Ys Origin

Very enjoyable gameplay and story with GREAT soundtrack. Works great on Steam Deck without any tinkering.

I went into this game expecting a fun action combat gameplay experience. I came out with more than just that. This game brought out some emotions I thought I wouldn’t have going into the fairly dated Ys games, and I loved it.
I have been replaying the Ys games in canonical order based off the Digital Emelas site, as I played most of the games without too much thought on the lore behind it when I was younger, especially the older Ys III games which are apparently not canon anymore. This decision came after I introduced myself to the Trails series in 2023 and have since been absolutely immersed and almost caught up with that series. I figured Ys would be an enjoyable pure gameplay experience in between Trails games. I didn’t think I’d be so invested in the lore for this series as well, and especially after Ys Origin.
With the release of Ys X: Nordics, I decided that after I finished that game, I would go through the Ys games to understand Adol’s journey a little better and the world itself overall. Ys Origin is the latest completed Ys game I’ve played, following Ys I and II Chronicles, and man, I did not expect a story that would get me emotional haha.
While I am not a fan of having to go through THREE playthroughs to experience the story bits in its entirety, I highly recommend it, maybe not all in one sitting like I did, but perhaps 1 playthrough here, and the other 2 in separate sittings in between other games. My reason for this is how repetitive it is. You are essentially going through the same tower, with a different character and their point of view, and apparently only the third character’s playthrough is the canon route. This much was clear when you go through the second playthrough because certain moments in the game didn’t line up with the previous playthrough such as interactions on certain floors and who obtained the Ys artifacts. I thought it would be something similar to NieR Automata, in which each character’s interaction with each other happens at the same time on all the playthroughs but how they navigated the tower was different, providing a very different gameplay experience on top of their battle styles.
This is probably my only issue with this game, but otherwise, I absolutely love a well done and written narrative that is also simple enough to understand. Not only that, it is definitely a bonus to have played Ys I and II to understand the full picture. I highly recommend it, if you can get over how dated those games are.
It made me look forward to seeing the rest of Adol’s journey. Part of me only wishes we got to see the rest of the lives of the characters in Ys Origin, as this game takes place way before Adol’s journey even begins.

I cam into Ys Origin expecting a fun game, but it ended up being far more fun than I thought. Ys Origin is a prequel to Ys 1 and Ys 2, but you can play this without playing the prior two games just fine as the story is self contained and takes place hundreds of years before the other two.

Gameplay wise, Ys Origin is a 2.5d action RPG that is fast paced and feels like a hack and slash. The game design, combat, short puzzles, bosses, and story all keep the game very entertaining to play. Without spoiling anything, there are 3 characters you can play as (2 originally, 1 after beating an original one), and each provides more story context. The 3rd character has the true ending and is considered the canon path. Although this means you need to beat the game 3 times to unlock all endings and full context, each character plays different enough that it feels like a different game. As someone who is trying to make my way through all the Ys games on steam, I honestly thought that I was just gonna blitz through the game and just do one run. However, the more I played, the more I enjoyed the game... and I ended up doing all three characters. A big part of it was just that I wanted to see more of the story unfold and the true ending. I was not disappointed, as the true ending was genuinely satisfying, and I now see how things link up to Ys 1 and 2.

Overall, Ys Origin is a highly enjoyable game. Even though it is a bit on the older side, this is still very fun.

This is easily my favorite of the three early 3D Ys games. The combat is fine tuned, the pacing is exquisite and all the characters are fun to play. It's three playthroughs through the same tower, but thanks to the different aspects of the story and the short runtime per playthrough this game felt much shorter to complete than Felghana did for me (and I put more than twice as much time into Origin). As much as I like Adol as a protagonist, this game absolutely benefits from his absense and brings in a story that feels at par in quality to the Trails series.

I can absolutely see myself coming back to this game for more runs in the bonus mode or higher difficulty playthroughs. If you're trying to decide between Felghana, VI and Origin - It's Origin by a mile baybee.

I got the game while on sale so it was a great deal imo.
The game is pretty old but i think its still fine to play.
I just have a few bosses I hated not because its difficult but its just annoying.
In fact, I think the majority of bosses are kinda annoying in a way that
you cant just dps them but have to follow their patterns no matter what.
But I understand the game is old so there is no variation in gameplay.
Still it was decent.
I'm ready for the full series train run c:

Great game but to get the whole adventure you do have to play it 3 times. It is a bit of a bummer but thats what it is.

Ys Origin is a prequel set hundreds of years before the rest of the series, focusing on the rise of demons, the disappearance of the Goddesses, and the origins of the world’s central mythos. Instead of following Adol, the game introduces new protagonists whose perspectives offer a direct view of the events that shaped Ys. The structure is concentrated entirely within the Tower of Darm, creating a focused narrative and a contained adventure with clear momentum.
The story is told through three playable characters: Yunica, Hugo, and a third unlockable route. Each campaign presents the same core events but explores them from different emotional and thematic angles. This approach provides narrative depth without expanding the setting, allowing character motivations, loyalties, and personal burdens to drive the plot forward. The story is concise yet resonates through consistent character development.
Combat is fast and responsive, rooted in classic top-down action. Each protagonist has distinct mechanics: Yunica favors melee attacks and mobility, Hugo fights with long-range magic and tactical positioning, and the final character offers an entirely different, more advanced playstyle. These variations ensure that each route feels mechanically unique even though the tower layout remains constant.
The Tower of Darm itself functions as the game’s central challenge. Floors are structured around themed areas—wind, fire, water, and shadow—with enemy groups, traps, and puzzles that escalate as players climb. While the single setting might seem limiting, the careful variation in design and pacing maintains engagement throughout. The tower format reinforces a sense of ascent, both narratively and mechanically.
Boss encounters are the game’s standout feature. Each fight tests movement, timing, and pattern recognition, pushing players to master their chosen character’s tools. Encounters are intense but fair, with readable telegraphs and escalating phases that reward persistence and adaptation. These battles anchor the game’s identity and provide its most memorable moments.
Progression systems are streamlined. Players improve by collecting resources, purchasing upgrades, and unlocking new abilities that enhance both mobility and combat potential. This clarity supports the game’s speed, eliminating unnecessary complexity and ensuring that growth always feels tied to visible skill improvement. The result is a smooth loop of combat, exploration, and incremental advancement.
Ys Origin succeeds through focused design, strong mechanical variety, and a narrative that enriches the series’ mythology. Its compact scope allows for dense, polished gameplay without filler, while multiple routes add replay value and broaden the emotional range of the story. For players seeking a concentrated, combat-driven action RPG, it remains one of the series’ most tightly executed entries.