Ys X: Proud Nordics

Released

Release Date: February 20, 2026

RPG, TPP, Fantasy, Action RPG, jRPG, Singleplayer

8.4

OpenCritic

7.8

Steam

Rate It!

Ratings

 Videos: 2 

Images: 6 

New features in the final version
Gameplay
Storyline
Graphics

In 1987, Japanese studio Nihon Falcom released Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished, an action RPG that gave birth to a series that has since been to become a mainstay of the team's work.

In 2023 (in Japan, because in the West a year later) the tenth installment of the series was released, namely Ys X: Nordics. Over time, it lived to see the "final version," the Ys X: Proud Nordics described here, which made its debut in the Land of the Cherry Blossom in July 2025, while its global release took place in February 2026.

New features in the final version

Ys X: Proud Nordics differentiates itself from the original primarily due to a new plot thread. As part of it , the game's main character, Adol Christin, arrives on the island of ?land, where he, along with Kanut and Astrid, learns the mystery of this piece of land.

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In addition, the new version of the game features an additional ability to manipulate the environment, called Mana Hold. There are also additional challenges on the island ?land. For seasoned daredevils there is Muspelheim, a dungeon with a time limit and a very high difficulty level, where their skills are put to the ultimate test.

All this is complemented by improved graphics, as well as a number of gameplay enhancements.

Gameplay

In Ys X: Proud Nordics, we view events from a third-person perspective (TPP). During the game we travel through the northern land, where both islands and open waters await us to traverse aboard the ship Sandras.

In the course of the adventure we get to know the inhabitants of the territory and perform tasks for them, as well as face enemies. We eliminate enemies on dry land, using two combat modes ("solo mode" and "combination mode", focusing on solo and duo actions, respectively), as well as fighting dynamic battles at sea. As we progress, we develop the character and his companions.

Storyline

In Ys X: Proud Nordics we play as Adol Christin, who, after leaving the Kingdom of Ys, finds himself in the northern lands. They are home to a seafaring people called the Normans, represented, among others, by the brave Karja. The hero decides to aid them in their fight against the lurking threat of the Griegr?w, or immortal undead.

Graphics

The graphic design of the game Ys X: Proud Nordics is maintained in a manga style.

Platforms:

PC Windows

PlayStation 5

Switch 2

Developer: Nihon Falcom

Publisher: NIS America

Similar Games:

Final Fantasy XV: Windows Edition

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age

Tales of Arise

Game Series

13GAMES

Ys Game Series

Features

System Requirements

System Requirements for Ys X: Proud Nordics Video Game:

PC / Windows

Minimum System Requirements:
(60 fps, 1080p) AMD Ryzen 5 1600, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 1050, 8 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit.

Recommended System Requirements:
(60 fps, 1440p) Intel Core i5-10400, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 4 GB GeForce GTX 1650, 8 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit.

Ratings

Game Ratings for Ys X: Proud Nordics Video Game.

8.4

OpenCritic Rating

Game is Recomended by 91% of Critics. There are 49 Critic Reviews.

OpenCritic

Gaming Boulevard: 7.5 / 10 by Toon Borremans

Ys X: Proud Nordics is an enhanced version of a good JRPG that could have elevated it to greatness, but it left me wanting more on some of the promises made. The story remains the game’s highlight, with intriguing plot development, great new characters and locations, and a dungeon as icing on the cake. However, the combat feels repetitive and button-mashy at times, so some new mechanics would have been welcome alongside the further skill mastery and mana hold. The graphics are also a mixed bag: the character design and cutscenes are great, but the muddy textures sometimes made me wonder if this was a current-gen game. This may be limited to the Switch 2 version that I played, but I think Ys X: Proud Nordics would have benefited from more development time and a longer break after the first game, which is still fresh in the minds of most fans.

Full Review

COGconnected: 90 / 100 by Stephan Adamus

Quote not yet available

Full Review

PS4Blog.net: 9 / 10

An improved and expanded take on Ys X that is a must-play on Nintendo Switch 2

Full Review

78%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Mostly Positive (156)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Enhanced Combat System: Players appreciate the refined combat mechanics, including new moves, duo combo attacks, and a streamlined skill leveling system. The combat feels fresh and engaging, with many users highlighting the fun and fluidity of battles.
New Content: The game introduces a substantial amount of new content, including a large new island, multiple new dungeons, bosses, and a new racing mini-game, which many players found enjoyable and worth exploring.
Quality of Life Improvements: Features like better collectible information on the map, improved sailing mechanics, and a more polished overall experience have been positively noted.
Visual and Audio Quality: The graphics and soundtrack received praise, with many players noting the game's vibrant art style and excellent music.
Character Development: The chemistry between the main characters, Adol and Karja, was well-received, with players enjoying their interactions and character arcs.

The main cons of the game

Pricing and Business Practices: A significant number of reviews criticized the pricing strategy, particularly the high cost of the "definitive" edition and the limited discount for existing owners of the original game. Many felt this was a greedy move by the publisher.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

Repetitive Gameplay: Some players noted that enemy variety was lacking, leading to a sense of repetitiveness in combat after a few chapters. Certain bosses were also criticized for being poorly designed or overly spongy.
Technical Issues: There were mentions of janky camera controls and targeting issues during combat, which detracted from the overall gameplay experience for some users.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

Co-op Mode: The removal of the co-op feature that existed in the original Ys X was a common point of contention among players.
More Substantial Upgrades for Existing Owners: Many players felt that the upgrade path for existing owners should have been more generous, with some suggesting a free or significantly discounted upgrade instead of the current pricing.
More Diverse Enemy Types: Users expressed a desire for greater variety in enemies to enhance combat engagement and reduce repetitiveness.
Improved AI for Companions: Some reviews pointed out that the AI for the non-controlled character could be frustratingly poor, leading to issues during combat.

Summary

In summary, while Ys X: Proud Nordics has received praise for its enhanced gameplay mechanics and new content, it is also marred by criticisms regarding pricing strategies, missing features, and some gameplay issues.

Summary generated on: March 9, 2026

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