh out the narrative. Canute steps up as a brilliant rival for Karja, and while Astrid spends most of her time in the background selling you things, their dynamic adds some lovely emotional weight to the journey. Best of all, this whole side story feels completely natural – it doesn’t feel bolted onto the end of the game, but is woven right into the middle of your adventure… almost like they had been there all along. 

Exploration on foot has also had a tweak, with your hoverboard now having a boost function, which makes sliding around the maps even more of a laugh. There is even a dedicated racing minigame tied to it now, which INSTANTLY appealed to me (I’m a sucker for an RPG minigame, what can I say). There’s also a new tool called Mana Hold, which lets you pick up heavy objects and chuck them around to solve puzzles. It adds another layer to exploration, and whilst it isn’t a game-changer, it’s nice to see more additions to make Ys X: Proud Nordics feel like more than just a simple re-release. 

Then there are other improvements, such as sailing across the ocean. The map is now littered with fast-moving ocean currents that you can unlock by winning naval skirmishes, which cuts down the travel time massively and makes exploring the high seas a genuine joy rather than a chore. It also feels like the controls have been refined to make sailing smoother, which is a small but welcome fix. Combat has been re-balanced too, but honestly? This wasn’t something I remembered being an issue when I played the first time around. But hey, it’s something that has been refined, so I’m sure it will make the experience more enjoyable for new players. 

Check out some screenshots down below: 

Once you finally roll the credits, there is a surprisingly chunky postgame waiting for you, consisting of the Bergen Coliseum, the Ceaseless Sea, and Muspelheim. The Bergen Coliseum lets you replay beefed-up boss fights, the Ceaseless Sea is an endless wave survival mode for your ship, whilst Muspelheim is a timed roguelite dungeon where you collect shards to unlock buffs for future runs. There’s a great selection of content to get stuck into, and whilst Ys X: Proud Nordics is already a lengthy game, these will make it easy to want to spend even more hours with the game. 

Developer: Falcom 
Publisher: NIS America 
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), Nintendo Switch 2, PC 
Website: https://www.nisamerica.com/ys-x-proud-nordics/