Ys Book 1&2 -TurboGrafxCD- 8.5

November 18, 2024

I just completed Ys Book 1&2, which released for the TurboGrafxCD back in 1990. I do have the authentic cib, but I actually played the game on the TurboGrafx16mini. I first heard about the Ys series over twenty years ago, so I was excited to finally jump in with this definitive compilation of the first two entries.

Ys Book 1&2 is an action/adventure/rpg where you play as Adol, a young swordsman roaming the land of Esteria. In Book 1, you hear tales of a lost paradise known as “Ys”, and must collect six books to learn why it disappeared 700 years ago. Book 1 rolls right into Book 2, where Adol ascends to the realm of Ys itself to eliminate the demons that threaten civilization. Both books are relatively short, but together they form a full and satisfying experience.

The “bump combat” of Ys Book 1&2 is simple, but fun. I enjoyed ramming into enemies as I became more powerful with better gear. Grinding takes mere minutes to rapidly increase stats and attain gold. Book 2 adds some magic to the mix with different wands you can wield. The fire wand shoots projectiles, making the combat feel a little more traditional.

The presentation of Ys Book 1&2 was outstanding. The developers took full advantage of the CD format to give gamers something truly special in 1990. The colorful graphics are dazzling, with beautiful anime sequences sprinkled throughout the playthrough. The eclectic soundtrack is marvelous, having a mix of heavy metal and upbeat classical sounding tunes that fit great with the old school vibe. The occasional bits of voice acting were also a nice touch.

Being an adventure game from the late 80’s/early 90’s era, Ys does have its fair share of cryptic segments. Many of the areas are quite large, with similar looking walkways and rooms. This is especially true of the final fortress in Book 2. It can be easy to get lost, as there are a lot of dead ends. I had to sometimes resort to YouTube for clues on where to go or what to do next. But I still loved finding the key items to open subsequent paths, and working to discover them was ever so satisfying.

I very much delighted in playing through Adol’s heroic exploits to unlock the mysteries of Ys. This is a classic rpg adventure that entices you with intriguing lore, exquisite presentation, and engrossing gameplay. I rate Ys Book 1&2 an 8.5 out of ten. I look forward to playing more installments of this promising series in the future.