Review of Ys IX: Monstrum Nox (PS4)

Something dubious is going on in the menacing stone town of Balduq, and seasoned adventurer Adol Christin finds out the hard way when he is abruptly arrested upon arrival. Our red-haired hero escapes his captors with the help of a mysterious woman, but her help comes at a cost. Now grappling with a curse that keeps him from leaving town, Adol has no choice but to obey his savior and tackle the corruption that is spreading in Balduq.

From the start, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox serves as an interesting basis for its story. The Falcom series has always placed recurring protagonist Adol in creative situations, and this latest installment is no different. This time around, Adol isn’t just a brave swordsman looking for adventure – he’s a wanted fugitive, and the game’s early hours set the tone for a much darker story.

Fans will find the general structure of Monstrum Nox familiar, however – especially if you’ve played Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana. The 2016 outing saw Adol shipwreck on a long-forgotten island, where he had to regroup with other survivors to escape. The setting for Monstrum Nox may be completely different, but you’ll still find yourself gathering allies, returning to a base of operations regularly, and regularly unlocking new areas of exploration.

Sadly, Monstrum Nox just doesn’t feel as cohesive as its predecessor, and that’s mostly down to the town of Balduq itself. The Isle of Seiren of Ys VIII presented a vast and varied landscape – a memorable mixture of pristine island paradise, ominous ruins and unknown danger. Balduq, on the other hand, is terribly drab and dreary. They are all gray streets and gray buildings, in a still gray sky. It clearly goes for some sort of oppressive gothic tone – but lackluster visuals negate the illusion almost immediately.

So it’s a good job that the city keeps you preoccupied with its many secrets. During the game you have access to various platform capabilities. Before long, you’ll be sprinting up the walls and sliding great heights. It’s a far cry from the gorgeous style and satisfying sweetness of Marvel’s Spider-Man, but Balduq becomes a much more interesting place once you scurry across its rooftops like a true renegade. There are plenty of hidden treasures to be discovered, and the reappearing monster portals ensure you’re never too far away from any sword swinging action.

The platform also plays a key role in exploring dungeons. Balduq is home to numerous underground labyrinths, all of which test your dexterity as well as your combat skills. In typical Y-style, dungeons are fast-paced business, keeping you on your toes with overwhelming monster brawls, light puzzle resolutions, and, of course, over-the-top boss fights. Once again, the stone gray architecture makes everything look a bit too much the same, but overall, hacking and cutting in the dungeons of Monstrum Nox is a lot of fun.

Indeed, it really is the proven Ys combat system that holds everything together. The controls are more responsive than ever, with Adol and other playable members of the party able to pull off flashy combos and special attacks, while performing evasive rolls, jumps and dashes at all times. Everything is so smooth and satisfying – especially once you’ve unlocked the full range of techniques for each character.

As for the plot, things are moving at a slightly slower pace than what longtime Ys fans might expect. Monstrum Nox has a pretty sizable cast and likes to give each new face a reasonable amount of time in the spotlight. As a result, we get entire chapters of the story devoted to a single party member, usually exploring their personality and motivations. In that sense, Ys IX may feel more character-driven than his predecessors, which leads to some surprisingly impactful interactions later on.

However, the focus on individuals means that the overall intrigue often takes over. The main story elements tend to lose steam quite quickly, as they are sidelined for the last dose of character development. We are left with a basic narrative that feels fragmented and even a little contrived once all is said and done.

Conclusion

Another solid action RPG is Ys IX: Monstrum Nox, but it lacks the overall cohesion of its island-based predecessor. The town of Balduq is a disappointingly monotonous setting, and the game’s storytelling often feels rambling. But as is usually the case with the long-running Falcom series, it’s the fast-paced, satisfying, and addicting gameplay that elevates the experience. Adol’s Latest Adventure certainly isn’t a classic, but for the most part it’s still a fun ride.