Ys Seven

Where has this franchise been all my life? Growing up with Ys alongside other beloved action adventure classics must have been magical. I know I’ve already gushed about the nostalgia and charm of the older Ys games in my previous reviews, but I just can’t help myself. There’s something special about the way these games make me feel—something few games can easily evoke. So at this point, it’s safe to say Ys has completely taken over my heart.
I already knew that Ys Seven would expand on the classic formula, and honestly, I couldn’t be happier with what they’ve created. While it introduces new elements, like the three-party system, it still retains the simple yet engaging core experience. The gameplay is still easy to pick up, effortless to enjoy and perfect for unwinding and getting lost in the adventure. And really, that’s all I ever want from Ys.
I think at this point, it’s practically a given that Falcom delivers yet another outstanding soundtrack for the Ys series. Their music never fails to enhance the experience, and this time is no exception. And while the story and characters are simple, they come to life with a warmth and nostalgia that make the adventure feel truly heartfelt and endlessly charming.
However, the bosses were probably the weakest I’ve encountered in any Ys game so far. They take longer to beat than in previous entries and the early ones feel like damage sponges. At times, it was more frustrating than fun to get through them.
But overall, I had an absolute blast with this game! As much as I would have adored Ys games in my childhood, I’m honestly grateful to experience them now as an adult.

I rate Ys Seven very high as my second favourite of all the Ys games, it has the best soundtrack imo, really fun combat with a lot of playable character variety, solid plot and characters despite there being no voice acting, a landscape with tons of variety and exploration.

It however has one big issue, the balancing and difficulty.
On Normal you should have absolutely no issue, at worst bosses will overstay their welcome at times but nothing impossible or too frustrating.
Go any higher and it becomes a mess, Hard and Nightmare halve your healing if not worse, everything will 2 hit you and bosses like the one at the wind temple or the final boss will have you think to yourself if the game isn't broken as if the bosses are at 2x speed. Some bosses are doable without taking a single hit because they are so predictable and easy to read and then there are the 2 bosses I mentioned that have 20 attack moves without a second for the player to even attack.
What the game wants you to do is use the block feature which never got explained, the only way to find out is going in the keybind settings.

I'm trying to not make it seem like a skill issue but the main take away is that it seems like the difficulties didn't get enough playtesting, it's either too easy or it's really frustrating for the average player.
Don't bother going above the Normal difficulty with this one as a new player because you can't lower it in the settings later on.

I'm really torn about this game.
One one hand, it has one of the most interesting stories. Also, I loved mostly all characters. I really liked how new party members joined all the time, and I felt I created a nice connection with them by the end of the game.
What really gave me a bad experience was the AI of the side characters. They are completely dumb! Most of the time they are not attacking the bosses, they are just standing there. Most of the time I felt I was fighting alone.
Also, the last boss was infuriating. it took be more than one hour to beat it (and I was really afraid I was not going to make it, as I had no healing items left at the end), and I was above the recommended level and with decent equipment. My hands literally hurt after this fight.

Its such a simple and fun Ys game. If you've played Memories of Celceta, this is kind of the precursor to that gameplay-wise. Think of it like Ys SEVEN walked so Ys Memories of Celceta could run.

Ys Seven is a fast-paced action RPG that shifts the series from solo combat to a party-based system, emphasizing teamwork, weapon variety, and continuous momentum. Set in the kingdom of Altago, it introduces a new structure built around open regions rather than the tighter dungeons of earlier entries. This redesign allows for a more fluid gameplay loop focused on traversal, combat, and field exploration.
The story centers on Adol and Dogi as they become entangled in a conflict tied to Altago’s Five Dragons. Political tension between the monarchy, military, and local tribes frames the narrative, giving it more grounded stakes before expanding into mythological territory. While the plot structure is straightforward, it provides a clear motivation for exploration and links character arcs to the world’s broader struggles.
Combat is the game’s main appeal. Real-time battles rely on swapping between characters with different attack types—slash, strike, and pierce—to counter enemy resistances. This system gives each encounter a strategic layer while maintaining the series’ signature speed. Skill usage, resource management, and enemy pattern recognition combine to create an energetic rhythm that rarely slows down.
Characters are distinct in role and feel. Adol’s balanced style contrasts with Geis’s aggressive speed, Aisha’s precision, and Dogi’s heavy-hitting strikes. Each character learns unique abilities that can be leveled through use, encouraging experimentation with team composition. Boss battles showcase these differences well, requiring rapid switches and sustained awareness to succeed.
Exploration blends towns, plains, deserts, forests, and shrines into compact zones that connect seamlessly. The world design encourages frequent movement between regions as the story progresses. Materials collected in the field support crafting and upgrading, which substitute for traditional item drops. This system reinforces a sense of progression tied directly to exploration rather than random chance.
Visual and audio presentation reflects the PSP’s limitations but remains effective. Character models and environments are stylized, with smooth animation that supports the combat-first focus. Falcom’s music team delivers energetic tracks that elevate boss fights and add atmosphere to each region, compensating for the hardware’s graphical constraints.
Ys Seven succeeds by modernizing the series without sacrificing its core identity. The party system, expanded world structure, and fast combat create a dynamic experience that remains influential in later entries. For players seeking an action RPG built around speed, clarity, and mechanical variety, it stands as a key milestone in the franchise’s evolution.

As expected from the Ys franchise, the soundtrack in Ys Seven is outstanding—every track elevates the atmosphere and captures the emotion of each scene beautifully. Falcom Sound Team jdk rarely misses, and this entry is no exception.

What sets Ys Seven apart from other titles in the series is the notable absence of post-game content like Time Attack or Boss Rush modes. While that may disappoint some veterans, the core gameplay loop remains engaging throughout. Being a PSP port, the visuals understandably show their age and don’t quite meet modern standards. However, the simple yet satisfying combat system more than makes up for it. The controls are intuitive, and the learning curve is forgiving, making it accessible even for newcomers.

One aspect that may irk longtime fans is the fixed party setup. Unlike Ys: Memories of Celceta or Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana, Ys Seven doesn’t allow you to swap out Adol from the main party. This limits experimentation in team composition and might feel a bit restrictive, especially in longer battles.
On the technical side, the game runs smoothly from start to finish. I encountered zero bugs during my entire playthrough—a testament to the advantages of a simpler design.

For players wary of overly lengthy, text-heavy RPGs, rest assured: Ys Seven is a brisk and straightforward action RPG. It doesn’t bog you down with endless dialogue or visual novel pacing, unlike titles such as Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet or Alicization Lycoris.

This one was good. After Origin, its the first time the game actually felt fun!
Still Origin was the best and then this game is 2nd. 1246 was all bleh.
This game kinda made me feel like I was playing Origin in a way because
the paths was not complicated, objective was clear, combat was kinda fun
and the music is always good!
I heard the 8th game is really different from the other games so lets see how that goes.